Denon X2000 + Canton Chrono SL

[skorpyo]

Hi guys,

I have a Denon X2000 AVR Receiver and a pair of Canton Chrono SL 590.2 speakers. Details below:

http://www.canton.de/en/hifi/chronosl/produkt/chronosl590.2dc.htm

http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productdetail.aspx?catid=avreceivers(denonna)&pid=avrx2000(denonna)

I'm a bit new to this so i apologise if my questions are ridiculous.

The nominal power of my speakers is 160w each and an impedance of 4 to 8ohm. The receiver has an output per chanel of about 95w at 8ohm and 125w at 6ohm.

1. Does this mean that I am not using the full power potential of the speakers?

I have looked into bi-wiring and bi-amping and come to the conclusion that bi-wiring and passive bi-amping is pretty much useless. As i understand with passive bi-amping, connecting 2 wires from 2 channels of 95w each from the same receiver does not give me a total of 190w. If i do indeed choose to go for active bi-amping:

2. Can this be done by purchasing a separate amplifier and hooking it up to the AVR's pre-outs? i.e. connecting the highs and mids to the external amp and the lows to the x2000?

Thanks in advance and sorry if i sound silly.

 

[mmg]

1. I don't know if I'd choose the expression "not using the full potential", but it is true that a better amp will probably drive these speakers better: they are large speakers, dipping to 4ohms so chances are they are pretty power-hugry. Hooking them up to a better amp will proably make them more dynamic, also at lower volume levels.

2. For the bi-amping/wiring: bi-wiring will have no effect. Passive bi-amping can have some effect, so I would try that first.

Active bi-amping is best of course, but this would require you to buy a separate crossover and to remove the crossover in your loudspeakers. It also can't be done with the X2000: it would require 2 separate power amps like this: http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/nn416/VintageAudi0/Stereo%20Configurations/8_Horizontal_Active_Bi-Amp.jpg

What I would do it get a good stereo amp and connect that to the pre-outs of your Denon AVR. Make sure this stereo amp has a special "AV receiver" input which can be set at a fixed volume, this way you can control the volume with your Denon AVR.

 

[skorpyo]

Got it!

Would this do it?

http://www.denon.co.uk/uk/product/pages/product-detail.aspx?catid=hificomponents&subid=amplifiers&productid=pma720ae

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[csq2]

Not sure if that's good match between Denon and Canton. Denon + Canton = Canon. Canon makes good cameras but not speakers. You're pairing a bright amp with bright speakers, which could end up sounding harsh and thin. Just make sure you get warmer sounding cables.

 

[skorpyo]

I am looking at some stereo amps right now. What would you recommend? My budget is around 1300 $

 

[mmg]

Got it!

Would this do it?

http://www.denon.co.uk/uk/product/pages/product-detail.aspx?catid=hificomponents&subid=amplifiers&productid=pma720ae

Thanks a lot for your help!

I don't think the PMA-720 has a fixed level input. I know of 2 that do: the Cambridge Audio 851A and the Arcam A85. I'm sure there are others too.

I haven't heard Canton speakers yet. I personally don't find Denon exceptionally bright. I think bright and warm are subjective: I've seen B&W being described as everything between "very warm" and "very bright". I don't think you can say that all speakers of a particular brand sound "bright" or "warm".

As always, audition the amp you are planning on buying with your speakers.