[Mark Hunter]

I know that I need to upgrade either my receiver or speakers...or both, but don't know which! How do I find out the "weak link" in my system?


I recenctly used the XLO Reference CD to see how my equipment would hold up in the home theater I am building.


It fell apart on track 15 (the pipe organ buildup broke down into complete distortion).


How do I know where the problem was? I am using:


2 Infinity RS-4 speakers for the front (15-100 Watt rating)


1 Infinity CC-2 center channel (15-100 Watt)


2 Infinity RS-2 speakers for surround


1 Infinity BU-2 12" subwoofer


Harmon Kardon AVR-20 Receiver (60 W x 5 channels)


Is the 60 Watt HK receiver the "weak link" here? Should the top range of the receiver wattage match the top range of the speakers?


Sorry if this is a newbie question, but I can't seem to find the answer to this anywhere on the web!


Thanks!



------------------

Mark Hunter

 

[avdoc]

Mark,


There are many factors that can affect the performance of your system. The size of your room is a big one. If you are trying to fill a very large room with high volume, you need both high sensitivity speakers and a lot of amplifier power. I have owned the H/K AVR 20 MK II and the main channel amps in it are very good for its price, but peaks on music or movies will drive it into audible distortion.

However, you say the system broke down during the pipe organ piece. I'm wondering if the distortion you heard wasn't from the subwoofer. Pipe organs have a lot of subharmonics that can drive small subwoofers into fits of distortion. I would play the piece with and without the subwoofer running without changing the volume. If the distortion goes away, it's your sub and not your speakers or receiver. If it's not the sub, try to get a good amp from a friend or a high-end AV shop and play the same passage using the preamp outputs on the H/K. This will tell you if it's the receiver or the speakers.

 

[Mark Hunter]

Good advice. I will try running the piece without the sub and see what it sounds like.


I am considering upgrading the HK AVR20 anyway (doesn't do DD or DTS) to possibly the Onkyo TX-DS777. Would the 105 watts/channel on the Onkyo solve the problem? The HK only did 60 watts/channel.


The Infinity speakers were somewhat of a bargain, so I would be concerned about buying a > $1000 receiver if the speakers are the weak link.


In a nutshell, I have upgrade fever, and was wondering which component should go next.


Thanks!