Reciever or Amp

gts360f

I am looking to be purchasing a new reciever and would like some of your opinions on a few. My current setup is Rti8,Csi5,Fxi3 and SVS pb12/plus2. That svs might be going to that pb13 ultra soon. I am looking at a few different options though as far a recievers go. Either Denon 2808ci or 3808ci another option is the outlaw pre 990 and amp 7125. I just want these to sound good without going crazy. I dont really use it for music just for movies. Thanks on any help w/ all of this.

bdaley6509

If it's just for movies, go with a receiver with pre-amp outputs and add an external amp now or when you have the funds.

cfrizz

Welcome GTS.

You should get either one of the Denon's & an Outlaw 7200. Or even better the Outlaw 990/7200!

The one place you don't want to skimp on is power. You will need all of it for the explosions & other loud passages in movies.

Having this much will allow any/all of your speakers to perform to their full potential.

And it will be the one piece of equipment that you will keep no matter what other upgades you do now & in the future.

gts360f

why would it be on the fxi3 speakers that the woofer side is pointed away from you

G-2

Welcome GTS! Glad to have you hear, hang out a while. Another vote for Outlaw here also wanted to recommend Pioneer Elite Receivers as well. Please keep us posted on what you end up with!

We look forward to hearing back from you!!

cfrizz

That's the million dollar question. You can put them either way, it doesn't matter.

gts360f wrote: »

why would it be on the fxi3 speakers that the woofer side is pointed away from you

Grimster74

Welcome GTS first off. I have owned many receivers by the likes of Pioneer, Sony and still have a Denon 3805 upstairs running the upstairs rig. In my H/T room I'm currently using the Outlaw 990/7700 combo. I myself would highly recommend the Outlaw gear if you are mainly going to be using it for H/T use. If your not hard pressed about HDMI switching, without a doubt, go with the Outlaw. Granted, the 990 does have DVI switching but there just seems to be so many handshake issues using HDMI/DVI but the easy solution to that is purchase a Monoprice HDMI switcher as I did. If having all the latest and greatest switching abilities, decoding abilities, web based abilities, etc., go with the Denon and possibly add an external amplifier down the road. I was in the same boat a couple of weeks ago, was thinking of purchasing a Sony receiver as a pre/pro and using my 7700 to power the speakers but after thinking about it, just wasn't ready to give up the Outlaw sound and the 990 processing. Another thing to keep in mind is, and nobody is sure when, but Outlaw should be releasing the new pre/pros sometime in 2008 but there is very limited word on what they will include as well as when they will be released. Hope this helps.

gts360f

Thanks for all the replies. I have been reading over this forum for a year or so now and seems to be very helpful. What amp would you rec. for my speaker setup. I know the higher wattage would prob. be better. I am just looking to see which outlaw model would suit my setup the best without going crazy. The outlaw pre would be better than using a denon? I have never delt with any amps so I am new to all this. Would I notice that much difference in sound quality with an amp verses the 3808. Right now I am using a 5 year old sony that I know is not making these speaker shine at all. They dont sound bad but I know they could sound a lot better. I purchased a denon 380? last year that I never got to use because someone watered the reciever instead of the plants:mad: !!!!! I am curious to see what it would of sounded like.

MADGSF

When I first bought my rig I was planning to use it mostly for HT/TV and I have been. However I am now getting more into music, which everyone warned me would happen. What I am suggesting is while you may plan on only HT you may find yourself listening to music more so think about planning your purchase with this in mind.

As for an amp with the RTi's I think anything with good current would do the job, even at 120 watts. Have never heard an Outlaw but read good things about them. I am happy with my B&K and there are many other good used amps at good prices on Audiogon and Ebay.

cfrizz

gts360f wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I have been reading over this forum for a year or so now and seems to be very helpful. What amp would you rec. for my speaker setup. I know the higher wattage would prob. be better. I am just looking to see whick outlaw model would suit my setup the best without going crazy.

You honestly can't go crazy with power. There are greater benefits to having lots of power besides just being loud. You get greater clarity, better separation of instruments, clearer dialog, clearer vocals, etc.

I have a Denon 3802 receiver 110 wpc and I added a 205wpc 2 channel amp to my system. (I have upgraded to 5 channels 405wpc since then) I immediately learned what a huge difference that amplifier made! I was hearing things out of old cd's I had never heard before, as well as all the other benefits I describe.

It still remains the biggest improvement I have ever made to my system.!


The outlaw pre would be better than using a denon? I have never delt with any amps so I am new to all this. Would I notice that much difference in sound quality with an amp verses the 3808. Right now I am using a 5 year old sony that I know is not making these speaker shine at all. They dont sound bad but I know they could sound a lot better. I purchased a denon 380? last year that I never got to use because someone watered the reciever instead of the plants:mad: !!!!! I am curious to see what it would of sounded like.

Separates are always considered better than a receiver. So if you have the ability to do it now, you should do so. Unless you are the type to constantly upgrade equipment, an Outlaw 990/7500 will last you for years.

frreo1

You may wish to check out the Sony DA5300ES. It will provide excellent sound, as well as all the latest video up conversions (including the standard feed from cable TV, which is a good thing to have). There are numerous reviews out on the web, and they are all good. The upper end Sony ES is quality gear, much different from their everyday gear.

There is a 8/4 ohm switch provided, so if you upgrade speakers later, you won't get caught short. The topology is pretty cool as well, as it converts all incoming signals to SACD, then applies that to the output stage.

The whole issue about power is more murky than it first appears. The reality is, most of the time, the amp is only outputting a few watts. It uses the reserve power on loud passages. For two channel audio, I use a 60WPC Tube amp on LSI 15s, and trust me, it has plenty of power at 60 watts.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

gts360f

Sorry for so many questions but I just want to be sure. I am leaning towards going with the outlaw. I will go with the 990. As far as the amps, I am looking at three models-7200/7500/7700. What is the difference. I know the 7500 is five channel but beteen the other two. Right now I just have a 5.1 setup but will probably go to a 7.1 eventually. Will this work with the new hd surround or will it just be the same as a normal dvd.

P.S. Every time I start posting on any forum I seem to spend money!!!!!:D

cfrizz

I believe that the 7200 & the 7700 also have balanced channels & the 7500doesn't. I think.

Amps just power the speakers, it doesn't matter the format.

danger boy

Outlaw offers you a deal if you buy two of their products at the same time.. such as a amp and pre amp.. saving you some cold hard cash.

Grimster74

Okay, the difference between the 7200 and the 7700 is, the 7700 has balanced inputs, the 7200 does not, not the mention the $300 price difference. I went with the 7700 for the balanced inputs to make sure I didn't pick up any unwanted hum. If your not going to be doing long runs between the 990 and the amp, I would just go with the 7200.