RTi A9's and Yamaha A-S2000

john5922

A few weeks ago, I upgraded my 2-channel system to a pair of RTi A9's and a Yamaha A-S2000 integrated amp. After about 20 hours of listening, I'm wondering whether the speakers are underpowered. The A-S2000 is rated at 90W/ch, but the reviews say it's more powerful than the rated specs and can drive most any speaker you throw at it. It sounds a little weak to me, though. I'm thinking maybe I should have gone with an Emotiva XSP-1 preamp and XPA-2 amplifier. I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks.

ZLTFUL

20 hours isn't even close to allowing these speaker enough time to break in. 100 hours bare minimum and closer to 200 hours will give you a much better idea of how they will actually sound.
The RTiA9s love power, there is no doubts about that. But the Yamaha is a solidly built integrated with plenty of decently high current capabilities.

If both items are brand new, you are going to have to face the fact that after 20 hours, neither the integrated nor the speakers have been broken in yet. Give it more time.

john5922

Thanks, ZLTFUL, that's a great point and yes, they're both brand new. I won't be able to get to 100 hours inside the return period for the Yamaha, but I'll do the best I can.

Does volume matter during the break-in period? FWIW, the system sounds more coherent at higher volumes right now. At lower levels, where I normally listen, the soundstage seems to disappear. Would that be normal at this point?

EndersShadow

As suggested just leave it on and running while your at work. Heck just put it on FM radio at low levels, volume level doesnt matter for "break in".....

What your noticing is that the RTi's kinda need a fair bit of juice to "wake-up" the sound so to speak.

I dont have ANY time on those so I will defer to Ryan on if thats normal or not since he owned the RTi's and also a Yamaha AVR till just a week or so ago..

john5922

Thanks very much, browser and endersshadow, I'll run a disc on "repeat" as this is a cd-only system.

Inspector 24

In my experience more power has always been a good thing for the A9's.

'140'wpc from Yamaha AVR...Nearly hated them.
135wpc from Parasound 1206. Acceptable to listen to, still don't sound full enough.
220wpc from Parasound 2003, FINALLY THE SOUND RIGHT!
350wpc from Parasound 3500. More modest gain, but oh boy they never sound like they're trying at any volume.

Still trying to decide if 700wpc from twin Parasound 3500's is much of an improvement...

Nightfall

The good news is the Yamaha has preouts so you can add an amp at a later time if you want more power. You don't have to go with the Emotiva preamp to use a separate power amp.

tonyb

Yep, that receiver doesn't have the gonads to drive the 9's. I'd get an amp for sure.

Inspector 24

nbrowser wrote: »

Just do a vertical passive bi-amp...one pushing the bottoms, one pushing the tops...do it and do it now! lol

Did that, listened to a couple CD's...Not a huge difference...but havnen't really turned it up yet, or listened to all my Diana Krall yet.

OP, go for at least 200wpc from a good high current source...ie something with a BIG power transformer, heavy is usually good too. Even a Parasound 1500A would drive them well.

john5922

Thanks for all the great advice! As luck would have it, my Yamaha turned out to be defective. I was inserting a disc in the cd player when the amp started causing loud popping noises in the speakers, and then the power light started flashing. Per the manual, this indicated a problem in the "internal circuitry" that would require factory help.

I returned the Yamaha and ordered an Emotiva XSP-1 and XPA-2. As soon as I get them I'll set em up and let you all know how they sound!

Thanks again,

John