Help on Amp purchase

malcolmp6
malcolmp6 Posts: 70
edited June 2007 in Speakers
I need some advise on purchasing a amp.
Here is my set up- Rti8s (front), Csi3, fxi3 (side surrounds) and Rti4(rear surrounds) powered by a yamaha HTR 5990 receiver. I am looking to add a 7 channel amp. My fear is that if I go for a 7x200 w amp- could this damage my center and surround speakers given that they are rated below 200w. Or just amp the fronts and use the receiver for the surrounds. Would this be a good option?
Lastly any suggestions on what amplifiers would sound great given my setup?
Post edited by malcolmp6 on
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Comments

  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited May 2007
    The 7x200 won't harm your speakers, distortion is what will blow your stuff up. If you buy a quality amp, you won't need to worry about it. Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, Nad.......There are a lot of quality amps out there man, go listem to a few before you choose....I think you will be happy with any of the above...
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,841
    edited May 2007
    The 7x200 won't harm your amp

    He means, won't harm your speakers. 99% of the time you're only using a few watts a channel.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited May 2007
    Oops, beer taking it's toll...Edited.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2007
    Beer pays a toll? :confused: Where is it going? This truly is a strange place...

    I've toasted a tweeter before by giving the speaker too much power, but it was a 70's Sears speakers being driven by a PA amp that was clipping. Not a good combo. Your speakers will not only be fine, they will sound great! However, if you like it loud, just watch the clipping.
    Jake
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2007
    Well since PA amps don't belong on home stereo equipment anyway, it was just as well.
    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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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2007
    Welcome Malcolm!

    A 7/200wpc amp will make all of your speakers sound great & won't hurt them in the least. Your ears will give out before the speakers do.

    Check out Audiogon for good used amps. You will get more bang for the buck that way.
    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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  • G-2
    G-2 Posts: 533
    edited June 2007
    Welcome Malcolm! You've got some great options suggested above! Try to listen to as much different gear as you can.

    We look forward to hearing what you come up with!
    Home Theater
    Chane     A3rx-c's, A2rc-c, A1rx-c's|Miller & Kreisel V-125's|Sony XBR65X810C 65" 4K LED TV|
    Earthquake Cinenova Grande-5|Pioneer Elite - VSX-84TXSi-AVR|TRIPPLITE LCR2400|
    Ultrasonic Amp Stand|Blue Jeans,Audioquest,Monster Cables|

    2 - Channel
    Polk     RTA 12c's w/RDO194 TWEETS, clarity ESA caps mills resistors (full mod)|Turntable|
    Anthem MCA 2|Acurus Act 3 Pre Pro|Parasound P/Ph 100|Pioneer Elite N-30|Adcom GDA600|
    Premier Rack|Blue Jeans,Audioquest,Monster Cables|
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited June 2007
    I'm pushing 250 watts into my LSi-9's that are rated for a max 120 watt. No problems at all. As others have posted, if the amp is a clean one and you don't push it to clipping, you won't have a problem. I've toasted 100 watt rated speakers with a 40 watt amp that clipped at half volumn (dang Yamaha stuff).
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    cfrizz wrote: »
    A 7/200wpc amp will make all of your speakers sound great & won't hurt them in the least. Your ears will give out before the speakers do.

    I agree. I run 200watts a channel.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited June 2007
    that new outlaw amp is wild and their giving $500 off if you preorder right now
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2007
    I am running LSi15's (max 250watts), LSi7's (max 150watts) and LSiC (max 200 watts) all on an amp rated at 500wpc (at 4 ohms).

    When I purchased it, I called Polk customer service and they told me they have only had a few customers ever blow speakers with to much power. They get people blowing speakers every week from not enough power.

    Long story short - dont worry about it. Your ears will tell you when you hit the limits of the speakers. (sound starts to distort and the soundstage completly collapses.)

    Michael

    BTW - welcome to club polk.
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited June 2007
    Allow me to throw my two cents in here. If your lucky with a good build quality amp, you'll never replace it if you buy in excess of your needs today.

    Example: You buy your 7 channel 200wpc amp. Next year you have the amperage to step up to a different set of speakers that might need the additional power. I guess what I'm saying is don't be afraid to spend a lot of money on a) the amp or b) your speakers.

    If only I could take my own advise! :o
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • malcolmp6
    malcolmp6 Posts: 70
    edited June 2007
    Thanks everyone for their inputs. I have shortlisted some amps -the Outlaw 7200, Outlaw 7700 or the AtI 2007. Hard to find any reviews on the ATI 2007 amp. So i am not sure about it.
    Can some one tell me the difference between the Outlaw 7200 and the 7700 amps? The outlaw web site says both are balanced. I am not sure if the 7200 is balanced. Also my receiver doesn't have XLR pre-outs for the balanced inputs on the 7700 amp. So if I connect the pre-outs of my receiver to the 7700 RCA inputs - will the 7700 function as a 7200 ?
    Thanks.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2007
    the 7200 is NOT balanced. Since you don't have balanced preouts yourself you should get the 7200. Unless you intend to get a balanced preamp down the road.
    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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  • malcolmp6
    malcolmp6 Posts: 70
    edited June 2007
    I got the new Outlaw 7700 amp and hooked it up yesterday. I was expecting a difference in audio quality but to my dissapointment it sounded the same as before. I guess maybe the effect is visible only when I play it loud. I still have to try it on HT. But bottomline is I am a little dissapointed.
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited June 2007
    Hi Malcolm. Good choices. I thought I had read that ATI manufactures the Outlaw amps. Maybe I'm crazy. Anyone know for sure?
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2007
    Congrats on the purchase. Keep it for a week or two, if after that time, you do not feel\hear any benefit to the amp - don't be afraid to send it back. Much more respect for trying something out and deciding its not for you than spending that much and keeping it because someone else thinks you should hear a difference.

    I noticed a difference in subtle details with mine, (not just a loud volumes) but that was with my system and my ears.

    throw as much testing as you can at it for a few weeks and then if your skirt isn't blown up, send it back. At least you will know.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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