XPA-100 Monoblock for center or is this just stupid

kevhed72

trj wrote: »

mrloren wrote: »

Trade you a CSi5 for it

Are planning to sell the CSi5? I thought you were going to keep it after reading your other thread. I would be interested if the price is right and you are nearby. Shoot me a PM.

Sorry, OP didn't mean to derail the thread.
I have similar problem too. Netflix, youtube and radio are fine but the volume from OTA signals for TV (fed through co-ax) is low. I have to bring the receiver rx-v667 to -20db, while all other sources sound pretty good at -30db. Unfortunately, my cheapo TV doesnt have ARC to test.
I have set my AVR to -30db at start up so I don't go boom when I turn on the radio, BD or netflix. I have Xsight touch remote, so I can get to all the activities with a single button. Helps my volume issue as I usually turn off everything(one button) before going to bed, thats usually TV+receiver at -20db. And I turn ON the receiver or receiver change input to HDMI 1+ netflix/pandora (BD player) or just receiver +change input to radio (one button) in the morning. I would hate the radio to start at -20db at the morning, so setting the default at -30db has worked well for me.
Sorry, its not a solution but a work around.

Would a signal booster help with your OTA signal for TV....it does wonders for my OTA for radio. Yes, I still use a radio tuner

kevhed72

afterburnt wrote: »

I have got an XPA-200 on the fronts. Is it a good idea to add a XPA-100 Monoblock just for the center?

I would amp my center and fronts for sure. Maybe even 3 mono blocs....

afterburnt

kevhed72 my only souces are streaming, no TV I got rid of my directv and I live a canyon and get no FM signal. I am Waiting for my XPA-3 that will be on the fronts and center The XPA-200 IS going to the surrounds and I want an XPA-2 but I have no room for it.

trj

kevhed72 wrote: »

Would a signal booster help with your OTA signal for TV....it does wonders for my OTA for radio. Yes, I still use a radio tuner

What kind of signal booster? For the antennae or the coax cable that I am running from TV to receiver.
I use the radio tuner on my receiver a lot too. In fact, the sound from the radio stations are the clearest and the loudest at the same volume.

I am thinking to try Coax to optical powered converter from TV to receiver and see if it makes any difference. But, then I read that optical cable doesnt transfer 5.1 signals.

tonyb

trj wrote: »

kevhed72 wrote: »

But, then I read that optical cable doesnt transfer 5.1 signals.

Sure it does, who told ya that ? Optical is good for 5.1 but only DD or DTS. It won't do the newer BR codecs like DTS HD Master audio.

trj

tonyb wrote: »

Sure it does, who told ya that ? Optical is good for 5.1 but only DD or DTS. It won't do the newer BR codecs like DTS HD Master audio.

Must be my half assed reading when I read optical cable wont transfer the 5.1 signals. Thanks. I don't think the OTA TV channels do DD or DTS, or do they?
I will try the coax to optical adapter today and see if it benefits. Its just a regular powered box with one coax input and one optical out. No volume/signal booster knob. It would be nice not to have to change the volume level every time I switch inputs (without turning off any devices).

Polkie2009

If you have an owner's manual for your AVR, it will probably cover this. If all else fails, RTFM,lol.

afterburnt

Got the XPA-3 all hooked up and it is cookin! I hope I don't melt these monitors too, they sound so much better amped 2 or 7 channel. These are pretty decent speakers with enough power to feed em, about a grand for all 6. Unfortunately I already want some better speakers and these are brand new.

afterburnt

DSkip so far I have cheaped out on wires. I have Sewell dead bolts on 12 and 16 guage generic wires and the IC's are cheapo too. Do you have some suggestions, while I am crying listening to a Return to forever CD that I have had on vinyl from like 30 years ago

afterburnt

It is actually exciting to listen to this stuff again.

afterburnt

Got a link? I have seen his stuff mentioned many times but don't know where.

Thanks

cfrizz

Congrats Afterburnt! You might also want to check this site out. I have all BJC except for my two subs which are Mono Price.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

afterburnt

Whoa! I don't have the ducats for those cables. Do you think I will gain much by going with heavier gauge cable all around with the dead bolts?

ZLTFUL

afterburnt wrote: »

Whoa! I don't have the ducats for those cables. Do you think I will gain much by going with heavier gauge cable all around with the dead bolts?

Everybody says that because the page layout shows his highest priced cables first (Ready made cables). But if you select the custom made cables, you will see much more affordable options. Not to mention Doug gives a 10% discount to Club Polk members.
http://www.douglasconnection.com/Custom-Made-Canare-4S11-11AWG-Speaker-Cables-DCC4S11.htm

mrloren

afterburnt wrote: »

Whoa! I don't have the ducats for those cables. Do you think I will gain much by going with heavier gauge cable all around with the dead bolts?

Order the Furez in bulk from Doug and make your own speaker cables. I did my front 3 for less than $50 and it did make a difference. http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/165155/new-furez-cable-wow#latest

Your dead bolt plugs are good for now But be on the lookout for some good BFA plugs

afterburnt

Tanks mrloren which BFA plugs and how bout an IC recommendation?

voltz

If you do make your own speaker cables using the Furez cable Doug sells, then I recommend the furez analog cable also to match, making IC's is not as simple as speaker cables as you have to know how to solder and terminate them correctly.