2 channel help

j_shuttlesworth
j_shuttlesworth Posts: 1
edited October 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Hey Polkies! Right now I'm running my PS3 into my Yamaha Rx-V661 7.1 receiver (via HDMI), which is driving my Polk Audio T90e's as fronts, CS1 as center, R50's as surrounds with a PS10 sub.

However, I'm wanting to get into higher quality 2 channel audio but it's way more confusing than I imagined (pre-amps, dac, etc..). My original plan was to pick up a used Adcom power amp and just run it through my pre-outs. This still seems like a viable option, but I've seen some sharp looking integrated tube amps that might be in my budget.

So I'd like to keep my PS3 as my source, and I want to keep my T90e's, but I have no idea where to go now. The budget is around $500, so going with complete seperates probably won't be happening lol. But what do you guys think, should I invest in a power amp or look into some of these tube integrated amps? Also, if this is in the wrong forum, I apologize. Thank you!
yamaha rx-v661 (receiver)
polk audio t90e (front)
polk audio cs1 (center)
polk audio r50 (surround)
polk audio psw10 (sub)
ps3
vizio 42" plasma tv
Post edited by j_shuttlesworth on

Comments

  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    Hi there, shuttlesworth.

    Welcome to CP!:biggrin:

    There is a ton of good info on this site. The site recently went through an upgrade, during which one of the Polk Techies alluded to the fact that there are MILLIONS on posts archived here.:eek:, so get your search on when you can.

    As far as your 2-channel dilemma...hmm.

    What tubed integrated amps are you looking at? Getting into tubes is a whole different ballpark than staying solid state. Not necessarily better, but a different ballpark nonetheless.

    I like separates because you can upgrade piece by piece. This mentality would lead you towards a used 2-channel power amp, as you mentioned.

    I'm not familiar with the PS3, but if it has digital audio outs, you could also consider an external DAC.

    I good question for you would be:

    Does something sound deficient to you? Is there a problem that you're trying to correct? If not, then what are you looking to achieve with this next upgrade?


    Cheers,

    Ben
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • TORO3 (TORI3)
    TORO3 (TORI3) Posts: 8
    edited October 2011
    With your budget I'd say a tube integrated would be your best bet from Audiogon. Like Ben said, tube is a completely different ballpark.
    HT: RTi8s, CSi5, RTi4s, HSU ULS-15, Elite VSX23, Sunfire Cinema Seven

    2-CH: Sierra-1s, Sunfire HRS-8, CJ MF2300, Parasound P3, MH Maverick SACD
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2011
    Just my .02 but I would forget about the amp and invest in upgrading your speakers. If your going to stick with the ps3 as a source and an entry level receiver as a pre, your limiting yourself in the 2 channel arena. The best bang for your buck will come with better front speakers.
    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
  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited October 2011
    I had the same dilmema as you. I first went w/ a Yamaha RX-V665 w/ Klipsch set 500 smalls and really wasn't all that impressed.I went the 2chl way by getting an Adcom gfa555 amp into an Onkyo p-301 pre and a pair of pristine refoamed Infinity SM112s and for the $ I laid out I couldn't be happier.
    Adcom gfa555 $300 from Audio Classics
    Onkyo p-301 $60 garage sale
    Infinty SM112s $ 40 from a very desperate guy through c/l
    Denon 1940 ci cdp $90 w/ h/t pkkg.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited October 2011
    Post 6 Laurel421 reported as spam for removal
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
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    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
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