Best 2 Ch. Power Amp. To Power POLK Audio RTi A9's Under $1000.00 New & $500 Used.

AVTONY2510
AVTONY2510 Posts: 31
edited June 2012 in Speakers
I need an Amp. to cut down on the Bright/Harshness, Something Warmish Sounding..
Post edited by AVTONY2510 on
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Comments

  • pietro944
    pietro944 Posts: 720
    edited June 2012
    AVTONY2510 wrote: »
    I need an Amp. to cut down on the Bright/Harshness, Something Warmish Sounding..

    Save your money and get a tube pre-amp or a tube buffer.....tubes rule,imho:biggrin:
  • brunk
    brunk Posts: 11
    edited June 2012
    Emotiva XPA-2 $800
    YAQIN CD2-6J1 Tube Buffer $120
    leftover money on preferred tubes

    Enjoy!
  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited June 2012
    Smallies has a Parasound HCA1200ii for 3 or 4 hundred i seen in endershadows looking for 2 chanel amp for LSi15 thread.
  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited June 2012
    Parasound HCA 1500A gets my vote. Can be had for around $400.
  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited June 2012
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    Parasound HCA 1500A gets my vote. Can be had for around $400.
    Better yet, if ya can find one. I love mine too !!
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,333
    edited June 2012
    Adcom GFA-5802
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2012
    AVTONY2510 wrote: »
    I need an Amp. to cut down on the Bright/Harshness, Something Warmish Sounding..

    Try some acoustic panels behind the speakers, and maybe at reflection points, or get some different speakers. I placed a 2'x2' panel of Auralex acoustic foam behind each of my speakers at tweeter height in the two channel system, and that took the edge off without losing any quality.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,474
    edited June 2012
    I answered this question when you first asked about amps in your bi-wire thread.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    edited June 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Adcom GFA-5802

    You preach that regularly! Must be near & dear . . . . I can't wait to hear my newly acquired 5802 matched with the SDA SRS II's and the good Adcom GCD-700 . . .ALL I NEED is a QUALITY transformer/AI-1. . . I'm done. Enjoy your week . . .
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited June 2012
    GlennDog wrote: »
    You preach that regularly! Must be near & dear . . . . I can't wait to hear my newly acquired 5802 matched with the SDA SRS II's and the good Adcom GCD-700 . . .ALL I NEED is a QUALITY transformer/AI-1. . . I'm done. Enjoy your week . . .

    Done? That is not a word I know....




    :biggrin:
  • Ghistos
    Ghistos Posts: 18
    edited June 2012
    Hi Brunk,
    I have 2 RTi-A9 for my front with the XPA-2 for them and the XPA-3 for my center and surround.
    My question is, what is the YAQIN tube buffer ? I mean, is this for your RTiA9 ?
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2012
    The last thing I would personally pair with them is Emotiva if you are looking for warmth. Emo's are not warm sounding at all.

    My suggestion would be the Parasound suggested above, B&K, Rotel or Adcom. Any of which will get you some great sound.
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    pietro944 wrote: »
    Save your money and get a tube pre-amp or a tube buffer.....tubes rule,imho:biggrin:

    tubes are the biggest audio scam in the audio world, but I like it because the people that buy that crap get what they deserve : )

    and @ Joe, an amp that has no distortion cannot sound bright or harsh or shmellow. In order for an amp to sound 'warm', like some tube amps do, admittedly, the amp must have distortion on the high end. And while Emotiva has measurably higher distortion than any good name amp, these differences are mostly on paper and not something that human ear can pick up. At least not on blind tests lol :)
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,463
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    tubes are the biggest audio scam in the audio world, but I like it because the people that buy that crap get what they deserve : )
    Seems that you have no clue what you are talking about...
    ravaneli wrote: »
    and @ Joe, an amp that has no distortion cannot sound bright or harsh or shmellow. In order for an amp to sound 'warm', like some tube amps do, admittedly, the amp must have distortion on the high end. And while Emotiva has measurably higher distortion than any good name amp, these differences are mostly on paper and not something that human ear can pick up. At least not on blind tests lol :)

    Further proof that you don't know what you are speaking about.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    at OP, the A9s will sound better with the amp that gives them the most power. EMO XPA 2 will probably sound better than all other suggestions, although the other amps have less distortion. The XPA 2 will give u extra headroom and dynamics that these speakers need.
    I personally would buy a behringer europower 400 that can be had for 300 on the bay. 500W @ 8 ohm will juice these puppies like they deserve, and the sound was great to my ears (i tried it with my A7s). You just need to install a small potenciometer to regulate the fan on the back. costs $2 on the bay too.
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    at OP, the A9s will sound better with the amp that gives them the most power.

    This is so untrue. So is a lot else of what you've stated here.

    OP: take his advice at your own risk.
    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
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,463
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    at OP, the A9s will sound better with the amp that gives them the most power. EMO XPA 2 will probably sound better than all other suggestions, although the other amps have less distortion. The XPA 2 will give u extra headroom and dynamics that these speakers need.
    I personally would buy a behringer europower 400 that can be had for 300 on the bay. 500W @ 8 ohm will juice these puppies like they deserve, and the sound was great to my ears (i tried it with my A7s). You just need to install a small potenciometer to regulate the fan on the back. costs $2 on the bay too.

    Way to prove yet again raveneli that you are dead wrong. I think AVS is missing an inmate.:rolleyes:

    Every word of this post is completely wrong, and bordering on complete BS. Behringer is not a very good amp for HT or two channel, though they excel at P.A systems, for which they were designed. If you can swing the coin, an amazing fit for the a9's IMHO would be a Sunfire 300/2, Carver TFM-25 thru 45, Parasound A23, and the Adcoms mentioned above. As was also stated, taking raveneli's advice would be a huge mistake. If he says the sky is freekin' blue, I would look out my window just to make sure.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    tubes are the biggest audio scam in the audio world, but I like it because the people that buy that crap get what they deserve : )

    and @ Joe, an amp that has no distortion cannot sound bright or harsh or shmellow. In order for an amp to sound 'warm', like some tube amps do, admittedly, the amp must have distortion on the high end. And while Emotiva has measurably higher distortion than any good name amp, these differences are mostly on paper and not something that human ear can pick up. At least not on blind tests lol :)


    Huh? Dude are you serious?
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2012
    To the original poster. Please do not listen to the rantings of the lunatic known as Ravaneli. He is completely wrong. And if you search other posts of his you will see it for yourself.

    Nothing in audio beats the warm sound of Tubes and Pro Amps do not have good audio quality.
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    Hey, that's just my opinion, sorry for not posting that disclaimer but thought that's obvious. It's good for people to know that other opinions do exist though.

    I for one have always found extraordinary that the horrible distortion of the tube amps is praised for quality and people shell dearly earned money to buy that crap that needs to be serviced more often than a car from the 70s. I guess some distortion 'good' and some is bad. Nobody here can tell me that tubes have true sound though. U can use your subjective bullsh1t terms like 'warm', 'mellow', or how about 'liquid', but if you have ever looked at the distortion ratings of a tube amp u can never say it's true.
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2012
    Have you ever heard a nice Tube amp? Probably not. You believe specs tell the whole story. And giving your opinion or bashing someone for theres are two different things.

    And no you do not need to service tube amps more than a 70's car. They are built better than most electronics nowadays and just sound better.

    Until you understand what Warm, Smooth, Liquid, Clean or Distorted actually mean, you will never understand what we are talking about. Just cause it's louder doesn't mean its better. And specs only tell part of the story.

    PS using a number 1 instead of the letter i is still cursing as far as I am concerned. Take it easy and mess up your own thread not someone elses.
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    i was on my way of buying a tube preamp and started reading about them and that's how I found out the truth about them. Luckily i researched this time before jumping. You are saying they sound nice, I say to you they distort so much that any solid state amp with such ratings would be condemned as complete junk. Notice that there is a way that we are both right. People tend to like mellow highs and tube amps tend to have distortion that is just lower db on the higher end, so human ear perceives it as euphonic. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as you realize it and don't mind the extra cost. But you should be honest to yourself and realize that you are not listening to a true reproduction of the actual recording.

    And no need to call me lunatic and ravioli. Believe me, I think no higher of you that you do of me. Now, if we are face to face, then u can call me anything u want. But here.. why don't you show u can do a dialogue without supporting your arguments with insults.
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    i was on my way of buying a tube preamp and started reading about them and that's how I found out the truth about them. Luckily i researched this time before jumping.

    So, in other words you have no experience, yet know everything. Isn't that the same logic you use to rail and rant against speaker cables and power cords?
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    why so pissed? I actually said that they sound 'euphonic'. Why do u take it personal? I said they sound nice but they have very high distortion, and it's not me who measured the distortion, that's how it's reported everywhere. Well if something has (audible) distortion, it doesn't portray a true picture of the recording, even if it sounds nice to you. What here makes u pull the knives?
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    So, in other words you have no experience, yet know everything.

    +1000

    effing armchair quarterback over here needs to spend some serious time and dedication listening to different products before forming an opinion. I've dedicated a lot of my time, energy, and money to listen to, evaluate, and come to my own conclusions about many pieces of gear... so it's really annoying when someone who is not willing to put the effort into conducting comparisons on his own starts preaching based on what he's read about stuff. Seriously?! Based on what you've read about stuff?! That is so insulting to the members here who have spent, literally, large parts of their lives figuring things out for themselves. There is no substitute for first hand experience.

    Go spew your myths at a boy's theoretical forum. This here is a man's forum. It's for men who do things, not for boys who read about men who do things.

    Out.
    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
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    You guys remind me of those religious fanatics that repeatedly burned scientists through the dark ages for contradicting their religion, until the church finally removed all independently verifiable references to science from the bible. Your tolerance is just the same and you jump the guns with the same blind conviction.

    By the way, falcon, that part about you being men who do things.. I liked that :) . That was cute.
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,328
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    you jump the guns with the same blind conviction.

    Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black

    List the top 3 systems and gear (other than Emo gear) that you have heard speakers pre's and amps and give us your opinion and we'll go from there
    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
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    You guys remind me of those religious fanatics that repeatedly burned scientists through the dark ages for contradicting their religion,

    No, scientists experiment, they try things. They do not say, "I read on the Internet tubes sound terrible due to the high distortion." That is what "The Stupid People" do.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,463
    edited June 2012
    Vinyl is a black hole that is worth every penny, and it is a myth that you need to break the bank to enjoy it. My turntable and cartridge did set me back a grand, and I must have close to 2500 in vinyl by now, but a good sacd player will set you back a grand and most of the thousand lp's I got I would have never spent 15 bucks apiece for to get them on CD to begin with. Add to that, the thrill of the hunt in finding top-shelf condition LP's and I must admit that putting it all together was a hell of a lot of fun.:cheesygrin:

    I own maybe 75 cd's, as I was never a huge convert to the format. When I began to assemble my setup, I determined that I could buy 10 LP's for the price of buying a single used cd, and that was a major factor in pushing me towards the black. I am glad I made that choice.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited June 2012
    can someone tell me exactly what in what I said is drawing the fire? That the tube amps have distortion or that they require maintenance? Why do u keep telling me they sound nice, when I never disputed that? Who are you telling that? And as far as distortion goes, you have to take that beef with the people who measure that, including the manufacturers themselves. If you want to spend crazy money to hear a distorted version of the real signal because that way it sounds better to you - that is really up to you. I prefer true, uncolored sound. I want to hear the recording the way it was played during the recording. People have different tastes. So that's the end of this argument:
    1. if you say that tubes sound nice - noone is arguing with you.
    2. if you say they sound true - then please go dispute the distortion ratings of the people who measure them.

    You know, people take jabs at Emotiva for having 0.1% distortion through the entire range while pumping 300W per channel instead of the industry average of .. what.. 0.02%, for the nice brands. But bring a Yaqin amp with 3 % (30 times!) distortion, 25W per channel and 2000$ price tag and superlatives from the audio experts can't stop raining. Seem fair or logical to you? See what grinds my gears?
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
This discussion has been closed.