New member - 2 channel room correction advice

[Chrispy]

Room is 18 feet wide with 9-1/2 foot ceilings. There is a partial wall 18 feet back, but the room is mostly open to dining room which adds another 15 feet of length. Listening position is 13 feet from front wall and 11 feet from speakers.

I am not a critical listener with regard to movies, as long as I don’t have to listen to built in tv speakers. So I don’t anticipate subwoofers or home theater, ever. The Denon has been fine from a power perspective. But given the cost I want to make sure I’m not underpowered…hoping to buy once and be set for many years. I’m not shaking the walls with the volume knob but I do listen at higher volume on occasion. Mostly rock, Americana, pop or jazz.

The NAD C379 is rated 80wpc into 8 or 4 ohms, versus my Denon which is 80wpc into 8 ohms, 120wpc into 6ohms. The Denon isn’t rated for 4ohm speakers. Any thoughts appreciated.

May not be rated for four ohm but the Denon should be fine with it as well as a bit higher wattage in four ohm than the 8/6 ratings. Another spl calculator here http://www.hometheaterengineering.com/splcalculator.html

 

[JohnW]

May not be rated for four ohm but the Denon should be fine with it as well as a bit higher wattage in four ohm than the 8/6 ratings. Another spl calculator here http://www.hometheaterengineering.com/splcalculator.html

Thanks, I appreciate that calculator as well.

I’ve used the Denon for years and have no concerns about adequate power from it…but features are failing and it needs to be replaced. What’s confusing me is the NAD class D amps list 80wpc into 8 or 4 ohms…versus the Denon at 80wpc into 8 ohms, and 120wpc into 6 ohms. Why doesn’t the NAD achieve a higher output with lower ohm speakers? Is the 80wpc Denon (that has been adequate power) equivalent, or more powerful than, the 80wpc NAD?

 

[Chrispy]

Thanks, I appreciate that calculator as well.

I’ve used the Denon for years and have no concerns about adequate power from it…but features are failing and it needs to be replaced. What’s confusing me is the NAD class D amps list 80wpc into 8 or 4 ohms…versus the Denon at 80wpc into 8 ohms, and 120wpc into 6 ohms. Why doesn’t the NAD achieve a higher output with lower ohm speakers? Is the 80wpc Denon (that has been adequate power) equivalent, or more powerful than, the 80wpc NAD?

Not sure why Nad does that; autoformers like McIntosh? I'd certainly want more output into lower impedances (not necessarily the ideal doubling but....). What features are failing and how?

 

[kyuu]

Thanks, I appreciate that calculator as well.

I’ve used the Denon for years and have no concerns about adequate power from it…but features are failing and it needs to be replaced. What’s confusing me is the NAD class D amps list 80wpc into 8 or 4 ohms…versus the Denon at 80wpc into 8 ohms, and 120wpc into 6 ohms. Why doesn’t the NAD achieve a higher output with lower ohm speakers? Is the 80wpc Denon (that has been adequate power) equivalent, or more powerful than, the 80wpc NAD?

It does do more power into 8 ohms. Not sure why Crutchfield lists the specs like that, look at NAD's page instead. It doesn't give a spec for 4 ohm continuous, oddly, but it shows 200W peak at 4 ohm. You're definitely not going to need more than 80W continuous regardless, the peaks are the only time you need more power.

I would say the NAD C 379 looks about perfect for what you want.

If you're still concerned about the power, I'd suggest looking at the JBL MA7100HP as a multichannel AVR. Plenty of power, can get a Dirac license, not a giant ugly box like most AVRs.

But if I were you, I'd just pull the trigger on the NAD. Crutchfield gives you 60 days to return it, plenty of time for you to decide if it works for you and your space, as I suspect it will.

Edit: Check out the review for the NAD C268. It has the same oddity with 80W/ch continuous rating for both 8 and 4 ohm but much higher peak power numbers. I suspect the C379 is using similar Hypex amps, if not the exact same. The review basically confirms the specs: 80W @ 8 ohm, 96W @ 4 ohm, but peak power at 4 ohm of 230W. Again, momentary peaks are where you really need the power, and the amps deliver then. Continuous power needs will likely be well under 80W for any sane listening volumes.

Edit2: Looks like you have to buy a separate module for the NAD to get BluOS which includes Dirac. They seem to run around $400.

 

[JohnW]

It does do more power into 8 ohms. Not sure why Crutchfield lists the specs like that, look at NAD's page instead. It doesn't give a spec for 4 ohm continuous, oddly, but it shows 200W peak at 4 ohm. You're definitely not going to need more than 80W continuous regardless, the peaks are the only time you need more power.

I would say the NAD C 379 looks about perfect for what you want.

If you're still concerned about the power, I'd suggest looking at the JBL MA7100HP as a multichannel AVR. Plenty of power, can get a Dirac license, not a giant ugly box like most AVRs.

But if I were you, I'd just pull the trigger on the NAD. Crutchfield gives you 60 days to return it, plenty of time for you to decide if it works for you and your space, as I suspect it will.

Edit: Check out the review for the NAD C268. It has the same oddity with 80W/ch continuous rating for both 8 and 4 ohm but much higher peak power numbers. I suspect the C379 is using similar Hypex amps, if not the exact same. The review basically confirms the specs: 80W @ 8 ohm, 96W @ 4 ohm, but peak power at 4 ohm of 230W. Again, momentary peaks are where you really need the power, and the amps deliver then. Continuous power needs will likely be well under 80W for any sane listening volumes.

Edit2: Looks like you have to buy a separate module for the NAD to get BluOS which includes Dirac. They seem to run around $400.

Thank you, all extremely helpful. I agree that it seems the amplifier modules are the same as the (well reviewed) NAD C268, given that NAD mentions bridging the two. With peak power above the 80W continuous rating, I’m now confident this should be plenty of power for my (fairly efficient) KLH Model 5’s.

So this decision is finally made, now I just need to purchase a C379 and BluOS/ Dirac module. No nearby brick & mortar store. Audio Advisor has this in stock, Crutchfield is preorder for the C379 and back order on the BluOS module. I like Crutchfield’s service and return policies. Anyone have experience buying from “Audio Advisor”?

Thanks to everyone that provided advice on my slow decision process.

 

[kyuu]

Anyone have experience buying from “Audio Advisor”?

I purchased some open box speakers from Audio Advisor. Went perfectly smoothly. They're a reputable dealer.

 

[kyuu]

My mistake... I ordered from Audio Advice, not Audio Advisor. However, I haven't heard of any issues with Advisor. They appear to have a 60-day return policy, but AFAICT you'll have to pay the return shipping cost.