What powers your speakers?

[rammer24]

One thing that hasn't even crossed my mind for years and years.

I've always powered my speakers with a standard home receiver, one of those AM/FM/PHONO/AUX type things that used to be part of every home stereo set up. I think mine is a "REALISTIC". Lately, I've been thinking about getting a proper power amp. But I'm wondering if I'll hear a difference in sound quality. I don't need more power, this thing goes plenty loud enough. But am I missing something in detail and quality?

What do you guys use?

[Even older now]

Adcom GFA555. It's old but sweet. I'd like to have about double the power -just for the occasional eek out the last bit of peak headroom, but never got around to it.

[rammer24]

Adcom GFA555. It's old but sweet. I'd like to have about double the power -just for the occasional eek out the last bit of peak headroom, but never got around to it.

Ooh.....That looks cool. https://www.google.ca/search?q=Adcom+GF ... 64&bih=581


I'd like to A/B my reciever with a good power amp and see if I hear a difference at moderate and low volumes. I'm sure I'll hear a difference at high volume, that's probably where the difference comes in. But maybe at low and moderate volume I'd be wasting my money.

[Armistice]

Love....

But seriously? Powered monitors. You seem able to produce the music you want to produce at a high level on what you have, so not sure there's any immediate benefit to a better amp for you. I used a hifi amp and speakers for years and only changed because the amp eventually died.

[rammer24]

Love....

HEE!

But seriously? Powered monitors. You seem able to produce the music you want to produce at a high level on what you have, so not sure there's any immediate benefit to a better amp for you. I used a hifi amp and speakers for years and only changed because the amp eventually died.

I've managed to get decent results, but that doesn't mean it can't be better. I'm just not sure if power to my speakers is the answer or will even make an audible difference.

[Even older now]

Wow nice pics. I haven't visited this in quite a while. I've always been sort of leery of the 'HiFi' scene. :>) Inherited this one from my brother, but IIRC he had copies of 'Stereophile around. So.. good for me he did his homework.
http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweram ... UBzkyqx.97

[ido1957]

I use an ART SLA2 to power my monitors which are set up in the basement. Very clean but not extremely loud.

[Even older now]

My last post was to Rammer :>) (can we edit?
Re powered'. In my case I have some really fine speakers -which is still half (maybe more? the battle, needing power.
Do I want to hear them next to full blown JBL LSR708 set... -yes :>)

[rammer24]

(can we edit?

Of course. Just hit the "!" on the top right of your post.

[Even older now]

Ah I see it now thanks. ('Hovered there before and didn't (not the "!" tough ! :>)

[Even older now]

I use an ART SLA2 to power my monitors which are set up in the basement. Very clean but not extremely loud.

Interesting, about the same watts as here.

[einstein magoo]

I use powered tannoy monitors but wife wants me to get my old stereo gear out of the living room. This means I'll be moving my old Harmon Kardon Citation 22 power amp and Snell Acoustics speakers into the studio. I've been wanting to do this for some time anyway so I can really open up the volume of recorded tracks and other listening in that room . Doubt that this setup will make for good mixing,, but pretty sure it will sound cool!

[Farview]

IF you can find a used Hafler amp, those are really good, without costing too much.

I used one to power my Urei 813's and it was brilliant.

The biggest difference between a power amp and a stereo receiver will be the the tone circuitry of the receiver. (assuming same quality level)

[rammer24]

IF you can find a used Hafler amp, those are really good, without costing too much.

I used one to power my Urei 813's and it was brilliant.

The biggest difference between a power amp and a stereo receiver will be the the tone circuitry of the receiver. (assuming same quality level)

I'll check those out. Thanx for clarifying what the difference would be. I don't want to waste my money if the only improvement would be a psychological one.

[rayc]

I used a really good stereo system for yonks but after some A/Bing of speakers I discovered just how "coloured" they were.
I bought some entry level self powered monitors and, after getting used to them, they made a world of difference.
Rami, your stuff is so "sorted" that you don't need to change. You've obviously learnt to compensate for any colouration the map adds or the difference between the colour and the gear everyone else plays your stuff on is complementary.
If you change amps you'll have to elarn it and the difference.
You can do it but does it have any value?

[miroslav]

What powers your speakers?

Electricity...?

Actually...
There's three hamsters and a wheel tied to a small generator....

Mine are active monitors...they have built in amps...but I do have a pair of old JBLs that are passive, and I use to power them with a small Crown amp, though now the JBLs are no longer part of the equation since I bought new studio monitors...which are also active...so now I have two sets, both active.

Oh...I also have a third studio set, that's mainly for listening. Big ass old pair of 3-way Technics HiFi spekaers with a 10" woofer, mids and highs.
The mids and highs each have their own level controls so you can dial them in to taste. They are passive, and I'm currently using a Peavey PMA 200 amp to power them, but I also have an old Cerwin Vega PA amp that I've used in the past. That fucker has a lot of kick.

Hey man...those speakers of yours are nice (I almost bought a pair a few years back when Crutchfield had the entire line...I loved the copper theme.
So like...if your receiver amp is clean, and can handle the demands of the speakers...you don't have a reason to change.
If anything...if you really want to make a difference at some point...then just get some better active studio monitors, something that will give you a new/alternate perspective...and keep those current ones to A/B off of.

[rammer24]

So like...if your receiver amp is clean, and can handle the demands of the speakers...you don't have a reason to change.

That's what I thought. i just didn't know if someone was going to say that a good power will make a huge difference or not. My receiver works fine, so I'll probably look elsewhere as far as spending money.

[Farview]

To put your mind at ease, can you just borrow a power amp from someone? Studios in the 80's used to use crown power amps for their mains, those are a dime a dozen. Just about anything that isn't made by Samson, Peavey, or any other low level brand will give you an idea about the difference.

Any PA power amp, even if it is too powerful, will work. Just rent one if you have to.

[Roman]

I got an old kenwood kr 9400 reciever. Great old amp.
That and a Bryston 3b and a Bryston 2B. Hooked up to a power amp/speaker switching box. (Old hi fi shit)
Great for checking on different systems and different speakers

[rammer24]

To put your mind at ease, can you just borrow a power amp from someone? Studios in the 80's used to use crown power amps for their mains, those are a dime a dozen. Just about anything that isn't made by Samson, Peavey, or any other low level brand will give you an idea about the difference.

Any PA power amp, even if it is too powerful, will work. Just rent one if you have to.

I'll see if I can. I used to own a P.A. system with Crown power amps.

My memory fails me...wouldn't I need two power amps? Are they not mono? Christ, it's been a while.