a few newb questions

alibabwish

Im a little confused by some amp related issues. I have a vsx-515 pioneer home audio receiver connected to my monitor 40's for starters, but mainly what im intrested in is the difference between a home audio receivers amp versus i guess ill call it a dedicated amp that requires a pre-amp and stuff. for example, my vsx-515 says it can put out 110wpc(its a 6 channel) or 110wpc stereo which i usually run it on. I look at amps that put out 110wpc and they cost 500 or so dollars where as i payed 160 for my receiver. why can a receiver power 6 channells at the same power a regular amp that costs 3-4 times as much can. Also, whats the whole deal with a tube amp... ive seen em and they look cool but what benefits do they offer. As you could probally tell, im new to the audio wporld, but i really appreciate the sound of my new m40's over the **** sony speakers i originally bought and even the bose 301's i listened to at the store, im im told that the monitro 40's are only entry level speakers, i amost cannot fathom how much better the sound must get! But as i am a college student, i cannot afford that much now and hope to get the good stuff one day.

Joey_V

You have pm.

jdhdiggs

Receiver ratings are generally a bit generous with power ratings and don't quite have the control and abilitis of external amps.

Tube amps use vaccuum tubes to amplify the signal rather than transisters. This keepes you music in the analog domain and, because of the nature of tubes, a more pleasing distortion pattern. Additionally, tubes clip differently and protect your speaker more than a SS amp. The down side is they are expenisive, expensive to upkeep, less power, less bass control.

alibabwish

would a external amp give clearer sound?

Joey_V

An external amp would give an overall better sound - not just clearer.

How much are you looking to get the Monitor 40s for anyway?

jdhdiggs

alibabwish wrote:

would a external amp give clearer sound?

In a word yes. Here is my ranking of amps from worst to best

Highs: AVR's, SS, Hybrids, Tubes
Mids: AVR's, SS, Hybrids, Tubes
Mid Bass: AVR's, SS, Tubes, Hybrids
Bass: AVR's, Tubes, Hybrids, SS

Granted this is just on persons opinion, but I think most would agree that AVR's typically provide the least quality of amplification to the speakers.

alibabwish

Joey_V wrote:

An external amp would give an overall better sound - not just clearer.

How much are you looking to get the Monitor 40s for anyway?

I already have them, i payed 300 from circuit city, probally not the best price i could have gotten, but i wanted em right after i heard em and they were in my price range. Ill be a dorm this year and wont have much space, and im already brininging my sub, a sony i got for 150 that has 250w adviertised, my receiver, and the m40s. the next year after this year, i plan on getting an apartment, and with the more space i plan on completeing a 5.1 setup and the m40s will likely be my rears and maybe the m60s or m70s for fronts and a cs2 center.... or the cheaper path which would be m30's for rears m40s fronts and cs1 for center with my sony sub that ill eventually upgrade.....

alibabwish

is a hybrid a mix between a tubes and ss

jdhdiggs

alibabwish wrote:

is a hybrid a mix between a tubes and ss

Yup, kind of a best of both worlds/worst of both world's type thing.

Just want to get you out of a little buyers remorse: AVR's aren't horrible, and I doubt anyone here dropped $5K on their first rig out of the gate. AVR's are great for what they are and are probably the best bang fot the buck item you could start with.

Besides, if your in a dorm room, I would suggest having inexpensive stuff. First off, you don't know who your roommate/s is/are, and you don't know how drunk you, or they, will get. I'd rather barf into an AVR than get eletricuted doing the same on a tube amp.

Willow

jdhdiggs wrote:

I'd rather barf into an AVR than get eletricuted doing the same on a tube amp.

Right cause a barf free zone maybe hard to maintain.

Joey_V

You may not want tubes in a dorm room....

AndyGwis

If your receiver has pre-outs, and you are just running the two front speakers (and a sub), you should just be on the lookout for a deal on ANY two-channel amp off ebay or audiogon.

Get one on the cheap, try it out for a while and see how it sounds. You can always sell it for what you bought it for down the road.

Just for example, my first amp, the carver TFM-6, can be had for like $100 on ebay from time to time (although they often go for twice as much). Adcom GFA-535's are another really inexpensive way to get started in separates, probably $120-$150 if you get a good deal.

Save up a bit of money and try one out if you're interested. Don't spend $500 on your first one, especially in a dorm.

amulford

You definately don't want tubes in a dorm room...

jdhdiggs

Following what Andy said... In the used market, you don't really lose much money. Typically, if you buy an amp for $100, you can sell it for $100

cfrizz

Welcome!

I looked up your receiver, and you don't have preouts (except for a sub,) so you can't add a separate amplifier.

Which is probably a good thing, since you are in a dorm.

dipiazza

I am in the dorm as well. If your using it for just listening to music in your small room, theres really no need to go seperates for Mon 40s. Its just not worth it, stick with your pioneer and upgrade later when you have a reason to.

Good luck, Dorms suck for audio but what the heck us college kids gotta deal with it!!!

dipiazza

Where you dorming at?

alibabwish

nc state

dipiazza

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww! GO TERPS!