procrustes

Thanks fini. I'd like to think I'd have caught on in good time, but then again, maybe not. [:$] At least I wasn't yet looking for it in Victoria's Secret winter catalogue!! Lots of suggestions here. At first I was thinking many of the speaker suggestions were a bit off the wall for a Klipsch forum. Finally caught on that many of those mentioned were Klipsch models. Duh! Sorry, I'll catch on.

Thanks for your input. That's probably what I'll do (upgrade the receiver) and probably go for the sub. It was good to get the early negative feedback on bi amping or whatever the sales person I talked to was talking about. I'll stick with 2 channel (now that I know what that is) and just add the sub. I'm also looking up the "Panny" digital you recommended - it's a new name for me.

I couldn't tell you the model numbers at this point since it would require going into the wall..at my age I couldn't get up that high without falling for sure. [] They're klipsch 100 watt per channel is all I can tell you for the front and rear...with a synergy C-1 center channel and a Klipsch KSW-10 subwoofer. I'm pleased with them.

Wouldn't you know...I came for advice on the amplifier and end up with more advice on the speakers!! [] That's ok. To be expected I think. My first priority is getting a good amp/receiver. At least you all didn't seriously recommend getting a McIntosh amp for 4 or 5 grand!! That's way out of my league. Seriously though, I'm probably not going to go after new speakers since the Klipsch are only 2 years old and were keeping me happy for a short time. I think you have my desires down about right. I'll seriously look at an HK but would appreciate other recommendations at about that same price range. Don't know what the sub will cost but I'm less concerned about that at this point. I've got a surround system upstairs 5.1 with the home video with 100 w/channel yamaha/klipsch system so I know what that's like and I really haven't noticed that's it's all that important for listening to music. Downstairs on the main floor however I didn't want a TV/video center so I just have music/radio/etc and two main speakers (with perhaps a sub) seem just about right: I can crank it up when I want, and it's still possible to hold conversations without letting the music take control of the whole environment. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the input. Well I liked Dr.Who's advice for starters but if more info is needed I can provide. I do have a small vinyl collection so my main sources are CD, turntable and receiver (although if there are any receivers/amps out there that can handle flash memory I wouldn't mind something that could handle that instead of mp3s burned to cd. Is there any such thing?). As for separates or an integrated receiver/amp, I'm open to either but want to stay under 1500 as a maximum (that includes the sub). Always figured tubes would be very expensive and out of my price range. Is that incorrect?

Thanks for the quick response and the recommendations. To answer, I'm replacing a SONY 65 w per channel receiver (strd615, I think). I don't want to risk blowing another speaker because of distortion, assuming that's what caused this previous episode. Perhaps I'm just a bit more hard of hearing than I know, but I didn't get all that much volume from the SONY so I'm hoping it's the receiver and not me. As for price, it's really not an issue up to 1000 or so. Could go a little higher if the benefits were there. I was looking at the Denon AV receivers but you seem to be suggesting straight 2 speaker audio amplifiers (Is that what 2 channel means? 2 speakers?). What you suggest is probably what I want. I'm not against putting in more speakers, but I only want to do it if there is some real enhancement to what I'll hear. I'm assuming a sub - which you say I can connect even to a 2 channel amp/receiver - will add something to the listening experience. Do these answers make a difference to your initial response. Thanks Dr. ! Almost forgot. I have the SF3's which are rated at 100 watts per channel. I believe these were initially rated at 150 but Klipsch rerated and newer labels were put on the speakers showing 100 watts per channel. Hope that's right.

I'm a newbie to the forums but would like to ask a few questions and maybe get some guidance. I have a pair of Klipsch SF3 speakers and I now am getting one of them repaired under warrantee - I somehow blew a tweeter which may have been due to using an underpowered amplifier/receiver (65 watts per channel). Anyway, since I've been told by more learned audiophiles than I (actually a sales guy in the a/v department) that underpowering is not good if you want to get clear crisp sound, I am determined to get a new receiver/amp. Here are my questions: 1. In getting a new receiver is there any advice on what type of receiver and what power I should get? My speakers are rated at 100 watts /channel. I use this system downstairs ONLY as an audio system (to listen to music only). Is there any advantage to getting an AV receiver (or is that the only type they sell nowadays?). My old receiver was strictly for a stereo (2 speaker) application. Nowadays most receivers seem to be designed for 5.1 or 7.1 systems and beyond or it seems that way. 2. I AM interested in getting the best sound I can but I'm sure cost will be an issue but not a big one. The audio guy at the local a/v mart said I had a good set of speakers and I should consider getting a 7.1 av receiver. I'm thinking he may have just wanted to make a sale since I am not interested in video applicatioins downstairs. However he mentioned that even in strict audio applications I could ?bi amp? my klipsch speakers (he tried to explain it but I'd need a wiring diagram) and get really outstanding audio. Anybody know about this or can anyone point me to a FAQ somewhere where I could learn? I gather the idea is to utilize the extra surround speaker connections from the receiver and wire to the extra set of terminals in the SF3s, but not sure about this. 3. I guess my main question is what can I get that will make a difference to my listening pleasure. I play mostly jazz/rock/other music and I would like to enjoy what I get. If I did get an AV receiver, can I make use of the 5.1 or 7.1 receiver by biamping? Further, can I simply hook up a subwoofer to my new receiver with my existing sf3's and get a noticeable improvement to my listening pleasure? Or is that strictly for video applications? I'm really just trying to learn from your responses. Hope you can help.