Amp for RTI10s and CSi5

solidus28

I currently have a Sony STR-DG1000 Receiver, 4 RTi10s (mains and surrounds) and a CSi5 for the center channel. I know it's not the same since it's still working off the same power supply, but I have my front RTi10s biamped with the surround back channels as my receiver provides that option. As far as moving forward and obtaining separate amps for the speakers, I've read a lot that biamping is not that beneficial for speakers with a passive crossover. Would I be better off leaving the jumpers on and hooking an amp up to one set of terminals or would it be beneficial to actually biamp the speakers? If biamping is beneficial, would it be ok to get a mono amp for the low end of the speakers, and connect the high/mids to the receiver? I think I'm leaning towards an Outlaw 2200 for an amp. Any experience with this amp and these speakers? Thanks in advance.

dkg999

How much is your system used for music vs movies? I've found that replacing the metal jumper between the low and mid/high terminals with either a good quality speaker cable or using speaker cables with separate terminations for each will produce a nice change in sound quality, without the expense of bi-amping. IMO bi-amping needs to be done right to produce improvements that justify the cost and effort. I had the Outlaw M200's in a previous system and they are great for HT, but I wasn't as impressed for music.

solidus28

I would say that 90% is probably HT. I do listen to music, but I'm not really looking for audiophile quality music as much as I am for HT. I do want the music to sound good, though. What were the adverse effects that you didn't like with music? Is there a better mono amp that you've used that is suitable for HT and music?

dkg999

The Outlaw M200's lack a bit of the detail that I like for music. They dig deep for the dynamics needed for HT, but had a little bit of a veil when it came to the detail and subleties of music. You might not notice if you didn't have something to compare it to, and it's not a huge impact. Outlaw has a good return policy, so it's pretty low-risk to give them a try. I haven't really used any other mono amps.

solidus28

Ok, I might try them. Most of the music that I listen to is MP3s streamed from my computer or FM Radio, so I probably wouldn't lose too much loss in detail there. Would I just get the amp and leave the jumper/speaker cable in place or would it help to run the woofers off the outlaw and the highs/mids off the receiver?

thejck

i just hooked up my rti10's to a parasound hca-1500. it seemed to tighten up the sound a lot. my receiver is only powering the surrounds and center.

MADGSF

Going to jump on the best amp is the one I have bandwagon here . I think B&K products are great and sound great with the RTi series. I know I love mine as it improved the overall sound. More full, smooth, and the RTi-10 will pump out great dynamic bass with a high current amp. I agree with replacing the jumpers and IMO feel bi-amping did not improve sound in my system.

m00npie

I have used both the Outlaw 7700 and an Earthquake when I had the RTi10\CSi5

Earthquake wins!

solidus28

Ok, this is what I'm looking at now. I have found 3 Outlaw M200s for about $550 shipped. I'm looking at pairing that with Belden 89259 Analog Interconnects terminated with Eichmann Gold Bullets to go from my STR-DG1000 and the amps. Is that a good price for the amps? Am I overdoing it with the cables? It's about $100 for the 3 interconnects. These amps will be for the LCR, the rears will stay as is. I figure they should be a little bit better since the receiver will only be powering those two speakers.

m00npie

Sounds like a good price to me considering they are 325.00 new for each. As for the cables, not knowing what your belief is on this subject, my advice for you is to buy those and try them. When you get a few hundred laying around buy another brand such as Signal or Audioquest, just to name a few, and see if it makes a difference. For me it, it most certainly did and not only for interconnects but for speaker cables as well. Others may tell you cables are nothing more than snake oil. The subject has been beaten to death in all forums. Only your ears can tell you.

solidus28

Ok, I've ordered the Model 200s. I've got an email in with Signal to check on a few things. I'm looking at the Ultra Speaker Cables in a Bi-Wire configuration and banana connectors (http://signalcable.com/ultraspeaker.html) to go from the amps to the three front speakers. Then I'm looking at the Analog Two ICs with Copper Bullet RCA plugs to go between my receiver and amps. So what do you guys think? Good setup or a little overboard?

solidus28

Well, I pulled the trigger on everything. It all should be shipping out next week due to the holiday. All cables from Signal and 3 used Outlaw M200s. Here's the breakdown:

3 Outlaw M200s
6 jumpers terminated with spades
3 Analog Two ICs @ 3ft. each with Bullet Plugs (one for each preout)
2 Ultra Speaker Cable @ 6 ft. each with Banana Plugs (a cable each for the Csi5 and right Rti10)
1 Ultra Speaker Cable @ 10 ft. with Banana Plugs (cable for the left Rti10)

I'm guessing I will see a huge difference since I'm not only adding amps, but I'm going from generic 16 gauge speaker wire to good quality 10 gauge wire. Thanks for everyone's input and have a great Thanksgiving! I'll update once I receive the equipment.

m00npie

Awesome, let us know when you get it setup and please add some pictures.

Mike Reeter

Looks like good choices,I'm getting ready to replace all the i/c's and wire in our HT rig.

I'm 99% sure I'm going with all Signal Cable also.

So please come back and leave your thoughts,thanks

Sherardp

some very nice choices made, cant wait to hear your thoughts. Your system is going to sound awesome.

TalkenRain

This will sound great...

solidus28

Ok, I've received the amps and taken some pics http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=83812

I am still waiting on the interconnects and speaker wire from Signal so have not been able to listen to the speakers with the amps, but I've got everything in place.

cfrizz

Outstanding! Looking forward to hearing your impressions on everything.

Sherardp

Nice setup Solid, you are definitely building a killer system. Any thoughts on your next upgrade? Have you dialed in that Sony sub, how does it sound with the rest of your system?

solidus28

Everything sounds great! The amps really did improve all aspects of the sound. Everything opened up a lot more and the bass from the RTi10s is definitely more prevalent. I was listening to a couple concert DVDs before the amps and they didn't seem to send a lot of bass to the sub and I really felt the bass was lacking from the speakers. It sounds pretty decent now for a few 7" woofers! As far as the sub goes, I actually looked up the model (Sony SA-WM40). Although it's a budget sub, I think it sounds ok. And now I see many people have done some successful mods to it. I am going to get a bag of Polyfil and see if lining the enclosure will improve the sound from it at all. I'm not sure if I want to attempt putting Mod Podge on the cone or not. THat may wait or never happen. I am also going to see about getting an SPL meter this week and tweak the speaker levels a little bit. Right now, I've got the sub level at about 10 or 11 o'clock. I have the frequency turned all the way to the right. I have only done the auto calibration from my receiver and adjusted the speaker distances, but haven't gone any more in depth than that. Everything sounds great, but I'm definitely looking forward to additional tweaks!

solidus28

I must also add that the quality of the signal ICs and Speaker Cables are superb! I truthfully haven't every had high quality cabling because my previous speakers were so small, but these are definitely quality cables. At some point, I will be replacing the cabling going to my rear speakers as well.

Sherardp

solidus28 wrote: »

It sounds pretty decent now for a few 7" woofers! I am going to get a bag of Polyfil and see if lining the enclosure will improve the sound from it at all. Right now, I've got the sub level at about 10 or 11 o'clock. Everything sounds great, but I'm definitely looking forward to additional tweaks!

Once youre done playing and ready to step up this will waiting to take the place of the sony. Nice sale price on all three. Sure they'd make that sony sound like a midbass.


http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-plus2.cfm

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-plus1.cfm


http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-isd2.cfm

solidus28

One day I'll get a new sub. I can't really go that route right now because I spent more than expected on the speakers and amps. Granted I got good prices on all of it, but I was originally expecting to upgrade my mains and center and ended up not only doing that, but also amping them and upgrading the rears, too. I think I'm done for a little while, so I'm trying to squeeze what I can out of my existing subwoofer. I also have a PSW10 in my bedroom that I got for free with my RTi10s, but I felt like the Sony sounded a bit better. They're both budget subs with the Sony being bigger, so I wasn't too surprised. BTW, I went and purchased a Radio Shack SPL meter and matched all 5 speakers up. They were all of by a dB or 2. I'm going to try the Polyfil in the sub now, too, and see if it makes a difference or not. Can't hurt, I can always take it out.