From: eric0139@student.tc.umn.edu (Grant Erickson)
Subject: Re: Watts/channel question (Was: Sony ES vs. Sony A/V receivers)
Followup-To: rec.audio
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 01:59:25 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.103859.16143@bristol.ac.uk>, smee@bristol.ac.uk (Paul
Smee) wrote:
> 
> In article <1glf7sINNl9v@iskut.ucs.ubc.ca> twong@civil.ubc.ca (Thomas Wong) writes:
> >I'm looking at getting a new receiver (probably one of them new A/V Pro
> >Logic ones) and one of the salesguy told me that for the type of music I
> >listen to, instrumentals and classical, clipping is of an issue hence I
> >shouldn't get any receiver with less than 100 w/ch for the front
> >channels at least. I was looking at getting a "no so expensive" unit
> >with maybe up to 80 w/ch up front, maybe even down to 70 w would do?
> >What do you all think about clipping? 
> 
> Clipping is nasty, sounds horrible, and is probably the most common cause
> of speaker death.  Definitely to be avoided.
> 
> However, it's not quite as simple as your salesbod seems to be saying.
> Getting lots of RMS watts IS one answer, but not the only one.  Another
> approach is to get a lower-powered amp which has lots of 'headroom'.
> Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be specced in any consistent way.
> Basically, though, what it means is that while the amp has a lower
> continuous power capability, it is able to handle fairly short
> transients at much above its rated power, without clipping.
> 
> The better the amp, the more likely you are to find generous headroom.
> Among things that mere mortals can afford, amps made by Harman Kardon
> and by NAD tend to offer generous headroom, so that you could go for
> lower RMS power and still feel comfortable.  These almost certainly
> aren't the only 2 companies who build amps this way, but they are the
> only 2 which I'm sure of; maybe other readers can suggest others, or
> maybe you can find a new salesbod who understands this and so is more
> in tune with reality.

My parents purchased a Sony GXR-47ES A/V Receiver (much to my dismay) last
fall, and it boasts only 35 or 40W per channel. It is driving one pair of
Polk RTA-8L's.

With the volume control at ANYTHING near half, it will clip with reckless
abandon. So, if this is indicative of the entire ES receiver line, I'd make
sure you get a receiver with a HIGH power rating.

Just for contrast, downstairs, they have a 1978 Marantz 65W/ch receiver
driving two Marantz Mk VII speakers. I have thrown everything I possibly
can at that receiver and those speakers, and they still sound great, never
distorts before my ears hurt and has never clipped once.

Just my $0.02 worth.
.___________________________________________________________________________.
| Grant Erickson                                                           
|
|   eric0139@student.tc.umn.edu     University of Minnesota / Twin Cities  
|
|   granteri@pnet51.orb.mn.org      People's Network 51 / Minneapolis      
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| Please obeserve the 55 MPH speed limit, the drivers passing you could use
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| the laugh.                                                               
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