Powering PSB Image 6Ts... Rotel vs. NAD?

[sacd lover]

Check out the Proton D540 integrateds on ebay. These are NOS amps made by the same company that makes NAD amps. The D540 has a claimed 40 watts rms and 6db of headroom; this amp is a little powerhouse (thats 160 watts in to 8 ohms peak). This amp actually gave 50w rms/ 80w rms in tests and met the 6bd headroom spec. The preamp and amp sections can be seperated so you can use it as an integrated, pre or power amp. There are two speaker outputs, seperate listen and record, headphone output and an excellent phono section. I used one for 10 years and was very pleased with the amp. I saw these and bought one for my upcoming aura bass shaker experiment. I cant think of any current amp with the power and flexibility of this amp; and its good sounding too. I paid $270 plus shipping and insurance. I had these paired with Clements or PSB 500 speakers back then, and it was a very synergistic combo with either.

 

[CarterFan41]

SACD lover - if the Proton is 40 watts rms, how can it even be comparable to the Rotel (130 x 2)? You mention that the Proton is 160 watts peak... I think I just don't understand the terminology or something.

My biggest concern with having separate home theatre and stereo systems is space. I live in an apartment (and I'm a college student, so money is a concern too). What I want is to somehow integrate the stereo system into the hometheatre system. I want to be able to turn off everything except the stereo speakers, amp, and pre-amp/receiver when listening to music. And I want everything on for movies.

How do I pull this off? Higher-quality receiver with pre-outs and some wattage to run everything except the stereo speakers? Are 5.1/6.1/7.1 channel pre-amps even made? What exactly is the difference between a pre-amp and a receiver? What does a pre-amp even do, besides act as a volume knob?

Many questions,
RL

 

[pbirkett]

Quote:

Originally posted by CarterFan41 SACD lover - if the Proton is 40 watts rms, how can it even be comparable to the Rotel (130 x 2)? You mention that the Proton is 160 watts peak... I think I just don't understand the terminology or something.

Well the 40 watts a channel only really tells part of the story, for a start it appears as though they are modestly rated, for excellent headroom, and can probably deliver large stable currents to the speaker.

That all being said, for power delivery, it will NOT come anywhere near the Rotel, which also have modestly rated power outputs, massive dynamic power, and frankly obscene current delivery for an amplifier of the cost of the Rotel.

Nevertheless, you should try to audition both amplifiers if you can, as power ratings alone do not tell you how it sounds. Remember that it takes a doubling of power to increase the perceived sound level by around 50%.

 

[chillysalsa]

Yeah, there's a lot to be said for power ratings. There's the camp that prefer a small number of articulate watts, and the camp that prefer massive amount of punchy watts. There are some amps that are a good compromise though, but not so many in your price range though. You'll have to listen around and see what you prefer.

If you want to minimize the number of boxes, you could go with a HT reciever from NAD, like the T742. It's real cheap in some stores now, my boss just picked one up for $600 CDN, and it sounds really good dispite the modest 50 W through 5 channels.

 

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

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[CarterFan41]

Thanks for the info. What I might do is get the NAD C370, and just use that with the PSBs. Then I could only turn on the Onkyo when watching movies, tv, whatever. Obviously, once I get the funds, the Onkyo will be replaced. Would it be possible to buy something like a 7.1 channel receiver/pre-amp that has zero amplification, and just add on separate amps to power the rest of the surround speakers? Then I could only turn on the appropriate amps, depending on whether I'm watching a movie or listening to music. Are 5.1/6.1/7.1 channel pre-amps even made?

Thanks,
RL

 

[Wodgy]

There are quite a few good 5.1/6.1/7.1 pre-amps. Generally they're called "preamp-processors" or "pre/pros" rather than just "preamps." Most manufacturers of HT gear make them, though some are quite expensive. Outlaw has a well-regarded one that's (relatively) inexpensive.

By the way, the C370 is a nice amp. Good choice!

 

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

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