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Is a Denon 5803 too much for B&W CDM 1NT's?

I have just recently really taken up getting into my system. Over the last few months I have been through a whole bunch of different equiptment some of which I really have liked and others I haven't. My question is, I now am running B&W CDM-1NT's as my mains along with a M&K subwoofer. I have been using a Denon 4802R for the last two years with no problems what-so-ever. I recently purchased a Denon 5803 to give it a shot. I figued that it has some of the features that the 4802 doesn't have, which I might enjoy....But is this too much power for the cdm's? They have a raiting of 120 watts, while the denon 5803 puts out a whole 170 watts. Is this just going to give me more headroom, or should I really worry about damaging the speakers.

Thanks for any assistance you can give. I will appreciate anything you can offer. I have been looking for information regarding this topic on the forum, but have not found anything that really addresses this specific question.

Ben
bearotti
bearotti OP
164 posts
 
Currently I use my system for about 50/50 music/movies, but I want it to sound the best whatever I do. I would be curious about any thoughts as to the addition of a preamp that has ht pass through as well as seperates for amplification. Would this be a good route to take if I even kept the 4802? I enjoy the DACs in the 5803 for movies, it is a definate improvement above the 4802...But when I am alone, all I use this system for is music. I have enjoyed the additional power of the 5803. It enables a larger soundstage. What other amps or preamps would you recomend, and would you stick with the 5803, or move on?
Thanks
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Alot of folks use pre-amps with HT bypass, mostly tube pre-amps seem to be desired (best of both worlds)
joeylawn36111
574 posts
 
Gonglee is right. When low power amps go into 'clipping' - this happens when the output signal voltage is equal to the power supply voltage - this produces many high frequency harmonics which are routed to the Tweeter by the speakers' crossover, burning it out. It's a lot harder to clip a big amp - higher power supply voltages, etc. Your personal set of transducers would probably burn out first (time to turn down the volume once the bleeding starts) :>0 ;)
gonglee3
304 posts
 
I would read a lot on hifi before putting in any more of that kind of money - you would end up with better sound for sure.

You can start here. Also www.hifichoice.co.uk is a good place for reviews of products.

If you really want good music, I would set up a dedicated 2-channel music system. For movies, your present system will do.

You might want to hear pre/power amps from makers like Krell, audio research, and mark levinson. I would buy them used however - you can get them here and other places like www.audioweb.com

This way, you will save a lot of money - also you can resell them without losing a lot if you don't like them.

Since you just got the 5803, I would just enjoy it for a while, before upgrading. Your wife will prabably agree. In the mean time, if you should desire a even better music system, I would try to hear as many systems in hifi shops as I can - before upgrading.

You can also chat alive on www.audioasylum.com and ask questions.

Denon is not bad at all - I would have kept the 4802 for movies, and gotten a dedicated one for music - used to get more quality for the same money.

Welcome to this exciting hobby, but do read a lot before spending that kind of money - your ears will thank you.

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