Perreaux 6160/P - Manual (Page 24)

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Maximising System Potential
Interconnects
and Speaker
Cables
An often-ignored area in high fidelity systems is the cabling connecting the
various components. Interconnect leads should be high quality cable with
substantial terminations. Gold plate is inherently resistant to corrosion, and an
excellent conductor. The presence of corrosion induces distortion and poor
conductivity will seriously interfere with sound quality. Terminations must plug
snugly into sockets to maintain maximum conductivity and to avoid annoying
earthing problems.
Speaker cabling is equally critical. Use only solidly constructed cable of high
purity copper or silver content. Again, gold plated terminations are
recommended, of the spade or banana plug type. Use cables of equal length and
as short as possible to maintain uniform electrical resistance at the lowest
possible level. If your amplifier is closer to one of your speakers than the other,
avoid coiling the longer lead as this can create inductance, with the potential of
reduced high frequency performance. Keep all connections clean, firm and tight.
The traditional adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link most
certainly applies to audio systems.
Bi-amping Bi-amping uses two similarly powered amplifiers, with exactly the same input
sensitivity so that, when the same input signal is provided to each of them, the
output level will be exactly the same. This can often be done with one power
amplifier connected to the tweeters and another to the woofers, as it spreads the
power requirement between the two amplifiers. Bi-amping can achieve greater
control, dynamics and resolution than if you try to run everything from a single
stereo amplifier.
Positioning
Ancillary
Equipment
Positioning of your source equipment (tuner, video, disc, tape, record, decks) is
important. To avoid airborne frequency peaks, place them well away from your
loudspeakers.
Loudspeaker
Placement
Loudspeaker placement is a controversial issue; suffice to say that room corners
are generally the worst situation. Everything which constitutes your listening
area, including the materials used in its construction, will affect the sound itself
and the sound stage created. Equally, you have to live with your system and
therefore compromises will have to be made in line with your particular
priorities. The best advice we can give concerning the choice of loudspeakers is,
establish clearly in your mind your requirements; listen to many makes and
models, and if at all possible audition your preferred choice in your own
listening area and trust your own ears.
Matching
Amplifier and
Speaker
Ratings
When matching speakers to amplifier wattage – ordinarily, the amplifier should
have a continuous RMS output power rating the same as or higher than the
speakers at the same impedance rating. For example, 100W
RMS
, 8Ω speakers
driven by a 100W
RMS
at 8Ω amplifier is not as ideal as 100W
RMS
, 8Ω speakers
driven by a 160W
RMS
at 8Ω amplifier.