Oh really? I always thought XLR->RCA meant a power loss due to the different P-P voltages?
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AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC Amp Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
It's a volume difference, that's all. Whether or not you can reach full power is determined by other factors, namely the relation between input sensitivity and actual input voltage. If sensitivity is chosen sensibly in the design like in this case, there isn't a problem at all, and the only practical difference is you having to turn up the source/preamp level a bit more.
Ah, I thought that RCA is fixed 2VPP and XLR 4VPP(+2VP/-2VP) and that input sensitivity of the amps would be tuned to one of these values. And therefore a natively XLR amp would have oto little input voltage for full power receiving a paired RCA signal.
I haven't read through this thread, but if you're referring to line level as RCA, it's typically 2V rms, not 2V peak to peak. And that 2V rms has a tolerance. Even two samples from the same model can be +/- 10% of that 2V, ie, 1.8V rms to 2.2V rms, for example.
* Hypex
Ha...Hypex too
Wikedlok
Member
Hi all, received my MPA-S250NC and placed it instead of Emotiva basx a-300, rest of the setup untouched. I noticed the left channel is not in balance with the right, measured it is 5 db down. Being my first class D, is this acceptable or should I return it?
If you are sure you've got it connected correctly and have already swapped cables a 5dB channel difference is unacceptable. Send it back.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
I'm surprised that it passed inspection with such an obvious fault. Inform Audiophonics immediately!
Fledermaus
Active Member
Bit of channel mismatch doesn't seem that uncommon (though not welcome) more like 3 dB here :
Makes you wonder whether it is a random feature or Audiophonics had a special offer on a slightly defective module batch...
Anyway, 5 dB sounds like a lot. If I were you, I would record objective evidence, including with reversed inputs and outputs, which I would submit to the supplier, requesting a replacement with a compliant unit or a refund.
Makes you wonder whether it is a random feature or Audiophonics had a special offer on a slightly defective module batch...
Anyway, 5 dB sounds like a lot. If I were you, I would record objective evidence, including with reversed inputs and outputs, which I would submit to the supplier, requesting a replacement with a compliant unit or a refund.
Wikedlok
Member
I informed them (did the dac output swap) and they apologized, will replace the unit.
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
Hello everyone. I have a Marantz Cinema 60 A/V receiver with two Focal JMLAB Electra 926 speakers for the front channels, a Focal JMLAB Electra 926 CC speaker as the center, and two Focal JMLAB Chorus 706s speakers for the rear channels.
Before the Cinema 60, I had a Marantz 7400, and I’ve always had the feeling that I need to turn the volume up quite high to hear stereo music with dynamism, clarity, and a sense of instrument separation. At volumes above 60% this sensation is noticeable, but such a high volume becomes a bit uncomfortable for listening over long periods. I would love to be able to lower the volume and maintain that sense of quality, but the fact is that at more moderate volumes I feel that this dynamism is lost and the sound becomes more congested, without that feeling of instrument separation.
Due to my lack of technical knowledge, I have always attributed this to the fact that I’m using a receiver of around 100 W per channel with speakers that can handle up to 200 W. Perhaps that’s why I don’t perceive this dynamism until I raise the volume considerably — as if I were using speakers that need more amplification to be driven properly. But again, this is just my perception from ignorance, so please correct me if I’m wrong.
One possible solution that comes to mind is to invest a small amount of money — which is why I ended up in this forum thread — in the AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC.
This power amplifier would provide 150 W per channel if connected to the Marantz receiver via bypass.
Do you think this would solve the problem?
Or should I go for a more powerful amplifier, for example the AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S500NC NCore NC502MP, which offers 350 W per channel and would be closer to the 200 W rating of the JM LAB Electra, and therefore drive them more effortlessly?
Or would it all end up being a placebo effect, and I’ll never achieve what I’m looking for, so it would be better to stick with my A/V receiver and speakers and not spend money for nothing?
I hope I’ve explained myself well. Thank you very much.
Before the Cinema 60, I had a Marantz 7400, and I’ve always had the feeling that I need to turn the volume up quite high to hear stereo music with dynamism, clarity, and a sense of instrument separation. At volumes above 60% this sensation is noticeable, but such a high volume becomes a bit uncomfortable for listening over long periods. I would love to be able to lower the volume and maintain that sense of quality, but the fact is that at more moderate volumes I feel that this dynamism is lost and the sound becomes more congested, without that feeling of instrument separation.
Due to my lack of technical knowledge, I have always attributed this to the fact that I’m using a receiver of around 100 W per channel with speakers that can handle up to 200 W. Perhaps that’s why I don’t perceive this dynamism until I raise the volume considerably — as if I were using speakers that need more amplification to be driven properly. But again, this is just my perception from ignorance, so please correct me if I’m wrong.
One possible solution that comes to mind is to invest a small amount of money — which is why I ended up in this forum thread — in the AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC.
This power amplifier would provide 150 W per channel if connected to the Marantz receiver via bypass.
Do you think this would solve the problem?
Or should I go for a more powerful amplifier, for example the AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S500NC NCore NC502MP, which offers 350 W per channel and would be closer to the 200 W rating of the JM LAB Electra, and therefore drive them more effortlessly?
Or would it all end up being a placebo effect, and I’ll never achieve what I’m looking for, so it would be better to stick with my A/V receiver and speakers and not spend money for nothing?
I hope I’ve explained myself well. Thank you very much.
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You would actually get 250 wpc where your speakers dip to 4 ohms. It should be plenty!
This topic hardly relates to this thread, IMO.
Maybe you should just start a new one.
That being said, what you describe is typically how loudness is affecting our sensitivity to various frequencies.
Look for Fletcher-Munson effect.
Also, your current amplifier has some room correction software embedded, if I'm not mistaken.
What about starting by reading how it works and configure it for your room+system ?
In short: I'm pretty sure changing amplifier won't solve your issue.
Your current amp probably has all that you need to help you solve it.
Explication des termes CINEMA 60
manuals.marantz.com
Last edited:
Sorry, Rja4000, and apologies if I didn’t explain my problem in the appropriate place. My intention in explaining it was to see whether you thought that adding one of these two power amplifiers to my setup —the Audiophonics MPA-S250NC rated at 150 W into 8 ohms, or the Audiophonics AP300-S500NC NCore NC502MP rated at 350 W into 8 ohms— could solve the issue I described by providing more power to the system. However, as I mentioned, it’s very possible that my reasoning is incorrect, as I don’t have much theoretical knowledge.This topic hardly relates to this thread, IMO.
Maybe you should just start a new one.
That being said, what you describe is typically how loudness is affecting our sensitivity to various frequencies.
Look for Feltcher-Munson effect.
Also, your current amplifier has some room correction software embedded, if I'm not mistaken.
What about starting by reading how it works and configure it for your room+system ?
In short: I'm pretty sure changing amplifier won't solve your issue.
Your current amp probably has all that you need to help you solve it. View attachment 501695
Explication des termes CINEMA 60
I’m simply basing this on the fact that I use an A/V receiver rated at 100 W into 8 ohms to drive front speakers rated at 200 W into 8 ohms, and I’m not sure whether adding a power amplifier would actually result in an improvement. In any case, I appreciate your message and I’m going to read up on the Fletcher–Munson effect and on the room correction software built into my Marantz Cinema 60 A/V receiver to see if I can solve the issue. Thank you very much for your help.
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
If what you are looking is better sound at lower volumes (and not more volume) then a higher powered amp will not help - not in the slightest.Sorry, Rja4000, and apologies if I didn’t explain my problem in the appropriate place. My intention in explaining it was to see whether you thought that adding one of these two power amplifiers to my setup —the Audiophonics MPA-S250NC rated at 150 W into 8 ohms, or the Audiophonics AP300-S500NC NCore NC502MP rated at 350 W into 8 ohms— could solve the issue I described by providing more power to the system. However, as I mentioned, it’s very possible that my reasoning is incorrect, as I don’t have much theoretical knowledge.
I’m simply basing this on the fact that I use an A/V receiver rated at 100 W into 8 ohms to drive front speakers rated at 200 W into 8 ohms, and I’m not sure whether adding a power amplifier would actually result in an improvement. In any case, I appreciate your message and I’m going to read up on the Fletcher–Munson effect and on the room correction software built into my Marantz Cinema 60 A/V receiver to see if I can solve the issue. Thank you very much for your help.
Look at the room correction available to you. Consider your room (furnishings, bare walls/floors and speaker placement). See what you can do with that.
Agree that looking at adaptive loudness would be sensible too (those Flecher-Munson curves)
A "better" amp might give you lower noise, but it doesn't seem like that's your problem.
Thanks, JeremyFife, that’s exactly what I’m looking for: better sound quality at low volumes. So if you already rule out that buying power amplifiers would help at all, we can consider the matter closed, since, as the other member said, this topic is no longer related to this thread. I’ll follow your recommendations and review the room setup, and I’ll also look into the Fletcher–Munson curves. Many, many thanks for your help.
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