Is it worth getting a separate amp for my setup?

tcrossma

I have a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver, Polk T90e (Monitor 60) fronts and Monitor 30 surrounds. My receiver is listed at 130W/channel. I have been reading a lot on this forum and the general consensus is that a separate amp is the way to go.

But, I don't have particularly expensive speakers, so will I benifit from a separate amp or should I just stick with things the way they are?

thanks,

tim

SLOCOOKN

Are you happy with what you have? If so, then no. Do you have a friend that has a separate amp set up or a local Hifi shop you could visit to hear the difference.
You might just change your mind!

janmike

Hi Tim and welcome.
I have never owned the Monitor series speakers but I would say you are ok. I did own a Yamaha RX-V1500 and drove RTi100's, CSi5 and RTi6's with no problem. After I went to the LSi line, ALL the gear changed and I went the separate way.

tcrossma

SLOCOOKN wrote: »

Are you happy with what you have? If so, then no. Do you have a friend that has a separate amp set up or a local Hifi shop you could visit to hear the difference.
You might just change your mind!

I'm happy enough I suppose, but without doing a complete overhaul of all my speakers if I could do better by adding an amp I might consider it. I don't have any friends that could help, but I suppose I could try a local shop. But if my speakers were too low to even *potentially* benefit from a separate amp i'd stop thinking about it

thanks.

SLOCOOKN

tcrossma wrote: »

I'm happy enough I suppose, but without doing a complete overhaul of all my speakers if I could do better by adding an amp I might consider it. I don't have any friends that could help, but I suppose I could try a local shop. But if my speakers were too low to even *potentially* benefit from a separate amp i'd stop thinking about it

thanks.

You are now engaging the dangerous addiction called "upgradeitis" to which there is only one cure.....ENJOY, GOOD LUCK, and just ask if you have anymore questions. As you can see, if it has been made someone here has experienced it.

AndyGwis

I have the same setup as you, more or less. My AVR is an HK with less rated power, but I'd guess they are somewhat comparable.

I don't think your current AVR would run out of headroom with your current speakers and probably does well for HT. The 2500 is a pretty beefy receiver, my GF's dad has one.

An amp may bring a bit more punch, clarity, musicality, etc. but I wouldn't think it would be night and day. I've experimented with a number of amps in my setup and think they are an improvement over just the AVR, but not a HUGE difference. Noticeable and worth the investment for me, tho.

Maybe get a stereo amp and try it on your fronts. You can get one for a couple hundred and resell for the same if you don't like it.

MSALLA

I don't know if it would be that big an improvement. That is a pretty balanced setup you have. If you have a case of upgradis get an amp and start your addiction. I bet the next thing will be speakers.

cfrizz

Expensive is in the eye of the beholder Tim.

My speakers weren't very expensive, and they are old to boot! But the difference between them being powered by 110wpc Denon receiver & being powered by 200 & 405 wpc separate amps made a HUGE difference!

I firmly believe that all speakers benefit from separate amplification. Most who have gone that route have come back & confirmed that theory.

So check out our own Flea market when you have the required posts or start looking at Audiogon for separate amps. Rotel, Parasound, Adcom, Nad, Sunfire, & Outlaw are all good brands to take a look at.

If you have tower speakers, I always recommend 200wpc to get the best out of them.

engtaz

I had the same same thing happen with my setup."But the difference between them being powered by Denon receiver & being powered by 200 & 405 wpc separate amps made a HUGE difference!"cfrizz

tcrossma

Thanks everyone, lots of food for thought here.

Incidentally, what's the "required posts" for the flea-market?

AndyGwis

twenty five

MikDrago

My system is also similar to yours although I have Monitor 50's front, 40's rear and a CS1. I use an HK AVR 520 and a five channel HK PA5800. I loved the way the system sounded with just the receiver but after adding the seperate amp there was a noticable difference in the overall sound. More bass, clarity and less strain. It sounds more efficient and clean. I bought the amp used on ebay for 200 dollars so it was definately worth it. It can't hurt to add a good quality amp to your system, especially if you ever upgrade your speakers.

aaharvel

you're fine. If you're not happy with the sound, then upgrade the speakers.

McLoki

I do think you will see benefits from your speakers by upgrading to an amp. With that being said - I do not think the amp is your weak link. (i.e. - while you will see some benefit, you will see more putting your money elsewhere in your system.

If your plan is to next jump into LSi's or similar level speaker - get the amp. (it becomes just a step in the upgrade that way) If you plan to keep the rest of the system you have and just want to upgrade something, list the rest of your system and your budget, and we will vote on how to spend your money...

Michael

cfrizz

He will most likely hear a very good improvement from his speakers with additional power, and it might be enough to content him with what he has for a few years. (It has certainly done the trick for me with my speakers.)

And he will be in a very good position to get the best out of whatever other speakers he may get somewhere down the line.

Just because the speakers didn't cost an arm & a leg doesn't mean they aren't worth trying to get the best out of them with separate amplification.

Ron Temple

Even R50s benefited from a separate amp, but as others said, I think you'll get a better bang for your buck by either moving up with your speakers or buying a nice sub.

mantis

McLoki wrote: »

I do think you will see benefits from your speakers by upgrading to an amp. With that being said - I do not think the amp is your weak link. (i.e. - while you will see some benefit, you will see more putting your money elsewhere in your system.

If your plan is to next jump into LSi's or similar level speaker - get the amp. (it becomes just a step in the upgrade that way) If you plan to keep the rest of the system you have and just want to upgrade something, list the rest of your system and your budget, and we will vote on how to spend your money...

Michael

I agree with this advise.

By the way the Yamaha got alot of power and is a pretty decent receiver to drive those speakers. You could step up to RTI (which is a small step ) and still be fine. If you go Lsi then you will need a multichannel amp.

Good luck with what you do.

Dan

tcrossma

Thank for the info everyone.

Here's the rest of my system, in case anyone has any recommendations as to what to upgrade next (noting that i'm not looking to spend money just for the sake of spending money)

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V2500
Fronts: Polk T90e
Center: Polk CS2
Surrounds: Polk Monitor 30
Sub: Paradigm Ultracube 10
DVD Player: Toshiba SD-4900
Power center: Monster HTS 3500 Reference
TV: Panasonic 42" Plasma

Thanks for the input everyone.

tim

McLoki

Bad news - your system seem really well balanced to me. Are there any glaring flaws you are trying to fix? It really seems like if you want much of an upgrade, you are going to have to go in for a major overhaul. (Since there is no really glaring weak link)

To get the most out of what you have, I would spend some time researching room treatments and calibrating your system. (not just balance the levels, but calibrate your display - map out the frequency response of your sub to see what the room is doing to it) also investigate some room treatments that would not only improve the sound, but hopefully work with the room from a WAF standpoint.

Other than that - you have a great system, enjoy it.

Michael