Another "What to buy?" Thread

[Want 2B Deaf]

Hi Guys!
My first post in here.

I hope I put it in the right place. I didn't search because I know nobody asked the stupid questions I will ask you now.

Basically, I am at work and I am bored between tasks, I was thinking I deserve a treat and I have been saving for quite a while
(thought about getting a car, but then remembered I don't even like driving).

I am a newbie sound freak, I (still) have good hearing and I like music that's worth the blank media it was recorded on, meaning
I like hearing the whole bit and not just what my current, limited
stereo device plays.

Nowadays, I have a Sony RXS7 (or something like that), it's
a cheap device, including 3 CD changer, two tape decks and AMFM radio. What I like about it are the speakers. They might be dirt cheap but they do the job nicely. There are two small blocks, each one made of chipwood and including two 4" tweeters, one 3" and one 2" as well as a 8" "woofer", overall 70RMS.

Enough about my POS set, it saved a lot of boring parties but it's about time give it to my brother and get myself something better.

The things is, I don't know how much should I be spending on audio. Maybe you could comment about your system's worth?

What I would like about my new system:
- To be able to cause, at least temporary, ear damage. Not that I am gonna use that power, but I just want to use that indication to show you exactly what power I need.
- To have at least one 15" woofer (it's a show-off thing)
- To be at least 7.1 or 8.1 channels
- Amp should be around 110-120Watt RMS each channel
- To look civilized. Design is an issue as it's a living room, not
a conference hall.

I already have a kick-*** CD player, so the system should be composed of a kick *** amp and some kick *** speakers. I wandered around the H/K site, but all I could find are receivers (I liked the DPR 2005, but it's probably not what I need). I don't
really know what kind of job the receivers do (I mean, what are these video channels for?).

I just want an amp that'll take the audio data from my player and put some juice in it, but it has to be as clear as angel sweat.
From some odd reason, I don't trust the built in amps inside those
woofers. I think I want a passive woofer (taking power from amp).

My living room is 66m^2 and is located in central Sofia, so I don't have pesky neighbors. It's constantly hosting a party and my old
device (notice I don't even call it a system) just doesn't cut it anymore.

Another thing I should comment is that the brands I have to choose from are very limited. I would be happy if everything you offer is JBL/Harman-Kardon and the more popular companies.

Question: 7.1, does that mean 7 normal channels and one for the woofer, making it 8 channels? I am asking this because the DPR 2005 is said to have 7 channels (not 7.1) and they don't mention anything about a woofer channel, so to me, it seems like this thing doesn't supper a low frequency speaker (woofer).

I think that about speakers, there will be no money problem if we stick to JBL, they seems well priced and people say they are not half bad. Not to mention their dealership is right under my apartment.

By the way, is it possible to have, for example, 10 speakers playing from an amp that supports 7.1 channels? Can you split channels?
Can you join channels? Like putting two channels into a stronger speaker.

About the DPR 2005, it says 120watt X7, does that mean RMS or PMPO? Again, where is the woofer channel?

I am a newbie, so feel free lauging, but do answer questions.

THANKS!

[Want 2B Deaf]

Oops, didn't notice that I can't use ***...

Anyway, what do you think about the PA-4000? It has only 8 channels with 45watts each, but people buy it, so it must be worth somethig...

[Schaef]

Since no one else has bitten yet, I'll throw some thoughts out.

First, you don't mention any price range, that's a problem. Systems can range from under $100 (like your POS current system) to over $100,000 it all depends on how much you want to spend and what not.

Next, you mention a "need" of 7.1 or 8.1 channels, but are confused by video sources? If your source is CD, you only need two for basic playback. All those other channels are generally used in DVD, DVD-A and SACD playback. The H/K receivers you've been looking at are home theatre receivers, they're designed for movie watching. (Hence the video sources) Why do you feel you "need" these channels?

If you want ear-splitting volume from a CD, and want it clean, then you want to bi- or tri-amp the system. What this means is you have an electronic cross-over between the pre-amp and your speakers. In a bi-amped system, you then have two stereo amps after the cross-over. One pair receives the high end signal and the other pair receives the low end of the signal (frequency wise here). With a tri-amp system, you have a third stereo pair that gets the mids. The beauty of this type of system is that it allows you to put the power where its needed. High frequencies don't need tons of power, low frequencies do.

So, based on this, here's what I'd suggest:

1) a pre-amp to go between your CD player and the amps.
2) an electronic 3-way stereo cross-over to go between the pre-amp and the amps.
3) 3 stereo amps of varying power. Since you believe you need power, we'll go 50 watts on the highs (way over kill), 100 watts on the mids, and 300+ on the low.
4) speakers, don't know, if you believe JBL sounds good, look for PA type speakers, or since you say there's a JBL dealership in your building, tell them you want to tri-amp a system and what do they recommend?
5) I still think you're looking for too much power. What I've described will split your eardrums quite nicely.

[tlf9999]

Originally posted by Want 2B Deaf ;D
About the DPR 2005, it says 120watt X7,

it has very low output power when driving low / tough loads. I don't remember the specifics but it is on the order of 20-30wpc on 2ohm loads (or its whereabout).

The plus side is that it is being heavily discounted so you can get pretty good deals on that.

It is also a digital amp, using a third-party power module.

[tlf9999]

the 7300 from HK (analog amps), or 635 are both pretty powerful amps / avr.

the pioneer 1015 is also a good choice.

If you want to go digital, get a panasonic xr (55/70). it is powerful, reasonably good sounding, and incredibly cheap, compact and light weight. it is digital, like the dpr2005.

If you want power, and don't mind ugly amps, try some pro amps. They will sure cause some ear damages, at prices considerably lowered than rip-off domestic hi-fi prices.

[Want 2B Deaf]

Thanks for the help so far. I only noticed that this forum is only for DIY nowadays. I can solder quite well and I have a clue about electronics (mostly digital, unfortunately) but I just don't have time for a hobby.

Anyway, the guys at the store of JBL are basically even less audio-aware than I am. I asked for a demonstration and the guy
had to look the manual to find the power button.

I think my pockets can go as deep as 5000USD, it must
include everything, except the sources.

Most of the time, actually, I play MP3's from my PC, I will have
a nice sound card coming soon.

I don't think I can ask you to plan everything out for me, I just
need some brands/models to get me started.

I also saw a shop selling infinity speakers, they look cheaper than the JBL (just looks, I don't remember the prices). What do you think?

Do you know a site that has info of pro amps? I can perk 'em up with some LEDs, I think