More expensive receiver
August 21, 2003
I want to upgrade my system and have been told that a
better receiver is the way to go (I have an older JVC now). But I don't know if I should
do this or go for something else. What do you get for your money when you upgrade your
receiver?
Aaron Chapman
There are a number of areas where receivers, as a rule,
have improved over the years. Generally, though, two specific things stand out: more power
and better processing. Receivers are becoming more powerful with better amplifiers and
overall cleaner sound. This, as you can imagine, benefits all aspects of home theater and
music. Second, processing features are more advanced and more user friendly. This lets a
user enjoy more options from DVDs and various surround sources, as well as aids setup and
component matching. I'd say that if your JVC is more than three years old, an updated
model is a good bet and a cost-effective upgrade across the board.
The best amp for the job?
August 19, 2003
I just purchased a beautiful pair of Infinity SM-155
loudspeakers, and I'm about to get an amp. The two I've come down to are a Yamaha AX-596,
which is a large, powerful amp (100Wpc), and a Rotel RA-01, which is only 40Wpc but the
salesman informed me was a very high-current amp. The speakers are of very high
sensitivity -- 102dB. Is the much-less-powerful amp of 40Wpc still going to be fine for
playing these speakers really loud or should I go with the worse-sounding but more
powerful?
Mike
"Playing these speakers really loud" makes it
difficult to recommend anything other than the more powerful amp. If I were you, I'd pass
on both of them and look for an amp that sounds as good as the Rotel with as much power as
the Yamaha. That's likely the only way you'll find long-term satisfaction from your
system.
Needs more ooomph
August 18, 2003
I'm slowly being lured into lower-priced high-end
equipment. I bought a pair of MartinLogan Aerius-I speakers a couple of years ago, but I
was trying to drive them with a 35W Yamaha receiver. I just bought an Arcam A85 integrated
amp (85W), having heard it in the store (hooked up to MLs) and read great things about it.
Back home, in a smaller space, I had to nearly max out the volume to create the sound I
heard in the store. I drove the amp into overload twice. (It was warm, without air
conditioning in my room.) Does this sound normal? Are there simple ways to give my system
more ooomph? Will AC make a difference? Better interconnects? Biwiring? Should I
have bought a more powerful amp?
Doug Russo
If you've shut down the amplifier twice I'd suspect the
protection circuitry is being activated due to thermal overload. Whether the load (speaker
impedance) is too great for the amplifier, you're driving the system into clipping
(surpassing the amplifier's power-output capabilities), or the heat in the room is too
great, the effect would be the same -- the amp would shut down. As a general rule,
amplifiers should be given plenty of space on all sides for proper ventilation. If the
room is hot and the component's placement is constricting air flow, you're in for trouble.
Based on your description, this would be my guess. Cool everything down and see if things
don't improve. If not, you likely need a more robust amplifier.
Axiom placement
August 11, 2003
I am considering purchasing a good set of speakers to use
in my office. These would be connected to my computer (through an amplifier) and
eventually also to my multi-zone sound system. They will be used primarily for music
listening while I'm working and some game playing on the computer. One set of speakers I'm
considering are Axiom's bookshelf speakers, particularly the M2i or M22Ti.
The speakers will need to be put on my desk, on either side of my monitor. The M2i
would need a stand. The computer faces a corner, so the speakers will both be placed close
to a wall. Seeing as these are rear-ported speakers, I was wondering how much you thought
this would affect the sound? Axiom claims the speakers will be fine if they have 1
1/2" between them and the wall, which is extremely close for rear-ported speakers. I
can manage to get the speakers two or so inches away from the wall. Would you have any
concerns with this, or do you think they would be fine that close to a wall? Thanks.
Richard Thomas
I'd trust Axiom's recommendation. The practical result,
which in some cases may be an advantage, is some bass reinforcement due to the close wall
proximity. This might even obviate the need for a subwoofer. Axiom has a generous return
policy so you could always try the speakers to see if they work for you.
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