receiver questions

pmckeealaska

I recently bought a NAD T763 A/V receiver and have a few questions that Im hoping someone can answer. First off, I got it to replace an HK330 that was only an 8ohm reciever and the NAD is a 4ohm and claims to have twice the wattage as tyhe HK. The problem is, at 30dB, the HK was comparitively louder, but eh NAD can really crank at high volumes, though it does tend to shut down at extreme levels (which I'm sure is my fault). Why would the NAD not be louder at ALL levels if the wattage rating is higher? Secondly, I also purchased an equalizer for greater sonic control, but when I activate the tape loop on the reciever, it reduces the overall volume coming out of the speakers (which are LSi 25's by the way). Although the quality of sound from the NAD is FAR superior to the HK, I'm not pleased with the overall lack of increased volume i was expecting. My question is (and I'm a complete novice at this, so please don't think I'm stupid), would getting a pre-amp or seperate amplifier to hook up to the T763 alleviate these problems and giver my system more balls, or am I screwed? Please help, I love my speakers, but seem to be constantly frustrated by everything else!!!!.....

gatemplin

The HK is a 4 Ohm capable receiver aswell. The wattage is also conservatively rated and that is why there is not a huge difference. I would ditch the EQ, the LSis have a very flat response anyway, room treatments will be better. To have a significant increase in volume you need to at least double the actual power. You can do this by hooking up a power amp and use the NAD as a preamp.

F1nut

At 30dB on what, the receiver volume control or a SPL meter? 30dB is 30dB, so I'd quess you're going by the volume controls, which is like comparing apples to oranges. I'd ditch the EQ also, it's just one more source of distortion and circuits to run the signal though. You're pushing the receiver into clipping, which is why it's shutting down, either turn it down or get a seperate amp.

pjdami

Some good advice spoken here. I would ditch the EQ as well. NAD and LSi are both very neutral sounding gear.

Your T763 puts out 300 watts dynamic power at 4 ohms. If that isn't enough for you, you can try adding a NAD C270 (C272 new model) power amp and use your receiver as a preamp for the two channel and the internal amps for the surrounds. The NAD amp will have a little more balls than the internal amps. If this still isn't enough, get two of the NAD amps and you can run each in mono at 300 watts continuous (into 8 ohms not sure what that would be into 4 ohms but I think its over 1000 watts dynamic).
The LSi 25 are rated at 150 watts continuous and 300 watts dynamic so somethings gotta give or you need to get some different speakers if you want to listen at those kinds of levels. Clipping your amp is not a good thing for your speakers.

Remember it takes double the power (watts) to raise the sound level measured by a decibel meter by 3 db. Another rule of thumb is that it takes about 10 db rise in sound level to sound about twice as loud to the ear.