Just purchased

Namo2021
Namo2021 Posts: 21
edited February 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I just purchased a set of Polk RM6750 5.1ch speakers. However, it did not come with an amp. The sub has the satellite receivers on the unit itself, but I'm looking for something to put inbetween for volume control (I only have fixed analog from my TV).

I was wondering if I should go with just a straight amp or if I could get better sound quality (read: true surround sound) with an amp/receiver. Would the system even work correctly if only the sub was connected to the line out from a receiver and the satellites connected straight to the back of the receiver?
Post edited by Namo2021 on
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Comments

  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2009
    If I understand you,, I think that you might be better off with a receiver,,get on with "pre outs" and you can always add a seperate amp(s) later.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Namo2021
    Namo2021 Posts: 21
    edited February 2009
    Thank you for the quick reply. Let me start out by saying I have a basic understanding of electronics and the such. This is my first big sound purchase so I don't really know much about the systems involved with home audio though. My basic understand of how my setup will work is that I have fixed analog coming from my TV out into my sub, which routes it to the speakers.

    What you're saying is that I should get a receiver so I have: TV -> receiver -> satellites // sub (rather than TV -> receiver -> sub -> satellites). Yeah? I'm not really looking for the most state of the art sound system, I just want something better than my current TV speakers.

    Another noob question: the fixed analog out from my TV is going to be at a fixed power (ie: fixed volume) right? Therefore, it would be in my best interest to get a variable power amplifier to run that signal through before routing it to my speakers (since I want to be able to control the volume of the sound).
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited February 2009
    What you need is something to power the speakers. This can be an amplifier or a receiver, but the receiver would be the all-in-one solution and will be plenty to drive that speaker system. A receiver is a pre-amp and amplifier all in one, which will give you volume control, input switching, and amplification.

    So in the end you'll be cable box -> receiver -> speakers.

    I would suggest that if possible you buy a receive that has pre-outs, so that if you ever want to add an external amplifier in the future you can. You won't need it for these speakers, but I for one started small and quickly found myself climbing the audio ladder -- it's been known to happen more than once and it's nice to have the equipment to expand.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • Namo2021
    Namo2021 Posts: 21
    edited February 2009
    Yeah I've been looking around and just a preliminary look shows that if I were to get a receiver it would be this guy:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115120

    Versus the amp which would be either

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882177004
    or
    http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_3/audio-source-amp-100-amplifier-7-2004.html

    I'm leaning towards the Yamaha (receiver). What are pre-outs? I don't know enough about home audio yet :)
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2009
    Namo2021 wrote: »
    What are pre-outs? I don't know enough about home audio yet :)

    Pre-outs can be found on some Home Theater and 2 channel Receivers, but not on all. That is, not all are equipped with this feature.

    I recently bought a Denon rated at 105 w per channel and was sure to select a model that has Pre-outs so that I could use a separate amplifier in the future.

    If they are there, they appear as normal RCA posts on the back side of the receiver and are labelled as such, Pre-Outs. Basically they enable you to hook up your receiver to a (more powerful/better) amplifier with RCA cables, thereby bypassing the amplifier of the receiver.

    Its a good option to have in the event that you would want to add amplification in the future without having to replace your receiver. Many folks here at CP -- myself included -- would recommend buying a used amplifier if you find that you want more power to drive your speakers for a reasonable cost. Thats why its a good idea to look for a receiver equipped with Pre-outs. Not sure about the one you are looking at, but if you can get an image of the back panel you'd be able to spot them if they are there.
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
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  • Namo2021
    Namo2021 Posts: 21
    edited February 2009
    Here's the back panel of the Yamaha I'm looking at:

    http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/img/items/Yamaha-HTR-6130-back.jpg

    It doesn't look like there are any pre-outs. But that's not really a big problem for me, I'm just trying to get a better sound than what I have built into my TV. I know I can take the satellites and connect them to the speaker connections on the back of that, but how would I connect the sub? The sub has an RCA line in (red/white) but the yamaha only has that one black sub-out.

    I'm definitely in way over my head :)
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2009
    That model Yamaha does not have pre-outs. You have to step up to the 500 dollar model...either the RXV-663 or the HT equivalent, I'm not sure what model that is...maybe the HT-6160?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Namo2021
    Namo2021 Posts: 21
    edited February 2009
    Yeah I don't really think I need a more powerful amp, especially with the speakers I have. I'm just trying to get a better quality sound out of my PS3/Blu-ray.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2009
    Another reason to step up to the 663 or the 6160 is that they will both pass muliti-channel PCM decoded HD-blu-ray sound from that PS3. I'm pretty sure the lower model Yamahas are not equipped for that.

    And if you buy a BDP which can bitsteam HD sound only those model and higher Yamahas can decode that HD-stream..

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Namo2021
    Namo2021 Posts: 21
    edited February 2009
    Yeah that is one slight concern of mine but I'm not looking to spend upwards of 500 on just the receiver. I pretty much just want something to boost the bump.
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2009
    I would go with the Yamaha you picked out. You won't need more power with those speakers, and I doubt you would notice a difference with the new lossless codecs either.

    By the time you update speakers and want to add an amp, any reciever you buy now may be outdated anyways, even if it has pre-outs. I would save the money now, and get whatever is the latest when you actually need it.
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  • Namo2021
    Namo2021 Posts: 21
    edited February 2009
    Great, thank you guys so much for the help! I feel a lot less worried about my investment now.
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  • asd1234
    asd1234 Posts: 30
    edited February 2009
    Just remember that whatever you get now, no matter how cheap or expensive it is, you are always going to want to upgrade and change things in the future. :)
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  • criteriadan
    criteriadan Posts: 25
    edited February 2009
    Namo2021 wrote: »
    Great, thank you guys so much for the help! I feel a lot less worried about my investment now.ecstatic.gif

    We aim to please =)
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    criteriadan wrote: »
    We aim to please =)

    huh???? well some aim to sell.

    RT1
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