New Member Here - NEED Help - First Post!

Toxix

***SORRY FOR THE LONG POST BUT I NEED HELP***

Hey guys,

First time poster on this forum, new account and all and I NEED your help.
I'm real noob, wanting a little more than decent audio quality from my Home Theatre system.
When I say real noob, I mean real noob, I've never touched speaker wire in my life nor do I know how to fine tune these devices.

Let me tell you a little bit about my setup, I'm hoping everything I got works well with each other and the setup is "Forum approved"

Front Speakers - Polk Audio RTiA3 x2
Surround Speakers - Polk Audio RTiA1 x2
Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW110 x1

So far, it remains a 4.1, it already sounds 100x better that my Bravia TV (Of course)
I'm looking to turn this 4.1 into a 7.1 within the next year or so...

Centre Channel - Polk Audio CSiA6 x1 (Soon)
Front Towers - Polk Audio RTiA9 x2

This being said, what do you guys think of this setup? Please provide opinions!

The main reason for me posting here is because I need help picking a Receiver/Amp for my setup...I temporarily own a Yamaha receiver, but am open to other options.
With the items listed above, which would you guys go with? My options are a Yamaha 7.1 or an Onkyo 7.2...

Yamaha RX-V573 or the Onkyo TX-NR515

Yamaha:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v573_black_u/
Onkyo:
http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-nr515-76085.html

They are both approximately the same price.

I AM OPEN TO OTHER OPTIONS (Harman Kardon / Pioneer / Denon)

I want to make sure I give you guys all details and future goals. The setup will be mostly used for Movies, sometimes music when I friends over and such...I probably won't have any interest in adding a second sub in the near future.
I just want to make sure that the Receiver I purchase will not be underpowered for the speakers I own.

The Onkyo seems like a good route to go as it is:
7.2, has 7 HDMI In as opposed to 4 on the Yamaha

But on the other hand, I look around at Onkyos reviews, customer feedback, support forums and I keep seeing that people need to RMA the devices due to the HDMI board going bad, on more than one occasion...so right now, I'm wondering if I should return my Yamaha and trade it in for the Onkyo (Or others). I have no issues updating firmware on my devices to get everything functioning.

Please let me know, I'm open to opinions and feedback and I seeking your help!

Thank you in advance.

EndersShadow

The main problem I see in the future for you is that the RTi A9's really need a dedicated amp to sound their best. So either reciever you choosing wont work very good as they dont have pre-outs. If it was me I would honestly look at the RTi A5's or A7's if you dont plan on adding a dedicated amp (and a reciever with pre-outs). While the A9's would technically work, I dont think you would get the sound you think you would out of them, and would end up buying more speaker than your reciever can drive.

Otherwise, the center your looking at is the right choice and I dont see that being a problem at all.

pitdogg2

Welcome to club Polk
If you step up to the RTiA9's you are going to need an amplifier so make sure the receiver has pre-outs so you can run an amp also. Remember that if the specs say 100x5 that in surround you may only have 40-50 watts per channel max. A good 5ch amp and pre-amp will last a long time and for the most part be future proof as you can upgrade the pre if needed. While a receiver your getting a whole new receiver, but with pre-outs and a good 5ch amp will get you a good start will until the "ultra High Def" comes out:)

Toxix

Thank you for the responses, now I have a better understanding of how much the A9s will need.
That being said, I f were to step down to the RTi A5 or RTi A7, which receiver should I go with?

My main concern currently is the receiver I should be going. Please let me know.

PolkieMan

Get an Onkyo, but get an 808/809 or 818. I have an 808 you can hook up an external amp if you like later, I haven't, it powers my 2.3tls special 2ch pure audio mode I like.
The 809 is a steal IMHO :cheesygrin:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR809-Certified-7-2-Channel-Receiver/dp/B00505F01E/ref=sr_1_47?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356679926&sr=1-47

$481.11 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping

http://www.a1components.com/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc5/Product.aspx?productid=e49d77d9-9c5b-4793-a853-26932e933d52

bansheesho

Strongly recommend not to skimp on the receiver. The 809 would be a good option. You could get thst and the rtia9 and see how you like it. If it needs more juice you always have the option to add the external amp later. Make sure you check or polks ebay store too. v You can get some great deals on the rtia9 sometimes. If you don't see it just email them, sometimes they have a pair that they haven't listed yet.

Also check out Newegg. They have super great deals on polk speakers sometimes, usually in the weekends. Check camelegg.com to see a price history to give you some idea.

michael1947

Welcome. Stick with the A9's or you may be looking back wondering. That Onkyo 809 is a flat steal at Amazon, buy it. I use 2 onkys and love 'em to death. The 809 will run your rtiA set-up and it will sound good but you will not get "hi-fidelity" until you add an external amp to drive the fronts, and you can get a used Parasound HCA2200 for 4 to 5 hundred later on. Best regards.

ViperZ

Wow, Onkyo 809 for that price is really a steal.

Can I ask why you want to go with 7.1 setup? Do you have a room big enough to setup 7 speakers in it? I have seen some 7.1 installs where the room is so crammed with speakers, it just didn't work, and 5.1 would work perfectly in those rooms.

Regarding the external amp, to each is his own. Yes, those speakers will sound much better with the external amp, but they will sound just fine with Onkyo receiver if that's all that money can buy for now.

EndersShadow

ViperZ wrote: »

Wow, Onkyo 809 for that price is really a steal.

Can I ask why you want to go with 7.1 setup? Do you have a room big enough to setup 7 speakers in it? I have seen some 7.1 installs where the room is so crammed with speakers, it just didn't work, and 5.1 would work perfectly in those rooms.

Regarding the external amp, to each is his own. Yes, those speakers will sound much better with the external amp, but they will sound just fine with Onkyo receiver if that's all that money can buy for now.

I agree with this. I have a room that can do a 7.1 setup quite easily and have felt NO NEED to go 7.1. I think good 5.1 will trump a congested 7.1 setup any day of the week.

I would maybe buy a AVR that can do 7.1 but would start with a good 5.1 setup or even 3.1 and build up from there. And just because your AVR can do 7.1 doesnt mean you have to.

Geoff4rfc

I'll third the onk deal, I'm still rocking the 807 from when it first came out, or at least when I got it, Dec 08. It's a heck of an AVR with lots of power in 2ch mode, I've got extra amplifiers for the "7.2" bit, and you may not want a second sub right now, but as you learn about this hobby, you will. You're off to a great start with the speakers you have.

wkjeffers

there is no substitute for power in improving the sound of your speakers. leave yourself the option of a dedicated amplifier

ken brydson

Look into the Pioneer Elite SC series. Should be able to get you by w/o an amp until the upgrade bug bites and you want more power...

MNaudioguy

ken brydson wrote: »

Look into the Pioneer Elite SC series. Should be able to get you by w/o an amp until the upgrade bug bites and you want more power...

Would you recommend that over a Marantz 5007?

disneyjoe7

Pioneer Elite SC series are really nice, and I would go that way.

ken brydson

MNaudioguy wrote: »

Would you recommend that over a Marantz 5007?

Personally yes but I have no experience with the Marantz. The ICE amps in the SC do deliver the goods....

ssj1

How would the RTi A9 do with a Denon 4520 (without an amp)?