• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Surround Processor & separate amps

Tronk said:
I like having a separate amp on my center channel. My Sony STR-G3 serves that purpose and I'm not sure if it can be bridged or not, but I have thought about it. What do you use for a center speaker? It must be a beast.
Click to expand...

Jamo C-10, ya it's pretty big.
Jamo-C10-CEN-Walnut-Center-Channel-Speaker.jpg


SPECIFICATIONS
Weight (Kg/lb) 11.8 / 26
Power Handling (Watts Long/Short Term) 160 / 320
System Type 2-Way Bass Reflex
Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) 222 x 600 x 249.5 / 8.7 x 23.6 x 9.8
Tweeter (mm/in) 25 / 1
Frequency Response (Hz, +/-3dB) 49Hz - 27kHz
Minimum Amp Recommended 50W
Impedance 6 Ohm
Sensitivity (dB, 2.8V/1m) 88dB
Finish High Gloss Black, High Gloss White, Real Walnut Veneer
Woofer (mm/in)Two: 152.4 / 6
 
Grenadeslio said:
Jamo C-10, ya it's pretty big.
View attachment 1823945


SPECIFICATIONS
Weight (Kg/lb) 11.8 / 26
Power Handling (Watts Long/Short Term) 160 / 320
System Type 2-Way Bass Reflex
Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) 222 x 600 x 249.5 / 8.7 x 23.6 x 9.8
Tweeter (mm/in) 25 / 1
Frequency Response (Hz, +/-3dB) 49Hz - 27kHz
Minimum Amp Recommended 50W
Impedance 6 Ohm
Sensitivity (dB, 2.8V/1m) 88dB
Finish High Gloss Black, High Gloss White, Real Walnut Veneer
Woofer (mm/in)Two: 152.4 / 6
Click to expand...
Very nice :thumbsup:
 
Tronk said:
Well my Sony is more power than the Onkyo and my thought was if I were to have an external amp with equal power for the center it would be pointless, so to get the dialog I'm looking for, power for the center speaker would have to be more and not equal.
Click to expand...

Sounds maybe like calibration is your issue. Doesn't matter if the amp had 100W or 1,000,000W. If it only takes 20 watts to reach X volume level that's all that's used.
 
whoaru99 said:
Sounds maybe like calibration is your issue. Doesn't matter if the amp had 100W or 1,000,000W. If it only takes 20 watts to reach X volume level that's all that's used.
Click to expand...
I've tried distance and level settings and didn't achieve what I was looking for so I added the Sony for the center channel and it made a huge difference. I'd still like the center to be getting more than 100w.
 
Tronk said:
I've tried distance and level settings and didn't achieve what I was looking for so I added the Sony for the center channel and it made a huge difference. I'd still like the center to be getting more than 100w.
Click to expand...

Makes no sense to me, but long as it works for you.
 
whoaru99 said:
Makes no sense to me, but long as it works for you.
Click to expand...
I'm restricted on space. Speaker placement is most likely a big factor and then there's the budget issue and the speaker itself most likely should be upgraded. I can only do so much.

So consider it a band-aid fix if you will, but it works and it's all just temporary anyway.
 
Last edited:
I approached this question a little differently. I started with a bi-amplified two channel system in a dedicated room. HT/surround was added to it. When playing two channel sources the pre/pro and associated amplifiers are not turned on. For HT/surround my two channel preamp is placed in bypass mode. The surround amplifiers are turned on and the pre/pro controls everything.
 
JoeESP9 said:
I approached this question a little differently. I started with a bi-amplified two channel system in a dedicated room. HT/surround was added to it. When playing two channel sources the pre/pro and associated amplifiers are not turned on. For HT/surround my two channel preamp is placed in bypass mode. The surround amplifiers are turned on and the pre/pro controls everything.
Click to expand...

Exactly how I approached my setup, 2-channel first, surround second and couldn't compromise the first, and why the surround processor is not in the preamp but connected through the preamps processor loop.

One power amp dedicated to it's own set of speakers and subwoofer for 2-channel listening, the Belles I've often pictured from the preamp.

Three other stereo power amps for the surround setup along with two other subs just for multi-channel listening. Now to be fair with this setup it's easy enough with the push of a few buttons to use either set of main speakers in stereo or with the surround.

But I prefer the Jamo front speakers with the matching Jamo center for video, and the Infinitys for dedicated 2-channel listening, they're powered by the Belles so not really a fair fight when comparing lol.
 
Last edited:
JoeESP9 said:
I approached this question a little differently. I started with a bi-amplified two channel system in a dedicated room. HT/surround was added to it. When playing two channel sources the pre/pro and associated amplifiers are not turned on. For HT/surround my two channel preamp is placed in bypass mode. The surround amplifiers are turned on and the pre/pro controls everything.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I went that way for a time, using a Proceed PRE and Levinson No. 23 for my mains. Those were shared with surround system since the PRE has a unity gain HT bypass loop. But, since I use the HT aspect much more than 2-ch I dispensed with that arrangement in the main system. The HT plays 2-ch at a pretty respectable quality level anyway. But, if want purely 2-ch I just fire up the 2-ch system. It's pretty rare though. Probably should power up and reform the caps. ;)
 
Here's the power behind the main HT rig.

2x PLX3402
2x PLX2402

index.php
 
In my case, since I went into HT in 92, it`s always been separates.
And by doing so it was/is always been very easy to upgrade any of the components.
I was always concerned with the heat issues with AVR`s with all the internal sections packed so close, just looked like a failure waiting to happen, plus the compromises that such packaging would dictate !

My current Integra DHC 40.2 A/V/P configured for 7channels runs warm enough as it is, with no power amps in it, and because it does, it sits on a vented rack mount shelf that`s separated by 1 rack space from my electronic crossover, with two open rack spaces above it to make sure it`s thermally happy, without having resort to any fans in my living room`s open back A/V rack !!

Probably one of the reasons why in the 10+ yrs. in use, it has never protested, or complained.
I tend to baby/protect my electronics, because I would rather enjoy them for decades, instead of having to repair or replace them needlessly.
I like having my amplifiers separate away from my processor in their own separately powered/surge/spike protected racks.
IMG_0939.jpg DSCN0018.JPG DSCN0010.JPG DSCN0027.JPG
 
I have been using the same amplifiers for the past 12 years with three different processors. If I wanted I could update to another processor right now . But who needs atmosphere, I don't. But thats another story. I have saved many thousands of dollars by staying one generation behind the latest and greatest offerings spurred on by Dolby and others. Same goes for the screen. But that will be the next upgrade. Not for the 4K but for the expanded grey scale, color accuracy and brightness increase. Companies are already making 8K screens so I might skip 4k all together. Just like I skipped, 3D. Way back when I loved Stereo and 3 channel was a help in my case. Quad was a disaster. I skipped 5.1 at home and went to 6.1 and then 7.1,except I don't need subs. So it's 7.0. With 5 XL full range speakers and 2 large speakers. And thru all these Home theatre changes same amps after 3 channel. With rough calculations in my head I have saved over. $16,000 in processor prices. Thats about 66 to 75% of retail new prices. The first one I bought new, but saved 30% there because of connections from being in the business. Then I retired and lost those connections, so now I have to be ever watchful on the pre-owned market, buying and selling.
 
twiiii said:
I have been using the same amplifiers for the past 12 years with three different processors. If I wanted I could update to another processor right now . But who needs atmosphere, I don't. But thats another story. I have saved many thousands of dollars by staying one generation behind the latest and greatest offerings spurred on by Dolby and others. Same goes for the screen. But that will be the next upgrade. Not for the 4K but for the expanded grey scale, color accuracy and brightness increase. Companies are already making 8K screens so I might skip 4k all together. Just like I skipped, 3D. Way back when I loved Stereo and 3 channel was a help in my case. Quad was a disaster. I skipped 5.1 at home and went to 6.1 and then 7.1,except I don't need subs. So it's 7.0. With 5 XL full range speakers and 2 large speakers. And thru all these Home theatre changes same amps after 3 channel. With rough calculations in my head I have saved over. $16,000 in processor prices. Thats about 66 to 75% of retail new prices. The first one I bought new, but saved 30% there because of connections from being in the business. Then I retired and lost those connections, so now I have to be ever watchful on the pre-owned market, buying and selling.
Click to expand...
Now I've found a way to save even more, purchased one stand alone processor way back in 91 and never looked back. My 2-channel music is paramount so the surround being the latest and greatest? NOT.
 
I use a Sherbourn PT-7000 as my processor/preamp and then a trio of Adcom amps to drive my speakers; 555 for the Von Schweikert VR2 fronts, 535 for Von Schweikert L/R Center and a 545 for the Aerial Acoustic SR3 rear surrounds.

A fairly flexible system though the processor lacks a HDMI input/output and a phono input. I use my OPPO BD-93 analog connections for Hi-Res playback and a Sony Blue Ray player for streaming video such as Netflix.
 
Last edited:
The reason I upgraded from my previous processor was to have HDMI capability, My current processor does 7.1. I doubt if I'll ever need or want more.

OTOH I used my stimulus money to upgrade to a 4K HDR TV. I already have a 4K player and my Xbox 1 is 4k capable. Maybe a 4K processor is in my future.
 
Last edited:
Just bumped into this thread... yeah, I agree, Pre-Pro all the way if you can swing the expense. As the OP pointed out, once you get your amplification sorted out, you can plug & play the Pre-Pro. And as others have said, you can always run your system in "stereo mode" if you want to get the 2 channel effect from the mains.

Interestingly, I just upgraded from an NAD T187 to an Anthem AVM60 so I could leverage the newer DAC's, Balanced Outputs and of course ARC Genesis! So there you have it... component upgradability!

My rig is not over the top, but I guess you could call it "glorious"! Dunlavy SC-IV's for the Mains driven by VAC Musicblock 160's. Dunlavy HRCC Center driven by a Mystere PA21. KEF R107 Side Surrounds and a single Rear driven with a Pass Labs X3. No sub needed! :music:

IMG_5347.JPG IMG_5345.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom