Finally got an amp

[SiliGoose]

Inside not too pretty...



Outside looks pretty good...



Stuff...

Key Features
• Designed for Low Impedance Loads
• 120 Watts per channel (x 5) into 8 ohms
• 170 Watts per channel (x 5) into 4 ohms
• THD <0.05% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 8 ohms
• THD <0.09% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 4 ohms
• 3 Separate Power Transformers
• 5 Separate Discrete Amplifier Modules Built
as 5 Separate Monoblock Amplifiers
• Totally Discrete Amplifier Stage for All
Channels
• Gold Plated Inputs
• Heavy-Duty Speaker Binding Posts
(compatible with bare wire, banana jacks
and spade lugs)
• Digi-Link III Remote Power On from
Compatible Sherwood Components

Amplifier Features
• Dynamic Headroom, 8 ohms, 1.5 dB
• Dynamic Power (EIA Standard Rating)
320 Watts per channel @ 2 ohms




-Sili

[Markj]

Congratulations Sili on your purchase. I bet you will enjoy this new amp for many years. It looks like a keeper.

[John Holmes]

Alright Sili...congrats!




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[SiliGoose]

Thanks guys.

John, where is that quote from. It's familiar but I can't place it.




-Sili

[SiliGoose]

BTW, are there any amp guys here that can explain a few things for me?

• 3 Separate Power Transformers
• 5 Separate Discrete Amplifier Modules Built
as 5 Separate Monoblock Amplifiers

Why 3 separate transformers? Why not 1? Why not 5? How many do most amps have? Which channels (most likely) share a transformer? What are the advantages/disadvantages to having 3?

I've seen lots of amps push the "5 separate monoblock" amp design. Why is that such a big deal? What alternate designs are popular?

Thanks!




-Sili

[Lex]

Cool on the new amp! Congrats! So, does this mean a pre-pro is in order next?

Generally Sili, I think 3 is a good number to choose, as on the power rail, the 5 channels can then share power during "on peak" and "off peak" passages. For example, say the fronts are being driven really hard. They borrow power from the rears. You get the idea. I don't know exactly how they are usually broken down, but I would guess the center may be more autonomous, and the right rear shares with right main, and left rear with left main, maybe. So, actually, by sharing good sized transformers, each channel is capable of handling more dynamic peaks, than if each channel had it's own smaller transformer. That is, provided each channel isn't driven to the same level at the precise point in time. Some of these concepts may have been taken to a higher level by Bob Carver, but those patents may have run out, or others just do things similar, but not quite the same. I have no idea on that.

I am sure Jon can expand on this whenever he's around and correct whatever I said that is wrong.

I think they choose 3 rather than 5 for not only space considerations, but also cost.

Monoblock designs are bestto minimize "cross talk" and such between channels, not a good thing and definitely not the friend of discrete multichannel formats such as DD and DTS. But they can still share power transformers without compromising that design concept.

Now I am rusty on this, but that's the way I remember it.

Lex

[John Holmes]

Sili,

It's from Armageddon. The scene when the get their physicals. :LOL:




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Sonnie Parker]

Nice amp Sili....congrats.

Gotta let us know how it performs once you're all set up and watch a few movies, etc.






SONNIE

Cedar Creek Cinema

DVD Collection

BFD Comprehensive Setup Guide

[SiliGoose]

Thanks, Lex. That helped.

Yea, this is my first step out of the receiver ranks. Over the next several months I'll research pre/pros to totally replace my AVR-7000. That time will also help my wife forget about this purchase.




-Sili

[Lex]

Sure Sili. Haha on the wife's long term memory. You know your hosed on the short term, lol.

Lex

[Brandon B]

"Haha on the wife's long term memory. You know your hosed on the short term, lol."

That's why they give amps featureless plain front plates, in my opinion. Keep a low profile, don't attract attention, nothing to see here.

"What's that plain looking box?"
"That's an amp."
"Did we always have 3 of them?"
"As far as you know."

Kidding. My wife actually lets me get anything we can reasonably afford.

BB

[SiliGoose]

LOL!!

In this case she helped choose the AM-9080. It's cool looking, in her opinion. Now that we need to buy all new audio furniture I think she'd notice if I had 3 of them.




-Sili

[David Meek]

"What's that plain looking box?"
"That's an amp."
"Did we always have 3 of them?"
"As far as you know."

ROFLMAO!! :rf




David - HTGuide flunky
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