adding an amp to your setup

1lakerfan

My system

front polk rti10
center polk csi5
surround polk fxi5
sub velodyne dls 4000r
reciever denon 2807

I am thinking about adding an amp to my system. My budget is no more than 1500. this is what i am looking athttp://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=10450&i=033PMA2KIV&tp=180

since this is a two channel amp and I use my speakers for mostly movies would this make my system sound off balanced? I found that multi channel amps are alot more expensive. oh yeah, and my system is 7.1

Early B.

If you use your system mostly for movies, I strongly suggest getting a 5 or 7 channel amp. There are a zillion fantastic options in your price range, especially if you are willing to buy used. Check out www.audiogon.com.

brijenjas

It shouldn't sound unbalanced if you calibrate your speakers properly with an SPL meter.

A lot of people do what you are contemplating, amp their mains and use the receiver to power center and surrounds.

I did this when I first ventured in to external amplification.Bought a couple of Audiosource amps for my mains.

Be warned though, if you like the improvement a separate amp gives your mains, you won't stop there.:D

Sherardp

Whoa cowboy, I can tell you right now youre looking at the wrong place and the wrong item. Not necessarily wrong but for the kind of money youre willing to spend you can do way better. You almost have enough coin for a 7 channel amp, definitely enough to buy a 5 channel and let the receiver pick up the back surrounds if you wanted to go that route. Here are a few that fit your budget easily and will give you more output

Outlaw Audio 7200-7500 (outlawaudio.com)
D-Sonic (if you want to try Icepower Class D amps) d-sonic.net
Check out Audiogon for Sunfire, Parasound, Adcom, Earthquake. www.audiogon.com and you can find excellent deals as well. Theres so many more that are used here, but those are a start to look for. And youre looking for something that will give you at least 200w @8ohms, anything more than that is gravy on the mash potatoes.

Edit: Heres the outlaw new at a good price
http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampsmult&1202864099

daboyz

+1 with Early. I just got a 5 channel and love it. You still can go two channel but you have the power to the other channels when needed for HT.

ben62670

For that kind of money I would go for an Outlaw, or something in the used market. You won't get drive out of it. Look at multi channel Parrasounds, or the older Adcoms like the 7500's. I had one, and it served me very well. Seeing that you want to do 7.1 You could also get a nice 2 channel like a GFA-555, and the GFA-7500. I just sold both of them for under a $1000.

tcrossma

I recently bought a mint used B&K Reference 200.5 (5 channel 200w @ 8ohm) for $1250 off Agon and couldn't be happier with the choice. You can get a lot of amp for the $1500 you're willing to spend if you go used. I also think you'll want to amp the center so if you're not going to bite the bullet for the 5 or 7 channel amp i'd at least go for a 3 channel.

john22614

those are some nice, balanced speakers you got there.....I would go for at least a 5 channel amp from Outlaw, Emotiva, or whomever.....easily obtainable with your budget.

1lakerfan

What is the differnce from a amp and a pre amp?

danger boy

(power) amp is just taking the audio signal from your pre amp or receiver and giving your speakers power.

pre amp has no amps built into it. it just is the "heart" of your system. every audio source goes thru your pre amp

finally, integrated amp.. which is a pre amp with a built in amp. these can usually be really great sounding units.

1lakerfan

Sherardp wrote: »

Whoa cowboy, I can tell you right now youre looking at the wrong place and the wrong item. Not necessarily wrong but for the kind of money youre willing to spend you can do way better. You almost have enough coin for a 7 channel amp, definitely enough to buy a 5 channel and let the receiver pick up the back surrounds if you wanted to go that route. Here are a few that fit your budget easily and will give you more output

Outlaw Audio 7200-7500 (outlawaudio.com)
D-Sonic (if you want to try Icepower Class D amps) d-sonic.net
Check out Audiogon for Sunfire, Parasound, Adcom, Earthquake. www.audiogon.com and you can find excellent deals as well. Theres so many more that are used here, but those are a start to look for. And youre looking for something that will give you at least 200w @8ohms, anything more than that is gravy on the mash potatoes.

Edit: Heres the outlaw new at a good price
http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampsmult&1202864099

The outlaw deal sounds like a excellent deal. but the problem is that Im probably not going to have the money until 3 to 4 months so that might get sold by then. What is the the best brand that complements polk, Outlaw?

Sherardp

there are so many, parasound, sunfire, outlaw, rotel, B&K, adcom, D-sonic. Its really a choice you have to make, what may sound good to me may sound harsh to others and vice versa. Buy what you can afford and pleases you.

danger boy

look here when you are ready to move forward on an amp. https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html

1lakerfan

Would I hear a big difference by adding the 200 w outlaw audio amp? as far as clarity? and would the bass of the rti10s improve alot?

Sherardp

1lakerfan wrote: »

Would I hear a big difference by adding the 200 w outlaw audio amp? as far as clarity? and would the bass of the rti10s improve alot?

Definitely.