7 Maximising System Potential

Interconnects An often-ignored area in high fidelity systems is the cabling connecting the and Speaker various components. Interconnect leads should be high quality cable with Cables 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-ampingBi-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 Positioning of your source equipment (tuner, video, disc, tape, record, decks) is Ancillary important. To avoid airborne frequency peaks, place them well away from your

Equipment loudspeakers and not in the corners of your listening area.

Loudspeaker Loudspeaker placement is a controversial issue; suffice to say that room corners Placement 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 When matching speakers to amplifier wattage – ordinarily, the amplifier should Amplifier and have a continuous RMS output power rating the same as or higher than the Speaker speakers at the same impedance rating. For example, 160WRMS, 8Ω speakers Ratings driven by a 160WRMS at 8Ω amplifier is not as ideal as 120WRMS, 8Ω speakers

driven by a 160WRMS at 8Ω amplifier.

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