Many AVRs have the ability to direct extra unused channels to the front L/R speakers for bi-amping. I do this with my Yamaha to ease the load on the amp.
Center and Mains
I "feel " the need to apply more power to my front speakers. One because, I'm not using half of their capabilities (wattage) plus I'm hoping the added power will clean up / reveal those little hidden jewels within a recording / sound track.
My question is can I add power and find those nuggets or should I forget the power and find the right processor?
front mains: Def-Tech 7000 Sc1000 watts
http://www.definitivetech.com/products/bp7000sc
Center McIntosh XCS200 600 watts
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=speakers&ProductId=XCS20...
Processor: Denon 4308CI http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hometheater/avreceiversht/avr4308ci
Amp: 7 Channel MC8207 http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=amplifiers&ProductId=MC8...
Another motivation, (putting it all out there) I have a 12.3 channel speakers setup in place ready to go, but without the amp channels or processor to push it all - it would allow me to use the MC8207 to power all the surrounds nicely.
My question is can I add power and find those nuggets or should I forget the power and find the right processor?
front mains: Def-Tech 7000 Sc1000 watts
http://www.definitivetech.com/products/bp7000sc
Center McIntosh XCS200 600 watts
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=speakers&ProductId=XCS20...
Processor: Denon 4308CI http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hometheater/avreceiversht/avr4308ci
Amp: 7 Channel MC8207 http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=amplifiers&ProductId=MC8...
Another motivation, (putting it all out there) I have a 12.3 channel speakers setup in place ready to go, but without the amp channels or processor to push it all - it would allow me to use the MC8207 to power all the surrounds nicely.
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- 16 posts total
You have a 7 channel amp, try bi-amping your mains and see if it helps. Personally, I think you will see the most improvement in clarity by matching your front three speakers. I'm not knocking mac or def tech, they all sound better by matching all 3 fronts. Don't bi-amp mixing the Denon and Mac. I would try using the Mac just to power your front 3 speakers. |
Sorry to say I cannot give you an answer because I have not heard any of your particular pieces of equipment, although they all seem very nice. I am however familiar with Mcintosh amps. I can only relate to my experience with my own equipment. I think that I was able to "clean up / reveal those little hidden jewels within a recording / sound track" each time I moved up the lines with different speakers first and then tried different amps to see how they affected the speakers. Also, it would probably help more to match all three front speakers and then work on the amplification. Hope this helps! Mike |
IMHO, the biggest problem is the extremely bad match between the center and main speakers. Having different brands absolutely ruins any chance of timbre match and then there is a 6db sensitivity difference between the Def-Techs and the McIntosh. Sounds in the front may come from a single speaker, or they may be created with L&C or C&R speakers, and that is a problem with the mismatch. Read this article, especially the last line. http://www.avtruths.com/speaker.html |
- 16 posts total