AMP/Receiver for Polk RTI A9s - recommendations

mabst73

Hello Polk fans,

Got a question for some of the vets out there. I just got a pair of Polk RTI A9s (love them) and I have them bi-amped to a YAMAHA RX-V773. It currently pushes 95watts a channel, again i have them bi-amped, but its just not cutting it...the speakers are barely alive.

What would you recommend?

- A new more powerful receiver, if so what kind?
OR
- an amp, again what kind and power should i use?

I'm new into the world of audio and would just like to get different opinions!

Thanks for any recommendations

-Mike

4xoddic

I would think your RX-V77 has pre-outs for R & L fronts . . .

I just posted this on another thread:

I powered my front RTiA9s off a Pioneer SC-07 w/140 wpc ICE amps. Thought they sounded great for movies in a 11' X 19' room. I didn't care to listen to music. Upon adding a QSC GX7 725 watts per channel at 8 ohms, they came alive!

QSC's GX line has RCA inputs & binding posts/banana jacks; so it's much simpler to hook up (no need for XLR cables).

GX3 300 watts per channel at 8 ohms & GX5 500 watts per channel at 8 ohms

There are a large # of listings on eWay for QSC GX amps. I purchased a B-stock, with no regrets. There's also a NYC shop that frequently lists QSC GXs "used." IMHO they're likely returns which a musician found lacking as a match to her instrument.

IMHO, auditioning the RTiA9s with AVRs is not indicative of their performance with music. Your local "guitar shop" might rent you a QSC GX. These amps have a fan, audible until movie/music starts. A quieter fan can be installed.

I've no doubt bragged about my RTiA9s on other threads:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2685244

4xoddic

I'm NOT suggesting the QSC GX pro amps are audiophilic. Most of the threads re: RTiA9s' need for power will pursue a well known audiophile brand which can be had on the used market, which is unrealistic IF you're bidding against everyone else thinking it will meet their needs. Cragskist? In my area = 12" JL subwoofers & Dr. Dre Beats suitable for combine harvesting.

I went the pro amp NIB route based on $/Watt & musicians' threads (esp. Church musicians, 8<). At the time, I hadn't seen anyone else pushing the RTiA9s with >= 725W/channel. After my wife heard the improvement, it proved IF I threw $ at an audiophilic >= 500 W @ 8 ohm, I could plead with a reference point AND promise d-sonics/wyred4sound, etc. wouldn't have fan noise.

Inspector 24

Reading through these May help you make a decision.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2685566

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?152478-Next-Upgrade-for-RTI-A9-s.&p=1962500&viewfull=1#post1962500

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?151172-Polk-RTiA9&p=1944911&viewfull=1#post1944911

tonyb

Get an amp, period. Parasound, B&k, Adcom, and many others depending on budget. Personally I'd stay away from pro amps as suggested above if musicality is of any concern to you. You would also need 2 rca cables to hook up a 2 channel amp from the likes of Signal cable, Audioquest, Douglas connections, and a cast of others.

F1nut

First off, you don't have them bi-amped. That's not possible with any AVR, period. Second, you need a power amp to properly drive those speakers.

Is this for 2 channel music only or also HT use?

mabst73

F1nut wrote: »

First off, you don't have them bi-amped. That's not possible with any AVR, period. Second, you need a power amp to properly drive those speakers.

Is this for 2 channel music only or also HT use?

What do you mean they are not bi-amped? Is it just not a true bi-amp? Current setup with the AVR is just a surround sound channel reassigned a L and R.

I use it for both music and HT.

F1nut

If it is not a true bi-amp, it's not bi-amping at all, period.

The more channels you use on that AVR, the less power per channel it will provide because the power supply is not up for the task. Try driving the A9's normally instead, although you are still going to need a separate power amp to drive them properly.

mabst73

I agree that I need an amp; I'm not looking to spend a ton of money on one though.

Looking for 250-300watts. What would you recommend?

Inspector 24

In my experience You don't NEED more than a good high current 200-220wpc to make the a9's work, which will help keep things cheaper. I was extremely satisfied with 220wpc from the HCA-2003a. The HCA-3500 is just for fun and provided only very slight improvements over the 2003.

Used Parasound 2003's 2200's can be had from $500-800, 2250's $900-1100, 3500's 1100-1700
Emotiva while controversial around these parts is liked by those that own them and lots of bang for the buck with a warranty.

Options are far and wide. Let's start with How much do you want to spend?

mabst73

I wouldn't want to spend more than $400. What would be the best bang for my buck?

I looked at the amp 4xoddic said and found this...a 300WPC for $300
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/350007.html

Inspector 24

Pro audio equipment such as that may get the power but most say they don't actually sound very good.

I have no experience with pro gear, but I'm sure others will chime in.

Honestly, I think you'll have a tough time getting a good amp for $400. Everything I see that's decent and can provide the needed power for the a9's is over $500, more like $600.

F1nut

It never ceases to amaze me the number of folks who spend good coin for new speakers only to realize they need a good amp to drive them because they didn't do their homework and want to or have to cheap out on the amp end.

tonyb

Ditto ^^^^, but lets face it Jess, it's not like the old days when mass marketed speakers were easy to drive and receivers had some well built power supplies. Now it's the opposite. Those new to todays audio still think it's like the old days.

mabst73

Dskip - thanks for the options!
Inspector 24 - what do i need to increase my price to?


F1nut -As I said, I'm new. I can see that I went overboard on the speakers, but that is why I came here for help. As to say that I didn't do my homework...if I didn't know what to look for how could I find it? I see now that my receiver is weak for the speakers. Would you have recommendations on what to get?

I'm just looking for some suggestions and if I need to up my price, then I can. I am just looking to drive these speakers the correct way without spending a crazy amount of money. I'm not looking for the best of the best or best brand. If a $600 amp can do the work of a $800amp and the only difference in price is the brand name that is ok with me....I'll take the $600 amp.

Thanks to those who have given me options!

cfrizz

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-rotel-rb-983-3-channel-200w-channel-2013-09-30-amplifiers-44122
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-adcom-gfa-5800-power-amp-2013-09-27-amplifiers-63117

Here are a couple of options.

mabst73

What are the opinions on a Carver TFM-25?

Found some previous threads about this amp. thoughts?

Inspector 24

Inspector 24 - what do i need to increase my price to?

Like I said....

Honestly, I think you'll have a tough time getting a good amp for $400. Everything I see that's decent and can provide the needed power for the a9's is over $500, more like $600.

cfrizz wrote: »

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-rotel-rb-983-3-channel-200w-channel-2013-09-30-amplifiers-44122
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-adcom-gfa-5800-power-amp-2013-09-27-amplifiers-63117

Here are a couple of options.

These are some fantastic options. Given the choice I'd go for the Adcom and worry about the center channel amplification later, the AVR will handle that quite well if it's not driving the A9's

Though that Rotel is very nice too, either one would work great.

Again, look for minimum 200wpc, and plan on spending $500+ If money is a big factor, you can always upgrade slowly and go with lower wattage to start. Even 135wpc from a Parasound HCA-1206 was FAR superior to the '140wpc' from my Yamaha AVR at the time.

Or just say screw it and go all out:
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-parasound-dual-mono-stereo-hca-3500-amplifier-near-san-francisco-ca-2013-10-02-amplifiers-94403

Of course you'd need power cords, so slightly more expense. FWIW, I paid $1400 shipped for mine, though it did have power cords.

4xoddic

Inspector 24 - I appreciate your specific amp comparisons. My QSC-GX7 was a major improvement in musicality (at least on my RSMM, Rat Shack Musicality Meter), compared to my SC-07.

I'm thinking either the d-sonic M3-600M (600w) or Red Dragon Audio M1000MkII (550 watts at 8Ω) might be a good match with the RTiA9s.

Thorton

You have nice speakers. Save a few more dollars and power it with a nice amp. Don't skimp here. Cfizz has nice listings or wait for a nice used Parasound to pop up at a good price. A decent amp makes a world of a difference with the A9's. 500-800 should get you a good amp. When you find something decent, utilize them members on this forum to give their opinion of the performance on that particular model.

mabst73

I think Thorton said it best. I'm going to save my money and get a decent amp and deal with it for now.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts!

mabst73

Well I did some thinking and bought a Adcom 555 off Ebay for $350 shipped!

DSkip wrote: »

Adcom, para sound, rotel, nad, b&k.... Adcom 555 stands out as a solid investment for you. They hang around 3 bills and will continue to stay at that mark as far as I can tell. It's got respectable performance and is easy to move when it's time is up in your system.

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Like I said....

Honestly, I think you'll have a tough time getting a good amp for $400. Everything I see that's decent and can provide the needed power for the a9's is over $500, more like $600.



These are some fantastic options. Given the choice I'd go for the Adcom and worry about the center channel amplification later, the AVR will handle that quite well if it's not driving the A9's

Though that Rotel is very nice too, either one would work great.

Again, look for minimum 200wpc, and plan on spending $500+ If money is a big factor, you can always upgrade slowly and go with lower wattage to start. Even 135wpc from a Parasound HCA-1206 was FAR superior to the '140wpc' from my Yamaha AVR at the time.

Or just say screw it and go all out:
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-parasound-dual-mono-stereo-hca-3500-amplifier-near-san-francisco-ca-2013-10-02-amplifiers-94403

Of course you'd need power cords, so slightly more expense. FWIW, I paid $1400 shipped for mine, though it did have power cords.

Inspector 24

Wow! Great deal! I look forward to finding out the results!

mabst73

Well got her all setup, the amp is pretty clean considering its age!

I can already hear the difference in the high/mid range, along with my listening level. But I'm disappointed in bass, they barely move.

Thoughts?

Inspector 24

Placement? Room correction settings? Jumpers properly attached between binding posts?

tonyb

Speakers set to small or large ? Speaker levels.....crossover settings ? Cables ?

mabst73

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Placement? Room correction settings? Jumpers properly attached between binding posts?

Inspector,
Its not the room (atleast for this), they just don't seem to move much. Since I had them bi-amped before, I put the little gold bars back on and have only a single set of cables plugged into the top post for L&R.

tonyb wrote: »

Speakers set to small or large ? Speaker levels.....crossover settings ? Cables ?

Tonyb,
The speakers are set to large on the receiver. As for the levels, I used the auto-tune feature my Yamaha supports to do speaker levels and such.

As for crossover settings....i'm not sure

mabst73

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Placement? Room correction settings? Jumpers properly attached between binding posts?

Inspector,
Its not the room (atleast for this), they just don't seem to move much. Since I had them bi-amped before, I put the little gold bars back on and have only a single set of cables plugged into the top post for L&R.

tonyb wrote: »

Speakers set to small or large ? Speaker levels.....crossover settings ? Cables ?

Tonyb,
The speakers are set to large on the receiver. As for the levels, I used the auto-tune feature my Yamaha supports to do speaker levels and such.

As for crossover settings....i'm not sure

MarkTX

i have the tweeters on CH. A and bass on CH.B lol

F1nut wrote: »

First off, you don't have them bi-amped. That's not possible with any AVR, period. Second, you need a power amp to properly drive those speakers.

Is this for 2 channel music only or also HT use?