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What is the benefit of a second amplifier .

I’m still trying to decide what direction to take. Play all my speakers through my B & K 200.7 amplifier or have the main speakers run by a Second dedicated 2 channel amplifier. I’m trying to get the best sound possible from my main speakers, B & W 803s. When listing to 2 channel music I want to hear all the detail, and everything the speaker has to offer. When watching theater I want the full effect of the movie. I spoke with a gentleman from Morantz, who said I would gain nothing with the second amplifier and all speakers should go through a 7 channel amplifier and processor. I could then just hit the 2 channel button for analog. He also said in 2 channel analog the 200 watts are dedicated to my main speakers. I should hear everything I want to hear, there must be some other problem. The 200 watts would only allow me to listen to the music louder. There is no need for a second amplifier. If you say the second amplifier is better how do I hook this up? Please explain why it’s better. When watching theater all speakers should work together. When listing to 2 channels all speakers are off except the mains. I don’t want to move speaker wire between two ampfliers.
ledell

Showing 4 responses by mechans

mechans
2,999 posts
 
I actually advocate a sparate listening space for 2 channel.
2 mains next to eachother are thought to produce artifact by sound pressure cause the "quiescent" pairs' drivers to vibrate.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
My advice is that if you are serious about a second amp for analog then you might want to consider a separate system altogether. It is a major step and not the most economical but if you want truly great 2 channel you need to think in those terms. Movies as you have pointed out require other attributes. Think about it, to me a separate system no matter how humble would be the begining of building a better system until you reach your destination. Buy cheaper mains for movies and use the B&Ws in your analog rig as a starting point. From there you have a world of choices.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
I once had a basement system with a bunch of speakers I had aquired over the years.  They were all out and not far from  the main speakers I was trying to build a system around. A fellow audio friend told me that the sound i.e. sound pressure was causing the other drivers in the room to respond and cause an artifact.  The artifact some might describe as smearing along with extra bass and resonance sounds etc.  To be perfectly honest I didn't hear the artifact my buddy did.  Also moving my collection of big old speakers elsewhere was not an option. I didn't have that much space.
 I can relate to having much more  limited space now.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
I still have 2 two channel systems. One is a nice older tube headphone amp and some headphones. The other is a vintage tube receiver a Fisher 400 and a pair of Hyperion bookshelf speakers. 
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