Receiver Recommendation For Polk RTi A5

ThirdWorldGuy

Hi, This is my first thread so don't murder me if I'm in the wrong section.
I will be getting the RTi A5s in a couple of months and was looking at the Yamaha RX-V473 receiver to power them.
Is this a good option?
And is this a receiver that is meant to be used only with HTiB speakers? The local audio shop guy told me there are seperate amps for those speakers so I'm totally confused. Other than that I really like the receiver.
The stereo amplifiers he showed me were 2 Onkyos (9155 and 8030) and a Pioneer VSX-420. Which I looked up on the internet and all 3 dont seem very good products
Please help me out im totally lost...

Sorry for being a complete noob but this will be my second setup. Previous setup was Polk M60s with a PSW10 sub running through an outdated 55W/ch Pioneer 2 channel amp.

Uses : Music/Movies Equally.

Thanks.

chumlie

Welcome 3wguy. What are you looking for, a 2 channel stereo system or 5.1 surround system ?

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk. Pick a receiver that has all the bells and whistles that you want it to have and make sure it has preamp outputs to add a separate amplifier to it for more power in the future. It will cost you more money up front, but since these are designed to work for years you will certainly get your moneys worth out of it.

Thorton

Welcome to the Club. I completely agree with cfrizz comments. Make sure it has preamp outputs.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
AVR: Denon AVR-3805, AMP: Parasound Model 2250, Front: Polk RTIA7, Center: Polk CSIA6, Surrounds: Polk FXIA6, Sub: Polk DSW PRO660WI

tonyb

Hard for us to recommend a receiver without knowing the budget my friend, and what use, 2 channel, surround sound. New or used ? Used will get you more receiver per dollar.

gce

The AVR you want does not appear to have preamp outputs but it will drive the 5's with no problem.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

An entry level Yamaha is not going to give you the best performance with Rti towers. Think about listening to a Denon or a Harman Kardon AVR with adequate power. RTis need to be "warmed" up a little IMHO. And that means an AVR from Denon, Harman Kardon or Marantz! But then again, your ears might hear things differently.

The Yamaha 4XX should sound a little too bright on musical passages. The newer Yammie Aventage series seem to have addressed those problems. But they're also pricier!

Another good question asked above is are you thinking two channel or a surround AVR? If two channel just get a Harman Kardon 3490 at a good price and you should be fine!

If AVR, as mentioned above, get your ears on Denon, Harman Kardon and Marantz AVRs. They all sound good with Rti series Polks.

Get some listening on and have "fun"!

cnh

ThirdWorldGuy

Thanks for the replies everyone!
The budget for the receiver is US$500 give or take $100.
This will be a 2 channel setup for atleast 3-4 years, 5.1 after that. Looking for a brand new receiver.

I am really digging that HK 3490! I also really like Marantz, specifically the SR5007/SR5006(older model I'm guessing), but Marantz are really hard to find where I live, and they are expensive just like the Yamaha Aventage A820 about $850 each Amazon price.

I saw the specifications for the HK 3490 and I believe I can connect an external amplifier to with right?
Seems like this is the one for me

Thanks people.

Upstatemax

You can connect an external amp to the 3490, but when you want to go surround sound in a few years, you'll need another receiver since the 3490 is 2ch only.

The Marantz SR5006 is a great option and can be had for $500:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5006/Marantz-SR5006-AV-Receiver-with-Networking-and-AirPlay/1.html

They also carry the 5007 for $150 more.

ThirdWorldGuy

Great suggestion but thing is that the prices I get here are the MSRP + $50.
So according to the link above they used to list the SR5006 for $799.99 but it's been reduced to $499.99 now.
Even if i find a Marantz here it will cost around $800 give or take $50.

Upstatemax

Where is "here"?

ThirdWorldGuy

That is irrelevant. Trust me, you don't want to know

ThirdWorldGuy

I was browsing the Harman Kardon website and I saw this! http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-CA/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=AVR%203600

None of the newer Harman Kardon AVRs 1650, 2650 and 3650 have pre amp outs. But this does!

Harman Kardon AVR 3600. 7.1, 80 watts/ch, 7.1 pre amp outs and a **** ton of other features except networking(no biggie). Amazon list price $1200 but they are selling it for $540-560! Should I get this and add the external amplifier later as suggested by many of you? Looks classy as well. Is Harman Kardon reliable?

tonyb

Yes, nothing wrong with HK receivers. Fits your budget and has plenty of bells and whistles, go for it. Did happen to notice an upgrade for software in your link, maybe look into that and see what it's for and any reviews on it.

specd_out

I kinda have some experience in this matter. I started out with some rtia5s connected to a mid 90's HITB Sony AVR. Did it make sound yes. Did I think it sounded better then the sony cubes I had before, yes.

Then I upgraded to a used Yamaha 463. Nice improvement. A lot more settings. It sounded better. But I dont think I really got anything until I got my Pioneer Elite VSX-32. That really opened them up. They started to sound musical and really good in a HT setup.
Then I connected it to my carver C-1 preamp and M1.0t power up Via preouts. This is how they are supposed to sound. Warm, detailed, and powerful. Night and day difference over just the elite.
The difference is more present when listening to 2ch stereo or concert blurays, but its noticeable in movies as well.
Audio falls into three categories for me. They can make noise, make sounds, or make music. You never know where your at until you have heard them all.

The main point is get something with preouts, make that the most important. You will want to grow at some point (being on this site will make that happen sooner rather then later) and having to spend another $400+ to get another AVR with preouts + the cost of an external amp is not fun.
Granted if you havent heard them at their peak you wont really know what your missing. To some thats fine, for me, not having them at their peak was killing me. That and there was a sound I was striving for that I wasnt getting from AVR's.

ThirdWorldGuy

Can any one post pictures of their cherry RTi A5s please or give me a link to any thread? Preferably in daytime? Please? Everyone is saying the cherry finish is beautiful.
I went to the local audio shop and all he had for display were the black A5s and the black A7s in the rti range. Couldn't get a look at the cherry speakers.

specd_out

IMO the cherry finish is just beautiful. The I personally like the RTIA finish better then the RTI line. Its a little darker and richer. Since its a stained real wood rather then a printed veneer or paint, there is a good chance that the two speakers wont match exactly. My left and right a5's are different and my csia6 is different. I like that. It adds to the beauty.
Here is a link to a little photo shoot me and my brother did when I first got the a5's about 5 years ago. http://www.dsmphotos.com/Electronics/Polk-Speakers/6879560_f6zDGn#!i=441241683&k=93Ceu

Here is the most recent shot of my setup

ThirdWorldGuy

WOW specd_out thanks a ton for posting the pictures! They look fantastic and so does your setup! Excellent lighting btw!

chumlie

Audio Adviser has a nice Marantz SR6006 on sale $500 off. Reg $1300 now $800. They ship anywhere, including your mystery country.
www.audioadviser.com or call ( 800 ) 942-0220

gmjungbluth

Specd_out - very classy setup! Looks great! Puts my spaghetti mess of cables in the basement to shame!