power amps, home audio, and xlr-rca adapters

[izeek]

i got a nice deal in a crown com-tech 810.
it has xlr connects.(plan to use xlr-rca cables)i know this is not a true balanced connect.
my preamp has line-level outs.
here's where i am.
crown 810 300wpc@8ohms
jbl synthesis sdp3 pre
jbl l890 towers
l8400 sub
input by phone or bt adapter.
not into vinyl nor cds.
working on a streamer of some sorts eventually.

my current amp(lol) is an audiosource model 3 150wpc. it sounds pretty good to me but i wondered what 250 would sound like since jbl recommended it i thought id experiment.
id expect some loudness but im probably looking more for increased soundstage/presence?

any suggestions on gain-staging for either amp.
i was told consumer preamps might not match input voltage of power amps. im sure there is a workaround.

i havent gotten into rew or any of that yet.

 

[Chrispy]

Why would an amp change soundstage/presence? That's not its function. You'll gain possibly better low impedance capability and maybe 2dB with the power amp....but sometimes you just gotta go for it, eh?

 

[izeek]

talking out of my@$#. i also had a crown 210 120wpc. im sure i didnt have it set up right but it sounded wimpy next to my model 3. not that i expected much as 120 vs 150 is moot.
it clipped about -35db.
the model 3 seems to chug along till i hit -10db. it doesnt have meters so its my ears for now. cant say i heard what i think is clipping(heard it in my car stereo).

...but sometimes you just gotta go for it, eh?
pretty much. how amps you have? lol.

 

[izeek]

how many amps

 

[Chrispy]

how many amps

Several....8 power amps, seven 2ch units ranging from 250wpc to 450wpc and one 8ch about 180wpc. And a bunch of avrs.

 

[izeek]

see. i didnt mention i also have a 7.2 receiver.
and just for kicks, i have a russound 2in/1out switch so i can use the towers with both systems.

 

[Chrispy]

see. i didnt mention i also have a 7.2 receiver.
and just for kicks, i have a russound 2in/1out switch so i can use the towers with both systems.

Most of my amps are on sub/tactile transducer duties these days, but in my main room did put some amps back on the avr even tho I didn't need to for my listening levels and speakers involved. I have a couple not in use until I finish a couple more sub builds.