Hang man

Headroom is something I was looking for. I find the music to be fairly clear, but just as clear as the receiver alone. I was looking for two benefits of buying the amplifier; more volume and clear realistic sound. I suppose I expected that I would not have to push it past -50dB to reach an appropriate listening level. I am not trying to get to ear bleeding levels, but I like the idea of having the extra horsepower even if it is never used. While shopping for an amplifier I brought in an Andrea Bocelli cd to test various amps. I was surprised to hear sections of the cd that I had never heard before. It was the first time I heard him breath between lines. I was impressed with such clarity. I wanted that kind of sound in my system. Alas, I am not achieving that result with the B & K. To afford a better amplifier I went the used equipment route, assuming a good quality amp should last for years. Now I am second guessing my decision. In many of the ads I would read, "Pet free, smoke free home. Never abused, never run hard." If you ran an amp hard could you actually "abuse it" or "use it up"?

I have been working toward building a home theater for over five years. I will not bore you with all of the details, but bring you up to date. I just got a, 135 watt/channel, Onkyo 807 receiver to power my Klipsch speakers. I upgraded my center channel from a 100 watt baby to a 200 watt C-7. I wanted to experiment with an amplifier so I picked up a used Rotel 976. This was my first personal experience with a separate amplifier. I was very impressed with the difference it made. I used its first two channels, 60 watts each, to run my two speakers outside (my zone 2.) I then bridged the last four channels, to 150 watts, to run my RF-5's in the living room, (my zone 3.) Finally I was able to make the RF's rock. They never really had much volume with the receiver powering them. Impressed with the difference the Rotel made, I purchased a used B & K 7270 7 channel, 200 watts/channel amp. NOT impressed. The volume I get out of the B & K is nearly the same as with the Onkyo itself. So far the only difference I note is that, via the Onkyo, I can select either a variable signal or a fixed signal. I choose a fixed signal because the Rotel had volume controls. I can only push the Rotel to about half way up before my wife gives me that disapproving look. With the B & K I can bring the volume, via the Onkyo, up to -25db without even the slightest glance from her. I suspect that either I have not set up the B & K amp correctly, or perhaps it was abused and it cannot power like it was designed. I figured if I could rock the living room with 150 watts, I should be able to rock the whole house with 200 watts. Any suggestions of how to test the B&K amp? Perhaps a suggestion for re-configuring the receiver to work with the B&K amp?

On my TV it is a three step process: Menu, Settings, Video X. On the new receiver it is just one button. Additionally, on the old receiver I needed an optical cable for each unit to enable me to hear the audio via my stereo speakers. These are not necessary now that I have my new receiver. Of all the features on the new Onkyo I mentioned, I love the Audyssey Dynamic Volume control. I will never be blasted by a rogue commercial again.

I would have to guess at what he is actually saying, but if I did it would be what I use to do. My old receiver did not have HDMI so I ran the video straight to the TV and ran the audio separately to my old receiver with an optical cable. My set has seven HDMI conections which is plenty. One main drawback was that I was constantly changing the port on the TV depending which unit I was using at the time, PS3, Wii, DVD, ect. Now I have 5 in 1 out on the new Onkyo and can run the audio to the receiver as well. I just picked up the Onkyo 807 and paid just under what it looks like the H/K is going for. I was looking for a new receiver with pre outs as well. Some of the other features I wanted was Audyssey's Dynamic Volume control, Speaker Calibration, DSX, and Ethernet Port. I just did a quick check of the H/K and did not see those features. The Onkyo also has 135 watts / channel compared to the 75 watts the H/K carries. Seems like the Onkyo is a better deal.

Would you still suggest that for me. I want to upgrade my center speaker, but my surrounds are of much lower quality.