2. amps-preamps
  3. 1010786317

Amp quality / Slam

I need some help with my amp set up. I currently have a theater/2ch stereo set-up, and I'm not pleased with the "size" of the sound being delvered when I listen to 2ch music. I have a Marantz mm9000 bi-amped/ bi-wired to my main speakers and the 5th channel powers the center ch. when I'm watching movies. I'm looking for that powerful, full sound that hits you when playing music at higher volume. Right now I feel like the sound is not as clean or crisp as I would like. I'm not a metal head, (although I do love AC/DC)in fact I listen to reggae and jazz most of the time. I'm wondering if the problem is the amp? I know its not the speakers, the have great range and can deliver in the right environment. The amp delivers 150w per ch., so I have a total of 300w going to each.....I'm just not as blown away as want to be. HELP!!!
mhubbard

Showing 3 responses by mhubbard

mhubbard OP
86 posts
 
Ok, more detail on my set-up..

The speakers are the new Cambridge Soundworks T500's, they have a built in powered sub and are bi-wireable. My room is 13ft wide and 19ft long and the celing is 8ft , however the listening area is aprox 10ft from the two main speakers. The speakers are floor standing units, spaced about 6ft apart.
EQUIPMENT:
Alesis Masterlink CD Player/hard disk recorder (connected to)
MSB Link DAC3 (connected to)
Sunfire Theater Grand 2 Preamp
Marantz mm9000 5ch amp 150w X5 (front and center ch.)
ADCOM 5400 2ch amp 125w X2 (rear Surrounds)

CD,DAC,Preamp powered through PS Audio Power Plant 300, connected to PS Audio Ultimate Outlet (20 amp.) from wall socket.

All connection wire is Tara Labs RSC Prime
Speaker wire is Monster Z series
mhubbard OP
86 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. I do have after market power cords, they are the hi-end voo-doo cables. As far as speaker placement I've screwed around with that so much I'm DONE! the imaging is really good, its just the attack I seem to be missing. I also have all source componets isolated with vibrapods (I'm a total geek about this stuff). The one thing I'm really not sure about is this polarity issue that "estrnad" mentioned? Can you please go a little deeper into what you mean?
mhubbard OP
86 posts
 
Thanks again guys,

Ya know.... maybe "jeffloistarca" just hit it on the head! I really like the Sunfire Preamp and Matantz amp for movies. I just watched "Apocalypse Now REDUX" which was just realeased (if any of you guys are into DVD, this re-master of the original should not be missed!), and it was absolutly incredible sounding. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much from my equipment for stereo nervana. I should just be happy that my equipment sounds as good as it does (its still pretty damn good!). When the time is right I'll simply build a 2ch specific set-up with music alone in mind.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

M.
More to discover