Need new amp for rti8s,csi3,fxi3 surround set up.

lt1z350

I now have a 2 year old sony str de895 amp and it was ok for the old sony speakers I had for surround actually sounded pretty good for what it all was as far as surround effects and clarity for movies. I have now added these super sweet speakers( rti8 csi3 and 2 fxi3 rears) and now have to crank it to get sound and I can tell it isnt doing the speakers justice. You hear the set up at a place like sound advice and hear it all and are amazed and get it home and blah due to the amp. I am not sure what they used to push it all but it was amazing. I dont trust there judgment or prices on what to get( got the center and rears on clearance there and rti8s from the net,270 for the pair) I spent 450 or so for the sony 2 years ago and sucks that it well.....sucks for this set up. It is a 6.1 surround with alot of features and was great for the other speakers.After getting the speakers and spending quite a bit on it all it is hard to justify a new amp (other being not old) to my wife so I am in need for a reasonable replacement. I really enjoy movies with the 3 2 1 dolby sound and am sure with a good amp will be awsome with these speakers. I watched a 3000 dollar martanz amp go on ebay for 400 and should have jumped but not knowing what I needed or anything other than it was expensive new was afraid to waste money again. So looking for recommendations on what brand and model to get to be able to enjoy these speakers properly when watching a movie in HD with dolby cranking. The amp pushes 110 per channel and I though it would be enough but it just doesnt seem clear and bright like at sound advice when they showed it all to me . I also have a klh 12 inch sub nothing special but will shake the pics off the walls if I let it so that is ok. My receiver choses when to use it and turn it off sometimes in the middle of it playing but I am sure it has something to do with the decoding of the amp an its dfe set up. I found the rti8s at pricegrabber.com for 270 shipped for the pair so might be able to find a more expensive amp for less by waiting and checking there as I dont want to spend over 500 well cant right now but if a recommendation is above that I can check there or ebay and see if I can find it used too. Looking for help from the people here on the forum as everyone seems very passionate about there systems and speakers.Thanks for the help...

aaharvel

welcome to Club Polk. That sony is actually outputting around 25 watts per channel not 110. Sony (among others) have been manipulating their power specs for years. Also, if you're sony doesn't have the necessary pre-outputs for external amplification, then you'll have to buy a new avr if you want to add an external amplifier.

If I were you, I wouldn't even worry about external amplification unless you can get a deal on some pre-owned equipment. Those rti speakers are 8ohm, not 4ohm like LSi's. Instead, I recommend a high-current receiver from the likes of B&K, Outlaw, Parasound, Adcom, etc..

lt1z350

funny I have been reading other threads and how cheaper amps (sony pioneer so on) pump up the watts from what they are. I was looking at others and saw only 90 or less like harman denon so on and was wondering way so much for less but after reading more see it isnt that way but that sony has inflated the ratings. Saw some recommended amps harman avr 635 marantz sr-5600 hk-335 denon avr 3806 just to name a few. So many and afraid to make another high dollar mistake. ( I still have another 4 year old sony in the closet). Both to see ebay or pawn shop just to get a few buck out of them. So bang for the buck for HT around 500 . Not at all against used or open box or referbs. Really want the sound to come out with t.v. love the effects and surround when a helicopter buzzes your head from behind then circles the room. So looking for something good for that. May get a few more speakers and do the 7.1 later if amp allows.

Bill Ayotte

Ok.....I know this is more than you want to spend, but hear me out. This is a real high quality receiver that is a TRUE 100 watts per channel, if anything it is underrated..At $650, you can have a real high power receiver that you will be happy with for a while...The sound quality is also miles above what you have now.....I think this would be a great replacement for the Sony....

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-T762-Home-Theater-Receiver_W0QQitemZ270133344586QQihZ017QQcategoryZ14981QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

lt1z350

checked ebay and found a few very affordable marantz units
sr-8500,sr 7400, sr 5600 referb.369.00, sr6001. All seem real high end with all the goodies. I would guess these are really rated at 90 or 100 watts on the 7 channels. One had a remote sound setup to make sure it all it configured right. Remotes look real nice too... Great for my doberman to eat like some of my others.lol well not really.anyway nice stuff from what I read. Anything negative about these? Also found a sr 18ex and watched a 19ex sell for 569 last week but didnt know it was a 3000 dollar amp new..oops. thanks again for those who take the time to write.

Ern Dog

+1 on that NAD that Bill recommended.

Bill Ayotte

Marantz makes a quality product, I can't argue with that. I will say that the NAD I suggested above will really put a smile on your face, and the remote is very nice as well...I have the same remote for my C320BEE, and I love it. NAD makes a quality product, and I can say that their customer service is excellent as well...I bought a broken piece off of ebay, and they steered me in the proper direction quickly and even offered to send me the parts directly if the repair shop was a little rich for my taste...

lt1z350

650 is too much right now. I found a new marantz sr7500 for 450 which seems like a great receiver according to reviews and am watching a 18ex that is still under 300 also the 5600 for 360 referb which is older but seems like alot for less than I paid for my cheesey sony. I really want one now but know if I wait and watch I will find a great deal as I did on my rti8s. I really want to enjoy my new speakers and cant with this **** of a receiver . I keep going to the marantz line because I easily find info on them and have seen nothing negative from any review. Have seen them compared to denon nad yamaha hk in different reviews and by owners and the marantz always seems to be recomended.

lt1z350

also no remote for the nad meaning another 100 to 150 spend to replace that too.

Sherardp

Denon 3806 is also a good choice.

lt1z350

denon is also mega expensive compared to the marantz ones I have found. Most on ebay or a discount referb warehouse. Like a sr7500 for 499. or a 8500 for 399 but cant get intouch with them yet or would have bought the 8500 for 399.

Bill Ayotte

The 8500 is a monster, you would be happy with that too....Even the 7500 is a nice receiver....Marantz has a reputation for being a little more musical than the Denon units....Denon owns Marantz if I remember correctly as well....You will be happy with either...

Bill Ayotte

lt1z350 wrote: »

also no remote for the nad meaning another 100 to 150 spend to replace that too.

There is the secondary remote, and for all we know, the batteries are dead....I doubt that a remote is anywhere near $100.....They have a universal remote for all of their products, that is the same remote that came with my C320BEE.....

lt1z350

Well I think I found a new sr 8500 for 399. Seems way too cheap for that one that normally goes for 700 and up. The retailer is closed untill monday so I will find out then if they are for real and it wasnt a misprint seems too good to be true. Other wise I found a refurb with one year factory warantee and can get a extended for cheap. It is a sr 7500 for 469 free shipping and I will go with it since all other sr 8500 run 700+. I have been watching a a 18ex that is still low on ebay also a 7400 but doest seem to have alot of the stuff the others have and I dont want to cheap out again like I have with the sony(not that the 7400 is close) Thanks for all the help so far