Convince me to keep RTi-A9

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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,338
    edited December 2010
    Put on your favorite tunes and rock them through midnite...congrats...keepum

    Happy New Year
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited December 2010
    If it hasn't been posted yet, there are tons of used amps on www.canuckaudiomart.com . Also check out www.audio-one.ca - if you're in Toronto area - they usually have some used amps (trade-ins) for sale in the store.
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
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    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited December 2010
    Congrats!

    I know this may take the subject a different direction - but I honestly think tweeter height has a HUGE impact on sound quality.

    The difference between my Super Towers and 7u is about 6" in height and honestly the staging, clarity - everything is far superior. It could be just an all around better speaker but they are similar with the tweeter height being a primary difference.

    I would love to hear the RTi12 next to a smaller RTi tower to see how they compare.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    Been running on a 50wpc old japanese amp... kept low volumes to avoid clipping.... Wow are the highs and mids ever clear. Great for classical.
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    gfong wrote: »
    I ordered the Emotiva XPA-3.

    http://www.emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

    I guess I will take my chances, as "Uncomfortable Kurt" says they are shite! :)

    Looks interesting.

    How did you order? I tried to order from them and I couldnt even select canada.
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • gfong
    gfong Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2011
    el_duderino wrote: »
    Looks interesting.

    How did you order? I tried to order from them and I couldnt even select canada.

    Hi, If you select International orders at the top of the hone page it will direct you to here:
    http://emotiva.com/quote.html

    Fill out your info and what ever else you need to ask.

    In my case I filled out the quote and within 2 days I recieved an email back with the totals broke down and how to proceed.

    I phoned and spoke to Sarah, then got her to Paypal me an invoice. If done before 1pm she will ship them out the same day. She mentioned that it usually takes 3 days to SW Ontario, but with the season and stuff it may take a little longer.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    Thanks I got the quote. Should I go for it? Comparable Rotel is $1600. Used adcom or rotel for about 700.
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    Why is it that the "200 wpc minimum" has become such a universal blanket statement here?

    For low level/moderate listening, I would imagine that a solid 100 wpc amp would be quite adequate. I run my SDA 2A's with a 100 wpc Adcom 545...and they sound absolutely fantastic at lower/moderate levels. They also sound fantastic when I crank them up. To further that point, my SDA 2A's are also significantly harder to drive than the RTiA9's, since they're 4 ohms nominal...versus the A9's being 8 ohms nominal.

    That's not to say that there aren't going to be benefits in having a higher powered amp, however, you shouldn't sacrifice quality in the name of meeting the "200 wpc minimum". The wattage rating isn't everything. The current and capacitance capabilities of an amp are every bit as important. You'll be able to get a nice high quality 100 wpc amp for the same price as a subpar 200 wpc amp...and in most respects, you'll probably achieve roughly the same dynamic capabilities with a good high current 100 wpc amp, as compared to a somewhat subpar 200 wpc amp.

    My wimpy little COMPLETELY INADEQUATE 100 wpc amp will drive my SDA's high enough that my neighbor across the street can open his window up and feel like he's there in my listening room with me. :tongue: But...according to the gospel on here, my amp is apparently worth it's weight in flea droppings.:rolleyes: After all...it is ONLY 100 wpc.

    The first watt is the one that matters...and the amp is only going to sound as good as that first watt will allow it to sound. Don't sacrifice quality for quantity.


    Since you've already got it on hand, try using one of the amps you already have. You may be surprised. The wattage of a lot of those older amps is rated somewhat conservatively.

    The 50wpc isn't cutting it. Almost no bass whatsoever. Highs and midhighs are clean tho.

    Point taken, that being said can you recommend a good 100w amp? Would not mind going separate, scored a nice low buck preamp
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • Motorcity
    Motorcity Posts: 6
    edited January 2011
    I too have Rti A9's on the way with a Denon 3311ci as well. Will the Emotiva XPA-3 work or should I wait for the XPA-5 to come back in stock?

    Jim
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,015
    edited January 2011
    Motorcity wrote: »
    I too have Rti A9's on the way with a Denon 3311ci as well. Will the Emotiva XPA-3 work or should I wait for the XPA-5 to come back in stock?

    Jim

    Why wouldn't it work ?
    HT SYSTEM-
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    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
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  • gfong
    gfong Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2011
    Motorcity wrote: »
    I too have Rti A9's on the way with a Denon 3311ci as well. Will the Emotiva XPA-3 work or should I wait for the XPA-5 to come back in stock?

    Jim

    Any amp (brand/channel) will work, it is what you want to do with it that matters. With a 3 channel amp in your system your Denon would power the other speakers that are not powered by the amp. (surrounds and or rears depending on a 5.1 or 7.1 setup)
    If you got a 5 channel amp, the amp would power all 5 speakers.

    Good luck with your choices.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    After much deliberation, I have decided to get the emotiva xpa-e.

    While I realize this amp is universally despised on this forum, i am satisfied with my decision. My low buck stereo system officially costs as much as my motorcycle did. I cannot in good conscience spend any more than I did. I'll save the 2-3k and drop it on a ducati instead which produces its own kind of music.


    As it stands:

    Polk rti-a9
    Emotiva xpa-2
    Adcom gtp600 preamp
    Grant fidelity dac-09
    Roku m2000
    Technics cd player (from 1985)

    I will post some pics when I get the chance.

    Should also mention that Sarah at Emotiva is amazing to deal with, she made the buying experience excellent and painless
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • gfong
    gfong Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2011
    el_duderino wrote: »
    After much deliberation, I have decided to get the emotiva xpa-e.

    While I realize this amp is universally despised on this forum, i am satisfied with my decision. My low buck stereo system officially costs as much as my motorcycle did. I cannot in good conscience spend any more than I did. I'll save the 2-3k and drop it on a ducati instead which produces its own kind of music.


    As it stands:

    Polk rti-a9
    Emotiva xpa-2
    Adcom gtp600 preamp
    Grant fidelity dac-09
    Roku m2000
    Technics cd player (from 1985)

    I will post some pics when I get the chance.

    Should also mention that Sarah at Emotiva is amazing to deal with, she made the buying experience excellent and painless

    Good choice that supports your logic. I am in the same boat for money spent on my system, it is not a high end system but I did want some more power to run the 9's.
    I like the Emotiva amp that I just purchased, it works great and does the job.

    Great customer service from Emotiva.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    grumble grumble, the waiting is killing me
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • el_duderino
    el_duderino Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    it's here.... wowowowowowow.

    I didn't realize realize I'd need new furniture. I do not trust any of my ikea garbage

    at all

    i took a little stout nighttable and even it is kinda wobbly

    used preamp has a scratchy balance knob. Very annoyed. Played withit and it kinda works.

    Anyway.... who needs a subwoofer with these things?


    more later....
    I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
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  • jetblac
    jetblac Posts: 5
    edited May 2011
    I am wonder if I need more power cause these cones barely move. It's been a long time ... but I am chiming in now. I have had mine for a week now ... Guess how I got here.
    I don't feel the bass, and I don't hear it. I feel like there is something missing from some of my favorite pieces. Grover Washington: A Secret Place - Definitely lacking Bass, and sounds nothing how I expected it too. I have heard this song over the last 30 years on everything I have ever heard; this made my heart sink immediately. I have bi amped with straight runs from cd source and then from a preamp; even with the bass turned up it sounds off. My room is 18X13 and the ceiling is vaulted to about 18. I am using an Adcom GFA 555 a B&K Reference 20 and a plain ole sony reciever to run the highs. It sure sounds clean, I can tell you that. mid bass has some punch, I like that, but the low end is M.I.A maybe even P.O.W. lol. I even moved them to a smaller room 13X16X8.
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  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited May 2011
    jetblac wrote: »
    I am wonder if I need more power cause these cones barely move. It's been a long time ... but I am chiming in now. I have had mine for a week now ... Guess how I got here.
    I don't feel the bass, and I don't hear it. I feel like there is something missing from some of my favorite pieces. Grover Washington: A Secret Place - Definitely lacking Bass, and sounds nothing how I expected it too. I have heard this song over the last 30 years on everything I have ever heard; this made my heart sink immediately. I have bi amped with straight runs from cd source and then from a preamp; even with the bass turned up it sounds off. My room is 18X13 and the ceiling is vaulted to about 18. I am using an Adcom GFA 555 a B&K Reference 20 and a plain ole sony reciever to run the highs. It sure sounds clean, I can tell you that. mid bass has some punch, I like that, but the low end is M.I.A maybe even P.O.W. lol. I even moved them to a smaller room 13X16X8.

    Check crossover cut off. ( maybe be set to 80hz or higher, try 50Hz)

    Check EQ, I gave my RTi A9's added boost in 120Hz and 63 Hz ranges and was more than pleased.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
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  • jetblac
    jetblac Posts: 5
    edited June 2011
    SRTer wrote: »
    Check crossover cut off. ( maybe be set to 80hz or higher, try 50Hz)

    Check EQ, I gave my RTi A9's added boost in 120Hz and 63 Hz ranges and was more than pleased.

    Thanks
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  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited June 2011
    jetblac wrote: »
    Thanks

    Well, what did you do? And what was the out come?
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
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