Looking for solid amp to drive a pair of TSi500's

Jimbobwey

Hello again Club Polk!

I'm in the market to start building a quality speaker setup that I can use for years down the road. So far I have been researching for about 2 weeks about speakers, receivers, amps, pre-amps...etc I didn't even know what a watt was in relation to speakers...that's how pointless I was. Onto my point!

I posted a thread yesterday looking for good receivers to power the TSi500's (recommended 20-275 watts)...my world was flipped upside down and I need to look for a good dedicated amp. I've been searching on Audiogon.com all day and found some good candidates. Do any of you have suggestions on an amp that has 300+ watts per channel @ 8 ohms?

And this might be a stupid question but...Say I had a 2 channel amp powering a set of floor standing speakers, later in the future I buy a 7.2 receiver for a home theater...is there anyway I could hook the 2 channel amp to the A/V receiver so the floor standing speakers still have good power and the other 5 speakers would run of the power of the A/V receiver?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Jimbobwey

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I was highly interest in 2 Marantz MA-700's for an amp option.

kawizx9r

If you get a good separate 2-channel amp now, and wish to add an AVR later but still utilize your amp for your speakers just make sure the AVR you invest in has pre-amp outputs.

Btw, welcome to CP!

-Freddy

Jimbobwey

So just as long as the receiver has Pre-amp outputs it should all work? It won't effect the other 5 speakers?

Also, thanks for the friendly welcome Freddy!

kawizx9r

Jimbobwey wrote: »

So just as long as the receiver has Pre-amp outputs it should all work? It won't effect the other 5 speakers?

Also, thanks for the friendly welcome Freddy!

That's right!

AVR's for the most part have single built-in amps that are used to power all 5/6/7 or however many speakers you've got hooked up to it.

Using a dedicated amp for either 2/3 or whatever speakers will cause the AVR to work even less since the built-in amp won't be used. And whatever speakers that are connected to the AVR can benefit a bit from it since not many speakers are running off that same amp.

-Freddy

Jimbobwey

If it's not to much to ask, do you mind showing me an example of a receiver that has pre outs? I've been checking and I can't seem to find one with it!

kawizx9r

cnh

You don't need a 300+watt/channel for TSI-500s. 200-250watts x 2 will do you!

A great starter amp in the 300 dollar price range is the Adcom GFA-555--will make your 500s SING! But don't take my advice, listen for yourself.

Also, think about buying separates first...like a power amp and a pre-amp with a Home Theater bypass. That way you can run the separates for 2 channel sound, then flip a switch and have the pre-outs from your AVR function as the pre-amp for a 5.1 or 7.1. home theater. Your front two channels will still be working off the POWER amp?

If this is too confusing, just stick with the pic Freddy has given you above and use the AVR as the pre-amp! You connect one RCA cable from the L pre-out to the power amp L, and one from the Right AVR pre-out to the power amp RIGHT in. Then wire the TSI-500s to the speaker terminals on the POWER AMP. You're done!

cnh

Jimbobwey

Damn, you guys are so helpful! Thanks for helping someone noobish like me, I suppose I have to start somewhere!

kawizx9r

Jimbobwey wrote: »

Damn, you guys are so helpful! Thanks for helping someone noobish like me, I suppose I have to start somewhere!

We all had to start somewhere, no worries

Jimbobwey

On some receivers I don't see pre-outs, but there is something that says "zone 2 line out" would that be the same thing?

kawizx9r

Jimbobwey wrote: »

On some receivers I don't see pre-outs, but there is something that says "zone 2 line out" would that be the same thing?

Nope.

cstmar01

Jimbobwey wrote: »

On some receivers I don't see pre-outs, but there is something that says "zone 2 line out" would that be the same thing?

no a pre out is totally different. A lot of lower end AVR's will not have pre outs on them. If they do its often for the subwoofer. just check around at look at a few different ones on their website from like Onkyo, Pioneer, Harmon Kardon and you will see them.

Also agreed you don't need 300+ watts for those speakers. If you really really want that I would recommend an Adcom 5802, Parasound 3500 ect however they are very heavy and IMO would be a step up from the Adcom Freddy recommended. I would try the cheaper Adcom first and see how you like it and then you can always sell it and move up if you would like.

hagmanm2

cnh wrote: »

You don't need a 300+watt/channel for TSI-500s. 200-250watts x 2 will do you!

A great starter amp in the 300 dollar price range is the Adcom GFA-555--will make your 500s SING! But don't take my advice, listen for yourself.


cnh

I completely agree. I've been hoping to snag an Adcom 555 for a while now. Though you might also want to look at a Hafler DH-500. I've seen a few on the GON. I can also tell you I've been EXTREMELY happy with my Denon AVR (went through several Onkyo's and a Yammie before this one). For *my* ears it pairs extremely well with my 500s. I have my 500s bi-amped with a Yammie m-40, but there's not an enormous amount of improvement for the setup (honestly I think some of it is because of how nice the Denon is). The 500s really do want more power to *sing*! Hope this helps and welcome! These guys were extremely helpful when I first took the dive into the great world of audio-addiction.

dorokusai

You don't need an external amplifier for any TSi series loudspeaker.

cnh

Doro does have a way with words.

And he is right. But you will find that they have a deeper fuller sound in 2 channel with more power. For HT..yes...no further power is really necessary. Any good high current design 90-100 watt/channel AVR will easily drive a TSi surround system.

cnh

hagmanm2

Update to my initial comment: I just picked up an Adcom GFA-555 MKii and a GFA-5503 and just finished putting all my audio equipment through some testing. I'd agree with dorokusai and cnh that you don't need an external amp but a good external amp can make a DRASTIC improvement to the sound of your 500s.

note: these comments are based on 2-channel music listening.
The Denon and M-40 had a somewhat similar sound, though the M-40 did a better job of giving the 500s a bigger, fuller range.

The 555 was a BIG step up. The speakers needed much less volume to open up and had a huge presence. I was blown away by what a difference it made. I went back to the Denon and, in comparison, the 500s sounded flat - as if a big piece of cardboard was thrown right in front of them speakers.

The 5503 also produced tremendous sound compared to the Denon or M-40. Compared to the 555 it seemed to be able to push the 500s a little easier and seemed to have tighter bass.

When I switched over to check out some movies (2.1) I noticed there wasn't as significant a difference between the Denon and the externals until I really pushed them into wall-shaking decibels. Then, of course, all external amps showed a big improvement in the 500s. Though I was most pleased with the 5503 since it gave me the ability to push the center channel as well. Voices/dialog sounded warmer and fuller than when driven by the Denon.

The Adcoms really put my setup into perspective. Before I bought my Denon I went through 3 Onkyo receiver (503, 504, 606), and I couldn't believe the improvement the Denon gave me. I'm still extremely happy with it, but now I have a better understanding of the potential of my 500s when I turn the Denon into a fantastic pre.


Therefore, based on price, I'd say an Adcom 555ii is a great choice for your 500s.
hope this helps

Jimbobwey

Sorry for not responding guys! I didn't even realize there was responses...I subscribed to have an email sent but I guess it didn't feel like working until today!

All of the input has been great and I really appreciate it, I would rather have a amp and get improved sound now and buy an AVR later down the road than to just use an AVR. Denon does seem to make awesome receivers too!

hagmanm2

Not a problem. Let us know what you decide to go with!