Upgradeitis out of control!

limashaynut

I need help, my upgraditis is out of control.

I had decided it was time to upgrade the fronts on my HT set up, and use my Denon AVR-3806 to power only the SR and SRB in my 7.1 system.

Well, I picked up a Adcom GFA 555 on ebay at a decent price (it should be here on Monday), with plans to do something with the center later. To be honest though, I truly had my heart set on some Outlaw M2200s, but had no luck in finding some used ones. So I went ahead and got the Adcom.

As luck would have it, two days after winning the Adcom, I saw a great deal on a lot of seven, yes seven, Outlaw M200 amps, all new, and only one of the seven had ever even been taken out of the factory box, well I bought them!

Now I have more amps than I need, but I would like some feedback as to just how much I need for my HT from others with more experience with separates. This way I will have a better idea of which of the amps I should sell off when it is all said and done.

The reason I do not want to open and test all of the Outlaws is so that I can sell the ones I do not need as being in factory new condition. I am going to compare some of the Outlaws with the Adcom, since I will keep at least three of the Outlaws, and Adcom is not new.

My living room (HT) is 20'X14'X8' and has plaster walls, hardwood floors, and a large rock fireplace mantel. The only things to 'soften' the room is a large wrap around couch, large chair, and heavy drapes on two walls. My Denon is 'rated' at 120 wpc X 7. In any of the setups I might use, I AM going to use the Denon to power at least the SRB speakers.

Here are my options as I see it, and I would like some feedback as to which way you guys would go...

1. 3 Outlaws for front, with Denon doing SR and SRB speakers

2. 3 Outlaws for front, two Outlaws for SR, and Denon for SRB speakers

3. 3 Outlaws for front, Adcom for SR, and Denon for SRB speakers

I guess what I am asking is, are separate amps (200 wpc) just plain overkill for SR speakers in a HT in this size room, especially when you consider how 'hard' this room is. I do not think the SRB would ever get enough of a workout to need this much power, but I am not sure about the SR channels. I can not believe that a AVR in the class of this Denon could not do a good job once you have pulled off the fronts and LFE, and it only has to handle the SR and/or SRB.

So how about it, what do you think? You can see my speakers in the sig.

Midnite Mick

I would really like to know what you're thoughts are when you do compare them.

Mick

gregure

My advice: Save two Outlaws for the mains-assuming you like listening to music in two-channel mode. Use the Adcom to power the rest, and sell the remaining outlaws to buy a better, dedicated preamp. You will notice a big difference in sound quality, as musical performance is about the last concern on Denon's list of priorities for their home theater receivers.

Sami

gregure wrote:

My advice: Save two Outlaws for the mains-assuming you like listening to music in two-channel mode. Use the Adcom to power the rest, and sell the remaining outlaws to buy a better, dedicated preamp.

IF music is on the list of priorities, and something needs to be upgraded, then I would start from the speakers. Polk's RTi-series isn't that good for music.

Willow

I would say use the same amps for your fronts. Sell the rest, unless you are into multi-ch music. Your fronts are most important.
A far as Sami saying they are not that good for music..remember that is an opinion. If you think they kick butt...that's all that matters.

danger boy

i have external amps even for my surrounds. although I don't think they really need it... it's a peace of mind thing.. any little bit of improvement you can gain in sound quality. is a gain.

Sami

Willow wrote:

A far as Sami saying they are not that good for music..remember that is an opinion. If you think they kick butt...that's all that matters.

Don't get me wrong, the RTi-series is a great speaker, but when the talk turns into expensive prepros and amplifiers I think the money is better spent on speaker upgraders first. LSi-series f.e. with those Outlaws would sound much better with the Denon than a seperate prepro (w/ Outlaws) and RTi's.

limashaynut

I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to post a response to my thread so far. Never the less, it still has not done much to answer my initial question, what route would you go with the equipment that I HAVE?

I happen to really like my RTi speakers that I have now, and have no plans to change them in the forseeable future. Thant is NOT to say that down the road I might not go to something like the LSi series, but for now, and for my budget, I am as happy as a pig in mud!

I also am VERY pleased with my Denon, I bought it BECAUSE I like all of the great features and flexibility that it offers, plus it I believe that it has great build quality. I looked at som HK stuff while at Circuit City, and the quality of some of the build did not impress me at all, and I have owned and still have some HK equipment.

Once again, my question is, with the equipment I now have, how many of the seperate amps do I really need before I start to get greatly diminished return for the money laid out? Do I really need seperate amps for more than the three fronts?

BTW: gregure, tell us what you really think about Denon. I have seen more than a couple of post in which you seem to feel that Denon equipment is crap! So who from Denon's upper management came by your place and pissed in your cornflakes! :eek:

Sami

I would go with 3 monoblocks. That Denon is more than adequate for the surrounds.

Dennis Gardner

If you like your RTi setup for HT, that is fine. More power to them is a good thing. The CSi5 deserves it, as well as the 8s can use the boost. I would sell the remaining monos and buy a better sub and either run the sides and rears off your Denon or use the Adcom. This is under the assumption that the sides and rears are set to "small". If you use them set to large, use all 7 Outlaws.

Just my .02 for balanced investment, and I agree with the above input, that for real music enjoyment, many speakers are better than your Rtis.

bigsslim

if you plan to sell any, let me know, I'm in the market.

danger boy

i like your option #2

limashaynut

Thanks again, it is good to get some feedback from others with more experience with seperate amps. Some of these amps WILL be offered for sale here on the Polk forum first, and if no takers, I will hit ebay or Audiogon. I am going to give some of the Outlaws and the Adcom a good try out, and then decide how many I am going to offer for sale. So anybody interested in these, keep a eye out in the Flea Market for them to be up for sale in a week or two.

BTW, I do run all of the SR and SRB speakers set to small, and have tried the RTi8s on the front set at both small, as well as large. There is a SVS sub in my future I think, but alas, it will have to wait for a while.

mldennison

Sami wrote:

I would go with 3 monoblocks. That Denon is more than adequate for the surrounds.

i would agree with that. i have the 3802 with only a single set of surrounds and it works great. i have always been of the mind that the surrounds dont need the real serious power, they are nice to have there but in my mind 200wpc is a little overkill for them. power the fronts and center with the external amps and let the receiver do the rest. definately try out the difference between the adcom and the outlaw though, especially with some movies, you want to make sure that you cant hear a difference with the adcom on the fronts and the outlaw on the center.