NHT power5 amp, Givin it some lovin - Page 3

Originally Posted by rmilesh

Glad to see the NHT electronics getting some love. Ive had my controller/power 5 combo for about a month and have had similar issues with a humming noise. Im going to try the cheater tonite to see if that works. Im running mine through an NHT classic 4 based 5.0 system and love the results in movies and music for the most part. The one area Id like to improve on is the midrange richness/warmth. I also have the power2 and am considering adding a second zone with it. Does anyone have any suggestions for small floorstanders or bookshelf speakers that would produce a nice warm sound to contrast with my Nht classic sound? Id like to keep the price under 1500 and dont mind used.

thanks

Originally Posted by mdrew

What are people doing for 7.1 systems who have bought the Power 5? Are you using your receiver's SB amps or did you go with a Power 2? I ask, because I have a 7.1 system, but my surround backs can easily be driven off my Denon 3808's SB amps. But, seeing how NHT is dumping these amps, and I tend to go through electronics like socks, I'd rather have a matching set of amps for a 7.1 system when I go with a different Pre/Pro.

Considering this, and using the P5 / P2 combination, would it be preferable to run the R / L towers off the P2?

As a side note, I'm curious why NHT opted to not include balanced inputs?

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

mdrew,

I have a 5.1 system so the Power 5 is all I need. But I would think you would be fine having the SB powered of the 3808. I have the 805 and if I did go to a 7.1 system I would use the 805s SB amps.

Although at $700. for the Power 2 it is a great amp at an incredible price. And as you mention if you went to a dedicated pre-pro you would then need to pickup a 2 channel amp. In my current rack I would not have the room for the Power 2 so it would not be a option for me.

If I had the Power 5/2 combo I would do as you suggest and use the Power 2 for the front R&L channels and the Power 5 for the other channels. A good question as to why NHT did not include balanced inputs/outputs on the Controller or Power5/2. Maybe Jack Hidley could comment on that question.

Bill

Originally Posted by noah katz

"I’m curious why NHT opted to not include balanced inputs?"

Because for most it would add cost w/o benefit.

Most don't have pre/pro's w/balanced outputs, and even the ones who do are unlikely to see any benefit given the short cable runs typical for home use.

Originally Posted by rmilesh

Ive been playing with my speaker cables this weekend and came up with a winning combo. I bought standard 12 gauge stranded hook up wire from radio shack to wire the LF posts on my Classic 4's. For the HF posts Ive used audioquest type 4's, which are solid copper.

This has changed the sound so that now I dont think Im going to need a second set of speakers to get the desired sound from music.

I never realized speaker wire could have such a big influence on sound.

Originally Posted by rchcah

Same here...I thought the the C4+P5 combo sounded a little edgy on the top end so I p/u an X2 crossover and added a Monarchy Audio SM70-Pro 2x20wpc class A amp to handle to mid+upper duties and am now VERY satisfied with the overall sound. The P5 powers the 10" woofers and does it very well.

Originally Posted by psujohny

Id love to get the power2 to go along with the power5 but money is to tight right now. Im currently using the H/K 745 to power my back two speakers. But even if I do go to a dedicated pre-pro I probably couldnt justify ( to myself ) getting the power2 ...Id probably just get a cheap 100 watt x 2 amp to power the back two as the power5 is doing a great job in its current configuration.

I cant stress enough how loud I can listen at now as compared to prior to the power5 installation ..I still havent really found the breaking point , I keep cranking it up more and more with seemingly no ill effects on the sound or ear discomfort ( which Im very sensitive to, My ears will start ringing with certain speaker and amp types telling me to turn it down ) ...It just doesnt seem like its loud untill you try and talk to somebody sitting next to you, and you have to holler at them to get them to hear you

Originally Posted by Jack Hidley

The channels are 1 = L, 2 = LS, 3 = C, 4 = RS, 5 = R on the Power5.

The Power2 uses one 500ASP and TWO 500As. The amplifier channel on the 500ASP does nothing. This way both channels have absolutely identical behavior since they use exactly the same amplifier module.

It doesn't really make sense to specify a current draw for a power amplifier given the dynamic nature of music. If all five channels were amplifying sine waves at full power, the current draw would be around 20A. At a normal listening level, the current draw is going to be around 2A. The easiest way to know if you need a higher current AC circuit for the amplifier is to monitor the AC voltage when the system is playing back at your maximum playback level. If the voltage drops below 105VAC, I would consider it. If you don't have an analog voltmeter or a DVM with a bargraph, plug a small lamp into the same circuit. See if it dims much.

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

mdrew,

If I had the Power 5/2 combo I would do as you suggest and use the Power 2 for the front R&L channels and the Power 5 for the other channels. A good question as to why NHT did not include balanced inputs/outputs on the Controller or Power5/2. Maybe Jack Hidley could comment on that question.

Bill

Originally Posted by mdrew

An FYI….

I just spoke with Bruce at Listenup and asked him this same question. He told me to run the mains of the #1 and #5 channels of the Power5 rather than off the Power2 and that I should run the surround backs off the Power2. I don’t recall his exact words, so I won’t try to quote him. He gave me the impression that the Power5 1/5 channel moduals were a better choice for driving the mains. I was pleasantly surprised, seeing how was ready to buy both units and he effective talked me out of it. Ya, I ordered a Power5. I’ve never really bought into the theory that amplification could improve sound quality at moderate volumes, so this will be interesting to see if the Power5 does anything.

Originally Posted by mdrew

An FYI.

I just spoke with Bruce at Listenup and asked him this same question. He told me to run the mains of the #1 and #5 channels of the Power5 rather than off the Power2 and that I should run the surround backs off the Power2. I don't recall his exact words, so I won't try to quote him. He gave me the impression that the Power5 1/5 channel moduals were a better choice for driving the mains. I was pleasantly surprised, seeing how was ready to buy both units and he effective talked me out of it. Ya, I ordered a Power5. I've never really bought into the theory that amplification could improve sound quality at moderate volumes, so this will be interesting to see if the Power5 does anything.

Originally Posted by Randybes

Just curious if anyone who has these amps have compared to an ATI. I have the 3007 and would like to know (other than the huge weight difference) whether going with these would be a sonic step up. I am using Salks all around which I think I would consider a moderate to slightly difficult load.

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

Randy,

I see your 3007 on a-gon. If the Power 5 sounds as good as I think it will my A52 will be joining your 3007 on a-gon as well. The weight difference is not that much over the A52 (50lbs.) but the depth of the Power 5 will be easier to manage in my rack.

Bill

Originally Posted by psujohny

I see you are letting some Aerial LR3's go ..I assume youve replaced them with Salk, Man those Salks must be great speakers because the LR3's are some of my favorite speakers ( Aerials in general ) but they are hard as heck to power, even harder then NHT..
Is the ATI not a good match for the Salks, or are you thinking 300 watts is now overkill ? or is it the size of the power5 ot something else

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

Got the Power 5 setup. I met the FedEx driver this morning after I was told it would be late afternoon, I could not wait. Fortunately I have no hum or any noise at all, the amp is dead quiet. Listened to my favorite demo disc which is Mark Knofler's Golden Heart (using the Pure Mode with the 805).

I found the imaging and depth to be improved over the A52 but bass seemed off and vocals were not centered as before. Well wouldn't know that in the rush and excitement to get the Power 5 up and running I had the R front speaker leads crossed! So I was enjoying Mark Knofler out of phase. I corrected my blunder but by then I was on to Diana Krall's Girl In Another Room. Things got a lot better bass was much improved (duh) and vocals were dead center.

I will get much more time tomorrow to play more music and some Bluray/HD-DVDs. But so far I am very pleased with my brief listening session and the top of the Power 5 was not even warm after about 45 minutes of fairly loud music. For $1199.00 shipped I think anyone considering an ICE powered amp should get one while they last!

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

I found the imaging and depth to be improved over the A52 but bass seemed off and vocals were not centered as before. Well wouldn't know that in the rush and excitement to get the Power 5 up and running I had the R front speaker leads crossed! So I was enjoying Mark Knofler out of phase. I corrected my blunder but by then I was on to Diana Krall's Girl In Another Room. Things got a lot better bass was much improved (duh) and vocals were dead center.

I will get much more time tomorrow to play more music and some Bluray/HD-DVDs. But so far I am very pleased with my brief listening session and the top of the Power 5 was not even warm after about 45 minutes of fairly loud music. For $1199.00 shipped I think anyone considering an ICE powered amp should get one while they last!

Bill

Originally Posted by yngdiego

I was thinking of a used A52, or a ICEpower amp. So your feeling is that the ICEpower has better AQ than your A52?