My Acurus A200x3 arrived today...

slammin86
slammin86 Posts: 238
edited March 2011 in Electronics
...and made a huge difference.

My monster cable rca's have not arrived yet, so I got some old cheapies out of the attic to get it all hooked up and make sure it works. Wow is all I can say.

My setup consists of an onkyo rc270, polk monitor 70 towers, cs2 center, monitor 30 surrounds, and an elemental designs a2-300 subwoofer. (and a 52" lg lcd tv) This acurus a200x3 that I bought is now powering my center and sides, leaving the receiver to power the 2 surrounds. It is amazing the difference it made.

On 2 and 2.1 channel music it is amazing what the 70's do with power. I liked them before...I love them now. I now have nice midbass punch, and the whole soundstage seems 10ft wider. I am hearing details I have not heard before in music.

I listened to music for about an hour at moderate to high levels. It gets loud and sounds good doing it.

Have not had a chance to watch much TV...but did watch an episode of sparticus that I had recorded. The center channel loves its new found power also, and it is easy to see that the rears are now getting the power they deserve since the receiver only has to power 2 speakers.

This is the closest I have came to a "high end" setup, and while it is still mediocre compared to what a lot of you guys have, I am very pleased with it.
Receiver: ONKYO 709
Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
Front: EmpTek E55Ti
Center: EmpTek E56Ci
Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
TV: LG 55"
Blu-Ray: PS3
Post edited by slammin86 on
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Comments

  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    Oh, and one more crazy thing to add. I had read about this and just had to try it for myself.

    While playing music, I can turn off power to the amp and unplug the amp from the wall and the music just keeps playing...and playing...and playing...and after a few minutes slowly fusses out. Show's this thing has some major power reserves.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,385
    edited March 2011
    Nothing is mediocre when you get that kinda joy....congrats
    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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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited March 2011
    Ed Zachry. That's a great setup. I've had a couple Acurus amps in my travels, well built, good sound, period. Joy in audio doesn't have a pricetag attached.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2011
    Congratulations! Acurus amp are very good ones. I had one before and I liked it very much.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited March 2011
    Congrats man, glad to see you getting your hi-fi on. See, we don't just blow smoke up your arse when we say all speaks can benefit from good power. Rock on.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • stubby
    stubby Posts: 723
    edited March 2011
    Congrats on your amp! Have owned mine for a few years now and still love it. Acurus tends to get overlooked but they make very solid, well built components. Have thought about checking out an Aragon (Acurus' big brother) amp just to see how it compares.

    stubby
    SRS 3.1TL
    Harman Kardon Citation 5.1
    Anthem AVM2



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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited March 2011
    Congrats on the new toy bro. Happy viewing/listening.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2011
    Congrats and welcome to the separate amplification rocks club! Enjoy yourself.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    And all the stuff has arrived for me to make my cables pretty. I will post pics of them soon.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    ~M~ cables suck and are over priced.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    ~M~ cables suck and are over priced.

    When you buy them retail they are very overpriced, but when you look around on amazon and ebay you can usually find them much more reasonably.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    Doesn't help their SQ at all. There is better and little difference in cost.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Doesn't help their SQ at all. There is better and little difference in cost.

    What do you suggest?
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    You have a decent setup. I would look at signal cables. They don't cost much and if you mention that you are a Club Polk member you get a discount:wink:
    Enjoy
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    I will keep that in mind for the future. For now I am going to stick to the cables that I already have.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2011
    I have one of those amps, great sound quality for the price.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    The more I listen the more I love it. External power is the key on these speakers.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2011
    External power is the key to all speakers!:smile:
    slammin86 wrote: »
    The more I listen the more I love it. External power is the key on these speakers.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2011
    Congrats on the Amp!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    cfrizz wrote: »
    External power is the key to all speakers!:smile:

    I think you're right. LOL. It almost makes me want to get a 2 channel to run my surrounds...lol.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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  • stangjason
    stangjason Posts: 341
    edited March 2011
    How do the Acurus amps match up to the Polk Rti line of speakers? Are they bright amps? Oh I'm considering a 100x3 right now.
    Pioneer vsx-1120k, B&K Sonata series video-5 amplifier, Polk Rti8, Fxi3, Csi5, and HSU VTF-1
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2011
    :biggrin:Been there, done that. I started out with a 2 channel Parasound, then got an Outlaw monoblock, finally I got my 5 channel Sunfire. All of my speakers are now very happy & so am I.:biggrin:

    This is precisely why I always recommend a 5-7 channel amp & be done with this particular upgrade.
    slammin86 wrote: »
    I think you're right. LOL. It almost makes me want to get a 2 channel to run my surrounds...lol.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,560
    edited March 2011
    Had an A200x3 at one time. Now own it's big brother, the Aragon 8008x3. The Acurus comes surprisingly close for less than half the cost. Klipsch killed them off, but at least there's still support out there for them.

    http://www.indyaudiolabs.com/

    No experience with them as my amps have never needed service. Just passing it on.

    -Dave
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  • slammin86
    slammin86 Posts: 238
    edited March 2011
    DaveHo wrote: »
    Had an A200x3 at one time. Now own it's big brother, the Aragon 8008x3. The Acurus comes surprisingly close for less than half the cost. Klipsch killed them off, but at least there's still support out there for them.

    http://www.indyaudiolabs.com/

    No experience with them as my amps have never needed service. Just passing it on.

    -Dave

    I had actually been in contact with indy about a new power switch. But when mine arrived it was working.
    Receiver: ONKYO 709
    Amplifier: Acurus A200x3
    Front: EmpTek E55Ti
    Center: EmpTek E56Ci
    Surround: EmpTek E5Bi
    Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350
    TV: LG 55"
    Blu-Ray: PS3
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