1 power amp or 7 mono power amps.

[Varun_27]

I have a 7.1 channel pre-amplifier and searching a multi channel amplifier for it. Can i put 7 different mono amplifiers for each channel and a subwoofer amplifier.

 

[jasonkaler]

This could work, however you might have ground loop issues when using multiple separate amplifiers, especially if each one has its own power supply.
See if you have an option to try before you buy, otherwise I would recommend using as few components as possible if audio quality is important to you.

 

[Varun_27]

This could work, however you might have ground loop issues when using multiple separate amplifiers, especially if each one has its own power supply.
See if you have an option to try before you buy, otherwise I would recommend using as few components as possible if audio quality is important to you.

If i use mono amps for each channel, still i require torroidal transformer?
Single 1 for all?
How can i decide which transformer is required?
Can i power them in serial or parallel?
Can i connect their grounds of all 7 monoamps serially as in normal electrical circuits?

Apart from this i am having a power supply that came with my Preamplifier of 110V to 220V.
Should i use that power supply for the complete system or i have to use another power supply for the rest of system?

I am brainstorming with all these questions. Help me out please.

 

[americanaudiophile]

You need a transformer of the correct voltage and sufficient wattage to supply adequate power to the amp boards. Doesn't have to be toroidal.
The specs of the amp boards will specify the voltage and each will have a current spec that you will multiply by the number of boards for a minimum needed. Wattage equals voltage times current.
They connect in parallel to the power supply. Never in series.
The grounds are connected in parallel not series.No matter how you connect them they are in parallel there are no plus or minus. Google "star grounding"
The power supply of the preamp won't come close to powering the amp boards. The best way for each board to have it's own power supply. That way the boards don't interact through the power supply. You can do separate left-right supplies I would do separate front and surround power supplies. Surround channels don't usually play as loud or as constantly as the front three channels (and sub) so can often be smaller or shared with less compromise in quality.

 

[Varun_27]

You need a transformer of the correct voltage and sufficient wattage to supply adequate power to the amp boards. Doesn't have to be toroidal.
The specs of the amp boards will specify the voltage and each will have a current spec that you will multiply by the number of boards for a minimum needed. Wattage equals voltage times current.
They connect in parallel to the power supply. Never in series.
The grounds are connected in parallel not series.No matter how you connect them they are in parallel there are no plus or minus. Google "star grounding"
The power supply of the preamp won't come close to powering the amp boards. The best way for each board to have it's own power supply. That way the boards don't interact through the power supply. You can do separate left-right supplies I would do separate front and surround power supplies. Surround channels don't usually play as loud or as constantly as the front three channels (and sub) so can often be smaller or shared with less compromise in quality.

I am extremely thankful to you as you have cleared much of my doubts.Do you mean to say that i can share 2 amps for 4 surround speakers with specifications more accurate as needed. And more powerful amp to front L and R speakers and 1 mono amp hor center channel speaker. And can I use stereo amps for sharing two channels ?

 

[americanaudiophile]

Each speaker has to have it's own amp channel.
There are multi-channel boards, stereo boards and mono boards. You can use any combination to get the right number of channels. The specs of the speakers will tell you their impedance and power requirement. If you have larger fronts than surrounds they can usually handle more power. The amps should be from the same maker and series so they match in sound.

 

[Varun_27]

Each speaker has to have it's own amp channel.
There are multi-channel boards, stereo boards and mono boards. You can use any combination to get the right number of channels. The specs of the speakers will tell you their impedance and power requirement. If you have larger fronts than surrounds they can usually handle more power. The amps should be from the same maker and series so they match in sound.

If i am making a powerful amplifier with 7 mono amps and 1 subwoofer amp, do i need a seperate power supply board?
Can i make the system with two subs by using a stereo aamp for the subwoofer?
Usually the amps are rater o/p wattage power, are they RMS power or PMPO ?

 

[americanaudiophile]

The amp boards do not have any power supplies so you need at least one power supply board larger enough to run all the boards. The preamp power supply will be the wrong voltage and insufficient wattage so you can't use that at all for the amps.
Subwoofers usually have their own amps built in so you would probably not need an amp board for that. If each amp board had it's own power supply that would be best but much more expensive.
Yes you can use as many subs as you want.
You want RMS power into the same impedance to make comparisons.PMPO ratings are totally useless.

 

[Varun_27]

The amp boards do not have any power supplies so you need at least one power supply board larger enough to run all the boards. The preamp power supply will be the wrong voltage and insufficient wattage so you can't use that at all for the amps.
Subwoofers usually have their own amps built in so you would probably not need an amp board for that. If each amp board had it's own power supply that would be best but much more expensive.
Yes you can use as many subs as you want.
You want RMS power into the same impedance to make comparisons.PMPO ratings are totally useless.

Yes PMPO ratings are totally useless, I've never seen them comming in to play, The hardwares for 7.1 active subwoofer that i think needful are:
1pc 7.1 pre-amplifier board and its power supply.
1pc mono amps each of the 7 speakers with their corresponding power supply,
1pc subwoofer amp, (1 sub amp for each i want to add) with their corresponding power supply,

Is anything left?

 

[Varun_27]

The amp boards do not have any power supplies so you need at least one power supply board larger enough to run all the boards. The preamp power supply will be the wrong voltage and insufficient wattage so you can't use that at all for the amps.
Subwoofers usually have their own amps built in so you would probably not need an amp board for that. If each amp board had it's own power supply that would be best but much more expensive.
Yes you can use as many subs as you want.
You want RMS power into the same impedance to make comparisons.PMPO ratings are totally useless.

You mean to say each amp board has its own power supply or power supply BOARD.? The power supply i got with pre-amp is only for pre-amplifier( as it says 110V-220V ? I SHOULD NOT use any amp for my subs or can use it for subwoofer? How can i calculate the specifications for power supply board? If i do not use any amp for subwoofer I do not have to use any power supply board for it, but if i use an amp and a power supply then hav to use a power supply board for it ? Please guide.

 

[Alabalcho]

Your question sounds like "I need a vehicle, and I don't know whether I need a truck, a SUV, or Ferrari". Also - no one serves shifts here, so no one owes you an answer.

Do you have any particular mono audio amps, or you're just asking "What you would recommend me to buy?"
Do you have the speakers already? What are their specs? If you don't have them - what are your requirements?
Do you have a budget?
Do you have any electronic skills?

 

[Varun_27]

Your question sounds like "I need a vehicle, and I don't know whether I need a truck, a SUV, or Ferrari". Also - no one serves shifts here, so no one owes you an answer.

Do you have any particular mono audio amps, or you're just asking "What you would recommend me to buy?"
Do you have the speakers already? What are their specs? If you don't have them - what are your requirements?
Do you have a budget?
Do you have any electronic skills?

No, i don't have electronic skills.
I am very NOVICE in this field.
Yes i have speakers of 6 of 8ohm 200w each and 1 of 280 watts at 8ohms and the preamp with its power supply which reads 110-220V. What i have to do with that?
In my 7.1 system, 4 mono amps of 200Watts/8 ohms (Dual DC power ± 42 --- ± 58V power supply needed), 2 mono amps of 280watts/8ohms ( dual DC power supply ± 58-± 70V power supply needed) and 1 mono amp of 500watts/8ohms ( Dual DC power ± 48V -- ± 60V power supply needed).
[I don't have purchased any amps or power supply for my subwoofer and don't know whether they are needed or not.].

Now these power supply comes with a power board or both come single, i don't know.
What to do next? ALABALCHO please guide..

 

[Alabalcho]

You can power all mono amps from single good DC power supply (providing that you can find one with like +/- 60VDC, 20 Amps). But - with your lack of skills, you're risking either a fire, or your life, so I would rather recommend you getting off-the-shelf receiver, rated at 6/8 Ohms, and enjoy your music / movies / games.

 

[Varun_27]

You can power all mono amps from single good DC power supply (providing that you can find one with like +/- 60VDC, 20 Amps). But - with your lack of skills, you're risking either a fire, or your life, so I would rather recommend you getting off-the-shelf receiver, rated at 6/8 Ohms, and enjoy your music / movies / games.

Thank you Alabalcho. And i should hire an electrician for all electrical work.
But do i have to use a separate amp and a power supply for subwoofer?

 

[Alabalcho]

There's no difference (logical and electrical) between your mono amps, and the subwoofer - it all depends how your subwoofer is designed. Most of them are stand-alone boxes, with their own power supply, and amplifier.

 

[Varun_27]

There's no difference (logical and electrical) between your mono amps, and the subwoofer - it all depends how your subwoofer is designed. Most of them are stand-alone boxes, with their own power supply, and amplifier.

Now i've purchased 7 mono amps with power supply (dual DC power supply ± 58-± 70V) each .what would be the commulative single power supply for all 7? and a power supply for 840W subwoofer is dual AC 24V. .

And i don't know anything about the power supply boards. Do i need a single power supply board for all 7 mono amps and another power supply board for subwoofer?

 

[Alabalcho]

"I don't know anything about cars, but I bought a project car and I'm starting assembling it..."
"I bought a box, and I don't know what is inside, but I want to make it work. Can you help me?"

You're on your own, @Varun_27. Nobody here knows what you've bought, how it is supposed to work, etc. All these "amps" you got have specs - voltage and current. Multiply the current by 7 - this is what your "cumulative single power supply" is supposed to deliver.

 

[Varun_27]

The power supplies i need for mono amplifiers are:
(each 1 for 1 amplifier)(For speakers Center, Front L, Front R, Rear L, Rear R, Surround L, Surround R respectively).

Dual DC power supply ± 58 --- ± 70V (500W) X 1 pc (Centre)
Double AC12-28V range (420W) X 2 pcs (Front L, R).
DC dual 40v (170W) X 4 pcs (Rears and Surrounds)

Subwoofer
Double 24V, Power 300W above Ring Transformer X 1 pc

(OR PLEASE TELL ME THE COMMULITIVE SINGLE POER SUPPLY FOR ALL).

My questions are :
1. Can i use a commulative power supply? If yes, please tell me which one do i need?
2. Will there be a separate power supply for subwoofer?

AND WHAT ABOUT THE POWER SUPPLY BOARDS?
( Do I should use each one with its own power supplies and their own power supply board?
OR
should I use each one's own power supply but a SINGLE COMMULATIVE power spply board?
OR
I should use SINGLE POWER SUPPLY and SINGLE POWER SUPPLY BOARD for all?)

 

[ElectrO_90]

This could work, however you might have ground loop issues when using multiple separate amplifiers, especially if each one has its own power supply.
See if you have an option to try before you buy, otherwise I would recommend using as few components as possible if audio quality is important to you.

Although I can agree with what you say, if you want quality you use Mono Amps - due to the fact you won't get crossover like you can with Stereo amps.

 

[Varun_27]

Yes friend, i'm finding it difficult.