Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners seperate amp

I'm considering adding a seperate amp to my system. My question to you all is, would a 2-channel amp challenge the integrity of the sound for my 5.1 system or would a 5-channel amp be the way to go? In other words if I add power to my M-80's only and not to the other speakers would this be a mistake.

I have a similar concern. I will be watching this one!

N, keep in mind that an amplifier doesn't force its power upon a speaker; the speaker draws only as much as it needs at the moment for a particular sound level, regardless of what the maximum capability of the amplifier may be. For a typical comfortably loud level for M80s this would be in the area of 1 watt, with split-second peaks drawing possibly 100 watts or more. You also calibrate the level of all the speakers to be equal, and again this is regardless of what the maximum power capacity of the amplifiers might be.

So, there's no basis for concern about sonic "integrity" if amplifiers with different ratings are used. Also, however, consider simply continuing to use a receiver to power everything, which is the cost-effective way to go in most cases; there's no special magic that a separate amplifier adds if the receiver amplifiers are doing the job already.

You're forgetting that the point to all this is the acquisition of MORE.

I think the others kind of missed your question. You can use a 2 channel amp just fine with a receiver to only power certain speakers (say, your fronts...). You just need to recalibrate in order to level match between the speakers.

I can now say that there clearly IS a difference in seperates versus AVR's no matter what Blind articles seem to state. I have been experimenting with various music and going back/forth between my Denon and Emotiva. At louder levels, say 95dB or more the music is more vibrant, fuller, and the soundstage seems to have more depth. Also, I've noticed that when I have the Denon at the same levels, I can't listen as long, almost like ear fatique or whatever. Not sure if this is contributed to distortion, less headroom, or whatever.

I think I've decided to go with what my perceptions are noticing, versus some article or white paper. Even at lower levels I can detect a richer sound and I'm sticking to that.

Another convert

hmmm..

Mabey I should get some monoblocks for my M22s? ...Actually, scratch that...I DO want to live to see tommorrow as my wife would certainly KILL me.