First foray into the world of Polk, and an initial question...

bustedguild

So far, so good! I'm a rather fresh audiophile, and I recently jumped into the world of higher end equipment; I just picked up a set of used RT12's and laced them up to a Optonica SA 5206 receiver. The speakers are wonderful, as is the receiver; crystal clear sound (even with only one driver on one of the RT12's...gotta replace one). But I can't help wondering if these speakers would really become a different animal with some more wattage behind them. The SA 5206 is putting out somewhere around 50 wpc, but the speakers are rated up to 250 watts. Is there an optimum receiver output wattage for these speakers, or should I just shoot for the upper end with my next receiver purchase? Any input is much appreciated, as I haven't the foggiest idea here...

Thanks in advance, and please educate this grasshopper!

Dobermann

Those speakers are thirsty....the more power you give them the better they will sound.

If you are wanting to give them a lot of power, forget the receivers and find yourself an integrated amp. That will run you some serious cash but it is by far the most effective way to improve your sound.

bustedguild

Thanks for the quick replies! At the moment, I'm pretty much set on a stereo setup; I'm in a small apartment, so at times I'm questioning whether or not I should even have the setup as it stands. As budget constraints dictate, my receiver purchase was what I could afford at the time. That said, having done considerable research, the Optonica's are generally well regard as a pretty quality setup for the cash, and are generally underrated. To be honest, the sound quality is fantastic out of this unit, but I just can't shake the idea that I could be pulling a lot more quality from these speakers (they are dead sexy looking things). And having disassembled one of the drivers, these things are freaking hefty! I have no doubt they'd be maximized with a bit more wattage (albeit quality wattage). I'd love to go the integrated amp route, but that's a bit out of my price range at the moment. Perhaps in the not too distant future a used 100 wpc receiver setup? I've poked around a bit and it looks like I can pickup some of the older Yamaha/Pioneer/Harman Kardon/Onkyo/etc in the 2-300 dollar range. Does anyone have a pair of the RT12's hooked up to something they believe sounds particularly wonderful?

Dobermann

I have heard good things about Optonica receivers. If I am not mistaken this is probably a late 70's model. A lot of amps from that era put out more wattage than advertised and sound damn good.

I wouldn't be in a big rush to replace it, I'm just saying if you want to really get anywhere near the true 150-200 watt range you are going to have to start looking at separates.

Hawkeye

I'd give up the idea of an AVR for a stereo rig. A nice integrated would suit your purpose in a small apartment. What do you use as a source? PC or cd?

Gordon

bustedguild

Hawkeye wrote: »

I'd give up the idea of an AVR for a stereo rig. A nice integrated would suit your purpose in a small apartment. What do you use as a source? PC or cd?

Gordon

Forgive my general lack of knowledge here: AVR is a standard receiver unit (i.e built in amp, etc), while an integrated unit would be a separate (dedicated) amp? I'm still trying to sort through the approaches to setting up a system, so patience is appreciated...:D

My inputs are pretty diverse: I use everything from an iPod to my computer to a CD player to (eventually) a turntable. I figure it's nice to have as many options as possible when picking up a receiver.

Hawkeye

BG, we all have to start somewhere! Most folks refer to a receiver as an AVR. They are fine for multi-channel and a home theater (HT). An integrated will give you both a pre amp and and amp in one. Almost like an AVR but without all the video circuitry getting in the way. An integrated will allow you to hook up just about anything except video.

Gordon

orrb_05

I've got a pair of the RTi12s in a 5.1 HT setup and I use a Sony STR A-5000ES receiver. I run the AVR in direct mode for 2ch listening and it's by far the best set up I've had to date - I've had Klipsch RF7s with Yamaha seperates and could never gey it to sound just right - most recently I parted with four LSi9s powered by Rotel seperates - never could get that to sound anywhere near dollar for output pleasure - my current setup cost me less than half of the LSi set up and this is the sound I have been searching for - not sure if it's the RTis, the Sony ES, or the combo - but I am very pleased.

bustedguild

Cheers guys (and gals?). I have the option of picking up an older Pioneer set (sa-1050 170w amp, Fm/am digital synthesizer tuner tx-950 , graphic equalizer sg-550) for about 200 bucks, but I think that it's going to be overkill. I'm living in a small apartment and I'm pretty sure my neighbors already hate me with less than 50wpc being utilized (though really, who can hate 95dB of Bela Fleck?) As well, I'm still waiting for a replacement mid/sub driver for the left channel, so that should round the sound out quite a bit. One more question though:

My speakers do not have grills/covers. Is there a good place to hunt for used or cheap replacements?