2. amps-preamps
  3. 1397315083

Power and low volume listening - my imagination?

Over very many years in this hobby I've owned quite a few good amplifiers but have never used amplifiers, either tube or solid state, with power ratings greater than 100wpc. This choice was partly based in the assumption that my listening tastes include almost no high volume choices, and, therefore, did not require a lot of power. I think I have been wrong.

Because of some recent changes to my system I decided to try an experiment using more amplification. This included the use of a Peachtree Audio Nova pre amplification out to an old B&K AVR307 with about 70wpc greater than the Nova. The improvement in every way that I'm capable of judging was impressive; the bass is definitely tighter and detail in the upper mid and higher frequencies is also improved, and this is noticeable at all volume settings. I realize that this improvement may be a result of different general sonic characteristic of the two power stages and not due simply to a difference in power ratings.

This experience, though, has me inspired me to pursue a more permanent modification to my system in the form of an appropriate stand alone power amp. Now, the reason for this post and the question I'm posing has to do with power vs character. As with most advice I've asked for on this forum, any responses will be in the form of opinions but I respect them and am looking, if for nothing more, a starting point.

So, is it reasonable to assume that I need more power than what I'm used to in order to keep the improvement that I described? If so, what might be some good choices on the used market for under $1000; I've seen some that are priced right such as Peachtree 220 but am concerned that, although more powerful than the Nova, it may not sound so much different. The combination that I'm currently using as I've described here is quite nice and maybe some would recommend staying with it but, as always, it would be nice to continue down this road for yet more improvement. Anyway, what do you think?

My current system is Shanling S100 CD player, Peachtree Audio Nova, B&K AVR307 and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers.
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Showing 3 responses by broadstone

broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Thanks Lloydelee. That makes sense and I made a decision. Coincidentally, I went to use the system this morning and the B&K bit the dust (a subtle hiss and squeal followed by garbled sound), making the decision to do something a bit more pressing. I ordered the Peachtree220 power amp based on some reviews saying that this is a pretty solid pairing with the Nova. I like the idea of Peachtree's dedicated preamp but the Nova provides more latitude for hookups and the front end on this amp seems very good. When get the amp, I'll provide some info on how this worked out because reviews for this combo, otherwise, are pretty sparse.

My system is: Shanling S-100 CD player, Peachtree Audio Nova and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Ok, I got the Peachtree 220 this morning and have been using it for about 4 hours. The improvement is amazing. There are certain things that I expected to hear such as tighter bass but the sound is better throughout the entire frequency range; vocals are definitely more pleasing.

Because solo guitar is what I listen to most that's where I have been concentrating my comparison listening and where I feel most competent expressing an opinion regarding quality of reproduction. I won't go where I'm not that comfortable with audio terminology but suffice it to say that it is simply better and likely to have been the best single change I've made in years.

Anyway, my question is answered; more power does apparently improve low volume listening. My present system is: Shanling S100 CD player, Peachtree Nova as a preamp, Peachtree 220 power amp and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Thanks Saki and Beewax. I'm providing a short history regarding my attempt at resolving the issue of high fidelity low volume listening and it's relationship to/dependency on adequate power, if for no other reason than to provide a possible shortcut for others who may be as clueless as I.

In the beginning, as I have already stated, I didn't consider more power as a solution because of my relatively low volume listening. The only thing I didn't change in the process of searching for a solution, was the speaker pair I've used for the last 10 years. I believe the amplifier that best served my purpose was the 100wpc Rogue Audio Sphinx which, IMO, is a superior amplifier, but I felt I was still missing what I was looking for. In a multi item trade I acquired an 80wpc Peachtree Audio Nova integrated amp which has a great front end but the overall performance with my speakers was an even greater disappointment.

At one point I had a pair of Jamo Concert eights which were probably the best sounding speakers I've ever had in my home so put my Odysseys up for sale in hopes of finding another Concert 8 pair or Canalis Animas which I auditioned but couldn't afford w/o offing something else; thank goodness they didn't sell. At the suggestion of serious local hobbyist I decided to at least try using higher wattage and bought the Peachtree 220 power amp keeping the Nova as a preamp.

As I said, the system has come alive and I am enjoying music that I had stopped listening to quite a long time ago. I'm not in any way trying to imply that Peachtree is the answer or that more power is necessarily going to improve listening for all speaker types and brands. It's just that I hit on a fortunate combination of components that worked well for me.

My present system is Shanling S100 CD player, Peachtree Nova, Peachtree 220 and Martin Logan Odysseys speakers with various, not necessarily special, interconnects and speaker wires.
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