Amp power question

NeilGabriel
NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
edited February 2008 in Electronics
I have not been able to think through this. My Denon HTR has about 105 watts per channel (8 ohms). My Parasound 5 channel 220 watts. Both seem to be equally loud when set to the same dB rating on the volume meter (if you know what I mean). The Denon gets really loud and I expected the Parasound to blow the roof off. I guess my question is that if you have an amp that has twice the power of another, but you turn up the volumes from a shared preamp, will they be the same volume on a SPL meter? So the issue is simply that the lower powered amp will give out (clip/distort etc.) before the high powered amp (assuming equal quality)?
Post edited by NeilGabriel on
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited February 2008
    That, and a difference in dynamics and sound quality. But yeah, I don't think a more powerful amp (in terms of watts) necessarily means "louder". It might have a few db's more on the upper end, but both will probably play louder than you'd ever want. It's the quality of the sound that may differ -- at all volume levels.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,231
    edited February 2008
    isn't twice the watts will only yield a 3db increase?
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    Willow wrote: »
    isn't twice the watts will only yield a 3db increase?


    +1,

    Example: top end will be 112 dbs instead of 109 dbs

    But the extra wattage helps in quiet mode too. The dynamic range will increase with the added "quality" watts at lower volumes.
    Monitor 7b's front
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    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
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,231
    edited February 2008
    jakelm wrote:
    But the extra wattage helps in quiet mode too. The dynamic range will increase with the added "quality" watts at lower volumes.

    For sure this is where I actually noticed the biggest impact with my amps over the power from the AVR.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited February 2008
    Output gain is what helps low level listening, not actual wattage.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Output gain is what helps low level listening, not actual wattage.

    Doesnt output gain = volts x amps = watts?
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited February 2008
    You don't use much power at low listening levels and it's the gain stage that's working at that point. This is loudspeaker relative as well.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    You don't use much power at low listening levels and it's the gain stage that steps-up that 1w.

    Understood
    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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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited February 2008
    One thing you have to consider is that most of the power ratings are BS (Barbara Streisand), especially for receivers. Home Theater magazine has finally started posting test bench power specs for the receivers they test and the results are dismal with 100 watt receivers barely putting out 50 watts. But hell you could always tell anyway. A 50x4 car audio amp weighs like 30 pounds yet a 100x7 receiver weighs maybe 10?!?! C'mon! You cant really go on ratings.

    Also, it depends on WHEN the power comes on. You take an amp that makes 100 watts at 1% THD and one that makes 100 watts at .005% THD and the later will be much more powerful cause its making its power with much more ease and without being pushed as hard.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
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