Considering going to HT

donlp

Greetings,

We are considering making the switch/upgrade to HT. We currently have RTA 15TLs, with Adcom amp and preamp that are quite old and starting to show their age. I am considering dumping the Adcom and going the HT route (just purchased a Samsung LCD HD TV). However, my budget is currently very limited, so I can't afford much above entry level, and also really like my speakers for music, so want to keep them. Will probably go Blu-ray in the not too distant future (perhaps Samsung BD-P2550 for streaming Netflix and Pandora radio).

For an AV receiver I am considering the Yamaha RX-V463BL (looked at the 663, but don't think I will go to 7.1). Our room (listening & viewing area) is approx 14 deep x 15 wide, with open end on the right side (as you are looking at the TV, so the whole room is approx 14 x 25). It is a log house, with log inside walls, and a relatively low ceiling with heavy ceiling beams, so the acoustics are quite good.

I would like to use the RTAs as my main speakers. To miminize at least the initial cost, I would like to add two rear surrounds and one center, leaving addition of a sub to a later date. The RTSa are already heavy on bass, so I may not miss the sub too much. I am considering Polk RM8s as my three additional speakers (center and rear), or perhaps Polk FXi A4 as rear surrounds.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,
Don

comfortablycurt

I'd take the FXi's over the RM8's any day. They're a much better all around speaker. A couple of the FXi's for surrounds and a CSi A4 or CSi A6 for the center would probably work well. You'd probably want to eventually upgrade to some of the RTi series towers for your fronts though as well, so you'd have a fully voice matched set.

curved

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I'd take the FXi's over the RM8's any day. They're a much better all around speaker. A couple of the FXi's for surrounds and a CSi A4 or CSi A6 for the center would probably work well. You'd probably want to eventually upgrade to some of the RTi series towers for your fronts though as well, so you'd have a fully voice matched set.

Agreed. You can find some great deals on the RTi series now too.

Does that receiver have main preouts? What Adcom amp do you have?

donlp

Hello Curved,

The Adcom amp is a GFA-535II (60w/ch).

The Yamaha RX-V663 lists pre-outs for all channels, and also assignable amps, the 463 does not offer either of these (see http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=&compitem2=567571&compitem3=567576&CTID=5000300&VNM=LIVE&B_compare.x=29&B_compare.y=9&comp_items=567571&comp_items=567576).

So, I assume that I could perhaps keep the Adcom and apply both channels to the center (??), and then power the 2 RTA 15Tls and 2 surrrounds with the A/V receiver (663)?

Thanks for your advice

Sherardp

Go with the cheapest AVR that has the bells and whistles you need + offers preouts. You can find a 5 channel Adcom on audiogon for very cheap. As for sub, perhaps a velo ( heard they're good), SVS or Epik sub in the future should complete the setup.

For your center and rears buying direct from polk will save you some major coin.

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct

Pauly

Welcome to CP.

I run my RTA11t's for fronts in my HT. Although i listen to music in 2chnl more than watch movies these days they still are great for both duties. Plenty of bass for movies since im in apt these days. You can find good deals on factory refurb HT receiver's all over for about half of retail/msrp. Just make sure you buy from authorized dealer. Onkyo is a good starter IMO. I have a 701 that jams the RTA's just fine.

Pauly

apphd

donlp wrote: »

Hello Curved,

The Adcom amp is a GFA-535II (60w/ch).

The Yamaha RX-V663 lists pre-outs for all channels, and also assignable amps, the 463 does not offer either of these (see http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=&compitem2=567571&compitem3=567576&CTID=5000300&VNM=LIVE&B_compare.x=29&B_compare.y=9&comp_items=567571&comp_items=567576).

So, I assume that I could perhaps keep the Adcom and apply both channels to the center (??), and then power the 2 RTA 15Tls and 2 surrrounds with the A/V receiver (663)?

Thanks for your advice

I think I would use that Adcom for the fronts. 60w from that is probably = or > than the 90w from the 663. Then as $$ allows add another amp, 5 ch or 3 ch. Listen to what Sherardp is saying. Determine what features you need/want, then pick an AVR that gives you pre outs and little to nothing more than your needs. Then add power, a good amp will stay with you for a long time, technology advances so fast with the bells and whistles that AVRs and pre-pros are obsolete very quick. So for me an entry level AVR with a modest $$ investment and amp is the way to go. That way if I want to update next year I can sell what I have cheap, which = fast, with out any regrets and move on.
IMHO the 663, Pioneer VSX 1018AH-K, and HK 254 fit that place very good, or are at least the minimum level AVRs to start building on.

comfortablycurt

I'd use that amp for your front channels. As others have already said, the 60 watts from that will probably blow away the 90 watts from your AVR.