Pioneer, Sony or new one to hook my Monitor 60's and PSW10 ?

JimKellyfan

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love my new Monitor 60's and my PSW10...Right now, I have my Polk's hooked to my Pioneer VSX-406 receiver on A channel. B channel goes to a 4 way Radio Shack switch to where I have the old Advent's to B, the bookshelf Sony's to A and Best Buy's rock speakers to C ( The radio shack manual is attached and the selector has A,B,C and D). With the Polk's hooked up, I can no longer hit speakers A and B on the receiver as the Polk's become muffled. I only tried it once and briefly and at low volume. I would imagine that the Pioneer is not powerful enough to power all as before. I don't have the Pioneer manual online, but it's specs are 80W + 80W Front, 80W Center, 80W rear. ( I do have the book and can scan anything if you need me to ). Right now, I just have sub hooked to sub out and Polks to A, and Radio Shack switch to B. I have also attached the Sony manual, which is currently my home theatre receiver with stock 6 ohm Sony speakers. I was curious, is there a way I can bi-amp on either of these receivers ? Which would be my best setup for enjoying my Polk's even more ? I had thought of bringing in the Polk's to the home theatre, and was wanting to bi-amp, but didn't want to damage anything and need to ask you first. I appreciate any help you can give. Thank you.

nguyendot

You cannot biamp with your current setup. Ideally you shouldn't be using that switch except on a high current amplifier that can support multiple impedance loads. I'm surprised your Pioneer hasn't sent up a puff of smoke.

I'd say invest in a better receiver and delegate the old ones to outside duty.

JimKellyfan

I assume the Sony is no good for bi - amping as well ?

Any economical recommendations, based on Polk's owned and desire to bi - amp ?

nguyendot

You would be correct.

Find a cheap Denon like 787/887/987 etc...they're cheap, they're used, and they can biamp with the amps built in.

JimKellyfan

Will do.
Thank you.

nguyendot

No problem.

JimKellyfan

Well, it's done. Hope I made the right calls. I went to Newegg, and ordered a CS2, Monitor 40's and a Sony STR-DN1000 7.1 110wpc receiver.
On bi - amping, what recommendations ( which are high posts and which are low - is it the obvious choice ? placement ? )
Also, should I bi - amp or not bother ?
I have PSW10 sub and Monitor 60's home already and awaiting new receiver.
I cannot buy any more Polk's this year, but have some mediocre Sony bookshelfs I could use for surround rears, if you don't recommend bi - amping. I hear bad reviews on it, but have to question receiver qualities, overall proper set up, but am still uncertain.
The wife says I am now cut off until next year at least. ( want to get speakers for my 2009 Toyota Tacoma access cab next year, and will need help on that as I do not know Radio specs or speaker sizes )

wutadumsn23

Good call on the 40's, and CS2 I have both and they work very well together. As for "Bi-Amping" with your AVR, I would just say that IMO it isn't worth the cost of the extra speaker wire. Your AVR only has one amp unit and it only has so much power to send out, simply hooking up an extra set of speaker wire to the unused terminals (Surround Back L/R) isn't going to get you an extra 110W per channel. I'm assuming that Sony (like most other companies) rates their AVR's watt's per channel with only two channels being driven. So adding 3 to 5 more speakers in the mix will only lower that number even more. Not saying the Sony won't get the job done, just that it won't be pushing 110W per channel as it seems it would. If you want real power for those speakers get a 3 to 5 channel external amp and see what your speakers are really capable of. Taking a quick look at some pictures of the AVR's back panel, I don't see any pre-outs for adding an external amp, so it doesn't look like that will be an option for you. As for adding other speakers to the mix for a 7.1 setup, I would first try out 5.1 and see how you like it. IMHO a properly set up 5.1 system will sound much better than a cramped 7.1 setup. On the Yota specs. you will probably get better advice from our gear heads located lower on down in the forum front page, when the time comes. Good luck and welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

kcoc321

Just my opinion, but I would see if you can return the Sony ($379) while you still can, and get the Onkyo 607 for $20 more (plus maybe return shipping of Sony). The Onkyo has 90wpc @ 8ohm real power rating, (20hz to 20khz) Sony is only 100wpc@8ohm, 2 channels driven. At least then you would have a set of preouts (zone 2) so that you can add an external amp easily later. It also has an additional Dig-coax input and still has the 7.1/ biamp if you have to go that way.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120133

You only have 30 days with a limited return policy. I would check with them, but I would think the Onkyo would still be covered under the 'similar' requirements.
The $40 +/- would be $$ well spent as opposed to having to sell the Sony at a greater loss than that $40 and buy a Receiver with preouts AND an external amp.

Just my opinion. I know I was stuck in the same "no preamp output" boat before and I will never buy a receiver without them again.

JimKellyfan

I spent an hour and 10 minutes on the horn with Sony.
And 30 minutes in chat.
They tell me if I have an issue with the product, I can return it to New egg, standard return or if I fight Sony real hard, to turn in for a one of the Mac daddy's from Sony.
It is agreed that Onkyo or Denon would be a much better purchase.
But, also I would want more than what is there exceeding 100 wpc.
But, to get that, from the other guys, I would have to spend 800 plus and that definitely exceeds budget.
But after checking Onkyo, it looks like it is 2 channel driven or 3 channel driven as well.
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR607&class=Receiver&p=s

Anyway, hopefully I will be OK with the Sony.
I do appreciate everything as it has educated me tremendously.
I may not bi amp, but just hook the mediocre Sony bookshelf's to the surround back, until I can get another set of Monitor's.
If I don't bi amp, I will get either another set of Monitor 40's, 50's, 60's or 70's and placement of course, depending upon what satisfaction I get or not from current set up, which is en route.
Man, what a lot of effort it is to get great sound.
But, hey, even that worn out vsx-406 pushes the monitor 60's quite impressively, so I believe I will be happy enough.
Yeah, I believe, I won't disappoint myself in attemting bi amping.
I will just do the typical 7.1 set up, and get me some more Polk's in the sping.
unless, of course, newegg has another smoking deal.
Something tells me they will.
Thanks you'se guys / y'all !

JimKellyfan

After I settle on the Monitor 40's, the 50's are on sale starting today, and I would have spent 25 bucks more only.
DOH !
Kind of like the receiver choice, but really, I did look at Onkyo and Denon seriously, and due to wanting greater than 100 wpc, that's what drove me.
That, and not wanting to go higher than 500 for a receiver.
Hopefully, Sony drivers can handle it.

JimKellyfan

After getting all my speakers and receiver in, waited a week, then spent all day re-arranging my living room ( was just one room, moved and tied two rooms into one now ) all is well. I couldn't help but bi amp my setup, as I now have a CS2, Polk Monitor 40's as rears, Monitor 60's as fronts ( bi amped ) and the PSW10 sub hooked. I do agree, that getting the Onkyo or something better would be a bit more mind blowing, but I do not believe the expense would have been worth an extra 400 dollars, based on the desire to exceed 100 wpc. I do hear a big difference in bi amping, at low, mid and high volumes. I ran through the auto set up with mic, then bumped up the rears as they were unheard after auto setup. Again, I agree that more could be had from these Monitors with a better receiver, but for the cost, the brand, ( I have many Sony electricals ), it was worth the money paid. I did want to get a 7.2, and that Onkyo is even cheaper now, and would have been a better choice, so for those looking, do it ( better receiver ). That said, I do appreciate everyone's help, and just wanted to let you know what I did, and how it came out. I cannot wait to buy more Polk Audio for my other areas, cars, outside, porch, 2nd house when we can handle it....everywhere...I am sold, since day one and there will be no other speaker I ever buy or recommend to a friend besides Polk Audio. There is no other speaker to buy. Thank you Polk and thank you fellow Polksters and Polkies..

nguyendot

You shouldn't buy something based solely on how many watts it says on the tags. I guarantee a 90 watt Onkyo or Denon will put out far more power than your Sony rated at 100 watts or higher.

Yet another victim of specs only purchasing.

JimKellyfan

Agreed, when we do get that second house built, I am sure to relegate the Sony to the one we spend less time in ( hopefully this house and leave it here ). I am happy with the clarity and capability, but know I would be happier if I listened to you's guy's / y'all and bought a real receiver. Thanks.

JimKellyfan

Will do, thanks.