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C220 unity gain volume setting?

K

king88uy7

New Member
I'm going to try to ask this question better:

I have a C220. CD player is hooked into the CD input, single ended. The tone controls are bypassed.

Which volume level on the C220 provides no amplification or de-amplification (unity gain) for the CD player input?
 
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MC275 high pass filter, volume increase?

I have a 275 that doesn't give me enough volume. If I were to install an active crossover, would I gain undistorted volume on the 275 by filtering low frequencies, say below 100hz, from the amp?
 
king88uy7 said:
I'm going to try to ask this question better:

I have a C220. CD player is hooked into the CD input, single ended. The tone controls are bypassed.

Which volume level on the C220 provides no amplification or de-amplification (unity gain) for the CD player input?
Click to expand...

I think the only way to accurately determine that would be to measure the output voltage at the pre outs.

For example, if your CD player outputs 2 volts you would crank the gain up on your C220 until you measure 2 volts at the pre out.
 
Not enough volume? With a Mc275?

My Mc275 shakes the whole house...

What speakers are you using?

B.
 
A4GAZM said:
I think the only way to accurately determine that would be to measure the output voltage at the pre outs.

For example, if your CD player outputs 2 volts you would crank the gain up on your C220 until you measure 2 volts at the pre out.
Click to expand...

Alternatively, you could play a steady signal (e.g. white/pink noise) and measure the db level with a sound-pressure meter with CD->power-amp set up and then match it with the CD->C220->power-amp set up.

A little less accurate than using a voltmeter but, depending on you needs, good enough.

I am curious as to why you are interested in this? Inquiring minds want to know...:D

Alberto
 
Setting a hi-pass filter or xo to 80Hz offers a number of advantages provided you have a quality amp or powered sub and xo. Most of an amp's power is used to produce low and mid bass frequencies, 20 - 80Hz. Using the amp to produce frequencies above 80Hz causes the amp to work less hard, avoiding potential distorion. The amp operates more relaxed and cooler and has more than enough power to handle the load above 80Hz. Based on the speakers being used, they also will benefit.
 
A setting close to 80 on the volume control is close to unity gain, give or take 1. This is true for the CD players, MDA and the current model preamps. This does not tell us the volume as your source may be low output. Best to list all of the components if you want more advise.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
Brice said:
Not enough volume? With a Mc275?

My Mc275 shakes the whole house...

What speakers are you using?

B.
Click to expand...

Von Schweikert VR2s. 87db sensitivity, 200w max.

C220 -> MC275, I start hearing distortion between 50 and 60 playing an average loud rock CD (Oppo 980)
 
forzaroma said:
I am curious as to why you are interested in this? Inquiring minds want to know...:D
Alberto
Click to expand...

Curiosity for one, but I also have this notion that my power amp (MC275) can amplify the signal coming straight from my CD player (Oppo 980) without distortion. I assume that as long as my pre isn't amplifying the CD signal, that my power amp should not be distorting.

But maybe my logic is off :)
 
You are running out of power on those speakers. You can double your power up to 200 watts and it will be a little louder. If you like loud music you will have to lose the low efficiency speakers with the low power rating.
That is just the way physics works.

thanks,
Ron-C
 
2 volts will overdrive and clip the MC275 as well as all most all other amplifiers.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
william.keith said:
Setting a hi-pass filter or xo to 80Hz offers a number of advantages provided you have a quality amp or powered sub and xo. Most of an amp's power is used to produce low and mid bass frequencies, 20 - 80Hz. Using the amp to produce frequencies above 80Hz causes the amp to work less hard, avoiding potential distorion. The amp operates more relaxed and cooler and has more than enough power to handle the load above 80Hz. Based on the speakers being used, they also will benefit.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why my threads were merged, they are separate questions.

Anyways... I do have a powered sub not in use and am looking to increase the volume of my system. Purchasing a crossover will be cheaper than another amplifier. I am just unsure if filtering the low frequencies will give me an (audible) non-distorted volume increase... Sounds like it will, so I'll give it a try.
 
ron-c said:
2 volts will overdrive and clip the MC275 as well as all most all other amplifiers.

Thanks,
Ron-C
Click to expand...

I assume then, a CD player's unattenuated output is 2 volts?

Does the CD/Player spec have a maximum line output voltage? Can you calculate the maximum volume on the C220 that will keep the MC275 from clipping even on the loudest CD?

I can live with the volume level for now, but I don't want to damage anything by running into distortion all the time. The MC275 doesn't have power guard or anything similar, correct?
 
ron-c said:
You are running out of power on those speakers. You can double your power up to 200 watts and it will be a little louder. If you like loud music you will have to lose the low efficiency speakers with the low power rating.
That is just the way physics works.

thanks,
Ron-C
Click to expand...

What specs should I be looking for in speakers if I like loud rock music with a MC275 (or two)?

Thanks!
 
king88uy7 said:
What specs should I be looking for in speakers if I like loud rock music with a MC275 (or two)?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

For reference, if you go to a 97db speaker, it would be like getting a 750 watt amp for your VR2s. I would shoot for at least 92db.
 
Efficiency is important but so is impedance/phase of the speaker.

Buying a 90dB speaker that dips to 2.8ohms or lower would still require an amp with guts.

Also, your choice in music plays a role. Most rock music is recorded poorly. An example that comes to mind is Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium. On certain tracks I can literally hear the clipping in the recording. Not my equipment but the equipment in the actual recording.
 
distortion...

king88uy7 said:
Von Schweikert VR2s. 87db sensitivity, 200w max.

C220 -> MC275, I start hearing distortion between 50 and 60 playing an average loud rock CD (Oppo 980)
Click to expand...

Hi, my speakers are 86 dB Final 1.4 MkII Full range ESL; at 60 on the C220, the volume is very high. at 70, my ears are suffering and I hear no distortion.
Which source are you using ? What size is your listening room ?
 
C220MC275 said:
What size is your listening room ?
Click to expand...

This is a big part of the consideration given the efficiency of the speakers being used and the power that can be supplied. Another consideration would be the amount of absorbent materials in the room.

Cheers,

David
 
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