Since we're talking about power output, I have another question. The 7100, of course, is rated at 100 watts per channel for seven channels. Does that rating change at all if one is using the amp to drive only five channels? Or, better yet,two channels?

It might have a bit more power with fewer channels used, but honestly, if the power rating is identical whether 2 channels or 7 channels are being used, this would indicate very good power supply regulation, with good current capacity and good filter capacitor storage capability. If the power changed drastically depending on how many channels were in use, this would indicate a less good power supply.

I suspected as much. I've never read or heard anything different. Since the participants in this forum are extremely patient with naive questions, I figured no harm in asking. The 7100 is probably the best HT investment I've made to date, so I feel compelled to post and entry on occasion.

Thanks for the explanation.

It’s fortunate that most of the people who post here are ‘ladies and gentlemen.’

I have no desire, in general, to ‘pounce’ on anyone. As for being naïve, no matter how much we know, there is always more to learn, whether brand new to the ideas presented here or having had decades of experience in electronic media.

What sometimes causes me to bristle a bit are not the genuine ‘students’ of audio and HT pursuits, but those that seemingly read a bit here, read a bit there, often without the education and experience to discern truth from ‘salesmanship,’ then put themselves up as experts and presume that they have the answers everyone needs. Whether such people are writing for certain magazines or posting online, I do tend to become irked at some of the delusional thoughts they put forth. Even then, it’s best not to pounce on the personalities involved or show disrespect, just challenge the ideas and present the truth as you know it.

I think most of the conflicting ideas are presented that way here and we are the better for it.

Preach on!

------------------
This post has been brought to you by curegeorg, thanks for reading.

The 7100 has only the transformer common to the various channels. (Well actually 3 channels use one xformer, the other 4 use the other) Because of this, there would be little interchannel dependance including power avail. I imagine there would be a very slight power reduction with all channels driven due to flux change in the xformer. Each channel has its own filter caps, so no dependance there. I suppose the house AC line voltage drop to the unit could cause a slight reduction in power too

Stabie,

2 transformers in the 7100??? The picture of the 7100 shows one transformer....methinks I am missing something.

Bob045

Oops, right you are. the 7100 has 1 transformer with 7 pairs of windings. I was thinking of the 770. Sorry.

No worries Stabie,

I was perhaps thinking that maybe it was one transformer within another or some such thing.

Thanks,

Bob045

How about another naiive question.

Is the 7100 bridgeable? Can I use two of the channels each for the front left & right speakers in a 5.1 setup? Failing that, is it possible to use the extra 2 amps in a bi-amping situation?

Thanks,
Smitty

The 7100 is not bridgeable. It is possible to use two channels of the 7100 in a bi-amp arrangement by splitting the pre-amp output.

------------------
gonk -- 950 Review | LFM-1 Review | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | Saloon Links

Gonk,
Would this be advisable without being able to defeat the internal crossover that most "bi-wire" speakers have?

Jeff

There is an argument (one that I think makes some good sense) that says that it is less beneficial to bi-wire while leaving the speakers' internal crossovers intact than bi-wiring with an external crossover upstream of the amps. Bi-wiring with the speaker's internal crossovers isn't the optimal approach, but because of the complexity of the alternative it is a widely used one nonetheless.

------------------
gonk -- 950 Review | LFM-1 Review | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | Saloon Links