Outlaw amps

aht3 · 07-19-2007, 10:02 AM

OK, I am taking another step I think and need some help. I have a Pio 84 driving a JBL Studio L 7.1 setup. I like the sound however I was wondering how a nice amp would affect my overall sound. I am in an 11x12x10 room. Kind of small however I want to make sure I am getting the most out of my system. I do a lot of late night listening and do not want to use headphones. I just want clear detail at all volumes. So I have a couple of questions.

1.) I found the external amp outputs on my 84. What type of cables should I use?
2.) Based on my equipment (listed below) and room size, which outlaw would you recommend? I was looking at the 7075, 7125 and the 7200.
Are there any other brands that you would recommend for my setup?
3.) Any suggestions for anything I might have missed?

I only want to do this if I will have a noticeable increase in sound quality.

Thanks.

Doug_ · 07-19-2007, 12:57 PM

I would suggest acoustically treating the room before getting a separate amp. By getting rid of unwanted reflections and room interactions, you will notice much more out of doing this as opposed to adding an amp. After treating the room, if you can not reach the volume levles you desire or something is still missing, then you could look at adding an amp. I would suggest GIK Acoustics for acoustic panels if you follow up on this. They are good products at a fair price.

JohnRice · 07-19-2007, 02:36 PM

You know andrew, in a very recent thread you were asking about how to power the new Paradigm 8s you are planning to get. This forum is certainly here for help, but if you are asking questions about situations you have no intention of making reality, you are just wasting everyone's time and abusing their willingness to help. You are also now running two threads on the same topic, which is not cool.

All I am saying is, please, don't come in and ask for help with every conceivable, speculated possibility such as how to power speakers you haven't even auditioned yet and were merely thinking about. Plus, stick each process to one thread. Can you imagine how clogged this forum would be if everyone started a new thread every time they had a slightly different angle on the same question?

aht3 · 07-19-2007, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the feedback John. If you' notice, this thread is concerning the system that I currently own and am listening to right now and was merely asking if adding an amp would enhance what I already have. I have seen people get criticized for changing topics in the same thread and I thought I was doing the right thing

The other thread has to do with a system that I plan to audition and purchase in the next 4-5 months for my living room. My apologies for the redundancy and thanks for the mild rebuke. Conversely, if you have a problem with me or my actions, I would appreciate you just sending me a PM.

aht3 · 07-19-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug_

I would suggest acoustically treating the room before getting a separate amp. By getting rid of unwanted reflections and room interactions, you will notice much more out of doing this as opposed to adding an amp. After treating the room, if you can not reach the volume levels you desire or something is still missing, then you could look at adding an amp. I would suggest GIK Acoustics for acoustic panels if you follow up on this. They are good products at a fair price.

Thanks Doug and I am not too familiar with room treatments. What all is involved? I am not to terribly concerned about my office beyond adding another piece of gear. f it going to cost a lot, I will hold on to the cash and invest it in the living room if necessary. It's a bit tricky due to all of the openings leading to other rooms.

Thanks for your feedback.

**HTF Ads**

Doug_ · 07-19-2007, 04:55 PM

Basically you hang 2' x 4' panels in the room to absorb certain reflections the sound makes, muddying the sound stage. The average room probably runs about $300-500 to treat. The benefits would be much more noticable than any other other upgrade at several times the price.

Openings to other rooms can be a good thing (there are no reflections at those points to deal with).

JohnRice · 07-19-2007, 05:32 PM

Andrew, remembering the threads you have started, I was just getting the impression you were starting on thhe path of asking for feedback on every thought that popped into your mind. People have done it before, and it really taps a lot of energy from those who are trying to help. In retrospect, I realize I may have been wrong.

aht3 · 07-19-2007, 05:37 PM

no problem. you and I are big boys and I believe in accountability one to another. I'll make sure to tighten things up next time and not take the microphone on more than one stage telling similar jokes (point well taken)

Doug, thanks for the tip. I will ask some of the pros about that if I have enough coin left to hire them for that type of task.

thanks again guys.

JohnRice · 07-19-2007, 10:35 PM

Getting back on track, now that I actually paid attention to the room size, and considering the speakers, I am quite confident that adding a 7 channel amp is gross overkill. So, unless you have money to burn, it would be better spent elsewhere. Possibly a 3 channel amp instead, for the front is a decent idea, mainly because power to the front is never a bad idea. For example, my HT is about 20x25 and I don't even use an external amp for the surrounds, and I play it at reference level regularly. We have equivalent Pioneer receivers, mine is just an older model.

As mentioned, acoustic treatments are always good. They can be panels of insulation, acoustic ceiling tiles, or things as simple as heavy wall hangings (I have both a wall hanging rug on the back wall and heavy drapes on the front wall, along with Sonex panels positioned to diffract direct reflections on the side walls and ceiling) or book cases with books of staggered depth. Anything to break up the sound waves.

As far as cables to hook up the amp, good heavy RCA cables are all you really need. You don't need to go with Monster Cable, which doesn't give much bang for the $. Believe it or not, you can often find very nice, reasonably priced ones at places like Target or Sam's (I'm serious) so long as you know what to look for. There is also Blue Jeans Cable, which is on this forum. I don't know if they still have them, but I have some very noce ones I got at Radio Shack for around $15 a set.

In the end, amps tend to be more fine tuning than something you will get a "noticeable increase in sound quality" from, particularly with speakers that aren't that difficult to drive. JBL is far too common a brand to make speakers which absolutely require a powerhouse amp. If you got those Paradigms, absolutely, put the $ into a brute amp. With the JBLs, there are better ways to spend the $.