New Amp Purchase

Jer_ry
Jer_ry Posts: 118
edited January 2006 in Electronics
After another post about a new reciever I've switched my attention to getting an amp for my current reciever. After just learning alittle bit about amps yesterday I would like more info and maybe a few suggestions on what to get. I've come to figure out that for my 5.1 setup that i need a 5ch AMP. I am going to shop in the used market for something. I have $550 tops. Someone gave me a suggestion on a Rotel RB-985 THX which i could afford. Thanks for any info.

SETUP
Reciever-Yamaha HTR-5250
Csi3-center
Rti4-mains
Sub-SvS pb10

Going to get another pair of 4's for the rears or rti6's and move the 4's to the rear
Post edited by Jer_ry on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2005
    A separate amp would be nice, but you'll only experience limited capability due to your current bookshelf speakers and your budget. In fact, the amp you choose may make your system sound brighter.
    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
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    well i was told it would make my system sound better. All i want to do is make my system sound cleaner cuz right now it's alittle bland and I have an old reciever and i figured that had to be it. I don;t listen to my system very loud at all on my reciever the knob is about 10 o'clock on movies and about 8 or 9 o'clock on tv. And to make it sound cleaner i believe i would have to turn it up more and it's blarring, but then it's to loud, but clean. I'm now right back where i started if this amp thing is no good....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited December 2005
    If you decide to go used and are not happy with the sound, you can always resell it, with a minimal loss. You should be able to get a decent 5 channel amp for around $500 or so. Check e-bay and audiogon.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    del44 wrote:
    If you decide to go used and are not happy with the sound, you can always resell it, with a minimal loss. You should be able to get a decent 5 channel amp for around $500 or so. Check e-bay and audiogon.
    Yup I have a few lined up I've been watching already. I'm Just So Confused on what to do. This Sucks!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2005
    Jer ry, take your time, Ask some questions, ask again, and then ask again. Go listen to some equipment if possible. I spent months researching, asking, and hunting for the equipment I own and I do not regret one purchase. Sorry, no impulse buying here.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited December 2005
    Used RMB 1075's are selling for about $750. Solid, dependable amps. And the great looks are a bonus. :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited December 2005
    separates make a difference. even w/ bookshelves. just be careful what you buy.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    janmike wrote:
    Jer ry, take your time, Ask some questions, ask again, and then ask again. Go listen to some equipment if possible. I spent months researching, asking, and hunting for the equipment I own and I do not regret one purchase. Sorry, no impulse buying here.
    Yup me too!! It's taken me 4 months to get what i got now and i love everything. Thats when i knew what i wanted to buy and just researched, but when you don't even know what to research! I know I for sure need something! I don't know this "bright sound" everyone talks about i might have heard it when i turned it up really loud it was like to much highs or something. I'm planning on keeping this speaker setup for a long time. If an amp is no good for the speakers then would getting the HK AVR435 reciever i had planned on a better buy?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    Thats it i'm buying the HK reciever it has preouts so i can get an amp if i still feel i need it!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MSkeezer
    MSkeezer Posts: 1,183
    edited December 2005
    Get the HK. You'll be very happy with it. You may not even need a seperate amp. At least not now...

    BTW, you'll want to get the update for the 435 from HK's website. It fixes a few bugs, and makes some improvement to the room eq. feature.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2005
    Good choice. You're better off with the HK at this point.
    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
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    MSkeezer wrote:
    Get the HK. You'll be very happy with it. You may not even need a seperate amp. At least not now...

    BTW, you'll want to get the update for the 435 from HK's website. It fixes a few bugs, and makes some improvement to the room eq. feature.
    Thanks I'll do that as soon as I Get it.

    Thanks guys I'm sure It'll be just what i need. I'll post back here with my results when it arrives!
    One last question i heard not to use the built in component switch for HD that it dosent do right. I wanted to know if this was true. I have a seperate component cable switcher that i currently use. Just wanted to make sure.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2005
    Jer ry,

    Are you sure you want to buy that HK????? Maybe the amp is not such a bad idea...Maybe you should re-think the whole thing.






















    Just messing with you...the HK will be a great upgrade :)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    :eek: jesus christ....I would have been so mad with you

    i would have cussed you out and bought the HK anyways ! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StopherJJ1980
    StopherJJ1980 Posts: 267
    edited December 2005
    I just find this ironic. A couple days ago I post asking if a HK or Denon would be smarter than my current Yamaha and everyone says "get separates". Now Jer ry, after starting some of this discussion on that thread ,asks about what separate amp to get and people say good job choosing the HK.... Whats up? ARG?!! :) LOL
    -Stopher
    Tempe, AZ

    Setup:
    Polk RTi8 Mains
    Polk CSi5 Center
    Polk FXi3's Surround
    Cerwin Vega HTS10 Subwoofer
    Yamaha HTR-5740 AVR

    Upstairs R50/R15/CS1 5.1 setup w Pioneer AVR
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MSkeezer
    MSkeezer Posts: 1,183
    edited December 2005
    Because we're retarded like that Stopher :o
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2005
    StopherJJ1980 wrote:
    I just find this ironic. A couple days ago I post asking if a HK or Denon would be smarter than my current Yamaha and everyone says "get separates". Now Jer ry, after starting some of this discussion on that thread ,asks about what separate amp to get and people say good job choosing the HK.... Whats up? ARG?!! :) LOL

    Getting separates is the ideal solution, but it's also the most expensive option. In Jer_ry's case, getting a separate 5-channel amp with a $550 budget won't buy very much power and kinda defeats the purpose. Hell, some of us spend that much or more on cables alone. It's best to be patient and slowly build your system, unless, of course, you have lots of money up front to do it right the first time. Separate amps are cool, but I used to have them, then went back to using a receiver and couldn't be happier.
    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
  • outlander
    outlander Posts: 218
    edited December 2005
    Jerry,
    Del44 recommended the Rotel RMB 1075, and that’s a real good suggestion. Everyone is going to have their own opinion but I just don’t see how the HK 435 would even come close to the 1075 / 5250 combo. Do me a favor and go to the HK site and read about the 435 ($999 with 65wpc) and then check out the Rotel site for the RMB 1075 (~$750 200wpc). Maybe it’s just me? Also Jerry, I hate to say it but if you won't get that big sound your looking for until you move those RTi4’s to the rear and get some FULL SIZE speakers up front. But that’ a post for another day.
    O
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    I went ahead and made a decision. I had to i would have been going back and forth and also i felt this whole HT thing was getting out of hand for me i felt i was in over my head. I started off just wanting to upgrade my KLH's that i bought for $100 brand new at BB for a 8"sub and all 5 speakers package deal. Like Early B said some people here spend $550 on just wire. Thats not what i was shooting for I don;t want a THX certified coliseum. Just a nice sounding system that would be listened to very moderately. I wanted to go better which i have with these polk speakers and more will with this new reciever added! Sounds a lot better already than those bland klh's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited December 2005
    One more question. My friend told me that 6.1 and 7.1 operation can only work with a dvd that is in 6.1 and 7.1 and he said it's rare to find dvd's that do this. Is that true?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited December 2005
    Jer_ry wrote:
    One more question. My friend told me that 6.1 and 7.1 operation can only work with a dvd that is in 6.1 and 7.1 and he said it's rare to find dvd's that do this. Is that true?

    nope.

    Dolby Prologic IIx 7.1 post-processing can be piggybacked onto any 2.0 stereo source, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, DTS 5.1, DTS 5.1 ES, and DTS 6.1 ES discrete soundtrack with full bandwidth from each speaker (20hz-20khz) and .1 bass management for the sub. There is no such thing as a 7.1 DVD.

    tell your friend to read up.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jer_ry
    Jer_ry Posts: 118
    edited January 2006
    Well i got my HK 435 in today and i am pleased with my decision. It was a great upgrade. It's so clear and smooth. Surrounds actually work like surrounds now. I had hooked the surrounds up to the wrong surround connections and nothing came out i got alittle worried but i soon relized i had them wrong. Thought that was kinda weird how no sound came out though is it supposed to do that if you don;t have back surrounds hooked up? Anyways There was no cable to upgrade! I need to purchase one from ebay or something anyone know what the exact name is? Thanks for all the info and helping me make a great upgrade!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MSkeezer
    MSkeezer Posts: 1,183
    edited January 2006
    9 pin male to female RS232 cable. Radio Shack has em for $12. When you download the upgrade from HK's site, the readme file has all of the instructions. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to do.

    The HK435 is a nice receiver with enough power for most people. It does have preouts if you decide to add a seperate amp, though. Congrats and happy listening.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Congrats enjoy!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited January 2006
    That's wonderful. We knew you would enjoy the HK.

    What's the next upgrade on your agenda? We love to taunt our fellow Polkies into mental confusion, financial ruin and marital chaos.
    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
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2006
    ....getting a separate 5-channel amp with a $550 budget won't buy very much power and kinda defeats the purpose. Hell, some of us spend that much or more on cables alone.

    That's just crazy talk! :eek:







    Ok. Guilty. Time for my medication. Bye. :D
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MSkeezer
    MSkeezer Posts: 1,183
    edited January 2006
    Wingnut, stupid question and I mean no offense, but are u female?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2006
    Umm let's see.. give me just a minute...let me check here.....Well whadya know?! Yes I am :D .....um[SIZE=-3]...why?[/size]
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MSkeezer
    MSkeezer Posts: 1,183
    edited January 2006
    Just something that's always been on the back of my mind. You said something in a post once that made me wonder. It's not everyday you see a "lady" who's into this kind of thing. Just cool to know. :o *slowly backs out of thread*
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2006
    I guess you probably figured I was either a woman or Richard Simmons. :p I know it's unusual but there are a few of us here...lurking. Mwah ha ha ha :D
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter