Comparing Amplifiers

Hi again, I am trying to find an equivalent amplifier to my Carver 1.5t. I am looking at possibly using a TFM-45 as a mate for it, if not another 1.5t. How does this amp compare to the 1.5t and do you recommend any others, as well, that might be power and sonic equivalents to it?

Could you elaborate a bit on what you mean about a "mate for your M1.5"? Biamping?

My apologies...I mean an amplifier to go with it that is about the same to run a second set of speakers; a second amp not a mono set up. I hope that clarifies it a little... all in the same room. A little more edit is in order. I am looking for a second amp to run a back pair of room speakers (SDA CRS+) along with a pair of front speakers (SDA !C's) to complette a room surround / image instead of running them all on one amplifier. I currently have a 1.5t and am looking for a good match to run either the front speakers or the rear speakers along with the 1.5t. Another 1.5t would probably be best, but I am open to other alternatives as well that would sound good and not over/ or under power the other amplifier. The amplifiers are run through a Carver C-1 Preamp.

All in the same room or separate rooms?

I was going to ask the same question Ed. More importantly, running the same source? For instance, if one was running the mains and another the surrounds, that's a different question than two sets of non-identical main speakers (which IMHO always sounds bad).

I was going to ask the same question Ed. More importantly, running the same source? For instance, if one was running the mains and another the surrounds, that's a different question than two sets of non-identical main speakers (which IMHO always sounds bad).

Agreed !

If you are running through a surround sound pre /pro the rears will not need anywhere near as much power as the fronts. In my HT I have a Yamaha surround 7.1 w/ the front channel pre out running into a Sunfire 300 x 2 w / Polk SDA - 2B's for the front and running center, side and rear off the Yamaha receiver and it sounds great. (sub out running powered Infinity sub)

At the moment the system is just running off the C-1 preamp and has no surround st up. It just has two pre outs for amplifiers. But I see what your saying, my back surrounds do not have to have as strong an amp as the fronts.

If you run off a 2 channel preamp- the sound will not be what you imagine it will be. It will sound confusing because you will have a front channel in front and also behind you. Surround processors have delays built in so the sound is spatially realistic. For movies - You would be better off just sticking with stereo sound until you can get a good preamp / processor which adds the delay to the respective channels. Think of it this way.....if someone is running down a dark quiet street coming from behind you on a movie and they run diagonally across the room you would not be able to have the location correct by running 2 sets of stereo speakers of a 2 channel preamp(they would be behind you and in front of you at the same time). With a surround processor the sound would start in the rear speakers and continue the path the footsteps were actually taking diagonally across the room with speakers around the room fading in and out in timed unison to the footsteps. All the other 4,5 or 6 channels / speakers do is add emphasis for the 3D spatial information. I hope this helps!

yes it does help. perhaps more thought is needed for my system and upgrade. I have been looking at a onkyo 9.2 preamp processor as well as possible picking up a sunfire pre amp processor. Or even a 9.2 reciever. Maybe that is a smarter route and save the carver equipment for a strickly listening set up.