Rlbol Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I have a dedicated theater that is 19 x 17 I currently have an emo xpa3 powering the main and center but would like to know which amp would be the best sounding for the rf7 mains. What would it cost for the best sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I can't say what would be the best sound but these amps have been known to power RF-7's very well. 200w 8 ohms/400w 4ohms. A high current amp that should have no problem with the RF-7's low impedences. No affiliation. http://orlando.craigslist.org/ele/1600635609.html If that is a little steep for your pocket, I have a couple of Marantz monoblocks that just might work. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest davidness Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 What don't you like about the XPA-3? Many here believe that the NOSValves VRD monoblock tube amps are among the best. I love my Bob Latino ST-120 tube amp, but haven't heard much else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlbol Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 How are those marantz monoblocks? I am going to keep the Emo but it will power the center and surrounds. I have been thinking about a mcintosh? I looked at a 5 channel that was nice but I think I would like to keep the mains separate for 2ch audio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 The Rotel 1090 would be nice,although not the most expensive and therefore not the best? it is quite nice with 7's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I have demoed them using a Denon preamp and a vintage Marantz receiver powering my RF-63's, Fortes, RB-5's, and Quartet's all with very good results. Nice warm sound with plenty of punch down low. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 The XPA-3 is an awesome amp. Why don't you keep it and get a 2 channel amp for the surrounds? Otherwise if you do want to use the XPA-3 for your center and surrounds XPA-1 monoblocks would get my vote if you wanted to stay with Emotiva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixonrsx Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have an XP-3 with my RF-7s and RC-7, but I guess if you wanted to go bigger and badder I would just get an XPA-2, I have heard they are a total moster compared to the XPA-3. If I had the need/cash to get an XPA-2 for my RF-7's I would. I dont think your gonna do any better for performance/price for your speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Isn't Emotiva for those folks with a budget in mind. Kind of bang for the buck kind of thing. Seriously if your looking for the best I would wager to guess theres an endless sea of good equipment out there if you have no budget in mind be it tubes or ss. VRD, Quicksilver,VTL,Manley, Audio Research,McIntosh,Conrad Johnson,Rogue Audio,Bat and Atmosphere just to name a few tube products. Krell, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Classe, Pass Labs, McCormack, Bat, Gamut, Audio Research and Jeff Rowland just to name a few ss products. All of which can drive difficult loads like the RF-7s with ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlbol Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 The Emotiva amp I am happy with. but like everything I wanted to know if I could make the rf7 sound even better. I am still setting up everything so I am sure there are improvements that can be made with the room as well as the other components. I am currently running an onkyo 705 for the rears and surrounds. with the XPA3 running the center and mains. The speakers are rf7 mains rc7 center, rs7 surrounds and ksw15 sub the rear surrounds are ksf8.5's It does sound very good but the onkyo is shutting down when i get it turned up. I guess its amp can keep up with the fronts. I plan on going to full separates. I just didnt know what would be the biggest improvement. I dont not find the rf7 harsh or anything but would like to make them even better for 2ch audio as well as theater. I do plan on upgrading the crossovers as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arky Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I do plan on upgrading the crossovers as well. You will like the result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vital Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I would get either two XPA-1 monos or the XPA-2 for your RF-7s. Really the XPA-2 is more than you need. You'll bottom out the RF-7 with the XPA-2s 320 or so watts a channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 You'll bottom out the RF-7 with the XPA-2s 320 or so watts a channel.Really? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I've had 325 wpc on mine and never bottomed out. Of course I haven't played any 20 Hz sine waves at max volume either[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 You'll bottom out the RF-7 with the XPA-2s 320 or so watts a channelIf RF-7's are "bottoming out" with 320 wpc then something is wrong. Faulty equipment or something's not hooked up properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I am currently running an onkyo 705 for the rears and surrounds It does sound very good but the onkyo is shutting down when i get it turned up. I guess its amp can keep up with the fronts. What rears are you running with you RF-7 system? Your Onkyo 705 should not have any issues running just your RS-7's and your back speakers, unless you are really cranking it up on all channel stereo for extended periods of time. My 705 never skipped a beat before I added my B&K to run my RF-63's and RC-64. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlbol Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 I am running ksf 8.5's as the rears and rs7 as the side surround. I am also surprised it only happens when watching movies turned up. It is not hot just shuts down. I restart it and everything is fine. I do plan on changing the soon so I am just living with it for now. onkyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vital Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 If I crank it up on bass heavy music the woofers on the RF-7 will bottom out with the XPA-2 running them as full range speakers not using a sub. The first time they did it was when watching Master and Commander during the first fight scene. The woofers sounded like firecrackers they were popping so bad. I had the bass turned up a little and had the speakers set to large with no sub. I didnt make that mistake again. With bass heavy hip hop it has happened a few times as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 The 7's are not good speakers for hip hop without a sub and bass management,maybe Cerwin Vega.Onkyo on 7's? Yikes,maybe HK in a pinch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 If I crank it up on bass heavy music the woofers on the RF-7 will bottom out with the XPA-2 running them as full range speakers not using a sub. The first time they did it was when watching Master and Commander during the first fight scene. The woofers sounded like firecrackers they were popping so bad. I had the bass turned up a little and had the speakers set to large with no sub. I didnt make that mistake again. With bass heavy hip hop it has happened a few times as well. Its not the speakers . You could run a 1,000 watt amp on those speakers would be my bet. Your Emotiva is running out of gas and clipping something terrible when you here your speakers pop. 500 watts/channel on a Chorus II with the bass on the preamp anywhere you want it and it just pounds you. Hip hop or anything else you want to throw at them. I would imagine the RF-7s can take the same with no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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