Integrated or
separates?
June 30, 2004
I am planning on upgrading my amplification, and I am
hoping you can help. My system consists of Rega P25 turntable with Benz Micro MC Silver
cartridge, Naim 3.5 CD player, Arcam Alpha 9 integrated amp, KEF Q75 speakers with
Sheffield speaker cable and WBT connectors.
I would like to change the Arcam Alpha integrated, and I am
contemplating the Anthem TLP 1 preamp with the Anthem MCA 20 power amp, or the Arcam FMJ
A32 integrated amplifier, or the Bryston B60 integrated amp, or the Arcam DIVA A90
integrated amplifier.
Can you please give me your thoughts on which you think
would be better for my system. I listen to traditional jazz, light reggae, light classics
and big-band music.
Michael Quelch
Integrated amplifiers are cost-effective and efficient
in that they limit the need for a set of interconnects and only take up one shelf space.
Those details are important to some users. The particular models you mention are fine
examples, too, as Bryston and Arcam are both known for their integrated amps. The Anthems
bring you into the realm of separates, though, and that does offer some advantages. The
most obvious advantage is that the two components are split into two chassis and therefore
there's more room for larger power supplies, more room for inputs and outputs. Perhaps
more important to future upgrades is the ability to replace either one of the components
separately. There's also the ability to actively biamp your speakers (using two amplifiers
to power one set of speakers). You'll have to decide what is most important to you, but
I'd lean towards the separates in your situation due to the potential for future upgrades.
More umpff
June 28, 2004
I'm a 21-year-old grad student living in a condo and
recently purchased a Bose Acoustimass 10 Series II surround-sound speaker system to
compliment my Harmon Kardon 525 A/V receiver. I love the system and couldn't be so pleased
considering one was an "open box value" and the other I got from Sam's Club. My
question is regarding adding a subwoofer to the existing setup. The subwoofer that the
Bose uses isn't powered; instead it is run from the receiver. So the sub-output is still
open, and I was wondering if adding a powered sub to my existing setup will affect the
Bose subwoofer in anyway. I guess that I just want more umpff, and the my existing
setup is not pleasing me. And if so, what is a good bargain subwoofer for a guy on a
budget?
Dustin
You'll have to check the manual of your Harmon
Kardon receiver for specifics, but the subwoofer output (RCA) is active for the LFE
channel of movie soundtracks and also perhaps two-channel audio. I'm not sure if the Bose
is actually producing the LFE track since it is passive in nature and therefore connected
to the speaker-level outputs of your receiver. Regardless, you should be able to run two
subwoofers with no issue. Just make sure that you balance the speaker levels with both
subwoofers operating simultaneously. Regarding a subwoofer for a "guy on a
budget," look no further than the Hsu Research STF-1 for $299. It should give you all
the umpff you seek.
Connecting the NAD
June 25, 2004
I have an NAD 304 amp and would like to integrate it into a
home-theater system. I am thinking about buying the DVD player, extra speakers and decoder
instead of those home-theater packages with all the components. My problem is that I do
not know how I would connect it to the NAD 304 amp.
Thank you for a GREAT site!
Anton Snyman
The best solution for your situation is to buy a
receiver that has "preamp outputs." These RCA output connectors will let you use
the NAD amplifier to power your main speakers, while the receiver itself will power your
surrounds and center-channel, as well as function as your preamp-processor (decoder). The
DVD player would connect to your receiver. When shopping for the receiver look for one
with the features you need, but don't waste money on a ton of power since you'll be
bypassing much of it anyway. Any modern receiver will power surrounds and a center with no
problem. The key are those preamp outputs -- ask for 'em by name.
M2i versus M3ti
June 23, 2004
I want try a pair of Axiom's bookshelf speakers in my small
(20'L x 9'W) living room. I don't have a subwoofer. As far as the most balanced, true and
unaffected sound goes, would you suggest the M2i or the slightly larger M3ti?
Ken Sternberg
You're in luck! Our sister site, www.soundstage.com, published a
review of the Axiom M2i that included a direct comparison with the M3ti. The
review, as well as all of the SoundStage! Network's archived reviews, can be found at www.audiovideoreviews.com. You
can also compare how these two speakers measure against each other by visiting www.speakermeasurements.com.
And lastly, don't forget GoodSound!'s review of the M2i, in which the reviewer
concluded, "Axiom Audio's Millennia M2i minimonitor is a
legend-in-the-making...."
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