Just added an amp... :)

nms
nms Posts: 671
edited March 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
I just got back from spring break and brought back a Carver PM-350 amp that wasn't getting used enough from my parent's house. It's rated for 350 WPC into 8 ohm, and 450 WPC into 4 ohms. Previously I was running a Carver receiver rated for 100 WPC into 8 ohms, with no 4 ohm rating. Since my speaks are rated at 4-6 ohm, the receiver would trip over itself at about 1/3 power.

So, differences I am hearing:

1. Loudness. Holy ****, it's not even funny how loud this thing will go. Keep in mind my sweet spot is 50 inches from the speakers.

2. Dynamics. The much-improved headroom really makes a difference in the dynamics of the music. It's just so much more natural and effortless.

3. Detail. I never thought an amp could make this much of a difference. It's amazing - the gruffness, the slight edge of the sax, the oily thrum of the bass, it all just comes through better.

4. Tonality. To me, the amp seems to have a quieter midrange than the receiver.

5. Soundstage. Wider and more concrete, more solid, more "planted".

Setup:
Receiver: Carver HR-752
Amp: Carver PM-350
Speakers: Polk SDA-2A
Source: (don't wince) iPod running .wav format. (I had to use the cable from my CD player to hook the amp up to the receiver - will remedy shortly).
My system

"The world is an ever evolving clusterf*ck." --treitz3
Post edited by nms on
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Comments

  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited March 2008
    OOHHH yeahhhhh...
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited March 2008
    Hard to beat a good amp ;)
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited March 2008
    Sweet! Especially the part about bringing back from mom and pop for, I'm assuming, free.
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited March 2008
    Priceless..............................
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited March 2008
    That's what it's all about baby! :D

    Congrat's on your new found sound.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2008
    YES! Another convert added to ranks happy with more POWER!!!!

    Congrats & enjoy.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited March 2008
    cfrizz wrote: »
    YES! Another convert added to ranks happy with more POWER!!!!

    Congrats & enjoy.

    Victory!:D
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited March 2008
    Those Carver pro amps don't get nearly the credit they deserve. Great sounding amps, and they are built like tanks. Enjoy your new baby.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited March 2008
    I think the bug has just started......congrats! I am seeing you diggin' through all your old CD's as is customary with a new piece.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited March 2008
    I have one. Heavy sucker for it's size.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited March 2008
    When I added my B&K to the mix, it changed the intire soundstage...










    ...to the good...:D

    Congrats.,
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • nms
    nms Posts: 671
    edited March 2008
    Thanks for the kind words guys. And yes engtaz, it is a heavy little sucker.

    I definitely would not describe this amp as warm, more of a highly precise, technical sound. There is no slop, no forgiveness in the signal it produces. If you feed it garbage it's going to precisely amplify that garbage so you hear everything wrong with the recording. Guess this means I just have to get better sources, huh? :rolleyes:
    My system

    "The world is an ever evolving clusterf*ck." --treitz3
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