Would an amplifier really help?

rnp614
rnp614 Posts: 598
edited September 2004 in Speakers
I am considering getting a Harman Kardon PA2000 4 channel amplifier for my system which consists of a Pioneer VSX-812K, 4 RTi38s, and a CSi30. Would this amplifier really be worth the purchase? What kind of difference would I hear in sound?

The power rating on the amplifier is 4x45 or bridged 2x100. Would this sound better than the claimed 100 watts from my current receiver?
Post edited by rnp614 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • rnp614
    rnp614 Posts: 598
    edited September 2004
    also would this amplifier be able to handle LSi7s?

    oh and would this receiver even really be able to handle 4 speakers? I only see 1 right input and 1 left input on the amp! i cant put in left and right surround!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2004
    A separate amp will almost always sound better than the use of the receiver's amp. For the HK PA 2000, I suggest using it as a 2-channel amp to power your fronts. It will work fine on the Lsi7's, but a higher quality and more powerful amp will work even better.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • agw
    agw Posts: 22
    edited September 2004
    Has anyone experimented with bi-amping? I was thinking of bi-amping using a seperate amp to power the low end on the rti10's and using my yamaha 5790 to power the mid/highs (they are sweet sounding from this receiver).
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited September 2004
    Don't under-estimate the HK PA2000! I bought one from onecall.com for $199.99 plus free shipping, not really expecting much, except hoping that the newer HK amps still had the sweet sound that has always been real close to the Yamaha Natural Sound amplifiers and receivers. I'm using the PA2000 in bridged mode to power my RTi70 fronts, and I'm pretty impressed! Nice sound, high-current capacity, and seems to work very well in a HT application. And the nice sweet open sound that HK amps are known for is still there. I also have a PA2200, and a couple of Citation 24 amps setting in my storage room, just can't bring myself to sell them because they have a really nice warm sound to them.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter