Are power amps really worth considering???

DiegoEll wrote:

How much of a difference does a power amp make? If I have an AVR at a Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven) 110W (8ohms, 0.06% THD), and add the Rotel RB-1562 Power Amplifier which gives out 100W to 2 channels, what will the overall benefit be? Is there a literal addition in power (110W+100W to give you 210W at 8ohms)?? Please help me understand. Thanks

No, you won't get 210W, as the Rotel power amp will connect to your receiver's preamp outputs – assuming your receiver has them, as without them the power amp will be useless – and replace the power amplification for the channels on which you use it.

So with the Rotel on the front left and right, 100W per channel is what you'll be getting on those two speakers.

Benefits? Well, the Rotel power ampo may be of higher quality than the amp channels built-into your receiver, but then the quality of the processing and preamp stages in the receiver may a limiting factor, meaning the benefit of the better power amp won't be so apparentt.

Thanks Andrew

The reason I ask is, I'm in the process of buying an RX-A3010 which is said to be adequately powerful to drive anything under 150w at 8ohms. The confusing part for me is the spec sheet,

The speakers I'd like to use with this receiver are the CM9's which are rated at 200w 8ohms.

Am I under-powering the CM9s? Is this an overwhelming mission for the Yamaha RX-A3010, or can justice be done by bi-amping alone?

Please give guidance.