Scratching my head About amps!?

bobsauto49
bobsauto49 Posts: 973
edited December 2011 in Electronics
Looking to upgrade my power supply from my Onkyo TXSR876,to a seperate amp! Have Rt2000i's up front,with a
CS2 center,and Rt400's for surrounds. Have a $1000 budget/shipping,and interconnects! Looking for new,or used. My head scrathing is coming from the choices! Save a couple $ and go with a 3 channel amp,letting the avr do the rears,or go with the 5 channel amp and just get it all over with right away! Hoping for 200/wpc. I like the way my system sounds now,however, listening to everyone on this forum say how much an amp REALLY makes the world of difference,is making me itch! All the advice i see the good folks on here give to all us newbies about how this hobby really hurts the wallet! They werent chittin! LOL
My enjoyment is 80/20 music/movie. Will the 876 be suffice for my beloved rt400's? Or should i spend the whole $1000 and get the 5 channel rig right away? A sincere thanx to anyone sharing their expieriance/knowledge with me!
"Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
Post edited by bobsauto49 on
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited December 2011
    if you spend 80% time listen to music, Why don't you get a GOOD two channel amp? I have a two channel DIY amp and I use it 50/50 music and movies. I would never get that 5.1 amps or receivers. But again that is just my opinion!
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited December 2011
    Agree. 80/20 music/HT means 2 channel amp.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,065
    edited December 2011
    I would set aside 500 clams for a 2 channel amp, take the other 500 and add it to what ever you get for the 2000's and upgrade the speakers. Thats just me though.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,222
    edited December 2011
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    Looking to upgrade my power supply from my Onkyo TXSR876,to a seperate amp! Have Rt2000i's up front,with a
    CS2 center,and Rt400's for surrounds. Have a $1000 budget/shipping,and interconnects! Looking for new,or used. My head scrathing is coming from the choices! Save a couple $ and go with a 3 channel amp,letting the avr do the rears,or go with the 5 channel amp and just get it all over with right away! Hoping for 200/wpc. I like the way my system sounds now,however, listening to everyone on this forum say how much an amp REALLY makes the world of difference,is making me itch! All the advice i see the good folks on here give to all us newbies about how this hobby really hurts the wallet! They werent chittin! LOL
    My enjoyment is 80/20 music/movie. Will the 876 be suffice for my beloved rt400's? Or should i spend the whole $1000 and get the 5 channel rig right away? A sincere thanx to anyone sharing their expieriance/knowledge with me!

    I would usually agree about going with a two channel amp but in your case I wouldn't spend the money. Your RT2000i speakers are 90 db efficient at 8ohm...a very, very easy load to drive & couple that with their built in subs that take the pressure off the low end adding a new amp would not yield the results you are expecting. Your Onkyo AVR is pumping out 140w in two channel mode which is plenty for your situation. It's easy to get caught up with upgraditis from reading threads on this forum. Don't take everything you read as "gospel". But if you insist on spending money on a two channel amp then by all means do so, but don't expect to hear any difference.

    On another note, I personally would go with a good multi-channel amp & be done with it (which I did & it's the best move I've made). Because as sure as I'm typing this I know that if you do go with a two channel amp & by chance you do like the difference you'll be constantly wondering how the rest of your system would sound with extra amp power.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited December 2011
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I would usually agree about going with a two channel amp but in your case I wouldn't spend the money. Your RT2000i speakers are 90 db efficient at 8ohm...a very, very easy load to drive & couple that with their built in subs that take the pressure off the low end adding a new amp would not yield the results you are expecting. Your Onkyo AVR is pumping out 140w in two channel mode which is plenty for your situation. It's easy to get caught up with upgraditis from reading threads on this forum. Don't take everything you read as "gospel". But if you insist on spending money on a two channel amp then by all means do so, but don't expect to hear any difference.

    On another note, I personally would go with a good multi-channel amp & be done with it (which I did & it's the best move I've made). Because as sure as I'm typing this I know that if you do go with a two channel amp & by chance you do like the difference you'll be constantly wondering how the rest of your system would sound with extra amp power.

    As I said before, For music the best choice is a "good" two channel amp, and when I say a good amp I mean something like Bryston or equal. Do not get the crabs that sells in Best Buy, Wallmart etc. if He wants it for movies, He can use a 5.1 receiver or amp with all that crab of Dolby surround sound and DSP etc etc... in my case, I have two ears (left and right) I do not need more than left and right speakers. maybe in the future I will put and extra ear on back of my head to listent in sorround mode lol.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited December 2011
    Pearsall's last sentence in post 5 is what worries me most! Which is why i was asking for others expieriance's on having a 3ch rig and letting a quality avr handling the rears,or just getting a 5ch amp!
    Also,am i the only guy that like to listen to his music in all channels stereo? Ive tinkered with my receiver for hours on end,and i find that MY favorite for music cd's is the all channels stereo mode! Am i just different? Or just plain stupid? Most who know me personally would favor both.
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited December 2011
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    Pearsall's last sentence in post 5 is what worries me most! Which is why i was asking for others expieriance's on having a 3ch rig and letting a quality avr handling the rears,or just getting a 5ch amp!
    Also,am i the only guy that like to listen to his music in all channels stereo? Ive tinkered with my receiver for hours on end,and i find that MY favorite for music cd's is the all channels stereo mode! Am i just different? Or just plain stupid? Most who know me personally would favor both.

    So if you listen to music in Dolby mode (5.1) just get a "decent" receiver with at least 100 watts RMS per channel. your speakers have high SPL so that power is more than enough.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited December 2011
    I'm basically in Pearsall's camp. My listening habits are more 50/50 although some of the movie 50 would be concerts etc. Still, if I were 80/20 I'd want the 20 to sound just as good as the 80 when I was in that environment. I have a 5-channel amp but have used a 2-channel with the receiver driving the rest. It was "OK", but it wasn't the same - and it wasn't as good. I don't listen to a lot of 5-channel stereo but it does come in handy for parties or when I'm working around the house. If it were me and I probably wouldn't consider a 2-channel amp unless it was for a dedicated music environment. In a "mixed" environment it would probably be a debate between a 3-channel or a 5-channel amp. Just my opinion.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
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    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2011
    I agree with Phil (pearsall001) above. That Onkyo has a lot of power. I would "not" bother to amplify the surrounds (RT400s) or the CS2--the Onkyo can "easily" handle that.

    A good two channel amp would be nice for music though. (I'm an not a fan of 5.1 stereo--that's like listening to "background" music...it's all over the place). Onkyos are not what I would call warm so they're probably best matched with a Carver, Parasound, B&K, maybe? You should listen to some of those and see "how" they sound to you!

    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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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,222
    edited December 2011
    To the OP...for a combo HT/2 channel system (which you have) just pick yourself up a nice 5/7 channel amp & be done with it. This way you're future proofed as far as changing speakers go & it makes it a lot easier when it comes to moving on to another AVR or prepro. Now you can keep up with technology & just get a new AVR when the time comes that has the features you need along with pre outs. No need to spend extra $$$$ because you don't need the amp power from the AVR. Now you can also look at prepro's instead of an AVR. It just gives you greater flexibility going forward. And don't let anyone tell you that a multi-channel amp can't perform in a 2 channel setting...pure hogwash!!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited December 2011
    Thanx Pearsall,and all others for input! I'm buying a 5ch,for the exact reasons Pearsall has said! Dont want to be thinking how much better all ch would be if i bought a 2 or 3 ch amp! This has been my thinking,however it feel reassuring to hear it from someone else! A very sincere ty!!!!!!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited December 2011
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    Thanx Pearsall,and all others for input! I'm buying a 5ch,for the exact reasons Pearsall has said! Dont want to be thinking how much better all ch would be if i bought a 2 or 3 ch amp! This has been my thinking,however it feel reassuring to hear it from someone else! A very sincere ty!!!!!!

    To get a "REAL" good 5/7 amp, you will have to spend more money than to get a "REAL" good 2 channel amp. since it will be more parts and most companies degrade quality to save money (not the case with BRYSTON). But since you mind is set to get a 5/7 channel amp...Good luck!
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,222
    edited December 2011
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    Thanx Pearsall,and all others for input! I'm buying a 5ch,for the exact reasons Pearsall has said! Dont want to be thinking how much better all ch would be if i bought a 2 or 3 ch amp! This has been my thinking,however it feel reassuring to hear it from someone else! A very sincere ty!!!!!!

    Good move on your part, you won't regret it!!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited December 2011
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    Thanx Pearsall,and all others for input! I'm buying a 5ch,for the exact reasons Pearsall has said! Dont want to be thinking how much better all ch would be if i bought a 2 or 3 ch amp! This has been my thinking,however it feel reassuring to hear it from someone else! A very sincere ty!!!!!!

    My Onkyo loves working with the Rotel amp (1075), wish I could afford 1095..
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
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