Need Helpful suggestion

jumpindick

Hello Dear Audio Gurus,
This is my second post on the forum after joining it a few weeks back. I have been enjoying reading this forum. People do HELP out a lot by providing valuable suggestions and ideas. I have not seen such a cooperation on many other forums that I have visited in past. I would really hope that someone gives me some great suggestion/advise on my issue.

I have recently purchased Polk Audio RTi A9 as front towers, CSi A6 as central channel, FXi A6 as surrounds and PSW11 as a sub (it came free with the prchase of other equipements from Crutchfield.com. Infact, I devided the total purchase in three separate transactions-- they were offering a promotion that when you buy HT items worth 499.00 and up, get a sub for free. I know some would feel that I was greedy, but I plan to do 7.2 channels).

After bying the speakers, now I am on hunt for an amp and an av receiver. I have done some reading on this forum as well as on other websites, and there is a common feeling to use an amplifier to drive RTi A9s. Amp from EMOTIVA has got some positive reviews. I am considering to buy XPA-3 as an external amp (for driving the towers and central channel). As for the receiver, I want to buy something with preouts to take the advantage of external amp. I have struggled with selection for a while. I wanted to buy Yamaha aventage RX-A1010, but then it is too expensive for me (considering I am going to buy XPA-3). I have kinda decided to go ahead with harman Kardon AVR 3600. It has got preouts. I am not too much into airplay and other internet related activity via receiver. I will be using 5.1 channel system, for now, for mainly movies (about 90%). Later on I am thinking to buy a good CD player and use the system also for music.

Can someone help me by providing suggestion/comments on the choice that I have made for amp (emotiva xpa-3) and receiver (H/K AVR 3600)?

I have read a few comments here on the forum and people do tend to say emotiva products are good. At moment, I also am strapped with some budget issues. The max I can spend is about 1300 USD for both amp and receiver.

One more thing-- can someone please recommand a good quality speaker cable and the interconnects between receiver and amp?

I apologize if you guys find the write up a bit too much. My intention was to explain my situation.

THank you in advance for all your help and support.

Dhaval.

F1nut

I would suggest you buy a nice AVR, like a Pioneer Elite SC37 for now. It will drive your speakers just fine. Then, if you still want an amp, save up for something worth buying.

jumpindick

Thanks F1.. I appreciate your response. So Emotiva XPA-3 is not something good to consider or are you suggesting to get something better in future? I will look into sc-35. I see it is 140 w per channel. That is good. I was thinking that ultimately if I am going to add an external amp in the system, then why to spend so much on avr.

Can you recommend some other brands for amp?
Thank you for your reply.
Dhaval.

chumlie

Not a guru, but i have to agree with F1. Also you may want to look at used amps when the time comes. There usually well cared for. MIT EXp1 or signal are good ic's. Canare 4s11 good speaker wire. I drive my front 2 (Rti a7's) with a Parasound and have had good results. I'm now looking at a monoblock for the center. You should be ok with the emo. Some swear by them, others not so much.

jumpindick

Thanks Chumlie,
Considering me being newbie, anyone who has been in this area for a while, I consider them "Guru". So you are one, at least for me anyways.. I am really thinking about the elite. What I am confused about is that there are many posts online that I came across and which indicate that RTi A9 are "power hungry" and external amp is the way to go. Considering SC-37 being 140 w per channel and there are 7.1 channels, the only thing bothers me is that this 140 w rating is with all channels driven or only a couple.

Thanks.

EndersShadow

jumpindick wrote: »

Thanks Chumlie,
Considering me being newbie, anyone who has been in this area for a while, I consider them "Guru". So you are one, at least for me anyways.. I am really thinking about the elite. What I am confused about is that there are many posts online that I came across and which indicate that RTi A9 are "power hungry" and external amp is the way to go. Considering SC-37 being 140 w per channel and there are 7.1 channels, the only thing bothers me is that this 140 w rating is with all channels driven or only a couple.

Thanks.

The Pioneer SC amps use different types of amp boards than other brands like Onkyo. As a result their ratings per channel are closer to what they list with all channels driven.

So where a Onkyo listing 120 wpc may only deliver 25 wpc with all 7 driven, the Pioneer SC's are going to be really close to the 140 wpc rating with all 7 channels driven.

If you search you will find its the most recommended receiver for the RTi line due to its power ratings and overall feature set. Will a dedicated amp make them sound better, more than likely yes, but a 3 channel amp with more power than the SC AVR will cost a pretty penny.

Start with the Pioneer SC and you may never actually need/want to upgrade but since the SC receivers have pre-outs you do have that option later on.

PSOVLSK

jumpindick wrote: »

I was thinking that ultimately if I am going to add an external amp in the system, then why to spend so much on avr.

I tend to agree with this, but it appears as though you plan to power the surrounds with the AVR. If so, a better AVR makes sense.

Amp brands: Parasound, NAD, Sunfire, Rotel, Anthem, etc., etc. Go to audiogon.com and search for multi-channel amps. It'll make your head spin.

As Enders said though, you may get the Pioneer and decide you don't need an external amp.

Posted this and went to the FM. Here you go: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?130289-Marantz-sr7002-Receiver-7.1-w-HDMI-110x7

chumlie

Pioneer SC-55 brand new at Amazon or Ebay for under $1100 shipped is what i would get now if your looking at new. Then see if a retailer or someone you know will let you demo an amp to see if thats what you want before you spend the money. If your gonna be running 2 powered subs, you may not need or want an amp.

wood4sheep2

from one newbie to another.

After help on this site I snagged an emotiva xpa-5 and it will be in Thursday. Got some Blue Jean Cables coming in too to connect it. We have same speakers cept woofie so I will let you know how it works out from a newbie perspective. :cheesygrin:

flyfisher

Hey Jump.Welcome to the forums and nice to see a local.
If you are in the market of buying a used elite,I found someone selling a SC-05 close to you.No affiliation http://modesto.craigslist.org/ele/2881901613.html

Good luck

jumpindick

Hi Flyfisher,
Good to see that you are also local. Since yesterday I am very very shocked to see such great help on this forum. I mean happily shocked.. in a positive way... Seriously I can't express enough how happy I am to see the suppport. I will give this guy a call and will see if I can see the receiver. Thanks for your help.

jumpindick

Hi Wood4sheep2, Can't wait to see what you find about xpa-5. Do let us know. Appreciate your comment.

jumpindick

Guys,
Thanks for your help. I called a local authorized dealer of Pioneer to inquire about SC-37 (as mentioned by F1 and made me intersted-thanks), they do not have one. The sales guy sugggested SC-55. Although I am going to do some more reading on that, any idea about SC-55 compared to SC-37?

F1nut

The SC-37 is last years model, the SC-55 and SC-57 are the current models. You can buy a used SC-37 cheaper than the new models, which is why I suggested it, and have some money left over for cables.

F1nut

wood4sheep2 wrote: »

from one newbie to another.

After help on this site I snagged an emotiva xpa-5 and it will be in Thursday. Got some Blue Jean Cables coming in too to connect it. We have same speakers cept woofie so I will let you know how it works out from a newbie perspective. :cheesygrin:

You are exactly the type of customer (newbie) they appeal to. Of course, it will be an improvement over the underpowered average AVR you've been using, but so would a TOTL AVR.

cstmar01

I had a SC05 on my A9's worked great.

I also ran Emo XPA 1's and XPA3 etc. I found the sound too bright for my taste.

I ran a Parasound with the A9's and it was a warmer amp and IMO a better match.

If you pretty much do all HT stuff the Emo will work. For music I didn't care for it, just too bright.

There will be some people that tell you everything sounds the same for amp. IMO that is not true and all you have to do is use your ears and listen to what sounds best to you.

I would do the SC35 or 37 now and then get a good 5 channel amp down the road or good 2 or 3 channel depending on what you are doing. Some other good amps are Adcom, Parasound, Carver, Aragon, B&K, etc. You can get them on the used market at a discount and save yourself some money.

tonyb

What he said ^^^^ +1000

F1nut

jumpindick wrote: »

Guys,
Thanks for your help. I called a local authorized dealer of Pioneer to inquire about SC-37 (as mentioned by F1 and made me intersted-thanks), they do not have one. The sales guy sugggested SC-55. Although I am going to do some more reading on that, any idea about SC-55 compared to SC-37?

Right here in our Flea Market is an SC-27 for stupid cheap money with warranty, http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?125471-Pioneer-Elite-SC-27-w-extended-warranty

jumpindick

Hello,
After thinking about pioneer elite and consulting with a local audio/video store, I am leaning towards pioneer elite sc-55. I do realize that it is more money than what I wanted to spend, but then it will come with manuf. warrenty (I know it sounds crazy, but I just want to have peaceful mild). Per some suggestions I also looked at SC-37 and it was tempting as well (great specs and honestly did not see any difference between sc-55 and sc-37 for what I want in terms of functions). The only aspect that I am not sure regarding sc-55 is their power rating. It says that the amplification is 140 w per channel at 1 KHZ. I thought that normally that value would be rated over the entire range of frequency (which is the case with SC-37). Can someone please help me understand if this way of rating makes SC-55 inferior to SC-37? Or just don't worry about it.

Thank you in advance for your help and support. I know that I have been asking some stupid questions and a lot of them but I am just tied up with the type of knowledge that I have. I tried to search more information on the way avr is being rated, but then I got more confused.

tonyb

I believe, but could be wrong, that both have pretty much the exact same power supply so I wouldn't worry about it.

BTW- Ya know, I dig your screen name, but it's creating a visual for me that says...run away !!:cheesygrin:

jumpindick

tonyb wrote: »

I believe, but could be wrong, that both have pretty much the exact same power supply so I wouldn't worry about it.

BTW- Ya know, I dig your screen name, but it's creating a visual for me that says...run away !!:cheesygrin:

Tonyb, thanks. You are right, I think I am going to change it. I myself am having negative feeling about it. I thought that it would be fun, but I guess it is not.

wood4sheep2

I promised I would get back to you on the process. I need the weekend to really absorb and fiddle with it to make sure my impressions were clear. I did find some settings I need to adjust:

1. I am posting my full impressions under " another newbie needing amp advice in "electronics" to reply to those that helped me in my amp process.

2. I am very happy with the xpa-5. I am shocked at how much better my sound image is and how much more detailed every thing is. Wow!! It was funny... I put it on TV first and was on the news and I was watching some senator talk from the captial building. It was crazy how I could hear the detail of the people walking in the background and the air sounds and all sorts of detail. Wild!

3. I found out something that I think might be likely for you with such a situation. I am happier with the a9s handling the low sounds better than my woofer. I think unless you step to a hard core expensive quaality woofer that the integration of sound is better and the sub sounds on the a9 are better.

4. that the surrounds love the clear amp power too. Oh my god the surround sound from the fxi a6's is stunning in its detail and punch clarity. I am very happy to have 5 channels.

5. While quite satisfied with my set up my instincts say that someday upgrading the reciever to an elite pioneer would make a nice difference.

Upshot from me..... IMHO :cheesygrin:get the xpa-5 if you can and a good reciever when you can. you will love it.

Bought blu-ray matrix collection in honor of the weekend breakin. Good times wit a matrix of cool sounds in my living room!

Good luck and let me know how it goes.