tmassey

I am thinking Waterworld would be one of the better movies to watch.

Great advice Scrappy, and actually now that I am looking at the price, I think I have finally made up my mind. I think my best bet will be the XPA-5 now. I can bi-amp my fronts until I get surrounds. And later on when I start looking at rear surrounds, there should probably be plenty power coming out of the AVR since I am running the 2 fronts, center, and surrounds off the amp. And really, the XPA-5 retails for only 200$ more than the XPA-3. It's just a tad over my limit but I think will save me a lot of money in the long run. I'll put my order in as now I really cant wait to get my hands on it, and let you guys know what I think in about a week. If I really need more power for the 83s, it wouldn't be a problem to grab the XPA-2 and run everything else through the XPA-5 Again, can't express enough thanks for all the help you have all been.

Really, I am looking for one of two things. First Choice is to get a 3 channel amp to drive my fronts and center, preferrably 200-250 watts per channel and once I get my surrounds going, get a 4 channel amp if I decide to complete a 5/7.1 setup. Second Choice is to get a 7 channel amp. However after looking at prices for these, the 125 watts per channel are usually affordable, but once you get into the 200 watt range, prices go up dramatically for 5 and 7 channel amps, which is understandable because it's a lot more power overall, but unfortunate for my particular situation. To answer your question, I am looking for a good solid 3 channel amp anywhere in the 200-250 watt range, and probably your opinion on the life-times I can expect out of these. Obviously, I am more than happy to pay a few hundred more for the peace of mind of knowing what I have will last. I should also mention I don't really ever have the volume too high. I have been poking around a little on the Outlaw site, I am a little disapointed they dont have any 3 channel amps but the Model 7500 looks perfect for what I eventually want. I am not really seeing a huge advantage of getting an amp to drive the rear surrounds as there still isn't a lot of 7.1 content out there to really take advantage of them. I am still a little undecided myself as to the direction I should take, and I am inclined to agree with you and to just wait it out and save up, and keep looking for a good deal. Again, thanks a ton of all your help! It has been extremely informative.

I am going to say Terminator 2 is a really good one. It's what I consider to be the best sci-fi movie ever, and the opening scene of the apocolyptic future is just intense. There is so much going on with the skulls cracking under the enormous machine treads and the lasers, and people screaming in the background and the music. Another good one is Avatar. The visuals are excellent and there is a lot of detail in the background sounds that can really shine through with a good setup. You also could never go wrong with Jurassic Park.

That is a good questino SuBXeRo. This isn't really a hobby of mine as much as it is just wanting a good setup that will last a long time, so I would like to spend enough to buy an amp that will last through the ages. Because I just kind of spent the money on the RF-83s on a whim because I found a good deal, I am a little short on spending money. I would really prefer to keep it under 800$, but it wouldn't kill me to wait and save up more if I have to. I think I am planning on keeping an eye on Audiogon and just wait it out and see what I can get an amp for. So far, used doesn't seem a lot cheaper than buying new. I am really leaning towards the XPA-3 though, according to these sigs, that is what a lot of others went for that like the RF-83s. It also falls right in my price range. I did look over most of them brands and they don't really seem to offer what I am looking for, or I am not looking in the right places.<br/><br/> Also I have been looking at centers. I hear a lot of people claiming they can hear a noticable difference between the RC-64ii and RC-64. What is your guys' take on this? It's really hard to demo RC-64s in the same room as the iis because they have been discontinued. I am thinking the RC-64s would be a better match for the RF-63s.<br/><br/> Again, thanks for all the help.

Thanks for the quick replies, it has been a ton of help, and admittedly, what I was hoping to hear! Now I just have to decide if I should get the XPA-5 now and save myself a few hundred when I need another amp for surrounds. Also, great setups! I am really looking forward to getting hooked up with a better center and surrounds. These things have even helped to broaden my music horizon. There are a ton of songs out there I never really paid a lot of attention to just because I could never really hear all the details. Currently listening to Beck - Seachange and can't get enough of it.

I have been doing quite a bit of research here, and at places like AVSForum and there seems to be two contradicting lines of thought. As the title says, I have a pair of RF-83s (just got them and I love them, though I feel I am not doing them justice. I previously had the VF-35s which from Best Buy so the upgrade in question is HUGE) with an RC-62. When I move, I plan on upgrading the center to an RC-64 and start looking into getting a few surrounds, but that is a little down the road. Anyway, I am seeing two conflicting answers usually when it comes to getting an amp for these speakers which are... A) The RF-83s are so efficient, getting an amp will make almost no difference. The RF-83s recommended power is 250w and they love every bit of it. Right now, I am driving them with a Pioneer VSX-1018 AH (110 watt / channel over 7 channels. I've done a little more research on the receiver and there are a lot of reports out there talking about how inefficient receivers tend to be, especially when it comes to some of the lower end ones. I've even heard people claiming I would be lucky to get 60 watts per channel out of the receiver. That is a far-cry from the claimed 110 watts. So, to anyone who has direct experience with the RF-83s and amps and has a good ear, my question, did you find there was a difference in sound quality? I am digging the Emotiva XPA-3. It's right in my price range, and I haven't heard really any negative reviews about them. There was a Klipsch Dealer close that closed up shop, they were always good about letting me take speakers home to listen, are other dealers like that? Will they look at me like I am crazy if I ask to take an amp home to demo? Thanks for any help and sorry, I am sure this question has been asked a ton of times already.