Power Amplifier vs Yamaha 5890 to power RTi8 or RTi10

SolidSqual

Hey guys,

Now that I've graduated form college and have a fulltime job, I finally have the income to purchase a quality sound system. I listen to about 40% music and 60 % movies and video games. Currently, I have a Yamaha 5890 powering two RTi6s, Two FXi5s, a CSi5, and a SVS NSD PB-10. I know many people think the marriage of the Yammie and the RTis is a bright couple, but after some careful tuning, I have the sound that I have dreamed of with feautres that I need.

Now, down to business. I'm trying to decide between the RTi10 or the RTi8. I know this must be a question asked on this site every other day, but the wisdom and experience in this forum would be very appreciated.

After I get one of the two tower speakers mentioned above, I plan to move my RTi6s back to side surrounds and the FXi6s to back surround. My Yammie has 140Watts per channel, but I'm not sure it can handle the all the speakers I have in addition to two RTi8s. I want to get the best sound I can outta the RTi8s. If a dedicated amplifier will considerably improve the sound, then I'll go for it, but then this raises yet another question. If I decide to go with a dedicated amplifier, why don't I just upgrade to the RTi10s which could really take advantage of a nice power amp.

I really enjoy two channel and surround listening when it come to music. It seems to me that the RTi10s would be better for movies and games because of the extra boom from the added bass, but wouldn't that also help during two channel listening w/o a sub?

I've heard both speakers in stores. They both sound amazing, yet different from each other. I think would enjoy the RTi8s better for surround music, but the RTi10s for stereo. What it comes down to, if I need to get a separate amp, should I get the 10s?

Toxis

Your Yammie is 105w, not 140. Don't believe all the stickers on the front of models. I hate how Yamaha is going the way of Sony and Pioneer. Damn advertising.

I always say get the 10's over the 8's but very few here agree. They all say that the 8's with a sub is just as good as 10's with a sub but I dont' agree. I think the 8's are brighter than the 10's but I think that's a lack of midrange maybe that is enhancing the tweeter. Get the 10's, get a dedicated amp and be done with it!

BTW, if you do get towers, move your 6's as your surround backs and leave your 5's where they are. Diffused are for the surrounds, you want direct radiating for the SB's.

dkg999

I have an Adcom 7605 power amp driving an HT with RTi6/4/CSi5. The Adcom is pretty close to the Yamaha sound, and helps tame a little of the brightness. HTR is a Yamaha 5660.

SolidSqual

When I bought the Yammie I suspected that I would have to get a dedicated amp if I went iwth bigger speakers. I also suspected that the wattage was high for the low price I paid. How did you happen to measure the watts at 105?

So basically, what you're telling me is that whether I go with the 8's or the 10s, I should get a power amp.

That's it, I'm buying the 10s!

Now, which ADCOM amp or other amp would work well with the 10s? I know wattage doesn't really mean as much as the current.

Early B.

SolidSqual wrote:

What it comes down to, if I need to get a separate amp, should I get the 10s?

Hell, yeah. Get the 10's and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.;)

Once you power the 10's with an amp, they'll sound great with music and will be absolutely killer with movies and games.

John K.

Solid, welcome and congratulations on your graduation and job. The RTi10s are fine speakers which I'm sure that you'll enjoy. Their sensitivity is about average(89dB for 1 watt power input)and don't require anything unusual in the way of amplification(speaker size isn't relevant) unless you'd be in a very large room and playing at an extremely high average sound level. Therefore your 5890 should be fine for your needs. The 140 watt rating is accurate, but note that it's at 1000Hz; the rating for the full 20-20KHz range is 120 watts. These ratings are with the realistic basic two channels driven test required by the FTC(Federal Trade Commission)and are examples of one of the few things that are advertised in audio which we can be confident are true. The specific FTC power test regulation has to followed for all amplifiers sold in the U.S. Enjoy.

heiney9

Ignore JohnK, ignore printed manufacturer's specs. Neither mean anything. Any way you cut it an AVR isn't going to give you anywhere close to the most your set up has to give. Those are large speakers and the more current you push the better they will sound. If it's in the budget get a high quality seperate multi-channel amp. For your application (HT) look at used Adcom or another favorite here is Outlaw audio, among many others mentioned in 100's of threads previous.

BTW, the Yammy isn't putting out anywhere near it's rated output in the "real" world driving "real" loads.

FWIW

H9

P.s. If you have some free time do a search this subject has been argued/discussed (friendly) so many times and examples experiences have been given.

SolidSqual

Thank you for the all the great input from everone. I tend to believe that I will need a separate amp for the 10s as well. As much as I love my Yamaha, I've heard the 10s on a similar receiver and just knew the sound quality was not at the level I know is possible.

On an other note, would it be unwise to buy a two channel ADCOM for the two 10s and power the rest of my system with the Yamaha 5890?

reeltrouble1

Rock on, if you get the 10's or the 8's and keep them long enough there lineage and prestige will absolutely rise in direct correlation to the age of newer RT lines.

Much in the same vein the odds of an opened faced peanut butter and jelly sandwich falling from your hand and landing with P&J side down is in direct correlation to the value of the carpeting or flooring material.

You should also keep in mind that just because an amp/receiver can meet a certain test criteria does not mean it sounds any good or will work well within a given musical system.

I hope these random thoughts are useful to you.

RT1

reeltrouble1

To add more power is never a bad idea, please see George Grand's quote on radiating surfaces.

I would certainly not hesitate to add a sep. amp if possible, which one depends on your goal for your rig.

RT1

GATOR3000

Yes, I second heiney9 advice. The watts mean nothing. The 8’s and 10’s need a lot of high current power to get the best out of them. If you decide to buy the Rti10’s you should get an external amp. At least 150 wpc 8ohms 200 wpc amp would be more desirable.

I run my 8’s with Perasound 205 wpc and it is sweet. Prior to Perasound I powered the 8’s with B&K AV5000 105 wpc and the soundstage was awesome for HT.

Both Perasound and B&K amps produce warm tube like sound. These 2 amps will calm the “bright” tweeters on 8’s as well as 10’s.

Welcome to CP. Enjoy your new toys!

Gator

tledoux

Hey SolidSqual,

I have a similar setup to yours, and about the same listening %'s (more movies/HT than pure music). I was battling between the RTi12's and the RTi10's, and finally settled on the 10's. While your sub is much better than mine, adding the external amp to my system really made the RTi10's come alive. I spent 3 months with out the external amp and was happy with the sound, but once I added the Outlaw 7500 (200w x 5), it really showed me what the 10's can do and added a lot more mid range and lower end to the sound stage.

There are a lot of good amps out there, so take your time and get the one that works best for you. I went with the Outlaw because I am probably not a true audiophile and wanted to balance quality vs $. The B&K and Parasound are among the best, but the Outlaw has worked great for me.

Good luck an have FUN...

SolidSqual

What do you guys think of two Outlaw monoblocks for each RTi10?

SolidSqual

I mean one block for each 10

cfrizz

Go for it & Welcome!

Toxis

Obviously JohnK doesn't have a seperate amp otherwise he'd know what the extra dynamics and headroom will do for you over watts. Proof? I went from a 120w/ch receiver to a 100w/ch amp. Not even close in sound. The receiver does not cut it where the amp is amazingly better.

I would personally add a 5ch amp to the arsenal. That way you have the better dynamics for all speakers, not just the two up front. Matching the entire system is better, pending you have the budget to accomodate. eBay and Audiogon will be your friend.

SolidSqual

I love my Michael but his svs subwoofer almost split the apartment in half. Please stop selling him more stuff, thanks! The not so happy girlfriend

Lowell_M

SolidSqual wrote:

I love my Michael but his svs subwoofer almost split the apartment in half. Please stop selling him more stuff, thanks! The not so happy girlfriend

HA!!!!!! He's far to infected with audiophile-itis to stop him now! Go for the 10's and the amp dude!!!!

Welcome to the forum!!!