Warming up the RTis...
mdaudioguy
Posts: 5,164
So, Radio Shack ICs out, AudioQuest in. Then, Emo out, Adcom in. Now the Yammy's on the way out... What should be in?
Leaning toward the HK AVR 254 (should tell you my price range). Not terribly fond of the Onks (got one). Denon warmer? Pio? I just need pre-outs, don't want to pay for a big amp section, hence no interest in he HK 354.
Leaning toward the HK AVR 254 (should tell you my price range). Not terribly fond of the Onks (got one). Denon warmer? Pio? I just need pre-outs, don't want to pay for a big amp section, hence no interest in he HK 354.
Post edited by mdaudioguy on
Comments
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once my a9's were broken in, and the adcom was broken in, the hk/adcom/polk combo really really made me happy. I do not use the sub for music at all anymore unless someone says "well what does it do if you turn THAT on"Ryan Jozwiak
"Because music was meant to be felt and heard"
polkaudio RTiA9
polkaudio RT35i
polkaudio PSW 404
HK 3370
HK FL8380
HK DVD 22
Adcom GFA 5500
Samsung 40" LCD 120 Hz -
Seems like you are doing a lot of change out just to 'warm up' the RTis.
Maybe the easier route is to swap out the RTis and be done?
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
i have a HK 254 and it sounds great. Before I purchased the HK i heard nothing but good things about the sound quality. it is generally regarded as a warmer sounding receiver. If you decide to go with HK check out there ebay site.Front - RTiA5's
Rear - RTiA3's
Center - CSiA4
Sub - PSW110 -
Erik Tracy wrote: »Seems like you are doing a lot of change out just to 'warm up' the RTis.
Maybe the easier route is to swap out the RTis and be done?
Oh, but I really, really like them!
Besides, what fun would that be? 
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mdaudioguy wrote: »Oh, but I really, really like them! Besides, what fun would
that be?
Get some SDA's and a good pre amp, and fun will follow!! LOL
IMO getting rid of the yammy is a good idea, look for a Pioneer Elite receiver your 10's will sound better.
I had that same yammy for 2 months and it had to go. Some like the yammys, they don't do it for me and I don't think they match well with the RTi series. Again just my opinon. -
TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »Get some SDA's and a good pre amp, and fun will follow!! LOL
IMO getting rid of the yammy is a good idea, look for a Pioneer Elite receiver your 10's will sound better.
I had that same yammy for 2 months and it had to go. Some like the yammys, they don't do it for me and I don't think they match well with the RTi series. Again just my opinon.
I agree, well except for the 1st part as I don't have SDA's and can not comment on that but agree that the Pio is great and I love mine. I had a Yammy and didn't care for it with my Polks I was using at that time. -
Well, an HK 254 is on its way!! I went the eBay refurbished route direct from HK... Nothing comes close to that price. We'll hear what it sounds like when it gets here. Thanks for all the input guys!:)
Heard my first SDAs this past weekend... Wow! No place to put them though.... yet! -
If you don't like the HK, you might want to try an NAD as well.Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
Pre - Nak CA-5
AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
Center - Polk CSiA4**
Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
BR - LG BD390
Monster HTS1600 Power Center
Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
**Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors** -
Good call on the HK in my opinion. Of course I have one as well so what else would I say. Let us know what you think when you get it hooked up.Front - RTiA5's
Rear - RTiA3's
Center - CSiA4
Sub - PSW110 -
I'm still using an HK 245 as a pre. It's adequate and beat out a couple of mid level Pio and Denon AVRs a few years ago. I doubt if it's still true vs the Pio Elites, but then a $250 refurb from HK Direct is easier to swallow in the wallet.
I think you'll like it especially if you want an uncluttered top end. All that said, if you want a warmer speaker and can't fit SDAs, look for some LS90s or RTA 11s.
Combo rig:
Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE -
Ron Temple wrote: »I'm still using an HK 245 as a pre. It's adequate and beat out a couple of mid level Pio and Denon AVRs a few years ago. I doubt if it's still true vs the Pio Elites, but then a $250 refurb from HK Direct is easier to swallow in the wallet.
I think you'll like it especially if you want an uncluttered top end. All that said, if you want a warmer speaker and can't fit SDAs, look for some LS90s or RTA 11s.
Hi Ron. I remembered you always spoke highly of your HK.
Not that I'm going to change speakers, but I was looking up the RTAs on Polk's site and can't find anything. I wonder why?
The RTis I have are fantastic for HT. Most of what I've sold off is funding a separate 2-channel setup, plus I've taken several steps to eliminate notoriously bright gear that I really didn't think was playing well with my speaks. -
Don't know why they aren't on this site, but you can get a glimpse here...mdaudioguy wrote: »Hi Ron. I remembered you always spoke highly of your HK.
Not that I'm going to change speakers, but I was looking up the RTAs on Polk's site and can't find anything. I wonder why?
The RTis I have are fantastic for HT. Most of what I've sold off is funding a separate 2-channel setup, plus I've taken several steps to eliminate notoriously bright gear that I really didn't think was playing well with my speaks.
http://www.polksda.com/rta11t.shtml
They are a tad wider and deeper than RTi10s, but share some similarity with SDAs in that they are very smooth in the midrange and offer very deep and tight bass. The TLs are preferred with the SL3000 tweeter, but the SL2000 in the T is still a better tweeter than the silk RTis IMO. A much more musical speaker, IMO and there wouldn't be a downside for HT. They are extremely dynamic, as well as, efficient.
I'm not knocking the RTis. I've enjoyed them everytime I've heard them, but the RTAs are a definite improvement, as are LS90s, in roughly the same sized package.
Combo rig:
Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE -
Another vote for harman/kardon with the RTi range. A perfect match IMO. NAD is better still, though, but also costs a lot more usually. I don't have an opinion of the Pioneer Elite compared to either since I've never heard one yet.
The hk 354 sounds great w/ mine but definitely lacks power compared w/ the denon i had before.That sucker weighed bout 50 lbs and never once made me want an amp.....until it died on me.....fronts=rti12s(cherry)
center=csi3(cherry)
sub=psw125(cherry)
emotiva xpa-2
harmon kardon 354
sony cdp
ipod 8gb
audioquest diamondback 1m
"Maesto" straightwire cables
pangea ac-9
playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
Kenwood Phono
bren1 Clamp
Herbies Slipmat
"It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you" -
Dang Ed. Sounds like you're having alot of fun swapping gear recently. Good luck on the HK.
Didn't you say that your Yammy was like mine??? Let us know how it compairs. Interested to hear your review and how it compairs to the Yammy. -
The HK seems to be what I needed! Initial perceptions:
I like the sound MUCH better - warmer, tamer highs (not perfect yet, but much better).
I like the simplicity of this AVR - less fancy DSP modes, setup was easier.
Don't like the lack of a 12v trigger for my amp - I'm back to plugging the amp into a switched outlet on my Monster power conditioner.
The remote is monstrous - bigger with less buttons...
I was not immediately struck by the condition of the unit. It had scratches on the faceplate, but I figured, hey, I bought a refurb, what can I expect. The next morning I was looking it over and ended up peeling the clear plastic off, along with all the scratches!
Doh! What? A refurb? This baby looks brand new. I'm happy. 
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Glad you like the sound. I've had Onk, Pio and Denon AVRs that I thought sure would replace my HK, but I couldn't get past the SQ. Now, I've heard better, but also alot more money. Does the 254 have any auto eq options? The 245 doesn't...no biggie, still sounds better than the Denon I tried with an earlier version of Audyssey.mdaudioguy wrote: »The HK seems to be what I needed! Initial perceptions:
I like the sound MUCH better - warmer, tamer highs (not perfect yet, but much better).
I like the simplicity of this AVR - less fancy DSP modes, setup was easier.
Don't like the lack of a 12v trigger for my amp - I'm back to plugging the amp into a switched outlet on my Monster power conditioner.
The remote is monstrous - bigger with less buttons...
I was not immediately struck by the condition of the unit. It had scratches on the faceplate, but I figured, hey, I bought a refurb, what can I expect. The next morning I was looking it over and ended up peeling the clear plastic off, along with all the scratches! Doh! What? A refurb? This baby looks brand new. I'm happy.
Combo rig:
Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE -
Ron Temple wrote: »Glad you like the sound. I've had Onk, Pio and Denon AVRs that I thought sure would replace my HK, but I couldn't get past the SQ. Now, I've heard better, but also alot more money. Does the 254 have any auto eq options? The 245 doesn't...no biggie, still sounds better than the Denon I tried with an earlier version of Audyssey.
Yes, they have something Audyssey-like called EzSet/EQ. It seemed to do a decent job. I haven't checked it yet with my SPL, but the settings and measurements were similar to what I had on my Yamahas. It was a much longer process, comparatively.
