Question about Amps...

sdcfan19

Alright, here's the story. I've been a member for a long time, but have lurked. Like most here, I don't know everything, but am the first one called when a friend or family member has a question about HT or electronics in general. I feel I have a good understanding of how a system works, but still have many questions. I've got a nice system (IMO) but am always looking to improve on it. My mains are RTi10's that I really enjoy, but just about every thread on them has some poster that feels they will work better with there own amp. Inevitably, there are a number of posters that agree with this.

Like I said, I enjoy my 10's but feel that by not having a separate amp, I'm missing something. This has led me into a search for an amp to round out my system. I have ZERO experience with these, so I have some very basic questions.

1) My system is 5.1 and I'm looking for a two channel amp (all that I can afford right now) to power the mains. My AVR (HK AVR 354) has preouts, so I assume that I run cables from there into the amp. If I was the turn up the volume on the AVR, would all 5 speakers volume be affected, or just the center and rears?

2) Am I right to assume that the 75w/channel that is in the AVR354 is no longer used and the amp will be doing ALL the powering of the mains? In this case, my AVR354 will only be used for computing and powering the center and rears. Correct?

3) What wattage should I be looking for in an amp?

4) What brands are suggested in the $500 range? From what I've seen, this will put me into something used, which I'm fine with (the search is half the fun!). I really like the HK ones I've seen, but there doesn't seem to be anything in their current lineup. Did HK stop making amps?

Thanks in advance...

dracoskeeper

I've got a Adcom 5800, 250 WPC, sitting on CL here in Chicago.;););)

McLoki

Run RCA's from pre-outs on AVR to inputs on amp.

Run speaker wire from amp to front speakers. (all other speakers will be from AVR to speakers)

Your volume control will control all speakers just like it always did. You will balance the sound using the channel adjustment. (You can adjust each one of your speakers up or down by about 20db using this - that is how you will balance the sound between your amp and AVR)

You will actually get more power for your center and rears as well since your largest speakers will not be pulling current from your AVR's power supply. Don't be surprised if all your speakers sound a little better, not just the ones on the amplifier.

Your AVR will still process all the channels (decide what goes where). The amplifier section will no longer be used for the front right and left channels though. i.e. you will only be using 3 of the 5 channels in your avr. (assuming you have a 5.1 setup)

For the amp watts are not nearly as important as current (but that is a hard spec to purchase based on). I would worry more about getting a decent brand name (Adcom, Carver, Parasound, Rotel, Sunfire all come to mind) and you should be fine purchasing used. There are excellent non-name brand amps out there as well, but that opens the field to much to make suggestions and you are better off asking about specific amps you are interested in.

I do highly recommend purchasing used. If you have not tried an amp in your system before - see if any of your friends or local dealers have amps they can give you as a loner for a weekend. Much like cables - some people hear huge differences in amps, others not so much. Might be worth seeing where you and your system fit in that scale before you start sinking alot of money into electronics.

Either way - have fun and let us know what you think,

Michael

sdcfan19

This is why I visit this site almost everyday. The folks here are so helpful and willing to teach. Thanks for the great info. That is all the information I needed. The search find "the" amp begins tomorrow morning.

Thanks again...and if anyone has info on the "death" of HK amps, please post info.