On the fence - do I need an external amp?

drummer86
drummer86 Posts: 441
edited September 2012 in Electronics
I'm going to upgrade my front three speakers very soon to bookshelves/center that are more suited for music listening but cannot decide if I need to upgrade my amplification first. I've never felt that my marantz avr was lacking in the power department but I doubt my current speakers are putting much stress on it at all.

Will adding a 2-channel amp like a Rotel rb980 (100wpc) benefit me down the road when I'm auditioning new speakers? The only benefits I can see would be reducing the stress on the avr when running all channels and having better power reserves. None of the speakers I'm considering are 4-ohm. What am I not thinking of? Worth the money or should I just go for the speakers? Thanks!
Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
Post edited by drummer86 on
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Comments

  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2012
    I personally would put the most money possible on better speakers, and then later down the road upgrade to an amp.
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited September 2012
    I love the difference my amp made. Am now looking to upgrade a little!! From drummer to drummer.
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited September 2012
    Okay so one vote for either side. Anyone else? Not buying an amp now won't affect my speaker budget as I pretty much have my mind made up on what I'm going to audition. It will just mean that I can upgrade my subwoofer sooner:cheesygrin:
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • rebuy
    rebuy Posts: 695
    edited September 2012
    I haven't heard a Marantz for a while but they have a good reputation for sound. So moving to bookies I'd probably go with the speakers first since the Marantz will power them better than towers, should give them better punch.
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  • roost28
    roost28 Posts: 39
    edited September 2012
    no need for an amp, your receiver will be just fine
    samsung un40eh5300
    yamaha rx-a3010
    oppo bdp-105
    rtiA7, front
    csiA4, center
    rtiA1, front presence
    rtiA1, surrounds
    PSW 505, sub
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2012
    an external amp in many cases with give you better dynamics and definition and clarity on the whole musical range.... in most cases people do notice a difference. if it didn't
    people wouldn't buy amps....
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited September 2012
    danger boy wrote: »
    an external amp in many cases with give you better dynamics and definition and clarity on the whole musical range.... in most cases people do notice a difference. if it didn't
    people wouldn't buy amps....

    Right on!!!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • jkg123
    jkg123 Posts: 114
    edited September 2012
    An external amp will only add to the experience
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  • jkg123
    jkg123 Posts: 114
    edited September 2012
    If you can afford it, go for it
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2012
    LOL:biggrin: Rotel makes outstanding equipment. Welcome to Club Polk Dolsey!
    dolsey01 wrote: »
    I just added a RB-990 to my system (Onkyo TX-NR1008) and the difference was astounding. I really could not believe it. At the time I had Martin Logan Clarity's and it was like I added a sub, the bass was huge and much more controlled. The ML's have moved on to a new home and I'm currently running Mirage OM10s and they NEED an amp.

    I think the Rotel amps have a huge value in the used market. I think I paid $225 shipped for my RB990. Keep an eye out on eBay and CraigsList and you can score an amp that would cost almost 10X new and sound just as good.

    P.S. The Rotel weighs more than my Onkyo...... It must be better. :twisted:
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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