Powering RTiA9s(2)

Richardcoo

I like my new speakers and keep reading posts from others with them, saying they are "Power Hungry" and benefit from an additional amp. I don't listen to any really loud music because of where I live,and got my speaker looking for the sonic clarity I thought their Freq. Resp. and driver config. suggested they may have. My question is-Would someone living in a 5th floor condo be wasting their money by running the through an additional amp,or can I get some actual benefit from from the additional power even if I don't really "Crank them Up"?
I'm really not trying to get an eviction notice,I would just like to hear more of the details-

zane77

Yes, they will definitely crave more power than an AVR can supply. You can find some nice used power amps that will work very well with the 9's. You'll want to look for something with a minimum of a 200 watt high current amp, more is better. Even at lower volumes the amp will give you more head room and will make a noticeable improvement. Have fun with the new toys and welcome to the club!

Inspector 24

I found nice improvements at low volumes the higher I claimed in the Parasound power ladder, of course the last step also included a big jump in quality with the 3500.

Even 135wpc HCA-1206 high current amp was better than the '140wpc' Yamaha AVR.

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk Richard!

When we talk about powering our speakers with separate amps it is NOT about getting more volume. It is about making sure that your speakers have enough power to operate to their full potential. And a receiver will not do that.

With a 200wpc @ 8ohms amp powering your speakers, you will have clearer vocals, instruments & bass. You will want to listen to all of your records to hear all the details that you have never picked up with just a receiver powering your speakers.

And the kicker is you will even pick up on these details at a LOWER volume!

So if you don't have a problem buying used, look on Audiogon for a Parasound, B&K, Sunfire, Nad, Rotel amp (providing your receiver has preouts to add an amp. What receiver do you have, we will be able to tell if it has it or not. If you want a new amp then look at Outlaw audio & Emotiva.

BTW, I live on the 7th floor of a condo building and I run a 5.2 HT setup, all speakers powered by a 405wpc 5 channel amp! And nobody has pounded on my walls or door telling me to turn it down.

Oldfatdogs

BTW, I live on the 7th floor of a condo building and I run a 5.2 HT setup, all speakers powered by a 405wpc 5 channel amp! And nobody has pounded on my walls or door telling me to turn it down.

I have been told by a reliable source in Chicago,that you hand out some pretty good butt woppens to those who cross you Cathy.:razz:

Sorry to derail,carry on.

Dan

tonyb

cfrizz wrote: »

BTW, I live on the 7th floor of a condo building and I run a 5.2 HT setup, all speakers powered by a 405wpc 5 channel amp! And nobody has pounded on my walls or door telling me to turn it down.

Maybe it's the skull and crossbones behind the dead cat nailed to your door that keeps people from complaining.

cfrizz

Oldfatdogs wrote: »

I have been told by a reliable source in Chicago,that you hand out some pretty good butt woppens to those who cross you Cathy.:razz:

Sorry to derail,carry on.

Dan

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe it's the skull and crossbones behind the dead cat nailed to your door that keeps people from complaining.

I would NEVER abuse & kill a defenseless sweet animal, if I had anything nailed to my door it would be a useless **** human that got on my last nerve! LOL.

But it is more likely that I live in a 50 year old mostly solid concrete building which helps immensely with deadening the sound of the neighbors movements and music. I also respect my neighbors by not getting too carried away with the volume and if I do it is in the middle of the day when everyone is up and about, not late at night.

tonyb

cfrizz wrote: »

, if I had anything nailed to my door it would be a useless **** human that got on my last nerve! LOL.
.

Maybe so...all I know is the nail holes in my hands took months to heal. lol

cfrizz

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe so...all I know is the nail holes in my hands took months to heal. lol

Next time I tell you not to touch my system, you'll listen won't you! LOL

tonyb

Hey now, it isn't my fault you have to past your system to get to the bathroom. A man can't even take a dump in your place without getting crucified to the door.

Though that may have more to do with the smell than the system. lol

Richardcoo

Thanks y'all-The sunfire CGS,405,5ch. sounds like a good choice except I'd be afraid the (405w) power would kill all but my front(RTi/CSi)speakers. Do these high currant amps usually have some kind of limiter for the surrounds & rears and such?

F1nut

It's not going to damage your speakers.

Inspector 24

Just don't turn the volume up to 11.

cfrizz

Everything has limits, but you will damage your hearing playing too loud before you damage your speakers.

tonyb

Richardcoo wrote: »

Thanks y'all-The sunfire CGS,405,5ch. sounds like a good choice except I'd be afraid the (405w) power would kill all but my front(RTi/CSi)speakers. Do these high currant amps usually have some kind of limiter for the surrounds & rears and such?

When you turn on the connected amp, it doesn't automatically throw 400 watts to the speakers. Also if you feel the rears are getting too much, go into the receivers menu and dial down the speaker levels for the rear.

Richardcoo

Thanks alot for the input-I DO listen! After checking out a few amps, I (of course) have a couple of questions; If I were to get the 405w choice, would it have a limiter for the speakers that aren't rated for 500w? Besides the RTiA9s,there is a CSiA6,(4) monitor70s and (2)OWM5s to contend with-all having decreasing max wattage ratings.Im also looking at an Emotiva XPA-5, but even @ 200w, I will have the same "maxing-out" issue. I dont want someone cranking it up when my head is turned-Accidents happen.-AND would 200w be enough headroom,or is "More Better"?

Richardcoo

I should have read all of the posts before I hit "enter" Long day!

seabeerob213

Ask nbrowser about someone cranking up his speakers while he was absent, and the avr itself is the limiter, but I think you saw that by your last statement

tonyb

Richardcoo wrote: »

Thanks alot for the input-I DO listen! After checking out a few amps, I (of course) have a couple of questions; If I were to get the 405w choice, would it have a limiter for the speakers that aren't rated for 500w? Besides the RTiA9s,there is a CSiA6,(4) monitor70s and (2)OWM5s to contend with-all having decreasing max wattage ratings.Im also looking at an Emotiva XPA-5, but even @ 200w, I will have the same "maxing-out" issue. I dont want someone cranking it up when my head is turned-Accidents happen.-AND would 200w be enough headroom,or is "More Better"?

Like I said, pay no attention to those recommended watts on the speakers, they mean little. Think in terms of current, not watts, amperes peek to peek. Speakers thrive on quality current, not necessarily watts.

No such thing as a "limiter", the volume dial is your limiter along with your ears. The speakers don't suck up 400 watts each as soon as you turn on the amp. If you can't trust people in your environment to not touch your stuff, then re-think the whole thing. Cranking the volume dial isn't something done on accident.

seabeerob213

referring to it as a limiter because you can set a max volume, or adjust the volume to each channel, i know my yammy does both