VT-12 with seperate amplifiers and surround processors?

[Audio72]

I was thinking of upgrading from my A/V receiver to separates (processor + amps). My questions is, has anybody heard the VT-12 with separates. It should sound better, right ?

Thanks,

[Dudley]

I don't know that separates will necessarily be that much better. Unless you are absolutely turning the volume way up in a large room I would think the advantages of seperates would be slight at best.

As good as the VT-12's are reported to be (I have not heard them yet). I don't really think they are designed for the kind of situations where seperates would help out the most - tons of power to all speakers at once.

There might be other places to spend money that would help you out better for less money - like optimal placement of the speakers themselves and/or some accoustic foam in the right places.

[Lwang]

The question is "why?"

[Audio72]

tons of power to all speakers at once.

It's not that much about power, but more about sound quality.

The question is "why?"

Why not, If the VT-12's sound good with a A/V receiver, they should sound better with separates. I was thinking of the Adcom 535 amps. 60 watts per channel.

Audio72,

[wid]

Heck I power mine with a refurbed Panasonic and they sound really good.I do have Amp Preamp for my two channel but they aint pushing $200.00 speakers

[Retread]

Originally Posted by Audio72

Why not, If the VT-12's sound good with a A/V receiver, they should sound better with separates. I was thinking of the Adcom 535 amps. 60 watts per channel.

I have a Pioneer VSX-D912 A/V multi-channel receiver. Six speaker outputs at 110 watts per channel. You don't have to go to separate amps to get power.

For reference, the normal human ear can only hear a change in volume when the change is at least 3 dB. A 3 dB change in volume is a doubling or halfing of power. So going from (for instance) a 30 watt amp to a 60 watt amp gives you a barely perceptable change in volume ceiling.

[Dudley]

When speaking of power, I mean simultaneous power. Most recievers cannot meet their rated output with all channels driven at once ( a quick look at the specs will reveal that the rated power is usually with two channels driven). With seperates each channel or pair of channels can have its own power supply and all channels can be powered equally. The surpluss of available power means that the system is not working hard, and should sound better.

The problem is that there is very little source material that requires full power from all channels at the same time for any extended period of time. Basically for most normal listening at reasonably sane volumes with reasonably efficient speakers a standard reciever should fit the bill just fine.

[Sasha_G]

While many receivers offer much less power than they are rated, the Ventriloquist is designed to work well with low power so there is not much of a problem there. The quality of electronics has improved recently, and Dudley is right... there isn't much source material that uses all the channels at once.

No harm will be done with seperates. However, my opinion is that good room treatment (Sonex) and good subwoofer placement will make a more noticable difference than seperates will. A little Sonex to absorb first order reflections can really improve the highs with any speakers.

[Audio72]

Thanks for all the feedback. Remember now, I said "I was thinking about it".

Later,

[Audio72]

Well, I decided to stay with my A/V receiver. I placed my STF-2 behind me and WOW, It makes a huge difference. I hooked up the Outlaw ICBM and Pink Floyd's Dark side of the Moon sounds great. A family member came over and gave a listen. She said "That's a big sound for those little speakers".