do i need an amp?ohm help please

[rightaway]

im looking to get a denon avr 3808ci. it says it is rate for 6 and 8 ohms. my front tower speakers are 2 ohms. how does this effect sound? what doed ohms mean? i know it means power some how but not sure. if 2 ohms is lower, shouldnt it be better? my friend said that i should get an amp to run the front tower speakers. what do you guys think?

[rightaway]

i also have a http://sportsbil.com/sony/STR/STR-S/STR-SE391_v1.1.pdf
can i use this as an amp?it looks like 8 ohms but not sure

[blackraven]

What speakers do you have that are rated at 2ohms? If they are truly rated at 2 ohms then you need an amp that is rated down to 2 ohms otherwise the amp can over heat and burn up!

Here are a few amps rated at 2 ohms, I don't think that you will find any receivers that go down that low.

avahifi - Power Amplifiers Comparison Grid (http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=209)

I own some AVA gear and it is well made and the customer service is second to none. You may be able to find some good buys on used ava gear-

avahifi - Used Equipment (http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=176)

Ava gear has an old school look for the elctronics are state of the art and hand made here in Woodbury, MN my home town. Give the owner and designer Frank Van Alstine a call and he will steer you in the right direction for the right amp for your needs.

[blackraven]

That sony wont work. What speakers do you have we can check the specs?

[rightaway]

sorry, they are 4 ohms, Dynaudio Audience 60 .i want the best CLEAR sound. im going to be running a 7.1

[rightaway]

and can somebody explain ohms to me?

[blackraven]

Those are pretty inefficient speakers rated at 86 dB sensitivity and they will need a good amp rated at 4ohms. Preferably one that high current. You may want to look at some NAD receivers or even Emotiva separate amps and preamps if you are on a budget.

Emotiva Audio: Audiophile Quality Multi Channel Amplifiers, Stereo Preamplifiers, Audio/Video Processors, and Award Winning Speaker Systems At Direct Prices (http://www.emotiva.com)

The XPA 5 is a 5ch amp and will do 300wpc at 4ohms.

[blackraven]

And here's a nice 7ch amp-

Model 7125 Seven Channel Power Amplifier (http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/7125.html)

[blackraven]

and can somebody explain ohms to me?

This pretty much sums it up-

All About Ohms (http://www.legendarytones.com/ohms.html)

Speaker Impedance Explained - Ohms (http://www.prestonelectronics.com/audio/Impedance.htm)

[rightaway]

how does an amp effect the reciever do it is job with all the effects?

[rightaway]

do you think that i sould look for a different reciever? i'm looking used around $350 and the denon seems like the best bang for the buck

[blackraven]

You need to get a preamp/processor

Emotiva Audio UMC-1 Audio-Video Processor (http://emotiva.com/umc1.shtm)

Or you can buy a receiver that has preamp outputs so you can conncect it to a stand alone amp and use the preamp's processor for the effects and sub woofer. Many mid to higher end home theater receivers have preamp outputs.

[blackraven]

Separate preamp and amps are a good way to go because everyfew years new effects and codecs come out making some HT receivers and processors obsolete if you feel you must have the latest and greatest effects. But the amp never becomes obsolete.

[blackraven]

That denon does have 8ch preamp outputs so you could in effect use it as a preamp-processor and buy a separate 2,3, 5 or 7 channel amp. You could jsut use the Denon for the center and rear channels along with the subwoofer and use a separate 2ch amp for the front channels. I have an Adocm AVR and use it for all channels except for the fronts for which I use a Parasound amp.

Denon AVR-3808CI First Look — Reviews and News from Audioholics (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-3808ci-first-look)

By the way, are all your speakers Dynaudio?

[rightaway]

the denons have pre amp outs. what is a amp only that is good. does that mean that i will have to turn both volumes up or are the connected some how?

[blackraven]

the denons have pre amp outs. what is a amp only that is good. does that mean that i will have to turn both volumes up or are the connected some how?

Separate power amps do not have a volume control, they need a preamp to control the volume. (only integrated amps have volume controls-they are a power amp and preamp all in one with no tuner or processor)

So with the Denon, you would hook the preamp out to the input of the separate power amp and then hook what ever speakers you are using for that amp to the amp. The preamp will be able to control the volume of its internal amp and the separate power amp at the same time.

By the way, are all the 7 pairs of speakers Dynaudio?

[rightaway]

no, all speakers are different. yahama center, bose for the rear speakers. i still do not have 2 other speakers for the complete 7.1. i just want the amp to run the tower speakers. what watts should i looks for?

[blackraven]

If I were you, I would run only 5.1 system. I really do not know what you gain with a 7.1 system. I would also consider buying a Dynaudio Center channel to match the Fronts for the best sound. Save your money and stick with 5ch's and build a system that is coherent with the same brand at least and model of speakers for the center and fronts. The less mixing of different brands of speakers the better.

And one more thing, ditch the bose!

[blackraven]

Here's a dynaudio center-

Dynaudio Audience 42C | Buy Dynaudio (Audience 42C) Center Channel Loudspeaker Online at MODIA - Home Theater Store (http://www.modia.com/Dynaudio_Audience_42C_Center_Channel_Loudspeaker_p/audience42c.htm)

[Hyfi]

Like BR said, you will need more power/current to drive the 60s to their potential. They will sound lifeless and just like any other speaker will with a $350 mass market receiver. A used Stratos will do the trick or a B&K, Hafler, Rotel or similar should be considered if you really want the Danes to sing.

The new Excite series can be driven with lesser amps or integrated setups to pleasing sound, but not the original Audience line or the second generation where they upped the number by 2, as in 62, 82, 42 and 52, 72.

You may want to seek out a pair of 42s for rears and the 42C for center to have a coherent setup that is properly matched.

[rightaway]

how do i know what amps are 4 ohms or doesnt it matter?

[rightaway]

i didnt see any of those amp on amazon and i didnt see the Dynaudio Audience 42C on amazon or ebay. since im only want to run the front speakers, i'm looking to spend 200-250 for a amp. any suggestion?

[Hyfi]

i didnt see any of those amp on amazon and i didnt see the Dynaudio Audience 42C on amazon or ebay. since im only want to run the front speakers, i'm looking to spend 200-250 for a amp. any suggestion?

Here is a decent one by Rotel

Rotel RB-1080 200 Watt Per Channel Stereo Amplifier | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotel-RB-1080-200-Watt-Per-Channel-Stereo-Amplifier-/270818928048?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3D UCC%26otn%3D15%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D293652555352176 9544)

It will do 4ohms as stenciled on the back. See manual

http://www.rotel.com/content/manuals/rb1080_multi.pdf

Acom Amp will do 4ohm

ADCOM GFA-555-II Stereo/Mono Power Amp/Amplifier! Listing #2/FREE UPS Shipping! | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ADCOM-GFA-555-II-Stereo-Mono-Power-Amp-Amplifier-Listing-2-FREE-UPS-Shipping-/120777908784?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item1c1eeca230)

with an Output of 200 REAL Watts into 8-OHMS, 325 into 4

Here is a nice B&K in your price range that will do 4ohm

Excellent B&K Components ST2020 Stereo Power Amplifier | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Excellent-B-K-Components-ST2020-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-/290602590646?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a943a1b6)

[rightaway]

with the adcom, do you have to switch it back to 4 ohms or is it set up for it?

[Hyfi]

with the adcom, do you have to switch it back to 4 ohms or is it set up for it?

It will handle down to 2ohm with no user interaction

[blackraven]

how do i know what amps are 4 ohms or doesnt it matter?

Just about any separate power amp will handle 4ohms. If you are not sure, then do a google search for the specs of the specific model power amp you are looking for. Hyfi gave you some great recommendations.

If you don't want to buy used and have a $300 budget then consider this amp-

Emotiva Audio UPA-2 Two Channel Power Amplifier (http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtm)

However, I think that a good used amp would be the way to go.

Adcom GFA 555 For Sale | AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1321743991&/Adcom-GFA-555)

PS Audio Trio A100 For Sale | AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1321656979&/PS-Audio-Trio-A100)

Parasound NewClassic 2125 For Sale | AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1321465896&/Parasound-NewClassic-2125)

B & K ST3140 For Sale | AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1321405153&/B---K-ST3140)

Adcom GFA-555 For Sale | AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1321390578&/Adcom-GFA-555)

Parasound hca1000a thx For Sale | AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1319759680&/Parasound-hca1000a-thx)

The Adcoms and Parasounds are good buys. I own both adcom and Parasound amps and both companies are still in business.

[rightaway]

what is the difference between an amp and a pre amp?

[blackraven]

what is the difference between an amp and a pre amp?

A preamp takes the signal from a CD player, Phono, tuner or other external source and processes the signal and sends it to the amplifier to be amplified and sent to the speakers. The preamp has the volume control and source selector switches to switch between signal sources like CD players, Tuners and Phono's. So if you buy a separate power amp (other than an integrated amp which as I said before is a preamp and amp all n one box without a tuner) you will need a preamp to go along with the amp. Preamps do not hook directly up to speakers.

A receiver is a preamp, amp and tuner all in one. A home theater recevier or AVR is a preamp, multichannel processor and amp all in one.

There are preamps that do multichannel processing as well.

There are amplifiers that have 1 ch called mono blocks and you need 2 of them for 2ch music, there are 2ch, 3ch, 5ch and 7ch amplifiers. To use all channels in a multichannel amp you need a multichannel preamp-processor. The multichannel preamp-processor has multiple preamp outs to hook up to a multichannel amp or several amps. If you have a multichannel pre-processor you can also hook up multiple amplifiers to different channles instead of a multichannel amp!

If you are still confused then I suggest you stop by your local HiFi store and talk to a salesmen. Do not go to Best Buy for this as most of the salesmen are not very knowlegeable and may confuse you more.

[blackraven]

A separate preamp and amp is going to cost more than a receiver. But the improvement in sound, power and versatilty of separates is worth the cost if you can afford it. Going the used route is a good option or go the emotiva route for good budget equipment. You could even get that Denon 3808ci and use it as a preamp and connect it to a separate amp or multichannel amp. If you do this you could get a 2ch amp to drive the Dynaudio's and then use the Denon's on board amps to drive the center, rear and sub channels. The volume control on the denon will control both the amp and onboard amp.

[rightaway]

is the lower number ohms mean more power needed, sort of like speaker wire, smaller number thicker the wire.

[harley .guy07]

I own the exact speakers that you have and believe me you do not want to run them with a receiver. I am running mine with an Adcom 545 series 2 that I have had for around 17 years and it runs them great. I do plan on changing amps in the future just to take the load off of the Adcom since it is getting older and I think the Dynaudio's might be better with 300 to 500 watts instead of the 150 they are getting now. Its not that the Adcom can't power them and the Adcom never clips out even when driven loud but I think the low end would come out more with a little more power but the 545 series 2 is one of the best sounding amplifiers that Adcom ever built in my opinion and I used to sell them. But with some of the newer amps out there at great prices like the Class D audio among others or possibly a nuforce ref 9 v2.But that is my upgrade back to your subject. Any Adcom above the 545 series 2 or 5500 or 5800 will drive them well.

[rightaway]

so i guess that the 'Adcom Amp 5006 would not be enough power to power the speakers? they are rated for 175 watts. i thought it would be enough. im just going to power my tower speakers and use the denon to power the other speakers.

[Hyfi]

so i guess that the 'Adcom Amp 5006 would not be enough power to power the speakers? they are rated for 175 watts. i thought it would be enough. im just going to power my tower speakers and use the denon to power the other speakers.

It will power them somewhat reasonably but if you can get something just a bit beefier you would be happier with the performance.

[Jack in Wilmington]

so i guess that the 'Adcom Amp 5006 would not be enough power to power the speakers? they are rated for 175 watts. i thought it would be enough. im just going to power my tower speakers and use the denon to power the other speakers.

Read Harley's first two sentences. That should answer your question. I think that you are over thinking the whole thing. I'm guilty of that myself.

[harley .guy07]

Believe me you have made an excellent choice in speakers in my opinion you just need to get something that is going to take advantage of the speakers abilities. I would stick with an amp over the 200 watt mark and there are several options out there that that won't break the bank and it is fine to use the Denon to power your other speakers as long as their power needs aren't like the Audience 60's. Believe me if you seen the 6.5 " woofer on the Audience 60's outside of its cabinet you would know why you need a good amount of power to get the most out of them because they are power handlers by every respect for the words and if you feed them they will give you what you want.

[rightaway]

most of the amps people shown me here are 150-175 per side not over 200. i'm still looking. i would like to buy something asap that is 200 or more per side

[harley .guy07]

I would give a look at the Adcom 5500, It is I believe 350 per channel at 4 ohms which is what your Dynaudio's are. I know that it is a good amp for them for the money because I had a friend who ran a pair of Audience 60's with one and he said it ran them great.

[blackraven]

most of the amps people shown me here are 150-175 per side not over 200. i'm still looking. i would like to buy something asap that is 200 or more per side

You have to look at the 4ohm power rating not the 8 ohm. That Parasound and Adcom 555 should power those speakers with out any problem. The Parasound HCA 1200 that you mentioned in another post is 300wpc at 4ohms! It would easily drive those speakers. 60,000ufd and 57 peak amps!

http://www.parasound.com/pdfs/vintage/hca1200om.pdf

[rightaway]

with high powered amps like that, what gauge wire should you run?

[blackraven]

10 to 12 wire. Check out this web site for cables and wires- Blue Jeans Cable -- Quality Cables at Reasonable Prices (http://www.bluejeanscable.com)

Speaker Cable at Blue Jeans Cable (http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm)

Buy their unterminated 12g wire and terminate them your self with BJC's banana plugs that they sell for $3.50 Its easy to do and saves you a ton of money. Or just run them bare wire connceted to the amp and speakers as many do.