How to Apply a 2 Channel Amp to my Setup?

venterminator

Hi there.

I have Polk TSI400 fronts, a CS20 center channel, and RM8's as my rear channels, a DSW600 sub, all powered by a Pioneer VSX 1120 receiver. Despite the receivers "beefy" power claims, I really, REALLY have to crank this thing up in order to get any volume (it's a big room). I have been wanting to take advantage of my preouts on this, and got my hands on an Onkyo 282 2 channel amplifier. (2 channels at 100 watts).

Now I just need to decide how to get the most out of my system. Should I let the 2 channel amp take care of my rear channels, or put them on the front channels? My friend tells me that either way, it will free up the receiver to deliver more juice to the entire system once I put 2 channels on the amp.

My tower speakers can be dual amped as well. Perhaps put the amp on the rear channels and dual amp the 400's? Not sure how to best take advantage of the amp. Would really appreciate any advice. I don't like having to push my receiver to its limits in order to get a heavy dose of volume. (For movies, I have to get it around -15 in order to get a decent theater experience and hear the dialogue).

Advice appreciated! Thanks!

EndersShadow

Your going to want a 3 channel rather than 2. Otherwise you may find your mains are overpowering your center.

If you have to keep the 2 channel amp, start looking for a 1 channel from the same manufacture w/ somewhat same spec's (which is a bit harder than just getting a different 3 channel amp).

Ignore the fact your Monitors have a second set of binding posts and just connect them like normal speakers to the 2 channel amp for right now.

BTW how big a room we talking? That makes a big difference as well.

venterminator

It's a finished basement area, about 600 square feet.

I need some sort of amplification since the working volume is so high on the receiver. It just seems like I'm not getting enough power to the system, and have to max out the receiver to get significant volume (in rare instances, like music at a party or a big sporting event).

I can probably trade or move the 2 channel amp and go for something. But if I get a 3 channel, would my rear speakers then be overpowered? Or would the power in the receiver be significant enough to keep up?

My "grand" scheme is to make it a 7.1 system by adding another pair of RM8's to the side and power the entire system appropriately. Not sure how to pull that off, mixing amps looks expensive and confusing!

If you have any tips to get better volume performance or adding amps, I'm all ears.

EndersShadow

Your front 3 powered by an amp would be all you need. Your surrounds would be fine running off just the Pioneer.

Personally I would look for something with 125 wpc.

tonyb

An amp will definately make your system sound better, but don't expect too much more loudness. IMHO- for a big room, you need some bigger speakers. Your only going to get x amount of loudness out of the TSI's...amped or not.

B Run

Run your towers off the amp, and use the Pioneer for the rears and center. I have a big room too and whether or not I used my amp I still listen to movies at -14 or so. It's a pioneer thing, I was at the same level on my 1120 without and with an amp, and my Elite SC-35 is the exact same way. Don't worry too much about the numbers as long as it sounds clean and not distorted.

tonyb

EndersShadow wrote: »

Your going to want a 3 channel rather than 2. Otherwise you may find your mains are overpowering your center.

If you have to keep the 2 channel amp, start looking for a 1 channel from the same manufacture w/ somewhat same spec's (which is a bit harder than just getting a different 3 channel amp).

Ignore the fact your Monitors have a second set of binding posts and just connect them like normal speakers to the 2 channel amp for right now.

BTW how big a room we talking? That makes a big difference as well.

Good advice right here.

djperez81

xcapri79 wrote: »

Connect the Onkyo 282 to the TSi400's and run MCACC on the 1120 to set your volumes.
I should give you a noticable improvement. You may want to increase your center channel +3dB to suit.

If that doesn't sound good enough, I recommend an Emotiva XPA-3 for the front speakers and you are done.

Thats what i would do. I used to run the 282 on my front towers and i had turn turn the level up on the center a bit. But i sounded good till i got my 5 ch amp.

spock 2054

I bought a new car recently, and have not had the budget for a 5 ch amp...I unboxed my old (circa 1989) Pioneer VSX-4500S, and am using that for an amp for the front channels - the Onkyo 806 acting as the pre-amp and amp for the center and surrounds. That old Pioneer seems to have more heft to it than the Onkyo, especially when listening in stereo - without the subs. That upgrade bug is nipping at me. I took the advice from PrazVT in previous post about bi-amping and not losing the surround back channels and used the Pioneer in place of the suggested Onkyo M-282 - The 70's seem to have opened up somewhat:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106213

I hesitate to suggest this here (lol), but how about Onkyo's inexpensive M-282 power amp (105w x 2 @ 8ohms)? You could go:

Onkyo 806 -> first binding post on speakers
Onkyo 806 pre-outs -> Onkyo M-282 -> second binding post on speakers

You wouldn't have to turn the bi-amp function on and lose the rear surrounds. My RTi A7s are powered like that - Denon AVR-3311ci (125wpc) to mid/highs and the Onkyo amp to the woofers. Did the same thing w/ the previous Yamaha RX-V663 (95wpc) and it's a significant improvement from using the AVR's internal bi-amp function. The slightly differing power outputs don't seem to affect the sound from what I can tell.

Anyway, just a 'quick fix' suggestion ... ultimately a dedicated amp is better but depends on your situation. Just my 2 cents

reeltrouble1

The two channel amp needs to be connected to your Front Left and Right speakers. This is going to improve your system. BTW you have the makings of being able to build a very enjoyable rig for both music and HT. Sound Quality is more critical for stereo music listening so the ampflier is best put to use there. Addtionally, your receiver actually shares a power source for all its channels, it is great you already have a powered sub as this takes a big load off your receiver, now the receiver will be free to pretty much just power the center channel as the surrounds do not actualy put much load on the power supply as their is little information on the actual disc that goes to surrounds.

You are on your way, enjoy your gear.

RT1

danz1906

spock 2054 wrote: »

I bought a new car recently, and have not had the budget for a 5 ch amp...I unboxed my old (circa 1989) Pioneer VSX-4500S, and am using that for an amp for the front channels - the Onkyo 806 acting as the pre-amp and amp for the center and surrounds. That old Pioneer seems to have more heft to it than the Onkyo, especially when listening in stereo - without the subs. That upgrade bug is nipping at me. I took the advice from PrazVT in previous post about bi-amping and not losing the surround back channels and used the Pioneer in place of the suggested Onkyo M-282 - The 70's seem to have opened up somewhat:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106213

I hesitate to suggest this here (lol), but how about Onkyo's inexpensive M-282 power amp (105w x 2 @ 8ohms)? You could go:

Onkyo 806 -> first binding post on speakers
Onkyo 806 pre-outs -> Onkyo M-282 -> second binding post on speakers

You wouldn't have to turn the bi-amp function on and lose the rear surrounds. My RTi A7s are powered like that - Denon AVR-3311ci (125wpc) to mid/highs and the Onkyo amp to the woofers. Did the same thing w/ the previous Yamaha RX-V663 (95wpc) and it's a significant improvement from using the AVR's internal bi-amp function. The slightly differing power outputs don't seem to affect the sound from what I can tell.

Anyway, just a 'quick fix' suggestion ... ultimately a dedicated amp is better but depends on your situation. Just my 2 cents

Nice car.....Is that the new Kia Optima?

spock 2054

danz1906 wrote: »

Nice car.....Is that the new Kia Optima?

Yes it is - an SX Turbo..Fast and fuel efficient.

spock 2054

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

The two channel amp needs to be connected to your Front Left and Right speakers. This is going to improve your system. BTW you have the makings of being able to build a very enjoyable rig for both music and HT. Sound Quality is more critical for stereo music listening so the ampflier is best put to use there. Addtionally, your receiver actually shares a power source for all its channels, it is great you already have a powered sub as this takes a big load off your receiver, now the receiver will be free to pretty much just power the center channel as the surrounds do not actualy put much load on the power supply as their is little information on the actual disc that goes to surrounds.

You are on your way, enjoy your gear.

RT1

Hi reeltrouble:

The Pioneer is connected to the Monitor 70's in front. I am quite satisfied with the way the system kicks. By the way, there are 2 subs in my setup. Just to clarify your point about signal that is sent to the surrounds - in home theater mode, the surround channels can be very active, and there can be momentary peaks in the audio that do require some juice to my Monitor 60's in the back of the room. Also, a good amount of music discs, for example, my HD DVD copy of Nine Inch Nails, Beside You In Time, has some really intense stuff happening in the rear channels.

If you look at the pix of my ht from 2002, and compare it to today, the only pieces of equipment that exist at this writing are the Ikea racks and the RCA dogs. woof. Looking forward to installing a 5 or 7 channel amp down the road - but for now, the current setup is more that adequate for my ears..

tonyb

venterminator wrote: »

Hi there.

I have Polk TSI400 fronts, a CS20 center channel, and RM8's as my rear channels, a DSW600 sub, all powered by a Pioneer VSX 1120 receiver. Despite the receivers "beefy" power claims, I really, REALLY have to crank this thing up in order to get any volume (it's a big room). I have been wanting to take advantage of my preouts on this, and got my hands on an Onkyo 282 2 channel amplifier. (2 channels at 100 watts).

Now I just need to decide how to get the most out of my system. Should I let the 2 channel amp take care of my rear channels, or put them on the front channels? My friend tells me that either way, it will free up the receiver to deliver more juice to the entire system once I put 2 channels on the amp.

My tower speakers can be dual amped as well. Perhaps put the amp on the rear channels and dual amp the 400's? Not sure how to best take advantage of the amp. Would really appreciate any advice. I don't like having to push my receiver to its limits in order to get a heavy dose of volume. (For movies, I have to get it around -15 in order to get a decent theater experience and hear the dialogue).

Advice appreciated! Thanks!

Put the amp on the front left and right channels, your done,enjoy.

Systems

tonyb wrote: »

Good advice right here.

...+2...tonyb...Great advice!