Power Amp to go with RTi a9 Speakers

radflux

Hi! I'm getting ready to buy 2 Polk RTi a9 Speakers (possibly a sub too if needed) for playback of stereo audio via turntable, CD player, tape player, etc. I'm not looking for surround sound for movies or anything like that. Now my question is, what Power amp/Receiver should I get? I am running my Turntable/Tape player/CD player into an Adcom GFP-715 Preamp already, I'm trying to figure out where to go from the RCA out of there.

I know the speakers have a 500w capacity, and I'd like to put out at least 200wpc - more if possible. I don't really have a price range for this, though I'd like to see a few different possibilities in different ranges.

From what I've read, I should go from my pre amp into another amplifier? rather than a receiver? What's my best option here?

Again the setup will be:
Turntable -> Adcom GFP-715 -> ? -> Polk Rti a9's

I'd appreciate any help/advice - I'm no expert on this! Thanks!

hochpt21

I'd probably get a good amp for the 9's and then decide if you even want a subwoofer. You might find that you don't need one. You can find older used 200W amps in the $400-$700 range that would do nicely if you are on a budget.

Parasound HCA series or B&K Reference is what I would recommend if you are looking to use it mostly for music.

If your budget is higher, there are many more options.

Remember that watts aren't the only thing. You'll want high current and a reputable brand.

Yes, you would want a dedicated power amplifier, not a receiver.

tonyb

hochpt21 wrote: »

I'd probably get a good amp for the 9's and then decide if you even want a subwoofer. You might find that you don't need one. You can find older used 200W amps in the $400-$700 range that would do nicely if you are on a budget.

Parasound HCA series or B&K Reference is what I would recommend if you are looking to use it mostly for music.

Yes, you would want a dedicated power amplifier, not a receiver.

I'll second his suggestions and throw in McCormack amps too. Don't read too far into those "manufacturer suggested wattage" uses either. You want an amp that delivers current, not necessarily watts. This is represented in the "amperes Peak to Peak" stats on any amplifier.

Also, and depending on budget, you may be better served with an integrated amp and get rid of the Adcom pre as well. An integrated is an amp and pre in one and many fine ones out there.

radflux

Thanks for the responses! Is there any real argument sound-quality wise of an integrated amp vs. separate pre and power amp? And do you have any suggestions of good integrated amps?

tonyb

radflux wrote: »

Thanks for the responses! Is there any real argument sound-quality wise of an integrated amp vs. separate pre and power amp? And do you have any suggestions of good integrated amps?

Depends.....with separates obviously the quality of each piece comes into play and the additional cables. Integrated amps save you some additional cables you'd have to buy and usually have better pre amps in them that what your accustomed to with the adcom.

Throw out a budget and we can recommend something both for amps or integrated amps.

hochpt21

As long as you're buying quality in either case is what is most important. Some people like to experiment with different combos to get different sounds, so that is the appeal of separates. An integrated should theoretically already be set up so that it's combined stages should mate well with each other.

Powerful integrated amps can get up there in price.

I had an Anthem integrated awhile back that was 200 quality watts. It had a phono input as well.

F1nut

Is there any real argument sound-quality wise of an integrated amp vs. separate pre and power amp?

These days, no.

And do you have any suggestions of good integrated amps?

BAT, Musical Fidelity, Levinson, Parasound, Ayre, Krell, Wyred4Sound and Jeff Roland are but a few of the better integrated amp offerings with enough juice to drive those speakers.

radflux

Throw out a budget and we can recommend something both for amps or integrated amps.

Are there quality amps for less than $1,000? I wasn't originally looking to spend that much but if the quality is there, then I wouldn't mind spending a little extra.

radflux

You can look for a used Parasound HCA amp rated for 200W at 8 ohms. They are frequently available on ebay for example.

I like the Emotiva XPA-1L monoblocks as well.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm looking more into that Emotiva now. This may be a dumb question, but how would I hook up a set of RCA cables to the Emotiva? I see the unbalanced audio port but with only one plug. Also, I'm assuming with amps like this, all volume control is done in the preamp as well, is that correct?

hochpt21

The Emotiva XPA-1L is a monoblock which means it only powers one speaker. You would need two of them.

I don't have experience with either speaker or amplifier, but some people say the combination of Polk A9's and Emotiva match up better for HT as opposed to music.

radflux

Ah, I see, thanks for the clarification.

hochpt21

Not sure if the amp will be exposed or not, but there is a B&K Reference 2220 on the bay right now. It doesn't have a faceplate and is pretty scratched up.

But if you don't care about that...that unit is about as cheap as you'll get for a quality amp that will drive those speakers.

radflux

Thanks for the heads up on that one it looks like a great deal. With this amp, would all volume control be done from the preamp?

hochpt21

radflux wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up on that one it looks like a great deal. With this amp, would all volume control be done from the preamp?

Yes, everything is controlled by the pre-amp. You will need a set of rca interconnect cables to connect the preamp to the amp, and then you will connect the speaker cables from the amp to the speakers.

Might want to verify with the seller that everything is as advertised in solid working condition. Take a look at the pictures as it looks a little beat up, and again, no faceplate.

But if it functions properly and you don't care about the looks, it seems to be a good first amp with enough power.

Also remember that it is a 15 ish year old amp so it has it's risks inherently. But a bunch of us have amps that old.

tonyb

Personally, I'm not a fan of buying off Ebay. Your chances of getting an amp in good working order go down imho.

Parasound HCA 1200 OR 1500, under 500 bucks for the win on sites like US AudioMart, Audiogon, your local Craigslist, or here in our own FM from our own members.

[Deleted User]

all good suggestions and if you want new, now seems to be the time to find deals at places like music direct.

F1nut

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I'd never buy a piece of gear that was missing its faceplate and/or is beat up as the likelyhood of internal abuse is off the charts.

Shop Audiogon or here for the best experience, IMO.

hochpt21

F1nut wrote: »

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I'd never buy a piece of gear that was missing its faceplate and/or is beat up as the likelyhood of internal abuse is off the charts.

Shop Audiogon or here for the best experience, IMO.

I agree, but for around $300 for a starter amp I though it might be worth it. Agree, though, a bit of a risk.

F1nut

Personally Paul, I think radflux should buy your Musical Fidelity A308. It's got everything he needs and then some, not to mention it'll sound way better than anything else suggested here.

radflux

Wow thanks for all the suggestions, looks like I've got some more research to do! I'm looking at a few amps locally sometime this week that I would (hopefully) be able to get for a good price. If it's not what I'm looking for, I'll start to look more into integrated amps like the Musical Fidelity A308 mentioned here.

honestaquarian

NAD,Rotel and Carver(*used of course*)
NAD and Rotel are excellent options new and not a lot of money. I've had some good luck on eBay with Carver amps.You just have to READ and pay attention to the details when buying on eBay.Reading not just the auction listings,but the feedback of the sellers. Also ask questions BEFORE bidding!!

honestaquarian

I used to sell NAD and Rotel btw.

JCsound

Great suggestions! Have you considered any D class amps? Crown makes some really nice, powerfull, clean and decently priced amps. I would buy 2 Crown XLS 1502's and passively bi-amp the A9's. You would have no need for any subwoofer if you feed the A9's enough power. I have my A9's passively bi-amped using a tube amp for the top section and a crown XLS 1500 for the bottom. They sound really good to me.

5Digits

Hello.
I've owned a set of RTi12's for several years and am very pleased with them.
Over those years, I have gone from powering them with an Onkyo 803, to a TFM-45, to a PM1200 and now have them supplied by a PT-2400.
I've noticed the obvious with each upgrade where the driver response has improved and the system no longer strains to make quality sound, at good volume, with minimal effort. Although with each upgrade, the mid's tend to receive more than they can handle with regards to the lower frequencies therefore I end up compromising bass response for controlled mid-range.

As I now entertain utilizing the PM-1200 for the mid range control and isolate the PT-2400 for low end drive, do you realize a significant gain in not only sound quality by bi-amping your A9's but in the individual control for each, at higher volumes?

Thanks

F1nut

Although with each upgrade, the mid's tend to receive more than they can handle with regards to the lower frequencies therefore I end up compromising bass response for controlled mid-range.

That's more likely the sound signature of the pro amps shining through.

tonyb

F1nut wrote: »

Although with each upgrade, the mid's tend to receive more than they can handle with regards to the lower frequencies therefore I end up compromising bass response for controlled mid-range.

That's more likely the sound signature of the pro amps shining through.

Agreed, which is why you won't find too many fans of pro amps for home use. They simply don't have the finesse of other brands made for home applications.