Intro thread?
Polk4Paul
Posts: 3
I haven't found an intro thread so I'm just going to make one for myself to share what I've got and what I'd like to do.
Several years ago when Tweeter was going out of business in Greenville, SC I bought some equipment they were using for demo purposes to include a Yamaha RX-V1, Cambridge Audio Azur 640A (integrated amp) and Azure 640C (CD Player) and 2 NIB Polk RTi A9s. I hadn't a clue what I was getting, just young and had some money to spend.
FF to the present day. We moved a couple years ago to N. GA/Metro ATL (whatever you call it) and I finally got my speakers setup with the Azure 640A powering them and the CD Player to play music. (If you're wondering about the RX-V1, I left it with a friend who uses it regularly to power a pair of speakers he listens to while working at home. I have talked to him about getting it back sometime soon though
) I started listening to a couple CDs laying around (70s/80s type rock) and thought "meh" must not have been decent stuff I got all those years ago. The started listening to some Tower of Power, Joe Bonamassa, Dave Matthews Band Live at Red Rocks and further confirmed that I wasn't totally impressed with the setup which lead me to look online for a forum and I wound up here.
I'm glad to have found the site as I've read quite a few people talking about the RTi A9 and getting good sound out of them. First thing I've learned is my Azure 640A at 65 watts per channel is far too under powered for these speakers! Secondly I learned that I need an amp that'll warm up the sound coming out of these speakers and people like Parasound and MacCormack DNA amps. I'd like to keep my spend below the $1k mark and it seems as though the Parasound 22xx series are more readily available used. I'm not sure if my budget is reasonable for a DNA-1, but maybe so...I've got some looking to do. I like several genres of music but really like instrumental music whether it be jazz, funk, rock, classical, etc. I do like some vocals as well but prefer instrumental. I have no desire to use this setup for surround sound, movies etc...purely music.
Anyway, that's my story. Feel free to share any advice you have but in the meantime, I'll probably be digging around on the site and watching the used ads for one of the two amp brands listed above.
Paul
Several years ago when Tweeter was going out of business in Greenville, SC I bought some equipment they were using for demo purposes to include a Yamaha RX-V1, Cambridge Audio Azur 640A (integrated amp) and Azure 640C (CD Player) and 2 NIB Polk RTi A9s. I hadn't a clue what I was getting, just young and had some money to spend.
FF to the present day. We moved a couple years ago to N. GA/Metro ATL (whatever you call it) and I finally got my speakers setup with the Azure 640A powering them and the CD Player to play music. (If you're wondering about the RX-V1, I left it with a friend who uses it regularly to power a pair of speakers he listens to while working at home. I have talked to him about getting it back sometime soon though
) I started listening to a couple CDs laying around (70s/80s type rock) and thought "meh" must not have been decent stuff I got all those years ago. The started listening to some Tower of Power, Joe Bonamassa, Dave Matthews Band Live at Red Rocks and further confirmed that I wasn't totally impressed with the setup which lead me to look online for a forum and I wound up here.I'm glad to have found the site as I've read quite a few people talking about the RTi A9 and getting good sound out of them. First thing I've learned is my Azure 640A at 65 watts per channel is far too under powered for these speakers! Secondly I learned that I need an amp that'll warm up the sound coming out of these speakers and people like Parasound and MacCormack DNA amps. I'd like to keep my spend below the $1k mark and it seems as though the Parasound 22xx series are more readily available used. I'm not sure if my budget is reasonable for a DNA-1, but maybe so...I've got some looking to do. I like several genres of music but really like instrumental music whether it be jazz, funk, rock, classical, etc. I do like some vocals as well but prefer instrumental. I have no desire to use this setup for surround sound, movies etc...purely music.
Anyway, that's my story. Feel free to share any advice you have but in the meantime, I'll probably be digging around on the site and watching the used ads for one of the two amp brands listed above.
Paul
Comments
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Welcome! Enjoy yourself. I think you came to a good place. Lots of folks to learn from here.
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Welcome, never had those speakers but I think I've read they are better for HT than 2 channel. Let others chime in that has experience though.Pio Elete Pro 520
Panamax 5400-EX
Sunfire TGP 5
Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
PS Audio GCPH phono pre
Sunfire CG 200 X 5
Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
OPPO BDP-83 SE
SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
Ctr CS1000p
Sur - FX1000 x 4
SUB - SVS PB2-Plus
Workkout room:
Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
Onkyo TX-DS898
GFA 555
Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
Ft - SDA 1C
Not being used:
RTi 38's -4
RT55i's - 2
RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
LSI 15's
CSi40
PSW 404 -
Welcome Paul!
Nice bike! (Dragon?) and dump the A9s if music's your thing. Amp's not gonna magically warm and smooth those speakers. You need a music speaker for music, not a theater one. Build system refinements around a speaker you already like, not one with shortcomings you're trying to correct.
If you want to stay Polk, Signature Series, LSiM, or vintage might be more to your liking.I disabled signatures. -
Welcome Paul!
Nice bike! (Dragon?) and dump the A9s if music's your thing. Amp's not gonna magically warm and smooth those speakers. You need a music speaker for music, not a theater one. Build system refinements around a speaker you already like, not one with shortcomings you're trying to correct.
If you want to stay Polk, Signature Series, LSiM, or vintage might be more to your liking.
It was either the Dragon or the Cherohala. Guess I need to figure in some speakers too then based the comments so far. Doesn’t have to remain Polk but I’ll check out what you recommend! -
I vote vintage... SDA 2b? Maybe bigger if you room permits it?
Run for these!! : https://knoxville.craigslist.org/ele/d/polk-audio/6488416432.html
Then get a big boy amp because they are power hungry. -
Welcome. We love spending other people's money.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
You have opened the door to the first level of Hell.....
God speed.... -
Welcome home!
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You have opened the door to the first level of Hell.....
God speed....
So says the receptionist.
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Gotta make sure they are gonna make the cut. -
Welcome!
Has anyone used 666 in lightmans karma?Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
SCompRacer wrote: »Welcome!
Has anyone used 666 in lightmans karma?
I see you have not chosen yet, Rich...... -
SCompRacer wrote: »Welcome!
Has anyone used 666 in lightmans karma?
I see you have not chosen yet, Rich......
How about a Thunderdome beer cage match. Two men enter, first one passes out gets punk'd.....
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
SCompRacer wrote: »SCompRacer wrote: »Welcome!
Has anyone used 666 in lightmans karma?
I see you have not chosen yet, Rich......
How about a Thunderdome beer cage match. Two men enter, first one passes out gets punk'd.....
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/180547/its-time-for-a-lightman-karma-one-time-a-year-and-only-here#latest
Gauntlet has been thrown.... -
Welcome. Nice MS1200S and bombing down the Tail of the Dragon as well. Was there in 2015 on my 2012 MS1200ST loaded down with me, my wife and a bunch of photog gear. We did 13 states in 11 days on that trip which also saw us hit the Cherohala Skyway, BRP from south end to north end and a whole lot of other great roads from the Ozark Mountains to the Smokey’s.
As F1nut said, we love to spend other folk’s money!
"Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Welcome to the forum Paul! I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said. I agree with others that the RTiA series speakers are geared more towards home theater and can be overly bright/harsh. If you're looking to build a nice little 2-channel system, I'd start with different speakers. Don't rule out the Cambridge integrated amp just yet. I'm sure there are plenty of more efficient speakers that it would have no problem driving.
And YEEEEEESSSSSSS, folks on this forum love spending other members' money! -
Welcome....here's an amp to get you started....for only 500 clams
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/ele/d/parasoundwatt-thx-ultra2-two/6487328865.htmlHT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Well there you go, that amp and those 15s, you're in for 850 (under budget) and you'll be set! That is until you start down the mod rabbit hole
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Chicago is a bit of a drive from Georgia? Shame, I've always liked that amp and price is right(I think).Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
Welcome....here's an amp to get you started....for only 500 clams
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/ele/d/parasoundwatt-thx-ultra2-two/6487328865.html
Awesome, I'll reach out to see if they'll ship and if they have any details other than just the specs. Regarding the speakers above...would those really be that much better than the A9s? From my reading the A9s do much better with power behind them regarding music. In any case, not opposed to it just some more research I need to do. -
Welcome. We love spending other people's money.
Yes you do! You all do! I can attest!
Welcome @Polk4Paul !Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Hey Paul, so now that you've been here for a while, ready to spend some money?
Consider it your initiation.
Best deal I've ever seen on Polk LSiM - 5 channels, $1500.
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/180678/amazing-adorama-deal-5-channel-lsim-package-705-703-706-1500
2x LSiM 705
2x LSiM 703
1x LSiM 706
Don't think just click
Ask for forgiveness later.
As well as for the rest of the money you'll want for an upgraded AVR and/or amp.
If you're interested, act fast. I thought this had to be a mistake when I saw it. It's not even open box.I disabled signatures. -
That is a smoking deal! CP alert! Wow!Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Welcome to the forum, Paul. I just joined beginning of this past year, with no equipment, and you can see in my signature what I’ve ended up with. Hang around here and you’ll be neck deep in it before long. But these are a great group of people with a lot of experience and knowledge, and in the end they really do just want to help you get the best system to meet your needs.Post edited by Derf onIntegrated Amp: Marantz PM-10
Speakers: Usher MD2
Subwoofer: Rythmik F15HP
DAC: North Star Design Supremo
Streaming Source: AURALiC Aries Mini
SACD Player: Marantz SA8004
Power Source: PS Audio PP3 on dedicated 20amp circuit -
Welcome to the forum, Paul. I just joined beginning of this year, with no equipment, and you can see in my signature what I’ve ended up with. Hang around here and you’ll be neck deep in it before long. But these are a great group of people with a lot of experience and knowledge, and in the end they really do just want to help you get the best system to meet your needs.
You too @Derf! My sig contains all new toys since I joined in December! Congrats!Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
