Do I need an amp?

KLD2246

I just bought a new home. The front room is 15' wide and 22' deep. I have the polk rti 10's, the cs5 center and the fxi5 for surrounds. My avr is the rxv 1400 from yamaha. He listened to it and thought it sounded good but feels I need more power. What exactly should I get to push the power. A new avr or just add an amp. If I add and amp, is it a pre amp or something like that? I dont know anything about this. I just want more power. If I need more power, anyone have a suggestion on what I should buy? Let me know and best regards. Scott.

cfrizz

Welcome KLD. If your receiver has preamp outputs all you will need for more power is a separate amplifier. I always recommend getting 200wpc. Any speaker will come to life in every way with that much power. There is no chance of hurting your speakers either since your ears will give out before the speakers do.

I also recommend getting a 5-7 channel amp to be done with upgraditis for a good while! Amp choices are numerous. Outlaw, Rotel, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, etc. will all do fine. Check Audiogon.com for used equipment since you will get more for your money!

Also getting a 5-7 channel amp makes it easier to upgrade since all you will need to get another big upgrade would be a Prepro when you get tired of your receiver!

Disc Jockey

Need an amp? No you don't need one if your speakers are reproducing sounds. But one would make everything sound better.

dane_peterson

EDIT: I'll make my own post for this. Sorry.

KLD2246

cfrizz wrote:

Welcome KLD. If your receiver has preamp outputs all you will need for more power is a separate amplifier. I always recommend getting 200wpc. Any speaker will come to life in every way with that much power. There is no chance of hurting your speakers either since your ears will give out before the speakers do.

I also recommend getting a 5-7 channel amp to be done with upgraditis for a good while! Amp choices are numerous. Outlaw, Rotel, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, etc. will all do fine. Check Audiogon.com for used equipment since you will get more for your money!

Also getting a 5-7 channel amp makes it easier to upgrade since all you will need to get another big upgrade would be a Prepro when you get tired of your receiver!

What if I dont have preamp outputs?

cfrizz

Then you will need a new receiver that has them.

danger boy

KLD2246 wrote:

What if I dont have preamp outputs?

if your recevier doesn't have pre amp outputs. then you're looking at a receiver + an amp to get better sound from your speakers.

KLD2246

danger boy wrote:

if your recevier doesn't have pre amp outputs. then you're looking at a receiver + an amp to get better sound from your speakers.

OK, a new received and an amp to get better sound. I have $1000 to spend on the receiver for now. What receiver. Denon seems to be the logical choice but sure would like some input. Thank you all.

danger boy

lucky for you. your Yammi RX-V1400 does have preouts.

see pic below. just to the left of the speaker connections.. so all you need now in an amp.

KLD2246

danger boy, what a great bit of news. Now I have 1000 to spend on an amp. Anyone have suggestions. I learn real fast so please let me know. How exciting is that.....

cfrizz

Al you RULE!!!

KLD, here are some good choices.

Amp choices are numerous. Outlaw, Rotel, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, etc. will all do fine. Check Audiogon.com for used equipment since you will get more for your money!

KLD2246

Last question. Am I looking for amps or pre amp? Thats it and I will begin to shop. thank you all.

danger boy

you're looking for an amp.... your RX-V1400 then becomes the pre amp.

danger boy

deleted because i'm special.

KLD2246

Wow, that is news to me. OK, now when I am asked the question, I can answer with authority. Danger and all of you, thank you very much. I very much appreciate your time and your knowledge.

danger boy

wow.. the Rotel RMB-1075 sold already.. that was hella fast.

KLD2246

danger boy wrote:

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Reference-7250-series-II-5-Channel-Power-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ180035498202QQihZ008QQcategoryZ14973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
this one might work well for you..

or this one..
http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Reference-7250-Series-II-Power-Amp-5-Channel_W0QQitemZ160038475330QQihZ006QQcategoryZ14973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


or this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rotel-RMB-1075-RMB1075-Five-Channel-Power-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ280036357182QQihZ018QQcategoryZ14973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

last one.. this one may be slightly underpowered.. but then it may just fit too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Parasound-HCA-1206-6-Channel-Home-Theater-Amp-Like-NEW_W0QQitemZ230036448750QQihZ013QQcategoryZ14973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I went ahead and bought the rotel rmb 1075. It fit into my budget. Danger, you were a great help. I will let you know how it works. Thanks again.

ND13

Grats!!

KLD2246

I bought a mits 55' in hdtv back in 2003. Its nice but nothing like todays models. No dlp or hdmi. Question, does anyone know about calibrating a hdtv because to me, the picture is lousy compared to my other 50" samsung with dlp. I just want to get the 55 in to look better. I live in southern california so if you know about this type of stuff, let me know. I cannot afford to buy a new tv but if I can make the picture better, then why not.

danger boy

KLD2246 wrote:

I went ahead and bought the rotel rmb 1075. It fit into my budget. Danger, you were a great help. I will let you know how it works. Thanks again.

Grassy ****...

that's a nice amp... it will bring new life to your speakers..

one more thang.. use decent quality RCA interconnects from your Yammie to the Rotel when it arrives. That will give you the sound, openness and soundstage that you may have been missing.

brijenjas

KLD2246 wrote:

I bought a mits 55' in hdtv back in 2003. Its nice but nothing like todays models. No dlp or hdmi. Question, does anyone know about calibrating a hdtv because to me, the picture is lousy compared to my other 50" samsung with dlp. I just want to get the 55 in to look better. I live in southern california so if you know about this type of stuff, let me know. I cannot afford to buy a new tv but if I can make the picture better, then why not.

Find a "Digital Video Essentials" disc, or an "Avia" disc for calibrating your TV.

KLD2246

danger boy wrote:

Grassy ****...

that's a nice amp... it will bring new life to your speakers..

one more thang.. use decent quality RCA interconnects from your Yammie to the Rotel when it arrives. That will give you the sound, openness and soundstage that you may have been missing.

Yea baby. I did it. I cant wait for it to arrive. I will get good interconnects at frys this weekend. Thanks for all you have done.

Sherardp

nice amp, good find Danger Boy. Im thinking of going with a 5 channel amp myself, something in the 200w x 5 area.

Grimster74

If your looking to get a brand new amp, try Outlaw Audio's 7125 amplifier for $1000. Many people have purchased this amp with roughly the same speaker setup you are using and have had great results. You can also get a B-stock model for $899 that comes with a full warranty.

Here is a link for a new 7125:

http://outlawaudio.com/products/7125.html

Here is a link for a B-stock:

http://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html

If you buy a b-stock unit, that leaves some extra dough for cables.

KLD2246

danger boy wrote:

Grassy ****...

that's a nice amp... it will bring new life to your speakers..

one more thang.. use decent quality RCA interconnects from your Yammie to the Rotel when it arrives. That will give you the sound, openness and soundstage that you may have been missing.

I got the amp, went home and played with it. I basically shook the house off the foundation. What a great amp and I am very happy. Thanks danger and all that assisted me in this decision.

cfrizz

LOL!!! That's great! Enjoy!!!

danger boy

YW!

have fun... with your your reved up system.