Help me make sense of this.


I have quad 405-II amp which is 100 watts per channel.
When I hooked up Yamaha RX-V3300 home theatre receiver, in stereo mode, wow I loved the sound !

Yamaha is 130 watts per channel. Does anyone know how much power I am getting in stereo mode?

Is Yamaha big current amp?

Does that mean I like powerful amps?

I didn't think surround receivers did music as well as a dedicated 2 channel amp ( especially seperates ) - so, I was pleasantly surprised at how music sounded through Yamaha - or has Yamaha improved their surround receivers to sound good in music as well ( in stereo )?

I want to know the answer, so that I might look for a more powerful amp in the future.

This question got me all excited, and I am puzzled...
Some one please shed some light on this - and I will appreciate that a lot.

It will influence the direction my next system will take.

gonglee3
Thank you so much for the voice of experience !
I will try to hear newer units now...
Although you don't say what speakers you are using it sounds like they are a better match for your yamaha. The quad is current limiting from what I read. TG
The Yamaha may have a slight gain in only 2 channel. The big difference is dynamic headroom. It will have tons more power for bass and peaks.
Your Quad is going on thirty years old. In it's day, it was a very good amp. Nowdays, it will have a hard time sounding as "musical" in comparison a lot of "mid-fi" gear. No doubt- you are hearing a lot of definition that you've been missing. There are a bunch of people that refuse to admit(or face the fact) that there have been a number of improvements with regard to the electronic components(passive and active)used in the manufacture of audio gear since the 80's. Count yourself blessed that you can hear the differences.
I doubt that power for all six channels is concentrated in two channels for stereo only. The specifications will tell you.
I am suspecting Yamaha concentrates 6 ch powers to 2, thus putting out more than 130watts per ch. Am I wrong?
The difference between 100 and 130 watts (measured the same
way) in a real world listening environment is virtually inaudible. I doubt it is a power or current difference you are hearing. I suspect you prefer the presentation of the receiver over the Quad.
I didn't think surround receivers did music as well as a dedicated 2 channel amp ( especially seperates )

Well built receivers can sound just as good as separates at modest power levels up to 150 watts - after all they are built of similar parts - you lose some flexibility though. Massive power supplies and huge heat sinks require lots of space - so monster amps tend to be separates.