Looking To Get Into The 2 Channel World

Music Junkie

Hi all,

About 5 years ago I purchased a pair of RTi70's. I really like them, but to run them I have a lower end Yamaha receiver (about 80 wpc). The receiver does NOT have preouts.

Would a better amp/receiver make these speakers sound much better? If so what can you recommend? I realize the RTi70's are not among the highest end speakers out there, so I may upgrade them down the road as well.

Can you provide some good 2 channel receivers (or amp combos), and also would I benefit from having a power amp, as opposed to an integrated receiver? I mostly listen to rock, and my budget is roughly $2000 – although just an estimate.

I'm also looking to buy a nice record player down the road, therefore I'd like my receiver, amps, and speakers to match well while listening to vinyl.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

dkg999

I have the RTi70's in a secondary HT system (kids gaming, etc). They will surprise you with good amplification and source gear driving them. I drive mine with a Yamaha HTR-5660 as a pre/pro and an Adcom 7605 amp, and they sound really good. I've also experimented with better source gear such as a Dodd ELP tubed pre, Marsh A200s amp, and Rotel 1072 CDP driving them, and they can sound very good. If you are happy with the way they sound, I would consider upgrading your pre/amp to an integrated or separates.

Once you go down the 2 ch path, it's hard to turn around and leave. Be sure you want to take this road, as Hotel California should be running through your head!

reeltrouble1

well, my mind is certainly tiffany twisted.

RT1

mhardy6647

do you got a Mercedes-Benz?

Lowell_M

Check out my sig. I started this insanity driving my Rti70's with a JVC Receiver and then the H/K AVR-635 receiver and later added the ADCOM amps into the mix. Each step had definitive performance gains. Teh Rti70's don't match up with the Lsi series by any means, but I think they are one of the jems of Polk past for their performance at their pricepoint.

For $2000 you could easily step into the 2-channel world and have a hell of a nice front end to your system buying used components. There's almost too many options to recommend one to go after. See if you can find some veteran Polkies on this forum that live near you. Most will be happy to give you a listen to their systems, which might help guide you down a particular path. (only a few will chain you to the wall in the basement for their weekend entertainment)

Mike Reeter

The RTi70's were my first pair of Polks,they are a very good speaker..."If" you have the room,a pair of Vintage Polk SDA's would make a great pair for a 2-channel rig.

They can be had for a reasonable price and can be upgraded to better than new specs,and produce a sound that will satisfy your thirst for Rock,as well as any other type of music.

There is also some very nice gear for sale right now in the flea market...amps...cables...wire...about everything you need to put together a decent stereo set-up.

reeltrouble1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

do you got a Mercedes-Benz?

no way under the Law of Limited Necessacity a definetive waste of audio coin.

RT1

mhardy6647

I hear you!
I drive a Ford. Cheap one at that... with 156k miles on it :-)

nooshinjohn

i got a showroom looking 2000 jag for 8k and only has 55k on the odo..

Music Junkie

Thanks for the suggestions all. My budget was just a number. I basically meant I don't have a strict budget, but didn't want ppl recommending trillion dollar amps.

I think my main question is will a $1k receiver make that much difference in the sound compares to my current amp (whuch is a Yamaha HRT-5450)? If so what are some good receivers around the $1k-1.5k?

Actually I think my ideal plan ot to have 2 music speakers, a good amp, a better sub, and a record player. I think I'm gonna start with the receiver and sub first...

Thanks again.

dkg999, I'm gonna send you a PM..

Lowell_M

If you are going strictly 2-channel I would start by looking for one of the entry/mid level "sleeper" pre-amps like a Nakamichi CA-5 or a Dodd ELP (if you are into tubes). Others could chime in with other choices too. I'm not a big fan of Yammys.

What are you using as your CD player?

For amps, look for a used ADCOM GFA-545, GFA-555, Rotel, Nad, etc. and go from there.

With any of these choices, if you don't like the sound, you can generally sell at what you bought the item for.

Music Junkie

Thanks for the suggestions mattison. Actually that's another thing I would likely upgrade - my cd player. Right now I'm just using my dvd player (Sony).

Actually today I looked at a NAD receiver and acd player..with different speakers they seemed pretty good for the price.

If I want a receiver/amp for just cd's and vinyl do I want an integrated amp? I'm assuming a receiver is just if you want a radio and different sounds for movies etc. Is that right?

BlueFox

Music Junkie wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions mattison. Actually that's another thing I would likely upgrade - my cd player. Right now I'm just using my dvd player (Sony).

Keep the Sony DVD player as a digital transport, and buy an external DAC, for a great CD player upgrade. The basic Dac1 can be had for $995. Now you have a great CD player, and still can have 3 more digital inputs to the Dac1.

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/system1/digital-analog-converter/dac1-series-overview

Lowell_M

Music Junkie wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions mattison. Actually that's another thing I would likely upgrade - my cd player. Right now I'm just using my dvd player (Sony).

Actually today I looked at a NAD receiver and acd player..with different speakers they seemed pretty good for the price.

If I want a receiver/amp for just cd's and vinyl do I want an integrated amp? I'm assuming a receiver is just if you want a radio and different sounds for movies etc. Is that right?

Cool, I like Nad's. (I just wanted to say that, I've only heard one NAD and it wasn't bad)

I've become a big fan of separates over integrated so that you can mix and match and find your own "synergy" of components. Each step you take from here will be a positive move for a few steps and then you might start finding components that don't match up so well. I don't have the depth of experience that some have on here, so I tend to recommend a pretty narrow band of equipment, but it is based on some good trials. I normally look for the "sleeper" equipment, or the used stuff that has a lot more value than the price you pay for it.

edit... I didn't answer your question.. yes, you would only really need a receiver if you wanted surround processing and a tuner, etc.

Music Junkie

Thanks again guys. It looks like I have a lot to learn, as it now looks like it's not as easy as just buying any name brand speakers, receiver, and cd player.

My plan is likely to buy an integrated amp and see how that works out...from there a cd and record player...i may look into higher end speakers and a sub after that.

Until then I'll keep peaking around on this forum and pay some visits to some locals hi-fi stores. I guess the ultimate decision comes from listening to the products in store.

Thanks again,

Lowell_M

Music Junkie wrote: »

Thanks again guys. It looks like I have a lot to learn, as it now looks like it's not as easy as just buying any name brand speakers, receiver, and cd player.

My plan is likely to buy an integrated amp and see how that works out...from there a cd and record player...i may look into higher end speakers and a sub after that.

Until then I'll keep peaking around on this forum and pay some visits to some locals hi-fi stores. I guess the ultimate decision comes from listening to the products in store.

Thanks again,

Even better is listening in your home. Snag some used equipment. If you want to try something different after that you can usually get out of it what you put in it minus shipping. Also, try to get together with some of the long time Polkies to hear their systems. That is what I did. (which seemed weird at first, but the guys around here didn't turn out to be serial killers...well, one of them is questionable) Anyway it has worked out great. I've got an awesome 2-channel system and made some new friends in the process.

reeltrouble1

Music Junkie,

The only reason to buy a DAC is if your player does not have an adequate DAC on board. So if you love your sony keep it and get a DAC or buy a player designed to play music after which you will not need a seperate DAC. I see you are thinking of getting a new player, it is what I would do but it would just be for music and have no video circuitry.

RT1

RT1

Music Junkie

a_mattison wrote: »

Even better is listening in your home. Snag some used equipment. If you want to try something different after that you can usually get out of it what you put in it minus shipping. Also, try to get together with some of the long time Polkies to hear their systems. That is what I did. (which seemed weird at first, but the guys around here didn't turn out to be serial killers...well, one of them is questionable) Anyway it has worked out great. I've got an awesome 2-channel system and made some new friends in the process.

Very true - the environment you listen to music in has ever bit to do with the equipment you are using. I know this only from live music, but I'm sure has every bit to do with hi-fi. Buying used to test out different equipment is a great idea, but I just have never been into buying anything used. Saying that it's tough to spend a lot of money on stereo equipment, unless you know exactly what you are getting into. The worst thing would be to spend a few k on some speakers, amp, sub, etc., then realize it doesn't go well together.

reeltrouble1, thanks for the insight into DAC's. I'll likely keep my HT and 2 speaker stereo separate, meaning starting from scratch with a new receiver, cd, player and sub would be ideal. My main question right now is, is it worth it to buy those items based on the 2 towers I have now - being the RTi70's? I realize they are great towers, but I listened to some speakers from Totem Acoustics the other day and man did they ever blow my speakers away (not in loudness, but in clarity and quality). Saying that the amp may have had a bit to do with it.

Another question - any idea how the RTi70's would handle vinyl? I want to build my system so vinyl will sound great on it as well. I want vinyl to sound like vinyl, not cd's.

reeltrouble1

Not suprised to hear you liked the Totem over the RTi, the RT are mostly for Home Theater and can do music, the Totem are designed to play music.

If you want to get the most out of two channel you should forget receivers, look for a nice 2-channel integrated unit or get a seperate preamp and amplifier along with a CD player or TT as your source. You want gear with short signal paths, limited gain stages, I prefer no global feedback designs for amps, you want an amp with big current, I pick Parasound for you......now go forth and be happy........actually there are a ton of brands to pick from, so what kind of budget are we talking and are open to used gear??? You can save alot of dough going used and letting richie rich take the first hit.

Mike21

Hi Music Junkie.

I recommend that for now you keep your speakers and the Sony DVD player (which should also play CDs).

Assuming that you will not be starting out with a turntable system (which can get expensive), you need a sub and either (1) an integrated amp (a preamp and amp in one box) or a seperate preamp and amp (my choice).

So, what is your budget for a sub and the electronics?

Mike21

Music Junkie

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Not suprised to hear you liked the Totem over the RTi, the RT are mostly for Home Theater and can do music, the Totem are designed to play music.

If you want to get the most out of two channel you should forget receivers, look for a nice 2-channel integrated unit or get a seperate preamp and amplifier along with a CD player or TT as your source. You want gear with short signal paths, limited gain stages, I prefer no global feedback designs for amps, you want an amp with big current, I pick Parasound for you......now go forth and be happy........actually there are a ton of brands to pick from, so what kind of budget are we talking and are open to used gear??? You can save alot of dough going used and letting richie rich take the first hit.

Mike21 wrote: »

Hi Music Junkie.

I recommend that for now you keep your speakers and the Sony DVD player (which should also play CDs).

Assuming that you will not be starting out with a turntable system (which can get expensive), you need a sub and either (1) an integrated amp (a preamp and amp in one box) or a seperate preamp and amp (my choice).

So, what is your budget for a sub and the electronics?

Mike21

Sorry late reply and thanks for the great suggestions! I checked out the Parasound website and wow it looks like they have some pretty nice looking units. I think an integrated amp is the path I'm going to take, but what is the diference b/w that and a seperate preamp and amplifier?

I wouldn't really say I have a specific budget, but I think $1-1.5k for an amp is plenty for me and $500-1000 for a sub. Yea it's a lot of money but I'd prefer to spend the money, and be happy for a long long time! I would however like to be sure the amp comes with a built in phono.

Saying that I think I'll start with those 2 items first (amp and sub). From there I'll look into getting a record player and then cd player...maybe long down the road I'll think about new speakers.

Thanks again for helping the rookie out

reeltrouble1

Audio Advisor was closing out some really nice Parasound Gear, you might want to check their website and see if they still have some.

Integrated units have everything in one box, including the amplifier, seperates are just that a different box for the pre-amp and then the amp, generally, seperates are held in higher esteem, however, each has benefits and a wonderful sounding system can certainly be had using an integrated component designed to play music, that is the key, leave all the video stuff out of the box.

RT1

Mike21

www.audioadvisor.com/store/clearence.asp has some super sales on integrated amps:
Vincent SV-234: 200wpc $1500
NAD C372: 150wpc $800 http://nadelectronics.com/img/manual/NAD-C372.pdf
Cambridge Azur 740A: 100wpc $1100
Not on sale: Cambridge 840AV2: 120wpc $1500
Sub: Polk DSW Pro600 $680 Mike19

Mike21

I forgot about the phono input. I dont think these integrateds have one - check it out. If not, when you are ready to add phono to your system you can connect in a seperate phono preamp which cost anywhere from $30 to $3000. I would rather have the seperate box anyways as you don't know yet if you will need MM or Mc.

Mike21