Wiring and level help on RTI A9 & Onkyo NR807

xrapidx
xrapidx Posts: 73
edited February 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hi Guys

Just got this setup today and have a a few quick questions, my receiver is Onkyo TX-NR807 and the speakers are RTi A9's

Firstly, I can't find my Monster cabling, so in the meantime I'm using my old cheap wires from my old Sony 7.2 HTIB setup - can this cause any potential problems?

Secondly, what is a 'safe' volume level? e.g. -20dB? I don't want to push these to hard if the above cables could cause a problem.

The speakers have already been broken-in by the store.

Many thanks

PS - I realise this is a totally n00b question - but its the first time owning a set-up of this calibre.
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  • kaiserkreb
    kaiserkreb Posts: 16
    edited February 2010
    xrapidx wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    Just got this setup today and have a a few quick questions, my receiver is Onkyo TX-NR807 and the speakers are RTi A9's

    Firstly, I can't find my Monster cabling, so in the meantime I'm using my old cheap wires from my old Sony 7.2 HTIB setup - can this cause any potential problems?

    Secondly, what is a 'safe' volume level? e.g. -20dB? I don't want to push these to hard if the above cables could cause a problem.

    The speakers have already been broken-in by the store.

    Many thanks

    PS - I realise this is a totally n00b question - but its the first time owning a set-up of this calibre.

    I think the amp will be able to push those speakers to the extent of it's capabilities long before that wire ever becomes the issue, IMHO. As with any setup, keep your ears open and don't push it beyond what you feel is safe. You could always pick up an external power amp if you wanted some more headroom beyond that to avoid under driving the speakers at high volumes.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

    You're Ok with the 807, but don't overdrive your speakers during the break-in period...moderate volumes are encouraged. GET SOME GOOD WIRE...that thin stuff is not going to cut it...it can run the speakers but may cause overheating?

    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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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    I don't see the wires causing any issues like you're imagining. You'll definitely have an improvement with some thicker gauge wire, but you're not going to harm anything with thinner wire.
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited February 2010
    Totally agree with the above advice, and good to see you around again Cyrt, we missed ya.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited February 2010
    Rap, welcome to Club Polk. Since you mention only the RTiA9s, apparently you're only talking about a short speaker wire run(probably less than 10')to front speakers. If so, even that thin old wire is likely to be enough for the job. For an excellent explanation of the facts about speaker wire, including a table of suggested gauges, study this article by a veteran audio professional, which has been a great help to many new listeners to avoid the charlatans, such as Monster, who sell wire at outrageous prices. If you do get new wire, you could consider buying from local electrical suppliers such as Home Depot or Lowes, or a low-cost online source such as MonoPrice.

    As to volume level, you can be sure that the 807 can drive the RTiA9s to levels beyond what's safe for your hearing. The setting of the volume control doesn't establish a specific sound level, since the strength of the input can vary among source materials. An SPL sound meter is used to determine the level that actually exists.
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited February 2010
    wutadumsn23 wrote: »
    Totally agree with the above advice, and good to see you around again Curt, we missed ya.

    -Jeff

    Fixed it, lol.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • xrapidx
    xrapidx Posts: 73
    edited February 2010
    Thanks all - considering I need to get cables - and won't run more than 5.1....

    Is it worth getting these: QED Speaker Cables Silver Anniversary-XT Bi-Wire?

    They'll cost about the same as decent single wire in South Africa
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  • adabro
    adabro Posts: 212
    edited February 2010
    xrapidx wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    Just got this setup today and have a a few quick questions, my receiver is Onkyo TX-NR807 and the speakers are RTi A9's

    Firstly, I can't find my Monster cabling, so in the meantime I'm using my old cheap wires from my old Sony 7.2 HTIB setup - can this cause any potential problems?

    Secondly, what is a 'safe' volume level? e.g. -20dB? I don't want to push these to hard if the above cables could cause a problem.

    The speakers have already been broken-in by the store.

    Many thanks

    PS - I realise this is a totally n00b question - but its the first time owning a set-up of this calibre.


    I have the RTi A9's and the 807 as well - I did test it to '0' (assuming our systems have the same reference setting) without any issues...
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  • xrapidx
    xrapidx Posts: 73
    edited February 2010
    adabro wrote: »
    I have the RTi A9's and the 807 as well - I did test it to '0' (assuming our systems have the same reference setting) without any issues...

    Thanks - I'll wait for decent cabling before attempting that - but good to know.

    I'm assuming getting them serviced in South Africa will be a nightmare, so don't want to push too hard.
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