What would y'all do????

snake1

Well Polk folks, I'm in the midst of a dilema... I have the $$ for one of 2 things right now. Either a Parasound 2250 amp or an SVS PC12-NSD subwoofer. I will eventually have both, but I just can't make up my mind on which to get now. My RTi12s would love the power for sure and I'm sure it would help the bass coming out of them profoundly! But, I would also love the house shaking SVS. What would you do and why??

trav0810

This is based solely on my opinion...and I am no tech or an audio expert. I would buy the amp. I think it will bring your RTi12's alive. After you are getting more life out of them, then you can decide what sub you need. You'll be surprised how much more sound you get out of them. And me personally...I always have better luck running across speakers than I do good amps.

bthogan

Well...I just moved to an older model Parasound - HCA 1500A - from an Adcom GFA0545, and the improvement in sound quality is astounding, without a significant difference in (used) price. Can't say I have any experience with that sub.

The 2250 is part of the New Classic line, if I'm not mistaken. Are you buying it new, or used? How much do you have to spend? And what amplifier would you be leaving behind, if you got the Parasound?

dorokusai

I'd suggest getting the Parasound and getting your front and back end settled up as a subwoofer is easy to do, at anytime. There's no rocket science with a solid subwoofer but finding a really good amplifier can be work and hard to find the right one. The Parasound is an excellent choice and most likely the last amp you'll buy. PLUS you'll get better performance from EVERY speaker in your setup and not just be augmenting bass. As a side effect, the better power will allow your RTi12's sound much better as well in regards to the bass response and while NOT a substitute for a dedicated subwoofer....DUH, I think you'll notice an increase in tighter, more accurate bass in the RTi12.

This opens up multiple amplification options using your Onkyo as well since you can re-assign channels.

I'm very interested if you choose the amplifier but not so much if you just buy the subwoofer. Not that it's an SVS but that's the easy way out to me and if you've put this much effort into your system already, get the core of everything solid and spot-on. The subwoofer is just so simple to figure out.

Mark

snake1

Bthogan, not leaving anything behind. Its my first foray into separate amps. My 12s will be leaving the AVR i suppose ;-)

Mark, this is giving me a lot to think about! I've got about 700-800 to play with. I have found a 2250 that could be had in that range believe. Is an amp a real night and day difference?

Keep it coming guys!! And thanks!

soundfreak1

A parasound is a real diff. Get the amp

dorokusai

snake1 wrote: »

Mark, this is giving me a lot to think about! I've got about 700-800 to play with. I have found a 2250 that could be had in that range believe. Is an amp a real night and day difference?

Keep it coming guys!! And thanks!

Snake,

YES. I know the Onkyo is a capable AVR but it's no substitute for a dedicated amplifier. You'll find that same comment on this website hundreds of times from hundreds of folks. Good luck in what you decide but I assure you, the amp is the best decision at this point. Especially with what you have assembled in regards to gear and loudspeakers so far. You have a great system ready for the next step, and it's not a subwoofer.

EDIT: TRULY capable AVR's exist but they're few and far between when it comes to reality and a fidelity firewall. Onkyo, NAD, B&K, Pioneer ELITE, Integra are all AVR's that I'm comfortable with pushinmg loads higher than rated but there is simply a limit at which you can push anything. The fact you can remove all that power for a couple speakers, or a few speakers, changes the whole game and will result in better sound across the board. Let alone other benefits so there's just nothing but a win-win situation here. A subwoofer gets you 10-15hz bass.....that's it when it comes to the big picture. Big F'n deal. You can do that later.

Mark

trav0810

Trust me, the amp! I had a set of Rti12's that I was running in a surround system being pushed by a 140WPC Yamaha AVR. Then I heard them with a Carver TFM-25 and they didn't even sound like the same speakers. They woke up and came alive. If you ad a sub, you can ad some more low end, but your 12's are still being way under-utilized. Get the amp and you'll never look back.

Toolfan66

Get the amp and don't look back!!!

Thorton

Get the amp first. I started powering my RTiA7's with a AVR. When I moved to the 2250 it was a significant difference in SQ. Output and bass response is very good with the amp. Besides purchasing the speakers this has been the best upgrade I've made to date. This should satisfy you until you have the funds to purchase a sub.

gce

I would buy the Amp because I already have the SVS and the house does shake! I am going to get a Parasound later, but if I didn't have my SVS I would still get the SVS first...its that good! :cool:

bobsauto49

Amp,Amp,Amp,Amp! Speakers will come alive as if you bought a new pair! And you'll be doin a little dance like when you first got your license!

leroyjr1

I'd get the SVS first. It adds so much to movies that the amp just can't do. I've ran my a9's on just a receiver and dual subs with great results and it added the most to my system over adding an external amp. Now if this system was a music first system then I'd get the amp because the 12's are very capable down low.

So for HT sub first amp second, and for music amp first sub second.

cfrizz

Amp first and formost. As Thorton pointed out it will be the most significant upgrade that you will make.

Powering your towers to their full potential will also help with getting more bass out of your speakers that you are not getting now. So it will help with both music and movies.

snake1

Well, the consensus seems to be amplifier so I'll check to see what kind of deal I can get for it. If it doesn't work out I'll probably go ahead and get the SVS for the time being. We'll see where this goes! Thanks for the input! I must admit, I really do want to see the 12s really sound like they look (if you get what I mean). I'll report back when I get one or the other coming.

Conradicles

Get the sub now...amp later when you find a great deal.

B Run

I'd get the sub especially if you're into home theater, I don't think you can have the full experience without a good subwoofer to handle the LFE.

astar13656

Amp first.

snake1

Well 2 things.
1. I have found what could be a good deal on an amp
2. I'm mainly 90% music and 10% movies. Movies will play a bigger role later down the road. Thats why I'll eventually have both.

ps. what would really be sweet would be a new Parasound 5250v2 and just be done with amping all together.......but don't have 2300 just to blow.... :sad: :cheesygrin:

B Run

If you're 90% music I change my vote to amplifier first!

Obsession18

I own both the Parasound 2250 amp and the SVS PC12-NSD subwoofer. Get the amp first, then the sub, I used to run a set of RTi10s off a Pioneer Elite AVR and when I added the Parasound the improvement was quite evident, particularly the bass. The addition of the SVS really added some nice depth to the bass while staying tight and musical, and yes the SVS kicks butt for home theater. I no longer run the SVS sub for 2-channel after swapping out the RTi10s for my Linbrook Sig Systems, the bass impact out the Tylers is crazy good.

dudeinaroom

I have to say sub, because I want an svs and I already have my Parasound. No seriously though grab an amp first Doro makes all the right points.

snake1

Obsession18 wrote: »

I own both the Parasound 2250 amp and the SVS PC12-NSD subwoofer. Get the amp first, then the sub, I used to run a set of RTi10s off a Pioneer Elite AVR and when I added the Parasound the improvement was quite evident, particularly the bass. The addition of the SVS really added some nice depth to the bass while staying tight and musical, and yes the SVS kicks butt for home theater. I no longer run the SVS sub for 2-channel after swapping out the RTi10s for my Linbrook Sig Systems, the bass impact out the Tylers is crazy good.

What freq did you have your crossover set at Obsession?? 80hz??

Obsession18

snake1 wrote: »

What freq did you have your crossover set at Obsession?? 80hz??

I only use my sub for movie's not for 2 - channel music. I cross over at 80 Hz and use the plus setting on my Pioneer Elite which also runs my mains at full range. When you have the LFE signal running to both the sub and your mains you have to make sure you have the sub in phase with your mains, playing with the phase knob on the sub will get you there, if your out of phase you will have week bass even with the SVS.

I find running the LFE to both my SVS and my Linbrook Sig Systems skakes the room even more.

trav0810

B Run wrote: »

If you're 90% music I change my vote to amplifier first!

Yeah, at 90% music...it's a no-brainer.

drgalexo

I would get the amp., especially if you listen 90% to music. The better amplification will bring out the musical bass and deal with the house shaking bass from a sub. later.

snake1

Does $800 sound fair for a like new 2250??

Obsession18

Yea $800 sounds fair but I would offer them $700, new they run $1350, I got a demo unit from a local dealer for $1000.

RodneyWoodford

Def amp first for 90% music!!

Irrenhaus

Get the amp first.

I have an Onkyo 709 and at first I got a Parasound 2125 to power my RTi12s and it sounded a lot better than the Onkyo. A few weeks a go I got a good deal on a Adcom 585 and the RTi12s really came alive with this amp, most of the time I barely use my sub for music now and only the 12s.



Cheers

snake1

Its not looking too good on the Parasound deal... I put in a best offer on ebay, first one washed out and I did it again for 800... no response and it goes out tomorrow around 11. I'm going to put in a call to Emotiva and ask some questions about their XPA2 if the Parasound doesn't work out. The SVS is still in the back of my mind though.