Newbie - Amp or no Amp

mapex636

Hi guys, new guy with first post here ... I looked around and couldn't find anything that fit my set up so I figured I'd ask .... I know almost everyone says to go with an amplifier for the extra power / clarity / head room / etc. I am just wondering if going with an amp will really make THAT much of a difference with my current setup:

- 2 Polk Audio RTiA9s
- 10" Polk Audio 200 watt powered subwoofer
- Denon AVR-x4000 receiver, which is rated at 125 watts @ 8 ohms when running 2 channels

I am just looking to run with those 2 speakers for stereo sound - not interested in surround. I am looking at an Emotiva XPA 3 Gen 2 which will give me 200 watts per channel at 8 ohms. My question is this: will that amp, or any amp around that power, really make that much of a difference given my current set up to justify the price? Any help / advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

stangman67

Do you have everything you listed above already? For two channel listening, you are kind of working backwards and the rti series is really designed for HT use as well.

mapex636

Yeah I already have everything except an amp. At some point I'll be looking to add speakers but that's not anytime too soon.

kharp1

To answer your question, in a word, yes. For two channel you would achieve greater results in going with an amp as well as a pre. just my 2 cents.

stuwee

Welcome to the forums! Your RTiA9s can handle some nice clean power. Do a search on 'power output vs Db output' You will not be able to hear much of a difference in loudness between a 125w and let's say 165w, 200w most will perceive the loudness jump on peaks...Clean power is the key, no clipping, your ears should let you know.

I've been throwing $$'s at my system for 35 years, Go big or go home! Ooops, you are home , get the nicest, highly regarded, high power amp you can afford, Do Not overlook the older amps out there. I run the rare SAE A1001 (500w continuous @8ohms with .0025Thd) into the very demanding ML Summits. Even with the powered woofers, they suck most of what it has to give. I have a big room, 16' X 26', speakers well out on the long wall, soundstage is unreal with them 6' apart, 3.5' out.

Get your speakers out in the room, they were made to interact with it, get some nice, clean power and have fun!

tonyb

Yeah, a 2 channel amp would definitely help out, but I would not pick an Emotiva amp to mate with RTI speakers. Both are a bit on the bright side on top, combined might be a tad too much brightness.

You can find a used Parasound hca 1200=1500 for about 400 bucks which would sound way better with those speakers. B&K is another brand as well as McCormack that can be had at reasonable prices that will sound better.

pkquat

As everyone here says, the answer is yes. tonyb has some good points on finding a match. The Emotiva is a good amp, but I agree it has a good chance of not matching well with those speakers. The Emotiva's have paired well with some vintage polks and other speakers. The Parasound, B&K, McCormack, and some others are good pairing for many speakers. If purchased used they will hold there value, so the risk is low. Most are new enough that they have not drifted out of their optimal audiophile specs. and have a lot of life left in them. If by some chance they do drift, I think most can be dialed back in for a low cost and likely without parts. I have an OLD Hafler DH-220, and it still sounds better than my 2010 era standard AVR supposedly of equal power ~115W. The Hafler was fed by the pre-outs from the same AVR.

The difference doesn't seam large at first, but there is improved separation, and more bass impact, even from my small bookshelf Monitor 4A's (only a6.5" ported woofer and a tweeter). The more you listen, the more you find more details in recordings. The amp also could care much less about the speaker load and Ohm rating compared to an AVR amp. There is no 4/6 Ohm switch. If your system grows or improves, a good amp will always improve the sound.

[Deleted User]

If you don't mind used, there is a nice PS Audio Delta 100
for sale on this site that should do quite well.

mapex636

Thanks for the input guys. I'm definitely not opposed to buying used at all so I'll keep an eye out. I do enjoy to crank the volume on most occasions and it's mainly only for music. The odd time we watch movies or TV but I certainly won't be buying anything specifically for those purposes. It's all about the 60s, 70s, and 80s rock!

kharp1

The Delta 100 is local only in the DC area or it would be on its way to my house. Bummer.
Welcome to the forum and the entrance to the rabbit hole.

stangman67

That Delta looks fantastic. It is local to me so if anybody needs a middle.man to ship, I am more than willing

kharp1

stangman67 wrote: »

That Delta looks fantastic. It is local to me so if anybody needs a middle.man to ship, I am more than willing

I may take you up on this. PM sent

OldSchoolPolk

If you're not in a rush I would check out the Vidar being developed at Schiit. 100 watts A/AB and 400 watt when bridged.

Two Vidars for $1,400 from a very reputable company could be the ticket.

mapex636

I actually bought a Crown XLS1502 on the advice of a bunch of folks. They're very well priced and have excellent reviews. Might not look the best for home theatre but apparently the performance is there.

tonyb

You have to take reviews with a grain of salt. Too many preferences in sound to say which will match yours. It may work for you though, who knows until you try it right ?

Pro amps usually are not the best choice for stereo home listening imho. They are built for loud, not necessarily the finer characteristics of stereo reproduction. Some either love pro amps or hate them for that purpose. Only you can judge for yourself.

[Deleted User]

Good luck with it. Did you get it at Sweetwater?

mapex636 wrote: »

I actually bought a Crown XLS1502 on the advice of a bunch of folks. They're very well priced and have excellent reviews. Might not look the best for home theatre but apparently the performance is there.

mapex636

No I got it from Amazon. $335 shipped.