2. amps-preamps
  3. 123729-78800

Too much power?

Forgive me for what is probably a silly question.
I've been out of the entry level audiophile scene for nearly 17 years and I'm not sure about the set up I'm currently running as I had to replace my mains.
Long story, short, I had a pair of M&K S-125 speakers stolen 2 weeks ago when my house was burglarized. I decided to try something different and bought a pair of Definitive Technology SM45 speakers. I'm powering the SM45 speakers with a Parasound HCA-3500. I'm using an old Yamaha RX-V592 as a preamp. Between the Yamaha CD player I installed a Musical Fidelity X-ACT DAC followed by a Musical Fidelity X-10D (for a little warmer sound). All cables are by Monster Cable.
To me it seems that I may have too much power driving the speakers. The reason I believe that is that the volume dial does not have to move more than 75 degrees up from 0 to have the system on the loud side. The speakers are rated at 150W and the amp is rated at 350W.
Am I over-driving the new SM45 speakers?
Should switch over to the Carver TFM-35 I have powering the M&K S-80 center speaker?
Your thoughts would be appreciated 
exiledviking
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
Get that sound changing machine (preamp) out if you can . Does nothing but add or subtract to the music . Either way not good .
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
I agree with Maple ....get rid of that aweful yamaha preamp, find a proper preamp and your sound will improve 10 fold!

Matt M
exiledviking OP
5 posts
 
Thank you, gentlemen! I appreciate your responses. Due to the slush fund being nearly depleted for this year, I'm going to try the Harrison Labs attenuators to see if that helps. Once the funds allow I will look into replacing the Yamaha as a preamp. Is there a preamp/HTR that will also allow me to use it as a surround sound processor?
exiledviking OP
5 posts
 
Is it preferable to install the attenuators at the input on the amp or at the input at the preamp from the CD player/DAC?
I've been reading here on the forum and it appears that both methods are used.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
EV - I have mine installed on the inputs to the pre-amp.  There was some previous discussion about attenuators on another thread (6 months ago?).  Almarg had some useful input (as he usually does) on placement of the attenuators.  I'm fuzzy on the details though I think input to the pre-amp was the way to go.  There might be a downside to doing it at the amp...but I really don't recall with any certainty.  Do a search.  If I can find it, I'll post a link to that thread here.  If we can't resurrect it, send an email to Al.  He'll likely reply to the thread here rather than your email, but either way you'll get some good input.  

ALSO - my read of your original post is that you aren't UNhappy with the sound but were mainly concerned the lack of volume control range indicated your amp might be too much for your speakers.  Mofimadness addressed that, I believe. I can't tell you a new pre-amp WON'T improve sonics greatly AND possibly give you a wider control band on volume, but that's not the current concern as I read things.  If I've got that wrong, please advise.
More to discover