What's the purpose of having an amp?

tdogroeder
tdogroeder Posts: 53
edited February 2006 in Electronics
I have a Yamaha RX-V757 receiver with good power, why would I need to get an amp. What would an amp do for my system, besides add more power that I might not even need. Help with understanding the purpose of amps.
Thanks
Yamaha RXV-757
JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
Post edited by tdogroeder on
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited February 2006
    this has only been cover a thousand times, do a search, many have seen the light.

    Why do ask this question the first place?
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited February 2006
    hoosier21 wrote:
    this has only been cover a thousand times, do a search, many have seen the light.

    Why do ask this question the first place?

    I see a lot of talk about amps and I have no experience or knowledge on amps for home theater and was curious how much they add to a system.
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited February 2006
    so you have already read the answer to your question

    "I see a lot of talk about amps"

    Why ask the question again, your not convinced by your previous reading and want more of the same answers? Will this finally answer you question, no it will not.

    Only one way to find out, get an amp and try it. :)
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    If you are happy with your Yamaha, and you feel it is giving you adequate power then stick with it. It will end up costing you a lot less in money in your future. Once you get an amp, you are going to want to get a bigger amp, then you will outgrow it.

    So again, if you are happy with what you got, then stay with it. Besides, depending on how your system is set up, you may only get a very marginal benefit for your amp.

    Case in point, my brother in law has a modest home theatre in his house, that is acoustically treated, and is only about 15 x 10, he has some Polk in wall speakers, with a Marantz receiver. In his set up, he really doesn't need a 100 pound furnace sitting in his audio rack. The Marantz sound just fine...

    Scott
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited February 2006
    hoosier21 wrote:
    so you have already read the answer to your question

    "I see a lot of talk about amps"

    Why ask the question again, your not convinced by your previous reading and want more of the same answers? Will this finally answer you question, no it will not.

    Only one way to find out, get an amp and try it. :)

    What kind of amp should I look at getting, 2 channel, 5 channel, 5 channel?What brands should I look at? I see a lot of talk about outlaw, audiosource and rotel. I know noting about amps and some good feedback would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • mldennison
    mldennison Posts: 307
    edited February 2006
    my advice would be to continue to do what you are doing, reading. all the brands that you talked about are very good, just continue doing research on which models they carry and pick one that you like. there isnt really anything that someone else could say here that would be much different than what has been said in the other threads that you are reading...

    good luck!
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    Here is a short list for you....

    Parasound (http://www.parasound.com)

    Outlaw (http://www.outlawaudio.com)

    Meridian (http://www.meridian-audio.com)

    Mark Levinson (http://www.marklevinson.com)

    Bryston (http://www.bryston.ca)

    Krell (http://www.krellonline.com)

    Rotel (http://www.rotel.com)

    Monster (http://www.monstercable.com)

    *Warning* Monster is not a well liked company around these parts, however, as an owner of the MPA-2250 I would, and have recommended it. I have purchased recently a Monster Amp as welll as a Sunfire Amp and although the Sunfire is more than double the power, the Monster does as good of a job on my 1.2's

    Mcintosh (http://www.mcintoshlabs.com)

    Adcom (http://www.adcom.com)

    Nad (http://www.nadelectronics.com)

    Threshold (http://www.threshold-audio.com)

    Carver (http://www.sunfire.com)

    Conrad Johnson (http://www.conradjohnson.com)

    This should get you started. You can get 2 Channel, 1 Channel, 5 Channel, or any combination of those mentioned. Do a little reading, one of these will meet your needs..

    Scott
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2006
    Start reading!
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35317&highlight=amplifiers
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32764&highlight=amplifiers
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33040
    (pay special attention to HolyDoc's review post!!)
    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
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited February 2006
    Take the Monster link down, will you? What a crap company.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    RuSsMaN - Odd that Monster was the only request for removal. I happen to own a Monster 2250 amp, as well as a Parasound, and some Marantz Mono's. I wouldn't hesitate recommending any of them. As a matter of fact, if price wasn't the issue, then I would recommend the Monster over my other 4 amps.....

    Scott
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  • autoconsortium
    autoconsortium Posts: 64
    edited February 2006
    I just saw some of these Monster amp's the other day. Beautiful. Didn't hear them, but damn pretty looking amps. If they sound as good as they look...
    Alex Cagann

    Polk SDA SRS
    Lexicon DC-1 preamp
    (2) Lexicon 501 monoblock amps
    Parasound CD Transport 1000
    Parasound DAC1000
    Nakamichi Dragon
    Nakamichi RX505
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited February 2006
    yeah well my Adcoms are fugly. Beauty is only skin deep.

    Like Bose, i'll never purchase anything from Monster on sheer principle. I don't care if they're covered in edible panties.
    If someone else wants to, great. Different is good. Haens keep Monster on your list. You like them. That's good enough.
    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
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2006
    thehaens@cox.ne wrote:
    RuSsMaN - Odd that Monster was the only request for removal. I happen to own a Monster 2250 amp, as well as a Parasound, and some Marantz Mono's. I wouldn't hesitate recommending any of them. As a matter of fact, if price wasn't the issue, then I would recommend the Monster over my other 4 amps.....

    Pay attention folks. Most people don't have qualms with Monster's products, but their legal practices and general corporate attitude. Do a search.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited February 2006
    bobman1235 wrote:
    Pay attention folks. Most people don't have qualms with Monster's products, but their legal practices and general corporate attitude. Do a search.

    well then you can add Samsung to that list.
    http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=14686&hed=Samsung+Guilty+of+Collusion

    oh and countless receiver manufactorers lying about their wattage specs. :cool:
    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
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    There is a lot of well documented issues with Monster and their corporate practice, and I didn't mean for this to get into a flame war with their products or company. I personnaly have a lot of their products, cables, conditioners, and now an amp. And can't say I am unhappy with any of their products. I don't buy retail on any of their products, as their products can be had for a relative bargain on the web. The Amp is built like a tank, and it is grossly underrated at 250W/channel. I have seen the meters, (FWIW) hit over 600W channel, without overload, or clipping through my 1.2's. And it is a very nice sounding amp. I was simply providing links to manufactures of amps, and systems (meridian) that is all. I wasn't saying any of them is better than the others..

    Scott
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited February 2006
    This should get you started. You can get 2 Channel, 1 Channel, 5 Channel, or any combination of those mentioned. Do a little reading, one of these will meet your needs..

    Scott[/QUOTE]
    How do I find prices of these amps?
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    tdogroeder wrote:
    How do I find prices of these amps?

    TD - If you want to buy retail, just go to the website and look around for retailers. If you are a penny pincher like me, then go to ebay, audiogon, etc. to find some deals on used or stolen :eek: equipment....

    Scott
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited February 2006
    Hey guys, is this a good amp?

    http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_a965.html
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    I like the cutaway look on it, nicely built, specs are good, but never had a listen....

    Scott
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  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited February 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    (pay special attention to HolyDoc's review post!!)

    Whoa! I got an honorable mention.

    :)
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
    __________________________________________
    Panasonic -50PX600U 50" Plasma
    Onkyo -TX-NR901 Receiver
    Oppo -Oppo 980HD Universal DVD Player
    Outlaw -770 (7x200watt) Amplifier
    PolkAudio - RTi12 (Left and Right)
    PolkAudio - CSi5 (Center)
    PolkAudio - FXi3 (Back and Surround)
    SVS - PB-12/Plus (Subwoofer)
    Bluejean Cables - Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 - Remote
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2006
    It was an outstanding write up that deserves mention, & reference!
    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
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited February 2006
    thehaens@cox.ne wrote:
    I like the cutaway look on it, nicely built, specs are good, but never had a listen....

    Scott

    thanks, scott. I apreciate your thoughts
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • thehaens@cox.net
    thehaens@cox.net Posts: 1,012
    edited February 2006
    True statement, the amp has looks like it has individual banks for each channel, the two power supplies can be seen on the front L/R of the amp. I think this amp will suit you well. You could Bi-amp, and still have a channel available for your center. And use your receiver for the surround. Not sure if there is a marriage between Sherwood/Outlaw, but it wouldn't surprise me. Many companies share technology, parts etc. Keeps costs down in production, and should ultimately keep costs down for the consumer..
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  • Canedog
    Canedog Posts: 22
    edited February 2006
    Should I go with a Krell or Audiosource AMP? Are JVL AMPs any good?
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  • cewolcott
    cewolcott Posts: 20
    edited February 2006
    What about the Niles brand? I was looking at the Niles 2125 to power the L/R LC265i's.
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