Do I have enough power for a good quality sound?


My system currently include the following:

B&W Matrix 801
McIntosh MC206 Power Amp(older version)
McIntosh Preamp (won't be using this in the new system)

I have chosen the following for upgrade:

Rotel RSX-1056 75 x 5, 7.1 surround receiver
B&W Nautilus 805 (for back)
B&W Nautilus HTM-1 (center)
B&W ASW 800 for subwoofer

I will be using McIntosh poweramp to drive B&W Matrix 801s and rest of the speakers will be hooked up to Rotel. Do you think Rotel 1056 (100w/ch when 2 channel driven, and 75w/ch with multichannel) would be enough not to compromise the quality of sound? I listen to classical music mostly, and the room is about 15 by 10. Need your help...
krksures4

Showing 2 responses by sbank

Krksures4,
I think the answer to your orignal question ties to whether you are talking about listening to 2 channel or 5.1 music. If most of your serious music lstening is to vinyl or 2 channel digital, then obviously, your are fine with the MAC & 801s. IMHO, the issue of 75w for center & rear channels will likely come into play when listening to film/tv/etc. Since most signal to center channel is dialogue, & the rear is mainly sound effects, you don't tend to need quite as much power there. Sure you might get a bit of audible clipping when a helicopter "flies overhead", but IMHO--so what. Center channel spoken dialogue is not taxing on an amp, relatively speaking.
OTOH, if you expect to invest heavily in SACD 5.1 or DVD-A and multichannel serious music is your key concern, then a little extra power might be called for. You could always hook the MAC up to center or rear for a test list'en w/o mains in the mix.
Personally, I think we're years or decades away from enough good multi-channel music to consider multi-channel for anything but movies/tv. Thus, for me the solution is a cheap HT rig, and a good separate 2 channel music system. Therefore, I'd suggest saving the $ and stick w/the 75w. Cheers, Spencer
That's fine, and doesn't need to cost much. Get an inexpensive uni-player, or at least an SACD player, and stick with the Rotel amp. If 90% of your listening ends up staying 2 channel, then keep investing your money in the parts of your system that affect 2 channel. Cheers,
Spencer