I have a Harman kardon AVR7000 receiver which generates 100 watts per channel. I was thinking of buying a Harman Kardon Signature 2.1 (5 channel) amplifier which throws out 100 watts per channel. Would that substantially increase the volume (Loudness) of my whole system or would that marginally increase the loudness?

Added 10/31/01
The reason I was asking was that I recently finished my basement and need to put 2 speakers down there. Now I can either buy an amp, connect it to my receiver and run 2 speakers off it. Or I can go and buy another receiver for the basement. I was trying to figure out what the better choice would be.

Appreciate everyone's input!!!!!


This message was edited by bobthedude on 11/01/01 18:04.53.

Dude! Adding an amp to a receiver adds to the quantity of channels of amplification, but does nothing to increase the power per channel. How would you expect to connect another amp? I hope you didn't think that running the output of one amp into the input of anothr would do anything.

Is your system really not loud enough? You must have very inneficient speakers if 100W/ch isn't enough. I'd look at a new speaker system first.

If you had a second roomful of speakers, and wanted to create a second surround-sound zone, then it might be worth considering another amp. Otherwise, save your money. Besides, in order to make an audible difference in volume, a doubling of power is needed. For instance, if one went from 100W/ch to 150W/ch, the difference would be barely audible.

The only way multiple amps can be linked to increase power would be by what is known as 'bridging", which requires a 'phase splitter'. It's too involved to go into here, and it's not what you're looking for in home theater, anyway.

You could add the amplifier through your pre-outs (if the 7000 has them) on the receiver, but that won't encrease the volume. You would effectively be replacing the internal amps with the external unit. You might gain in areas of performance such as "imaging" or "clarity", and you might be able to play the system to somewhat higher levels because the amps in the external dedicated unit are probably of better quality than the internal amps in the receiver. Chances are you would not notice much of any differences. Although many people have said that running a high-quality external amp with a receiver has done wonders for their systems, I am skeptical. I added a Parasound 205watt 2-channel amp to my Denon AVR-3300 (105w), and the differences are very difficult to pick out (in 2 channel music listening or 5 channel). But as far as volume goes, there is NO difference at all...I can go slightly louder before my speakers start to break down though. But that's at volumes way above what I would ever listen to the system with.

awd

This message was edited by bobthedude on 10/31/01 15:28.54.