Sound Quality Difference between Amps

mwaarna

I do not listen at reference volumes. I listen maybe 10db quiter from there. I live in an apartment building and do not want to get complaints.

I have a complete LSI(15's,C,FX's) 5 speaker set with an Outlaw Audio 750 amp.

the outlaw pushes 250@4ohms...

I have thought about upgrading to a new amp like the Cinenova Grande 5ch...

Would i notice the SQ difference even tho I am not running my speakers at reference volumes?

My birthday is coming up in June and i am thinking about upgrading then...

ben62670

I don't think you need more watts. I think you need to ask yourself What do you like about your system, and where is it lacking?
Guys Please look at his pics.
I think one of the better improvements you could do is get a better TV stand, or wall mount, and get a better rack for you audio gear. I would get a side by side so you can fit it under your TV, and get much better speaker placement. Also what are you using for wires?

Oh yeah.
Hey neighbor:D

mwaarna

All my cables are from Blue Jean Company..

I like the TV stand cause it matches my TV.. Also my TV is a DLP, which is Non wall mountable(and behind the tv is a double glass sliding doors..

As far as my audio rack, i prefer having everything going vertically rather than placed under the tv.. I doubt that I could find a tv stand that could house everything I want..

Cable Box, NAS, Wii, Ps3, Xbox 360, HTPC, a popcorn hour Unit(on the way),etc..

As far as placement of my speakers, I could use a little tweaking on that part.

Its not what my system is lacking, its Am i using my speakers to their full potential.. I have read a ton of posts that say it was a night and day difference upgrading amps... its the upgradiatis or how ever you spell it.

amulford

I would spread the mains some.

Sure you'll hear a difference. Whether it's good or bad is subjective and rests wholly on your judgement.

danger boy

second what amulford said.. get those left and right fronts farther apart from each other.. I think mine are like 7.5 feet apart

ben62670

mwaarna wrote: »

Cable Box, NAS, Wii, Ps3, Xbox 360, HTPC, a popcorn hour Unit(on the way),etc..

.

The rack is killing your speaker placement. The items listed above could be moved to a narrow not so deep rack. If you could put your amp, pre, and 2 sources under your TV, and you would be all set.

Face

I used to own the same TV stand, it offers very little room for A/V components. It's made for items like cable boxes and DVD players. I believe I couldn't fit my HK 245 on it without the front hanging off the rack.

I would mess with placement first. Try placing the speakers in a equilateral triangle with your listening position, then play with toe while listening to your reference material.

Gaara

Don't worry to much about the power rating. I doubt I ever use more then 100wpc, yet the difference was noticable between amps. I have compared the Earthquake to brands like Rotel, Parasound, Adcom, Sunfire, B&K, etc. and the Earthquake always came out on top.

Many here have upgraded from Outlaw to the Cinenova and have been very happy. In my fs threadnear the bottom of the page it looks like Wingnut and G-2 upgraded, I would search for their impressions. My shortened impressions can also be found there of the Cinenova vs other amps.

Gadabout

I know you like your stuff vertically, but you might consider this rack from Studio Tech.

Max capacity is 350 lbs. I added an 9" shelf. The TV sits pretty high, but after a getting used to the new height, I prefer the elevation. I also added the the Super Cone Spikes. It's rock solid with no movement.

While it might not hold your popcorn maker, you might consider this. It easily fits my 56" DLP. It is also holding an LPA-1, Onkyo 705, AudioSource Class T amp, Cable Box, DVD/VHS combo player, XRT12 XM tuner, Toshiba HD A-3, Monster 3600 Power Center. Just for a feeling of size, those are RTi10s to the side and a CSi5 center on top of the TV.

Below is a crap picture, that I took a month ago. A friend of mine wanted to see the HT. I'll take some better pics and get them in the system showcase eventually.

zingo

I would look at other things as mentioned above before upgrading the amp. Outlaw amps are some of best value in electronics and the sound quality is amazing. I was running my 7100 with my 4.1TLs and I was surprised at how good it sounded. I couldn't tell the difference between that and my Carver.

Face

I have the same rack as Gadabout, works and looks great.

tonyb

amulford wrote: »

I would spread the mains some.

Sure you'll hear a difference. Whether it's good or bad is subjective and rests wholly on your judgement.

Antny's got it in a nutshell.

SLOCOOKN

It may seem a little out of the way of your question.....


Do you have a GREAT! renters insurance policy? Some only offer to give you current market price...not replacement costs..good gift to you if you get broken into.

Or a good term life insurance policy? If something happens to you, a good gift for the family.

I have been broken into twice. One time while I was home.

Both insurances are a good piece of mind. You can enjoy your hobby more with piece of mind!

Just thinking outside the box.

Steve

bikezappa

You asked for suggestions. Here goes. I think the room has too much stuff in it. Adding a popcorn maker is not the direction I would go. Of course you are different.

I would consider moving your rack elsewhere. Do you have a closet to locate it in? I like the minimalist layout, most don't. Most want to look at equipment and wires. Can you relocate the rack to the back or sides?

This will give you more room to move the speakers and furniture to different locations.

Joe08867

+1 Bikezappa, I think you are hearing all kinds of reflections and dead spots because of all the stuff in the room. Is that a sliding door behind the stereo or large windows? They won't help either.

Spreading thos mains apart would be quite beneficial too.

treitz3

I see you have what looks to be curtain rods up already. Reinstalling them might help out with the acoustics in the room, provided they are within this century for styling. If this is a consideration, try the back wall first. That rack location is definitely hampering the sound as is the mains location. It looks like you have the gear already, you just need to optimize what you have. As for your original question....refer to what amulford said, he nailed it. My experience was positive at your listening levels. Mids and lows were more defined at those levels making the experience more fulfilling without having to turn it up as much, YMMV.

Ern Dog

Try moving your rack next to your TV and then move the right speaker on the far right end. Then move the left speaker away from the TV as well. This will give your speakers more room to breath.

SolidSqual

Dude, you need to clean that apartment up. You go crap in the way of the sound.

lakesailor

For what it is worth, a buddy of mine just repalced his Outlaw amps with Emotiva. The Emotiva stuff was a significant improvement. Heavy hear though; the emotiva 5 channel is close to 80 lbs, but a good deal though.

mwaarna

Ern Dog wrote: »

Try moving your rack next to your TV and then move the right speaker on the far right end. Then move the left speaker away from the TV as well. This will give your speakers more room to breath.

This sounds like a good suggestion.

Nex topic, which i think is funny....
I AM NOT getting a machine to make popcorn for me, i am getting a unit called "The Popcorn Hour" http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/ It is a small book size unit that plays HD content.

Behind my tv is a sliding glass door.
To the right wall of my TV is also a sliding glass door.
Its a corner apartment with a wrap around balcony.

As far as my place being a bit messy, it is I admit, but space is a luxury.

Let me clean up the place a bit, and post some updated pictures(this will be next week, going on vacation tomorrow).

Also I will space out the speakers atleast 7.5" as suggested.

Thanks for all the input, i like reading about it and trying to make my HT better.

mwaarna

Gadabout wrote: »

I know you like your stuff vertically, but you might consider this rack from Studio Tech.

Max capacity is 350 lbs. I added an 9" shelf. The TV sits pretty high, but after a getting used to the new height, I prefer the elevation. I also added the the Super Cone Spikes. It's rock solid with no movement.

While it might not hold your popcorn maker, you might consider this. It easily fits my 56" DLP. It is also holding an LPA-1, Onkyo 705, AudioSource Class T amp, Cable Box, DVD/VHS combo player, XRT12 XM tuner, Toshiba HD A-3, Monster 3600 Power Center. Just for a feeling of size, those are RTi10s to the side and a CSi5 center on top of the TV.

Below is a crap picture, that I took a month ago. A friend of mine wanted to see the HT. I'll take some better pics and get them in the system showcase eventually.

The Stand looks nice.

My current stand is 18" in Height.

How did you add a 9" shelf? does it come with the standard package or you have to purchase it seperately?

What is your total height of your stand with the extra shelf?