OK this wierded me out. I have an old Sherwood s-7300 (65? wpc) and upgraded to an Onkyo TX-5000 (65 wpc). I liked these receivers just fine but wanted to get a little more power so I upgraded to a kenwood kr-8010 (125 wpc). Ive always hooked Advent /1 speakers up to them because it is all I have right now. I expected a big difference when I upgraded to the twice the power Kenwood, but when I hooked it up its like there is not as much bass as with the other two receivers. Is it just me, or the speakers, or what?? Ive got my eye on a pair of Boston A-150's. Could there be something wrong with my Kenwood receiver?
smaller receiver sound better than larger??
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SA-708
Appalachian-American
Could be something wrong with the receiver, but it could be something simpler.
Check to see if the speakers are connected in phase, or if one of them has the + and - swapped at the speaker or the receiver. I only mention it because I've done it accidentally before, and the lack of bass was one of the symptoms.
Check to see if the speakers are connected in phase, or if one of them has the + and - swapped at the speaker or the receiver. I only mention it because I've done it accidentally before, and the lack of bass was one of the symptoms.
nashvillebill
Super Member
Has the Kenwood had a good cleanup--all the switches thoroughly cleaned with Deoxit? Has it been recapped? 25 year old capacitors don't work as good as new, might be time for a recap. Mine has plenty of oomph.
Well it looks extremely clean with no static anywhere. Im not sure about being recapped. And don't know how to go about doing that or testing for it.
recycler27
Active Member
The more you try out various combinations of components, the more likely you are to be surprised about what sounds better than something else. Just because some amplifier has a higher wattage rating or costs more or has power meters or toroidal transformers doesn't mean it automatically sounds better than something else. Or maybe something just sounds different, but not necessarily better. That's part of what makes this hobby so interesting and challenging and fun. As the man says, "Enjoy the music."
nashvillebill
Super Member
Take the cover off, look at the big round things (some of them are bigger than D-cell flashlight batteries). They'll have designations like "10,000mfd" or "470ufd" . The original ones will look dusty and, well, old. The plastic around them may be shrunk, or the cap may be bulging--that's signs the caps have gotten too hot. Post close-up pics of the interior if you can.
roggom
Super Member
Twice the wattage does not give you twice the "volume or dB" read this article. http://stereos.about.com/od/stereoscience/a/jargon1.htm You will need approx 600 watt amp to hear twice the power. Sorry dude
Susurus
Resolution:6.62×10^-34
(1)Apples to oranges. Of course you'll get great bass on that Onkyo!
(2) double the wattage only nets you 3dB more SPL. roggom is correct.
(3) I've had that Kenwood. It's got a stout amp.
The tuner is excellent, but since it's a bit forward in the mid-highs, relatively speaking, you might like to turn the bass up a little to compensate.
Or match with speakers that compliment the coloration:
I like my Kenwood --> Yamaha --> Maggies combo just fine!
If you've tested through the identical CD on all these, and still note bass is lacking, that's different.
Again, some people like the muddy, boomy bass of the mid level Realistics. Subjectively, it sounds louder. But headache city.
I prefer controlled bass, like >200 rated damping factor.
(2) double the wattage only nets you 3dB more SPL. roggom is correct.
(3) I've had that Kenwood. It's got a stout amp.
The tuner is excellent, but since it's a bit forward in the mid-highs, relatively speaking, you might like to turn the bass up a little to compensate.
Or match with speakers that compliment the coloration:
I like my Kenwood --> Yamaha --> Maggies combo just fine!
If you've tested through the identical CD on all these, and still note bass is lacking, that's different.
Again, some people like the muddy, boomy bass of the mid level Realistics. Subjectively, it sounds louder. But headache city.
I prefer controlled bass, like >200 rated damping factor.
Tapehead47
Addicted Member
I'm with SA708. It is OBVIOUS you have the speakers out of phase!
We've all done it numerious times, it's a common mistake and a simple fix. Just switch the - and + wires to ONLY ONE speaker.
Also, it's possible you're using smaller gauge wire.
These are the things I would check first before opening it up.
Report back!
Good luck!!
We've all done it numerious times, it's a common mistake and a simple fix. Just switch the - and + wires to ONLY ONE speaker.
Also, it's possible you're using smaller gauge wire.
These are the things I would check first before opening it up.
Report back!
Good luck!!
asoundhound
Definitely Low-fi
i've noticed the same thing. my pioneer sx-780 sounds better than some other, bigger receivers and amps i have, including a 150wpc onkyo. it's only got 45wpc. i've read that some the monster receivers sound like crap.
Susurus
Resolution:6.62×10^-34
I've never heard a modern mass-market "100 watt" AV receiver that can touch my "mere" 55-watt Luxman. :yes:
But back to generalize the implied question: do some smaller wattage Vintage receivers trounce others rated higher?
Most definitely!
Sometimes simply because one was underrated. Or sometimes one was just built better. Even the same brand, 2 years apart (welcome to the SX-1250/1280/1980 room, have a seat, it'll be a while...).
Is there a sweet mid level 65-85wpc that's fine for most systems? With low distortion specs, possibly. In a large listening space? Running planars? Are you Thor or Powerman? then the answer is no.
Many of my speakers need high current and high watts, but some don't. Today it's classical on a 85 wpc SX-950 through Magnat 6PII's.
In the same brand and lineup, usually the higher-rated brothers also came with other goodies: better components, more tuner gangs, etc. TOTL units were often treated to better testing/QC.
A real lemon in a flagship/bragging rights monster wattage unit? Corporate image takes a major hit...
But back to generalize the implied question: do some smaller wattage Vintage receivers trounce others rated higher?
Most definitely!
Sometimes simply because one was underrated. Or sometimes one was just built better. Even the same brand, 2 years apart (welcome to the SX-1250/1280/1980 room, have a seat, it'll be a while...).
Is there a sweet mid level 65-85wpc that's fine for most systems? With low distortion specs, possibly. In a large listening space? Running planars? Are you Thor or Powerman? then the answer is no.
Many of my speakers need high current and high watts, but some don't. Today it's classical on a 85 wpc SX-950 through Magnat 6PII's.
In the same brand and lineup, usually the higher-rated brothers also came with other goodies: better components, more tuner gangs, etc. TOTL units were often treated to better testing/QC.
A real lemon in a flagship/bragging rights monster wattage unit? Corporate image takes a major hit...
Paul C
Super Member
To get to the point where one amp sounds "twice as loud" requires a 10x increase in power. You read that right.
If you have a 50 wpc amp, you won't hear a big improvement with a 100 wpc amp.
You'll hear a little more with 200-300 wpc.
It has been my experience that Onkyos perform better than their very conservative power ratings.
If you have a 50 wpc amp, you won't hear a big improvement with a 100 wpc amp.
You'll hear a little more with 200-300 wpc.
It has been my experience that Onkyos perform better than their very conservative power ratings.
x_25
Big Vandies!! Mwahahah...
If the TX-5000 is built like my TX-6000 then it has a beaffy power supply. My TX-6000 has no problem running right up to clipping with no distortion.