February 20, 2002
I am using a Kenwood VR410 receiver and just upgraded my
speakers. I bought a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio/40s, a Studio CC center-channel,
with Atoms in the rear. The Kenwood has a full set of pre-outs. I use the system for music
and movies, but I feel that music is where sound quality is most important. So, what do
you think about purchasing an inexpensive ($600) two-channel amplifier for the front
channels, and using the Kenwood to power the center and rear channels? I could hook the
amp up to the front pre-outs on the receiver, right? Would this work? Will I get better
music quality out of the Studio/40s? If so, can you recommend an appropriate amplifier?
Thanks.
Matt
Not only will this arrangement work, it is one of the
very best ways to upgrade a receiver-based system. You will get better sound up front on
the left and right Paradigms, but there are other benefits too. The Kenwood will be less
stressed and likely sound better on the rear channels and all-important center speaker. A
receiver typically shares a common power supply for all channels. When you free it from
powering the main speakers, it has more available headroom for what's remaining. I'd put a
B&K, Adcom, Denon or the like on the Studio/40 mains, and get ready to be amazed!
February 19, 2002
In my current living room I have an older but very high-end
stereo system made up of separates preamp, amp, tuner, CD player and DAT player (that last
component should date things for you.) I am remodeling the room (tearing out walls), and
my wife wants me to install a home-theater system when I put them back. However, I was
reluctant to sacrifice the audio quality I have now. But she won, of course. So, my stereo
is moving into my office where I will listen to jazz alone.
Naturally, my wife still wants music capabilities in our
living room (just to annoy me, I think), so I want to start building our home-theater
system around a receiver that will give me the best stereo quality that I can get when not
watching films in 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 or whatever point-one that I end up with. In short, the
quality of the receiver's two-channel performance trumps all the video features and
multichannel sound capabilities it must have to play movies.
Will you please give me a list of receivers in the $1000
range that will fit my needs for me to consider? Thank you.
Don Dougherty
Models from Denon and Onkyo are a good place to start
your search. Both brands seem to offer surprisingly good stereo performance. You do have
some other options, though, that would enhance your stereo listening combine both systems.
Receivers in the price range you are looking at will have preamp outputs to use with
external amplifiers. You could use your two-channel amplifier to drive your main speakers
as you are now, and hook the tuner, CD player, and DAT player to a line-level input on the
receiver. The only component you would drop would be the preamp because the receiver would
be handling this function. Then add surround speakers and a center-channel, along with a
DVD player and you would have a basic 5.1 system while still utilizing the basic
components of your stereo system. Buy DVD-A or SACD capability and you can listen to some
multichannel jazz along with your two-channel CDs! You may still choose to separate your
systems, but this is a viable option.
February 18, 2002
I currently have the Axiom M3Ti speakers, and I am running
them with the Cambridge Audio A300 integrated amplifier. The A300 is good for its price,
but when I listen to my Sennheiser HD 580 headphones with amplification (Headroom Total
Airhead), I notice that I'm losing a lot of details with the A300. I know the speakers are
capable of more because I've heard them sound better with better amplification.
Also I'd like something with a remote control that controls
both volume and source input (hence, cross out the A300's bigger brother, the Cambridge
Audio A500). Regarding the kind of sound I'm looking for, I am also connecting my sound
system to a digital piano, so accuracy and speed are high on my priorities list. Could you
suggest an integrated amplifier with a price ceiling of $600? I know you reviewed Arcam
DiVA recently, but 40Wpc is a little underpowered for me, particularly since I'm
connecting this to my digital piano. I would certainly consider used, in which case the
price ceiling would almost double. Thanks.
Kevin
From looking at the A300 owner's manual, it appears
that it has preamp-output facilities. This allows you to use all the control functions and
volume control on the A300 while bypassing the power amplifier stage altogether. Your best
bet is to simply use the A300 in this configuration, as a preamplifier, connecting it to a
separate power amplifier (through the use of RCA connectors on the rear, labeled
"output"). By doing this, you maximize your dollar by allotting your entire
budget for the power amplifier, which can give you more power, refinement, etc., without
duplicating the control functions you already have. I would look at models from B&K,
Adcom, Arcam, and Denon, just to name a few. This is a great way of upgrading a system
without having to replace anything, and will allow you to purchase better amplification
than by spending the same amount of money on another integrated.
February 16, 2002
I'm a regular visitor to your great site. Kindly recommend
to me a speaker which is very good in the mid-to-high-frequency range (especially with
those clear, extended, airy highs). My budget is $500. My present system consists of Rotel
RA-971 Mk II, Rotel RCD-971 and AE Aegis One speakers. Thank you.
Sunil
I would look at two speaker brands, each with specific
strengths in the areas you mention. The Axiom line is renowned for its clear, open
midrange, and is no slouch in the high frequencies either. The NHT line has some of the
most detailed, extended high frequencies I've heard, with very good midrange performance
too.
Speakers from Paradigm and Energy would fit the bill as
alternatives to the above, as each tends to present a balanced sound from top to bottom.
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