Amp blind test w/SDA 1C's

rromeo923

Ok I did a blind test with the help of my son.

Listening to a cd. Steely Dan The Royal Scam

Possibly very apropos title

Here are the three Amps/Preamp I used

1) My set up I use for HT etc
B&K ref 50
Sherbourn 7/2100 amp
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/amplifiers/sherbourn/7-2100/prd_302718_1583crx.aspx

2) Sony TA-AX380 integrated (bought on Craigslist along w/tuner,cd player, Sansui Speakers and Cabinet all for $75)
Not anything special

3) JVC RX-250 (bought on Craigslist w/ Polk Mini Monitors for $25)
http://www.egrabow.com/rm.php?e=AVCA&v=1467

So after listening to each separately I was surprised that there was not a lot of difference in sound between the three setups. Each setup got the speakers plenty loud. My blind rating of how I liked the sound was as follows.

JVC won-sounded warmest and smooth.
B&K/Sherbourn came in second
Sony- last (sounded a bit tinny)

Now this is a bit upsetting being that the B&K and Sherbourn cost so much more. Now I know the B&K and Sherbourn are multichannel and do much more than the other two. However, the JVC (30 watts) should not sound better.

My son liked the B&K/Sherbourn better but said he really wasnt sure and that the JVC sounded pretty much as good. Both of us did not like the Sony but could possibly live with it.

B&K/Sherbourn may soon be up for sale as I have another theater set up in basement.

Holy Crap!

drumminman

Thanks for posting and for your honesty.

I once biamped my Def Tech BP30's with a Carver TFM 24 (225 wpc) for the highs and a TFM 42 (375 wpc) for the mid woofers.

The TFM 24 went on the fritz so I bought an Odyssey Stratos w/ cap upgrade, unhooked the TFM 42 and used only the Odyssey (150 wpc).

It sounded better!!! :eek: That's what I still use today. :biggrin:

rromeo923

Like I wasnt confused enough before!

One thing I learned is that you don't need a lot of watts to drive the 1C's. The JVC (35watts per channel) did just fine. No clipping, nothing.

DarqueKnight

What were your listening performace critria (imaging, sound stage characteristics, clarity of individial instruments/voices, etc.)?

Did you make detailed listening notes?

rromeo923

Did not take any notes.

Just listened. All three had no eq or effects etc.

The Sony sounded cheap. The highs were too high and tinny.

I guess what I like about the JVC was the increased warmth. Better imaging and larger soundstage. More of a textured sound.

B&K/Sherbourn was good but lacking the warmth of the JVC. Good imaging and Soundstage. Better clarity.

Still just based on initial reaction of what sounded good to my ears. I picked the JVC.

Disclaimer- I am in no way an expert on sound and equipment. However I have been listening to music for a long time and love doing so.

rromeo923

It would so nice to actually be able to test out some different amps in my own house. I am really interested in hearing a tube amp. However they are not cheap and after doing this blind test I am not sure what to think.

thsmith

Your ht receiver is holding you back. Try a decent preamp and source. You will hear a difference. Also, have you updated the crossover and tweets in the 1cs?

rromeo923

I have upgraded the tweeters but have not done crossovers. Thinking about that too.

I thought that B&K ref50 and Sherbourn 7/2100 (my ht receiver) were/are pretty good. They definitely werent cheap(subjective). Actually I am considering selling them and buying a cheaper HT Receiver and at the same time getting an Integrated Tube Amp for the 2 channel.