Couple o' questions about amps

reflux

reflux

reflux

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I've got an Onkyo A5VL amp and I usually turn it straight off at the wall when I'm not using it. Is this OK? Will cutting the power damage it?

Also, I've noticed that when the amp turns on, it clicks once, and then once again, and then my speakers start working. Is this normal? The interval between clicks seems to have increased since I've had it.

Cheers :)
 
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A lot of devices keep a fan or two running for a short time after turn off to stop overheating, turning off at the wall will obviously prevent this. On off buttons on kit is not the same as a light bulb switch, it's more of an input button.
 
reflux said:
I've got an Onkyo A5VL amp and I usually turn it straight off at the wall when I'm not using it. Is this OK? Will cutting the power damage it?

Also, I've noticed that when the amp turns on, it clicks once, and then once again, and then my speakers start working. Is this normal? The interval between clicks seems to have increased since I've had it.

Cheers :)
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Hi, you should have no problems with turning it off at the wall if it's a decent amp.


As for the clicks, that's probably the speaker protection relays, nothing at all to worry about. :)
 
Ok, great :) Thanks chaps.

Another question - I can biwire my speakers/amp. Will I gain anything noticeable in audio quality from doing this?

It's my first hi-fi gear, so sorry for the n00bish questions :D :)
 
No point bi-wiring. HF and LF terminals are connected within the amp. Running separate wires to the HF and LF terminals, is no different than just using the binding plates on the speakers, and running one set of wires. If each set of terminals on the back of the amp, were independently amplified, then yes that would make sense to bi-wire, but as they are connected, bi-wiring would have no benefit.

Bi-amplifying though, that can make a difference if you have 2 amplifiers. One amp to control the LF, one to control the HF.
 
reflux said:
Ok, great :) Thanks chaps.

Another question - I can biwire my speakers/amp. Will I gain anything noticeable in audio quality from doing this?

It's my first hi-fi gear, so sorry for the n00bish questions :D :)
Click to expand...

Your amp supports bi-amping, where the high and low drivers each have a separate amp channel driving them. This is worth doing. Bi-wiring is snake oil imo :p.
 
Ahhhh right, OK, I'm with you. Thanks for clearing that whole bi-wire/bi-amp thing up. I'll pick up some speaker cable this week and give it a go then :)
 
Robbie G said:
He doesn't need an active crossover, his amp has one built in.
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Hmmmm. All wrong I'm afraid, for active you do need an active crossover, but there is not one in the amp. Seems people often get confused over this.

Bi wiring is as above double length of speaker cable with single amp. Idea is the effect of the crossover load is grounded closer to the amp for the high and low frequencies. Where it makes a difference depends a lot on the system speakers and being used.

Bi amp is two power amps used, or multiple power channels being available in AV amp. This requires the passive crossover in the speaker being designed to have the lower and high frequency sections separate. You remove any link plates off the back of the speakers and again link them up with double run of speaker cable. Now you have power amp for each section of the speakers
passive crossover, which drivers them cleaner and with more control, detail and openness.

To go active, still need the two power amps, but the passive crossovers in speakers are removed. You then need active crossovers between the pre amp and the power amps. These need to be purpose designed for the speakers being used. So this becomes the domain high end pre power setups, or speakers that have the power amps built in, like ATC.
 
Not all wrong, no. He doesn't need an active crossover for bi-amping as I said.

9designs2 said:
Hmmmm. All wrong I'm afraid, for active you do need an active crossover, but there is not one in the amp. Seems people often get confused over this.
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Seems you are confused. The question was whether you need an active crossover for bi-amping, not an active crossover for active.
 
Comment was the amp had an active crossover built in, it wouldn't have, suggesting some confusion. I'm fully aware of each setup, as I run a bi amp active set up in my lounge, and bi wired set up in my music room.
Yes, as you said the OP needs a bi wire cable length and to configure his amp to run in bi amp mode, which will be a passive setup.
 
no av amp that ive seen has an active crossover that sits between two channels when bi-amping. Both of the channels used in each pair for each speaker will be identical as far as the frequency range goes.
 
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