Tom's Take:
If your signal source is a high distortion component,
you can't fix it with the other components in the system.
I believe that the amplifier affects the output quality
of your system more than any other component. On one side,
it has the job of cleanly amplifying the audio signal.
On the other side, it has to react to the speakers it is
connected to.
The old wisdom was that low power amplifiers offered less
distortion, but also less dynamics and bass response. High
power amps could deliver the dynamics and bass, but at
the cost of higher distortion. Now the bar has been raised.
You can focus on quality and quantity.
I have represented Marantz for over 10 years,
and since 1996 they have been in my opinion the best mass-market
brand sold in the US. I have had fun with several Parade
of Home demonstration projects. It is always interesting
to see the expression on the faces of audio and videophiles
when we open the "Technology Closet" and show them a Marantz
receiver driving the system.
Whether you are building a stereo, surround-sound or whole-house
system, my advice is to come in and choose your speakers
first. That will tell me how much power and what type of
amplifier you need to drive your speakers correctly. It's
also important to plan carefully where you place
your components relative to your speakers, and to select
appropriate wiring to carry a strong, undistorted signal
to your speakers. |
