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Newbie amp help......why?

Im confused about why an amp is needed. I am not a cranker by any means. I dont listen to my music loud at all. I really dont listen to rock much so why is an amp needed? I could understand if it was like when i was younger and wanted more bass or better treble in my car but that was only because i wanted to listen louder without distortion. I have a old pioneer elite 39tx reciever/pre amp. I have a nad c541 transport, with psb stratus gold speakers. please help me understand how this works. My stuff will already go way louder without distortion than i would ever want to listen to at that level. thanx alot Kevin
flyin2jz
maineiac
649 posts
 
Come on guys. If he asked the question we all know it is too late. It is that very curiosity that has taken over our souls.

Blindjim, the Mercedes comment was great!
flyin2jz OP
51 posts
 
i guess what im chasing now is a experience i had in the mid 90s. i was working and accidentally went into a higher end store thats no longer here and heard asystem with the speakers i have now and was blown away. i dont even know the equip he had other than the golds. it sounded un real completely 3d sounding out of only 2 speakers. it literally made my eyes water and my balance was all messed up. well 20 yrs later i have a bit more to spend but i cant even get close to what i heard that day so im chasing a system i have no idea about....thanks for the warning i think im already sunk. kevin
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Flyin2jz, do you know if your speakers are well positioned for your room? A lot of improvement can be had by the speaker/room interface being right; then you can start looking at equipment upgrades.
bdgregory
1,580 posts
 
heard a system with the speakers i have now and was blown away
that right there is why you would need a new amp. If you heard what a really good amp (ie any amp better than the one you have) sounds like, one that "made your eyes water", you would know you need a new amp. Until then, as long as you ask these questions you are perilously close to the slippery slope of audiophoolishness Blindjim describes.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
That might be true, once the speaker/room interface is right. I find that the speaker and the room (and your ears)account for a lot of performance from a system with a given speaker -- then the amp/speaker is possible the most crucial component matchup IMHO.
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