New Denon
February 29, 2004
My old Denon PMA-757 just blew up. What is a comparable
follow-up model?
Michael
How 'bout the Denon PMA-2000MkIV R? It's 80W into 8
ohms, 160W into 2 ohms, built like a tank (over 50 pounds) with gold-plated connectors and
a remote control. I think you'll find it a great improvement over your classic Denon
integrated. Do some shopping around on the Internet and you'll find some good prices.
Car amp to enhance bass?
February 27, 2004
I have a Harmon/Kardon 3380 stereo receiver powering two
Cerwin Vega V12-F floorstanding speakers, and the bass tones seem a little flat. My
receiver has preamp outputs and I was wondering if there was any way I could connect a new
Power Acoustik car-audio amplifier (because I have it already) to enhance the bass output
of my speakers. The car amplifier can play full-range music as well as low frequencies.
Stephen
It's a bad idea because the operating voltages are
incompatible between home and car equipment, not to mention that your speakers just aren't
set up for that type of arrangement. The better solution is to sell the car amplifier and
buy a powered subwoofer. That will give you the bass you're looking.
Single-channel listening OK?
February 24, 2003
Following a stroke after 9/11, I've found it very difficult
to listen to stereo, especially if the drivers are over 5", so I'm using a single
small speaker from an old RCA minisystem rated at 8 ohms with my receiver set to mono and
the balance favoring that speaker. The volume is kept at low or moderate levels. It's
worked for about two years without any smoke or fire.
Will my receiver be permanently damaged? Must I connect the
other speaker to even the load?
Charles
You should be fine listening to a single channel. I see
no reason it would cause an issue. The fact that you're only listening at low or moderate
volumes to a very small single-driver speaker only makes it that much easier on your
receiver. No worries!
Amp upgrade for B&Ws
February 23, 2004
Thanks for your great site! I am using a Harmon/Kardon
AVR20 II receiver. I have purchased (not yet received) B&W Matrix 803 IIs for main
speakers. I have mid-level Cambridge SW center and rear speakers -- I may improve those
later. Also, I have no subwoofer yet. My primary focus is stereo listening; home theater
is secondary. I anticipate that the receiver will power the B&Ws OK in stereo mode,
but will be overtaxed to run five channels at appreciable volume. It seems like a logical
step would be to add a power amp to run the B&Ws (the receiver has the pre-out jacks),
and leave the receiver to power the rest. The Harmon/Kardon PA2000 power amp seems like a
logical fit (2 x 100W when used for two channel), and is quite affordable (many online
retailers offer at a deep discount from the $599 MSRP).
Here are my questions. (1) Does my reasoning seem correct
so far? (2) Should I be favoring an H/K power amp over different manufacturers, or does it
not really matter? (3) I can't find much info on PA2000 -- do you think it is OK? Or would
I be better getting a used higher-end amp on eBay?
Matt
Your logic is well founded. Roger Kanno wrote
about this kind of upgrade strategy in "Upgrading Your Home-Theater System -- Part One Power
Amplifiers" on Home Theater & Sound. As for sticking with the same
brand, it is certainly not as critical as it would be with speakers. I'd be more inclined
to get the best amp you can find, regardless of manufacturer. B&W speakers have always
had a reputation as being power hungry; whether this is founded or not for every model I
can't say. To be on the safe side I'd make sure the amplifier delivers plenty of current
into at least 4-ohm loads. This should give you some headroom in home-theater/rock-out
mode, not to mention a little peace of mind. The PA2000 is a five-channel amp. You should
be looking at two-channel amps to configure your system in the way you describe above
(with the receiver powering the center and surrounds).
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