2. amps-preamps
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Weak link

Hi all, I am relatively new to this world, and I have a question which, accordingly, might seem easy to answer to some. At least I hope.

My set-up is the following:
Onkyo HT-RC360
Carver A500x
Mirage M1
cables : from Carver to M1 : blue jean AWG10, biwired.

Onkyo -> Carver : this is a bit unorthodox, but I use a speaker to line level converter and generic cables to connect the converter to the carver.

While I really like the sound coming from this system, which is an improvement over having the Onkyo driving the M1 directly, I am found wanting in terms of high-frequency details coming from the speakers.

I read that the carvers deliver in general in terms of power, but not in terms of details, could it be the main culprit?

The other route is to get a preamplifier (any recommendations for this setup?) I am sure there are many weak links in this setup, but I am not quite sure which upgrade would yield the most audible improvement.

Thanks to all!
dalig
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
It's not the Carver's fault...My A-500 always sounded good.
Your Onkyo HT-RC360 is a receiver, right? You need the preamp voltage to drive the amp.
I looked at a pic of ur Onkyo and there is a RCA PRE OUT, SUBWOOFER OUT and a LINE OUT for zone 2. One of those should go to the amp INPUTS.
Are u using a subwoofer?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
Is this ur Onkyo?
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/04/04/htrc360-rear_300x.jpg?tag=mncol;rvwBody
mateored
258 posts
 
Why are you wiring the amp that way?
dalig OP
11 posts
 
lowrider57: yes this is the correct link, it is a receiver.

The line 2 out only works for analog sources, which is not ideal but fine; but the main issue is that there is no volume control for line 2 out. The carver has no volume control either (only level knobs in the back). That's mostly what's driving me to wire this way.

So I found the line 2 out of the onkyo to be pretty useless, but I like everything else it offers (ipod connection, dolby decoding, etc)
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
I believe that if u use the PRE OUT L/R into the Carver there will be a significant increase in the performance of your system. (Use quality RCA cables). That Carver amp will then give clean, detailed sound with tons of power.
PREamp OUT would be the 2 purple RCA jacks.

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