AVR or AVR + AMP?

cascius
cascius Posts: 179
edited March 2011 in Electronics
Hi guys, I've got the following 5.1 gear and I'm trying to figure out what would be the right choice for an amp:
2x M70s
1x CS2
2x M40s
1 PSW505 (need to order it but i know I'm going for that one.)

My budget is about $400-$700 and I'm thinking about getting the Pioneer 1120k. A lot of people seem to recommend it and I'm very close to pull the trigger on it.

What I'm wondering though is should I instead get a cheaper AVR and a 2nd dedicated amp to drive the M70s. Also, would it be feasible in my price range? If not, I guess I'll just order an 1120k. :)

Thanks in advance,

- Olivier
Main System:
Front: SDA 2ATLs
Center: CS2
Surround: M40s
Sub: PSW505
Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1121k
Amp: Carver AV 705x
TV: Samsung LN52A650
Media Player: Chromecast/Boxee Box
BD Player: Sony BDP-S470
Consoles: Xbox360, Wii U
Post edited by cascius on
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,059
    edited March 2011
    The 1120 will do you fine driving those speaks and since it does have pre outs,your all set to add an amp down the road if you care to.
    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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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited March 2011
    ^good advice given your stated situation.
    If you really wanted to go with an amp now, you should look at a pre/pro and an amp. No use spending money on an amp section you don't need.
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,598
    edited March 2011
    +1 to what TonyB said. With the option to add an amp, you can take your time deciding which one you want and then wait for it to be the price you want since you can still use your speakers with the AVR you have.

    That way you can save up and by one mega amp rather than upgrade it as you need more power....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cascius
    cascius Posts: 179
    edited March 2011
    That was pretty much what i had in mind.

    Thanks a lot guys, as always everybody was very useful. And as a last check, 1120k is fine right? I can spend a tid bit more if another amp would be much better. (~$700ish)

    - Olivier
    Main System:
    Front: SDA 2ATLs
    Center: CS2
    Surround: M40s
    Sub: PSW505
    Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1121k
    Amp: Carver AV 705x
    TV: Samsung LN52A650
    Media Player: Chromecast/Boxee Box
    BD Player: Sony BDP-S470
    Consoles: Xbox360, Wii U
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,598
    edited March 2011
    cascius wrote: »
    That was pretty much what i had in mind.

    Thanks a lot guys, as always everybody was very useful. And as a last check, 1120k is fine right? I can spend a tid bit more if another amp would be much better. (~$700ish)

    - Olivier

    Your fine. I think you have more power than my Integra DTR 5.9 has and it had no trouble at all driving my Monitor 60's, CS2, Monitor 40 combo.

    And when it comes time to add an amp, I would just go with a 3 channel for your fronts. Amping your surrounds isnt needed unless you listen to a lot of multichannel music and still even then it might not be, since your AVR is only powering 4 speakers max....

    Also, suggest you drop the 2 sets of Monitor 40's for Monitor 30's. Save the cash you wont notice the difference more than likely.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cascius
    cascius Posts: 179
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Your fine. I think you have more power than my Integra DTR 5.9 has and it had no trouble at all driving my Monitor 60's, CS2, Monitor 40 combo.

    I cranked it all the way on the Integra once and my ears were about to bleed out but the Monitor 60's were just smiling and dancing :)

    Ahah, I currently run that setup with a cheapo Onkyo 308 (i think that's what it is) and I have gone above 60% yet. But I do feel it lacks some power to drive the M70s, hence the upgrade. :)

    I have to say I'm sooo happy already with my setup, it brought the experience watching movies to a whole new level.

    Gotta love how I started end of last year by buying an Onkyo HTIB for $320 and just a few months later I'm building a system worth 5 times more. I know it's nothing compared to what a lot of people spend on here, but it's so much fun, I'm loving it!

    I can't wait to have that sub and the new amp.

    - Olivier
    Main System:
    Front: SDA 2ATLs
    Center: CS2
    Surround: M40s
    Sub: PSW505
    Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1121k
    Amp: Carver AV 705x
    TV: Samsung LN52A650
    Media Player: Chromecast/Boxee Box
    BD Player: Sony BDP-S470
    Consoles: Xbox360, Wii U
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  • cascius
    cascius Posts: 179
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    And when it comes time to add an amp, I would just go with a 3 channel for your fronts.
    Any suggestions on where to look for such 3 channel amps? Is there a good site for those? I wouldn't mind starting to do some research on those.
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Also, suggest you drop the 2 sets of Monitor 40's for Monitor 30's. Save the cash you wont notice the difference more than likely.
    I already have the M40s, so replacing them with M30s probably isn't an option.

    Thanks,

    - Olivier
    Main System:
    Front: SDA 2ATLs
    Center: CS2
    Surround: M40s
    Sub: PSW505
    Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1121k
    Amp: Carver AV 705x
    TV: Samsung LN52A650
    Media Player: Chromecast/Boxee Box
    BD Player: Sony BDP-S470
    Consoles: Xbox360, Wii U
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,598
    edited March 2011
    cascius wrote: »
    Ahah, I currently run that setup with a cheapo Onkyo 308 (i think that's what it is) and I have gone above 60% yet. But I do feel it lacks some power to drive the M70s, hence the upgrade. :)

    If you wanted to verify that fact, disconnect your surrounds and see if your Monitor 70's sound any better, but I fully believe your right in the lacking power department.
    cascius wrote: »
    Any suggestions on where to look for such 3 channel amps? Is there a good site for those? I wouldn't mind starting to do some research on those.

    Members here list items for sale in the Flea Market section, ebay is another place to look sometimes as well as Audiogon.

    Audiogon is probably one of the better places besides the Flea Market here....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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