Please suggest amp for RTi12's

Yakapo

my first post...

I'm currently using a Harman Kardon PA2000 which is conservatively rated at 45x4 and about 40 amps to drive my RTi12's. Although the amp is bridgeable, I'm using it in 4 channel mode so I can give the larger drivers a little more juice (compensates for the speakers sounding a little bright). My receiver is the Pioneer 1120k.

Things sound good right now but I'm wondering if they could sound a little better. I like to listen to music with just 2 channels. I'm wondering if I purchased a better amp if the speakers could produce enough bass to "kick me in the chest". My request is a little juvenile, I know. I was considering the emotiva UPA2.

Thanks for your time.

Sherardp

12s are power hungry and they sing very nice when it is available. I started with Outlaw Audio M2200's on my 12s and later moved on to D-Sonic and Sunfire. I would recommend a multichannel amp and just get it over with. Sunfires are very nice, cheap in price and sound great. They usually recommend 200wpc around here which should be more than enough. Here is a good sale on an Outlaw Amp.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1295656824&/Outlaw-Audio-755-5-X-200W-Amp

Sunfire on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunfire-Cinema-Grand-200-Five-5-Channel-Amplifier-/220711036456?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3363672628

jinjuku

Yakapo wrote: »

my first post...

I'm currently using a Harman Kardon PA2000 which is conservatively rated at 45x4 and about 40 amps to drive my RTi12's. Although the amp is bridgeable, I'm using it in 4 channel mode so I can give the larger drivers a little more juice (compensates for the speakers sounding a little bright). My receiver is the Pioneer 1120k.

Things sound good right now but I'm wondering if they could sound a little better. I like to listen to music with just 2 channels. I'm wondering if I purchased a better amp if the speakers could produce enough bass to "kick me in the chest". My request is a little juvenile, I know. I was considering the emotiva UPA2.

Thanks for your time.

If you want new the UPA-2 would work. For that $300-400 range though you could get more amp used.

There are about 100 threads asking this same exact question. Just use the search feature and enjoy some of the more entertaining threads:biggrin:

Try Craigslist. Search using Adcom, Carver, Emotiva, Rotel, B&K(btw they are bankrupt but ATI is taking operations over), Parasound, NAD, Outlaw Audio.

leroyjr1

Adcom 555

aboroth00

What's your price range?

aboroth00

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Adcom 555

Adcom 555mk2. I believe these pieces were made in Japan which made them superior to the other iterations.

Take a look at ATI, Acurus, Aragon, Outlaw for 2ch. They tend to get overlooked by some of the bigger names like Rotel and NAD.

leroyjr1

aboroth00 wrote: »

Adcom 555mk2. I believe these pieces were made in Japan which made them superior to the other iterations.

Take a look at ATI, Acurus, Aragon, Outlaw for 2ch. They tend to get overlooked by some of the bigger names like Rotel and NAD.

Both are good and built like a tank. The price they can't be had for is a great value.

heiney9

aboroth00 wrote: »

Adcom 555mk2. I believe these pieces were made in Japan which made them superior to the other iterations.

Nope not made in Japan, and the matter of superiority to the mk2 version is a matter of opinion. I prefer the original to the mk2 but for no reason than a few little nit picky things.

Both are great amps, but they are getting older and my need to be refreshed to sound like new.

H9

Yakapo

Price range would be about $300? I just need a 2 channel amp. I'm probably going to check out Craigslist. Thanks for all the help!!!

dorokusai

Good luck.

Toolfan66

I say save the $300 and save till you can at least double it then shop for an amp. You will be glad you did when you can see what those 12's can really do..



Just my .02 Good Luck.

megasat16

dorokusai wrote: »

Good luck.

+1 to that.

Signed by,
Lots of LOVE for EMOTIVA!

Yakapo

The Emotiva UPA 2 is $329 right now. I assumed since I was looking in the used market I'd be ok.

megasat16

I guess all about Audio is trying things out yourself and it is a learning process.

If you don't already know or told before, RTi12 is on a bright side of speakers so any bright amps will make it extra bright (meaning very sharp high frequencies). It's OK for HT movies but for listening music, you could get listening fatigue sooner for listening to the bright speakers and amps.

The trick is to use bright speakers with a laid back amp / or a warm amp (the amps that do not have very sharp sounding or even harsh).

People here generally considers Emotiva amps to be on the bright side too.

May be you could spend $329 on the UPA-2 now to find out how it sounds first and try a little laid back amps later if you find the Emotiva is NOT what you want.

Sometimes, it costs a little money to learn from experience and don't be afraid to spend. I know it's not such a good advice but listening to different amplifiers and trying out yourself is the best answer to your question.

Yakapo

The rti12's are bright. I'd much rather take your advice than learn the hard way.
hmm... there are a few Rotel RMB1066's in my budget located fairly close to me on craigslist. Would the rotel be a warm amp?

Also there's a NAD C372, an Outlaw 7125, and a Sonamp 875D MKII (a little out of my budget).

aboroth00

heiney9 wrote: »

Nope not made in Japan, and the matter of superiority to the mk2 version is a matter of opinion. I prefer the original to the mk2 but for no reason than a few little nit picky things.

Both are great amps, but they are getting older and my need to be refreshed to sound like new.

H9

I remember a gentleman told me that the output transistors were made in Japan by Toshiba, but of course this was a while back and I don't quite recall.

aboroth00

Yakapo wrote: »

The rti12's are bright. I'd much rather take your advice than learn the hard way.
hmm... there are a few Rotel RMB1066's in my budget located fairly close to me on craigslist. Would the rotel be a warm amp?

Also there's a NAD C372, an Outlaw 7125, and a Sonamp 875D MKII (a little out of my budget).

Rotel is usually considered to be warm rather than bright. I'm not too familiar on that certain model, but there were quite a few NAD's at great prices on Agon but they passed by damn quick. Parasound comes to mind as another warm amp option if no one suggested that yet.

megasat16

Yakapo wrote: »

The rti12's are bright. I'd much rather take your advice than learn the hard way.
hmm... there are a few Rotel RMB1066's in my budget located fairly close to me on craigslist. Would the rotel be a warm amp?

Also there's a NAD C372, an Outlaw 7125, and a Sonamp 875D MKII (a little out of my budget).

I owned RTi12 before. Very Nice Speakers they are but a tad bright for music. I guess younger folks wouldn't mind but if you adds a few years to your ears already, RTi12 is bright to your ears for music listening.

Yes, Rotel amps are very nice. I also owned RMB-1066 at one time and it's a great amp for money. And you can bridge channels together for higher watt output (bridging is only OK for use with 8 ohms speakers like RTi12).

I believe Rotel amps sounds warm and laid back. I also suggest you consider Adcom, Parasound, B&K, and NAD. I have no experience with Outlaw or Sonamp but Outlaw amps are also on the bright side from what I heard.

I think for the money, Adcom GFA series, Parasound HCA series and Rotel RMB series amps are pretty hard to beat and most are laid back amps.

Yakapo

Thanks for the input everyone. Its much harder to get advice on AVS.

Well I'm considering the emotiva again. :redface:

The upa5 is on sale for about $430. I could biamp the rti12's and that would give me 250 watts per channel. I can't seem to find anything comparable in that price range even used.

heiney9

aboroth00 wrote: »

I remember a gentleman told me that the output transistors were made in Japan by Toshiba, but of course this was a while back and I don't quite recall.

Toshiba made a LOT of transistors..........doesn't mean the amp was made or designed in Japan.

The original 555 was a Nelson Pass design the 555II was an overhaul and Adcom made the amp more complicated with the Darlington output and other things than it had to be.

I prefer the simpler, sweeter original to the MKII, IMO of course.

H9

heiney9

Yakapo wrote: »

Thanks for the input everyone. Its much harder to get advice on AVS.

Well I'm considering the emotiva again. :redface:

The upa5 is on sale for about $430. I could biamp the rti12's and that would give me 250 watts per channel. I can't seem to find anything comparable in that price range even used.

Prepare to have your ears assulated. Ever think why you can't find a quality used amp at the same price as a new E amp?

All I'm saying is E amps with RTi's have a very forward, aggressive sound that can become unpleasant at times.

H9

jinjuku

Yakapo wrote: »

Thanks for the input everyone. Its much harder to get advice on AVS.

Well I'm considering the emotiva again. :redface:

The upa5 is on sale for about $430. I could biamp the rti12's and that would give me 250 watts per channel. I can't seem to find anything comparable in that price range even used.

I wouldn't know what to replace your RTi's with since you are moving into a smaller space (well at least from the AVS post you made the other day about replacing them):

Toolfan66

heiney9 wrote: »

Prepare to have your ears assulated. Ever think why you can't find a quality used amp at the same price as a new E amp?

All I'm saying is E amps with RTi's have a very forward, aggressive sound that can become unpleasant at times.

H9

Agreed!!!!! For a budget Adcom 555 545 535. Forget the Bi-amping with what your doing stick with basics..

Toolfan66

WOW!!! Two different stories in two different forums.

Yakapo

=D

We've been house shopping for a while. I got the ok from the wifey to keep the towers. We aren't moving anytime soon. Thanks for checking up on me.

aboroth00

heiney9 wrote: »

Toshiba made a LOT of transistors..........doesn't mean the amp was made or designed in Japan.

The original 555 was a Nelson Pass design the 555II was an overhaul and Adcom made the amp more complicated with the Darlington output and other things than it had to be.

I prefer the simpler, sweeter original to the MKII, IMO of course.

H9

I stand corrected. I just passed on info I got from a friend of mine but he might've been misinformed as well. I was under the impression the mk2 had the best build quality being built in Japan, http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=270015 and that the mk3 was either built in ROC or the PRC.

Of course you can fact check for me to be sure

Yakapo

heiney9 wrote: »

Prepare to have your ears assulated. Ever think why you can't find a quality used amp at the same price as a new E amp?

All I'm saying is E amps with RTi's have a very forward, aggressive sound that can become unpleasant at times.

H9

Ok you scared me into researching more with the "assaulted ears" comment. I called Emotiva today and the rep told me that their UPA series amps have a warmer sound to them (I'm guessing in comparison to their XPA line). Yes, I noticed that Emo amps are really cheap compared to everything else.

There are several adcom amps on craigslist. The search continues. I had gone so far as to add the E amp in my cart and put in half my info before checking this thread again.

aboroth00

Yakapo wrote: »

Ok you scared me into researching more with the "assaulted ears" comment. I called Emotiva today and the rep told me that their UPA series amps have a warmer sound to them (I'm guessing in comparison to their XPA line). Yes, I noticed that Emo amps are really cheap compared to everything else.

There are several adcom amps on craigslist. The search continues. I had gone so far as to add the E amp in my cart and put in half my info before checking this thread again.

You should just stop by the Emo forums and ask them over there to see their impressions. I'm sure someone might have a set of speakers like yours hooked up to a UPA amp.

MADGSF

Another vote for B&K, I love the way they mix with my RTi's. However they can still be too bright with certain music.

cnoat

My 12's sound really good with my parasound 1500a.They can be had for around 350.00

Yakapo

MADGSF wrote: »

Another vote for B&K, I love the way they mix with my RTi's. However they can still be too bright with certain music.

If you had to choose between a B&K AV5000 -5 channel (series 1) and a B&K reference 2220- 2 channel, which would you suggest? If I purchased the AV5000 I would biamp the RTi12's.