Choosing a receiver

885yam

Good day all. I'm a newbie here to the forum. I would like some opinions about what receiver would be best for my application. And I'm open to any and all thoughts. I have acquired two Polk 11t monitor series towers and need a receiver adequate enough to power them. My budget isn't much. So I haven't been able to find one with the wattage. As far as my application of the speakers I would like them for movies, gaming, and occasionally tv, so I'm not sure if I need a pure a/very receiver or if i will be fine with a stereo receiver. And I've read I can hookup an amp externally just not sure how that would work and if you can supply directions to best install you've seen online please share. Thank you.

MrBuhl

Hi - welcome to the forum. Believe it or not - there's still a lot up in the air with your system requirements - (room size, what version surround, actual budget $, feelings on used vs. new, etc) - opinions will be all over the board on this one I promise you.

...but I can give you this direct advice -

For years I used a H/K AVR 20II (has preamp outs & was only prologic) running into an older (Audire) 100WPC separate amplifier and it was the perfect starter for me. Much like you, it was used for movies and gaming and 2 channel about equally.

It doesn't sound like my rig now, but then again, it cost as much as one piece of the current rig, and for years, I thought it sounded absolutely great as did many visitors.

So I would say one option is to find yourself a good quality used receiver with preamp outs and a separate used amp. You don't need a ton of power, just good power IMO. You could just get a higher powered used receiver too, I wouldn't go preamp, just because you're looking for some HT functionality and that will be more reasonable coming from a receiver than a processor.

Good luck, stick around, use the search function and get your read on.

885yam

Can anyone supply photos or links of how a amp connects to the receiver and speaker

885yam

Audiosource Amp 300 (not too satisfied reviews). Rotel RB850. Onkyo TX-SV828TX. Yamaha DSP1. Any of these worth picking up for my application? All close to me. And fair priced. No audio tech around my area seems to know how to wire an amp to receiver.

MrBuhl

You're looking for Preamp outs - that would connect via whatever RCA cables you're using to the "in" on the amplifier.

Very simple - it connects the way any other component connects. Then your speakers connect directly to the main amp. Surrounds and center speaker would still connect to the receiver. That gives you both some form of surround for HT and the amp to power your 11's.

I'm not familiar with any of those listed though, I generally believe the bad reviews on stuff though - so I'd steer clear of anything that's mixed.

larlane

I will echo the amp plus receiver advice. However, if you're just getting started, there are many receivers that will do an adequate job. Make sure whatever receiver you get has preouts, so when the budget does allow or an external amp, you can still use the receiver as a processor. I would search around for an older model or a refurbished unit. FYI you connect the receiver to the amp by using RCA cables- one for each channel. The speakers are then hooked to the amp instead of the receiver.

There are many varieties of amps depending on your application. You can opt for a two channel amp to power your front left and right speakers if stereo is your main listening mode. For movies, many like either a 3 channel (front, left, center) or a 5 channel amp (to power surrounds). The extremes are 7 channel amps or at the other end of the spectrum, mono blocks, a separate (and often ridiculously powerful) amp for each channel.

I currently use a Denon X4000 without an amp for a secondary system. In another system I use an Onkyo 818 connected to an Emotiva 5 channel amp. Huge difference in the power and sound, but I am happy with both systems.

To purchase refurb models check out Accessories 4 Less. I just checked them out and found a very nice Marantz receiver. It even has a free added 3 year warranty.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr7007/marantz-sr7007-7.2-125wpc-4k-airplay-a/v-receiver/1.html#!specifications

They have many less expensive options, also. Never bought from them, but they have good deals.

One last piece of advice. Don't forget to enjoy the music. We all can get hung up on wattage and all the tech stuff. I sometimes find myself spending more time on message boards looking for that next upgrade instead of enjoying the very nice system I already have. Also, be patient. My first system was a Kenwood Home Theater in The Box. I enjoyed the heck out of it. You can (and probably will) throw a lot of money into this hobby.

voltz

If you look at this picture of the back of my NAD you will see a group of outputs label "Audio Preouts" and you connect a pair of RCA/analog cables from the front L and Front R to the amp and plug the speaker cables from you front speakers to the amp and not the AVR.

885yam

Thank you very much for the advice. I just dont want to use a receiver that is too underpowered and possibly risk damaging the speakers. I couldn't find any myself today. But I live in Orlando florida if any of you have time to locate one for me. I can't afford the marantz sadly

Easy Runnin

http://orlando.craigslist.org/ele/5230650007.html