Amp suggestions to power Rti12's

HuskerTRex

OK, I am looking for amp suggestions to help reap the benefits from my Rti12's. A few of you said my H/K635 is not doing my towers justice, and am in need of more power. Well, I want more power than. The wife probably wouldn't agree, but basically if you can let me know a brand and model, so I can take a look. I don't really have a specific budget, but don't want to go crazy, since my HK already cost about 700. Someone mentioned a couple crown models. Also, probably a silly question, but if I have a 7 channel receiver, and 2 speakers will be hooked up to a new amp (in near future) what happens to the remaining 75 wpc going to fronts? I know I probably didn't explain that very well. Just not sure how total hookup of a new amp would work?

Rti12's
csi5
fxi5's (surround side & back)
ps505 sub

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ricardo

There are many options; Outlaw 200w monoblocks is one many people use; great value at $624 for two of them.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

If that's too much you can buy used starting at around $200 for a 200wpc stereo amp (Adcom, Carver, Rotel.......)

If budget is not a problem, if I were you I would go with amps for the whole front stage, and even for all speakers....there are really nice 7 channels amps out there...and your speakers would shine with some clean power...

If you go with separate amps, you just use the pre-outs of your receiver into the amps for the channels you are amping...and then speakers connected to the amps output.

fredv

Notice that the power of all channels are coming from the same source and the fronts and center are usually the most demanding. Once the front is "outsourced", the same power reserve to provide greater dymanic to serve the other 5 channels. However, it is very difficult to quantify the added rms to other channels if there is any. The analogy that I can think of is a car carries 4 passengers vs 1 with a small engine.

McLoki

HuskerTRex wrote:

Also, probably a silly question, but if I have a 7 channel receiver, and 2 speakers will be hooked up to a new amp (in near future) what happens to the remaining 75 wpc going to fronts?

Google to the rescue. Your 635 is rated like this:

7 x 75 watts of power output into 8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz, <0.07% THD, all channels driven; 2 x 90 watts in stereo; and +/-50 amps of high-current capability.

Right now your RTi12's are pulling alot of power from the amp. By offloading that to an external amplifier, you will increase the power (watts and current) available to your other speakers.

Like HTrookie said, most of your sound has to come from the front stage. (front left, right and center) If you can offload those 3 speakers from your AVR, it will have much more power available to power your rear speakers. Just getting the 12's off there will make a large difference. If you can find a good 3 channel amp to power the entire front stage I am sure you will not be dissapointed.

I would purchase a 2 channel and mono or 3 channel amp now used. run the rear speakers from your avr. If you decide to trade up to a pre-amp later, sell your amps (you wont lose much since you purchased the used) and your avr and purchase a pre/pro and a 5-7 channel amp.

Michael

HuskerTRex

Thanks for the great feedback. This stuff is all so new and confusing right now. I do not want to damage my speakers since I paid good $ for them. What are your thoughts about a Crown xls602?

Thanks!

okiepolkie

Are you looking for a new amplifier or a used one? If you don't mind going used, then you can get a better "home" audio amp for the same money.

The Crown amplifiers have a lot of watts/dollar, but since they are pro-sound amps, the sound qualitity is usually a little lower than most home audio amps.

Take a look at Rotel, Carver, Parasound, NAD, Adcom, etc on ebay and audiogon to see if any of them fill your needs and qualify for your budget. I would look for something with a minimum of 200 watts/channel.

HuskerTRex

OK - OKIE, I guess I am up in the air on new/used. I will take a look on e-bay for some of the amps you mentioned. What else do I need to look for other than min of 200wpc? What about stereo/mono? Which do I need - stereo? Also, with hooking up an additional amp, will my HK receiver still "control" the fronts? I mean like, bass, treble, etc....
What about the differences in Ohm's? Still not sure what exactly that means?

mantis

As much as I agree with better gear , I'm alittle on the outside with the rti series. I feel if you want the next level of sonic perfection , LSI is in order. I know alot of you love your rti and I'm not here to bash them but I feel a really good receiver like the Denon avr4806 or the avr3805 or new 6 is all thats needed for this level of speaker.

Lsi is a better musical speaker and should be powered by higher end musical gear. The rti series speakers are really made for home theater first then music second in my opnion. RT means reference theater.

Using a lower end reciver with the rti series is also wrong. It's all about matching your speakers, receiver or pre and amp to the sonic level. Don't forget about high quality wire. Alot of people overlook this and hinder there system from performing the best they can be.

I own the rt12's of yesteryear and find them hardly any better then they where on a Denon receiver. I powered them with my Rotel RMB1095 monster amp.Little gain.
Now the lsi series and Rotel huge improvement over the rt or rti series. I think this is the way to go when seeking higher fidelity.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do,
Dan

Ps I forgot , I also demo'd the rti12's on B&K seperates when we first got them in and I didn't find hardley any Improvements. Maybe I'm just not a fan of the rti series but I didn't think they where worth the extra investment. Not to beat it but the Lsi series in my opnion is worth all the extra attention to detail.

fredv

Take a look at the Flea Market if you are open for used. Not only that the equipments are well cared, you can also get good advise there.

For you questions, yes, your HK still controll everything except the power on/off of the power amp (always plug in the power amp into the power outlet, not to the back of the receiver!!!!!). Regarding to ohms, it is a measurement of resistence. One ohm is the resistance value through which one volt will maintain a current of one ampere. In short, the lower the ohm values of the speaker's impedance, the higher load to the amp.

PolknPepsi

HuskerTRex wrote:

Well, I want more power. The wife probably wouldn't agree

Lol...lol...lol,
Reminds me of my wife but when a change is made and I point out the differences, she does approve........