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
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,296 posts
 
EV - Here's a relevant discussion that includes comments by Almarg. It might be more helpful than the one I originally had in mind. 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/good-impedance-match-for-precision-fidelity-c-7ar


AND here's a link to the first discussion that I was remembering:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/passive-tubed-pre-amps-to-power-amp-at-same-time

Hope these are of some use.


exiledviking OP
5 posts
 
Thank you, GhostHouse. Now I have some more reading to do. 
Yes, you are correct. I love the quality of the sound, it is just too loud for barely moving the volume control.
jsigle's avatar
jsigle
12 posts
 
I've running some Definitive 7000Sc, Mythos One's, Eights and Tens with a Denon 4308CI. It's for sale to a good home. It's my third Denon
Reciver and all have given me good service. I've just ordered a McIntosh MX122 to replace it. Send me a PM if you think you might be interested.
tomtab
97 posts
 
i had my 3500 hooked up to my klipschorns for a few weeks.. what do you think happened there??   it was overkill loud.   my volume knob dident move much either.   you have the same problem.   overkill in power.  it will sound good for sure. just watch your volume or puff, there goes the speakers.  a preamp is going to sound better then your setup like everybody says but its not going to take care of the volume knob problem.  100 wpc to the speakers would be a better bet.  enjoy
tomtab
97 posts
 
exiledviking!!!!    i just saw a picture of the sm 45's..   wow.  now we know the problem for sure.   i knew what i was doing when i hooked up my 3500 amp to the khorn's.  i knew it was overkill.  but my god.   350 watt's into those little book shelf speakers.  the poor things.   kind of like putting a 2000 horsepower engine in a volkswagon beetle.  them speakers must be crying uncle every time to use them.  good luck with them.  if you send them back with burnt out voice coils they might not want to fix them for you.   enjoy the music.  sorry to hear about the theft. bunch of losers
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