Is the extra AMP necessary?

[NicC]

Hi guys, a quick question has arisen as I mess around trying to find a new tv cabinet that fits all the electronics - especially the Emotiva XPA 5 amp. Because of neighbours close by, we never push past 68db. Is the Emotiva adding much/anything at that level?

We have a Marantz SR5011 HT unit, with a DefTech subwoofer and Ascend Elx tower speakers for stereo listening. During television watching, we also use a PSB centre and Dali Zensor 7s as the rears. My thought was perhaps the Marantz and the Ascends are doing most, if not all, of the work at 68db and lower??? Thanks in advance.

 

[Beave]

At low to medium playback levels, the Emotiva amp probably isn't doing anything that the Marantz can't handle by itself.

Try it without the Emotiva amp and see what you think.

 

[NicC]

Thanks Beave. I plugged the left speaker cable from the Emotiva amp directly into the Marantz HT unit - and to be honest, I couldn't hear a difference.

Side note: Here was something weird. When I put the cable back into the Emotiva, the output was really low and 'tinny'. I had to twiddle some settings in the Marantz and Pay-tv box to get the sound level and 'oomph' back. Someone would know what happened, I'm just glad it's fixed