Power Amp

[john_k_antony]

Elango,

Thanks for asking me to justify.

I auditioned both the settings -
a. with the AVR
b. with an Adcom Power Amp

I could notice so much of clarity and musicality when played through the Power Amp. That's what is making me go for a Power Amp.

Any inputs based on this ??

You try a budget tube pre or an entry level SS pre. You will be amazed to hear more difference . I am going to built the Pass B1 DIY pre amp to chain with my AP NJ1 . http://www.hifivision.com/diy/21036-pass-b1.html

 

[sriee]

Well,

I tried the following sources with my Denon 2310 AVR and KEF iQ7

1. Project Debut TT
2. Oppo 93 BDP. Tried the DAC in Denon and also DAC in Oppo. Similar results.
3. WD TV Live (for Flacs and WAV files) - HDMI to Denon and used DACs in Denon.

In all the cases AVR was set to 'Pure Direct' mode. But the results were pretty disappointing. I tried many things, changing speaker cables, costly ICs. Nothing helped. Then I tried pairing my Acoustic Portrait NJ1 power amp with Denon and just used the DAC and Pre amp stage in Denon. It was better, but not the best. Then I removed Denon completely and tried a budget tube pre amp with Acoustic Portrait NJ1. VOILA... I started to hear what I wanted from a stereo playback. Well not music nirvana though but tremendously superior to Denon in terms of great resolution, lush vocals and mids and good high end punch. I still don't get the right low end punch as my KEFs are slightly bass shy. But I think I can live with this new setup for some time .

I am not saying Denon is bad. Its kick ass for movies. I am not letting my Denon go. Will use it for my 7.1 setup.

Disclaimer : This is just my experience .

-John.

John, You are right. Denon rocks fro Movies, and thats the reason I'm expecting more to my stereo listening. I felt my KEF Q500s are good and "not" bass-shy .. Thinking of KEF Q900 to be in my place soon....

 

[john_k_antony]

John, You are right. Denon rocks fro Movies, and thats the reason I'm expecting more to my stereo listening. I felt my KEF Q500s are good and "not" bass-shy .. Thinking of KEF Q900 to be in my place soon....

KEF 900s are great. Please give them justice by providing good amplification . I listened to them with Denon 3313 and was disappointed first. But they will shine with a good integrated stereo amp / pre-power combo.

If you don't want to get a dedicated stereo amp, do what you are trying - get a good power amp . I think you are going to be pretty happy with that hyeah:

-John.

 

[john_k_antony]

John, You are right. Denon rocks fro Movies, and thats the reason I'm expecting more to my stereo listening. I felt my KEF Q500s are good and "not" bass-shy .. Thinking of KEF Q900 to be in my place soon....

KEF iQ7 is 2 iterations old and is kind of well known for its lean sound. They are true 3-way speakers compared to the current iteration of 2.5 way cross over. I am not technical enough to differentiate them, but they do sound different to my ears. KEF worked on the bass dept and they improved the bass in iQ70 with upgraded drivers and reworked cross over. But it was not good bass for me. Sounded pretty boomy! Now with 700/900 they added ABRs to get good low end extension and punch along with the dedicated woofers. IMHO Q700 and Q900 sound better than Q70 and Q80. But in the new Q series, I like the Q300 the BEST. Amazing VFM product from KEF :thumbsup:

-John.

 

[sriee]

EXperts,

I am looking at two products almost from the same group ( Emotiva & Sherbourn ) , to go for any of these....

Share your opinion on these two Power Amps..

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/x-series/products/xpa5

http://www.sherbourn.com/collections/theater/products/pa5200

Your thoughts pls...that will help me decide which one to choose...