DA4ES as a pre amp?

therealjeepguy

I know many of purist out there will shake your heads at this idea, but I have to start somewhere. I've been throwing around the idea of getting into separates, but I don't have the financial resources to fully implement this, so I've decided to first go with a good amp and use my receiver as a pre amp until the day comes when I can get a good dedicated pre/pro. The question is do I go with a two channel for the front mains and let the receiver handle the surround duties and then add more amplification later? Or do I just go out and get a good multi-channel amp and be done with it? What are the trade offs? I enjoy listening to stereo music through my RTi6's but I know they're not working to their full potential without a good external amp. Let me know what you audiophiles think! As always, thanx for the input!!

dorokusai

There are many people that use an AVR as a pre-amp, it's not uncommon.

I would save your money. Don't get caught up in something and buy based simply on CP's recommendations or an impulse.

If you are going to buy a piece of gear, buy for the future....go big or don't go at all. If you don't make sound decisions in the beginning, you'll be doing this time after time after time.

The 4ES is very capable of driving a bookshelf speaker, c'mon now.

pjdami

TRJG,

Baton Rouge! Cool somebody else in La. that posts on this board. Lived there 10 years; great little town. I've been on pins and needles about the NS / Miami situation here.

What are your goals with your system? I agree with Doro, the Sony ES receiver is more than adequate to handle your current speakers.

Are you looking to play your system with more dynamics (louder)?; are you looking for tonal changes? Are you seeking more bass?

Some questions to answer. Do you own a sub? A sub can add some dramatic slam for a stereo setup especially since you own bookshelves. A sub with a seperate built in amp (like a Polk, Hsu, Adire, or SVS sub) will free up some power for your RTi6 if you use the crossover. I think a sub with your system (if you don't already have one) will yield the most significant upgrade right now. Some people may disagree with this but it works for me.

A close second:

What is your source (cd player)? Invest in a nice $500 -$1,000 cd player to get more resolution and detail.

The Sony ES can be used as a preamp, but I think that depending on your goals, some of these other options may be better for now.

bigsexy1

I concur with the two gentlemen above. The 4ES will make a great pre/pro for movies. It does have dual 32 bit processors.

The problem with that receiver has always been it's weak amp section, but you will obviously have that more than solved with an outboard amp or amps.

therealjeepguy

Yeah, I thought my system sounded great 'til I auditioned some Paradigm Reference Studio 20's hooked up with an Anthem PVA 7 and a Marantz pre amp and tuner, don't remember which model, mainly because I was interested in the amp and what it could do for my speakers. Man Oh man!! Was I ever impressed! Made we want to go home and start all over again. The imaging, the clarity, and the presentation exhibited by these speakers was astonishing! Yeah, it was my first time hearing high end gear. You know, the kind of stuff I can't afford, but anyway, I don't fret, 'cause I believe I'm headed in the right direction with the guidance from you folks and auditioning good equipment. I think I'm going to save up and try to score an Anthem PVA 5 or MCA 50 and see if that brings things to a new level with my system! I do have a sub...it's a Polk PSW 404, but I don't blend it with my mains unless I'm listening to material that I know dips below 50Hz or when playing DD or DTS material. I think once I get the new amp, I can start focusing on a better sub. I like the Paraidigm Seismic 10 or 12...haven't decided which, but that's probably what Uncle Sam will buy for me next year!! 'Til then, Happy Holidays to y'all!

shiu

I used to have a DA4ES powering front L&R RTi38, CSi30 center, RM6700 satellites for the surround, surround back, and a PSW404 sub. The Sony had absolutely no problem powering all those speakers (7.1) and produced undistorted dynamic punches that can be downright scary, e.g. the first explosion scene in attack of the clones, the 1st gun short in Kill Bill, the opening of the Fellowship of the ring etc.

For music, there was a problem, the 4ES just would not send strong enough signal to the sub in Stereo mode. It is not a big deal but it is a nuissance to have to increase the sub out level every time I listened to music in stereo with the sub on. If you don't adjust the sub out level, you will find that those RTi6 (similar to RTi38 I think) alone will give you more bass in "pure analog direct" than with the sub on in Stereo.

I really don't think the Anthem could sound that much better with the RTi speakers. I would guess the nice sound that you heard was mainly due to the better sounding Paradigm studio 20 speakers. I had my 4ES pre-outs connected to a two channel power amplifier, the 4ES sound just as good except at very loud level.

dorokusai

I've never noticed a problem in either format with any ES I've ever owned....and if you expect "magic" in an RTi series speaker....you need to get your head examined.

It's often about the entire package, not just the power source.