Blatz Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I need help deciding whether or not I need to purchase a powered amplifier for my HT. Mostly watch movies, but every once in a while I turn on the jamz. Current reciever is a Integra 6.9: http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTR-6.9&class=Receiver&p=s Not sure what the power rating is though it says 100w, 115w, 125w 175w continuous. Speakers: RF-62s (125w cont, 500w peak) RC-62 ( 150w cont, 600w peak) RS-52s (100w cont, 400w peak) RS-41iis (50w cont, 200w peak) All are 8ohms. Do I need an amp? If so, 5.1 or 7.1, or a combo of different ones? I watch mostly blurays I think everything sounds pretty now, but I guess it is human nature to want more more more MORE MORE MORE!! Any help would be greatly aprreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Your receiver has built-in amps so you obviously don't need an amp. One option to consider is getting a 3-channel amp for your front 3 speakers and letting your receiver power your surrounds. Then in the future if you want to expand even more you can get an amp for your surrounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Your Integra will power your setup just fine. A quality outboard amp will take it to another level. When I added my B&K Reference 4430 to my Onkyo TX-SR705, which is the Onkyo version of your Integra, the overall performance improved exponentially. Better instrument seperation, broadened and deepened the soundstage and imaging, more punch, and more detail. Low volume listening is where the improvement showed most. What is your budget if you are to get one? I think a higher powerded 3-channel amp will give you more performance for your $$$ than a medium powered 5 or 7 channel. IMO. May I suggest a couple of 3-channel amps that I have had experience with. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1306093528&/B-K-St-1430-Series-2 A couple of forum members have 3-channels for sale for reasonable prices. B&K TX4430----neutral/warm signature with good detailed mids and highs http://community.klipsch.com/forums/p/144771/1510552.aspx#1510552 Acurus 200X3---more forward sounding with punchy lows http://community.klipsch.com/forums/t/146462.aspx Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitedemo Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 emotiva xpa2+5 or upa7 (used) as they just clearanced the last of them out, or a b&k 7 channel would do well also, you would notice an increase with a 3 channel amp also like wuzzer mentioned, keep an eye on audiogon and see if anything else interesting pops up that you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatz Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 I'm confused as to why I would want to use the amp for only 3 speakers. Would this make the front three louder (duh), and over power the rest. I understand that most sound in movies comes from the front speakers. Basically I'm trying to understand why not to get a 7 or 8 channel amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I'm confused as to why I would want to use the amp for only 3 speakers. Would this make the front three louder (duh), For obvious reasons, the front soundstage(L-C-R) are the bread and butter of a HT system, of course with the sub also. The surrounds, while still very important for overrall effects, do not require the type of amplification as the LCR. My introduction to amps in a HT environment was just a 3-channel B&K that powered my LCR while my Onkyo's amps handled the surrounds. I just upped the volume on the surrounds to compensate for the lesser power and lesser sensitivity of my surrounds. Everything balanced out just fine. Now I am running a 2-channel B&K(200w) for my fronts and the same 3-channel B&K(200w) for just my center. My NAD receiver's amps(145w) handle the surrounds. I just suggested a 3-channel only because you can usually get a better quality and higher power 3-channel amp for less than a low/medium power 5 or 7 channel amp. Also, size was a factor in my decision because some 7-channel amps can be 75+++ pounds, 8+++ inches tall and 19+++ inches deep. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatz Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 I see now. I think the best option would be to get a 3 channel amp to power the LCR and see how that works. Maybe later I could try a 5 channel, etc... Does anyone have any recommendations on brand or average price for a decent amp? Places to buy? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatz Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 One more rookie question... What are balanced and unbalanced ports/cables, and what are their purpose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Does anyone have any recommendations on brand or average price for a decent amp? Places to buy? Thanks again. Did you take a look at the amps I suggested in a couple of posts back? Here they are again. Buying used is a way to get high quality gear for much less $$$ than new. B&K ST1430----140w/ch http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1306093528&/B-K-St-1430-Series-2 A couple of forum members have 3-channels for sale for reasonable prices. B&K TX4430----200w/ch----neutral/warm signature with good detailed mids and highs http://community.klipsch.com/forums/p/144771/1510552.aspx#1510552 Acurus 200X3---200w/ch----more forward sounding with punchy lows http://community.klipsch.com/forums/t/146462.aspx If you want new: http://www.emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 One more rookie question... What are balanced and unbalanced ports/cables, and what are their purpose? Balanced cables are also called XLR cables. They're mainly found in pro audio and high-end home audio. They have a large round end with 3 pins inside. They're useful for very long cable runs. They also carry a 'hotter' signal than RCA interconnects, useful for pro equipment that needs a higher level input to reach their maximum potential. Unbalanced cables are RCA interconnects. They are generally fine for home use where you have shorter cable runs. They sometimes can introduce unwanted noise if the cables are too long and/or unshielded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitedemo Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=emporium&action=display&thread=17295 this would be a very good start to an excellent ht, 575 shipped for a 9 mo old xpa-2, tack on a xpa3 or xpa5 later on and just use avr to power the rest for now til that happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatz Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Thanks elite. I am actually 2 hours away from the seller. I pm'ed them to see about local pickup. Would a xpa-2 and xpa-5 work for 7.1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Would a xpa-2 and xpa-5 work for 7.1? I am sure Elite will gladly(and enthusiastically) answer that question. Elitedemo's System Profile Panasonic 58" 1080p 600hz Plasma TCP58S2Emotiva UMC-1Emotiva XPA-2Emotiva XPA-5Klipsch RF-83 Front (Black) Klipsch RC-64 Center (Black) Klipsch RB-81 Rear (Black) Klipsch RS-52 Side (Black)PS3 (60 gig)Xbox360 (120 gig) Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitedemo Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 willand is wise beyond his years [] im not an amp expert but ive had a few different sets on these klipsch, the xpa2/5 combo makes me grin ear to ear when listening to music or listening to movies, and that is without a sub yet sadly, im sure with you being more local 500-525 is more than a willing price considering shipping that beast in US is going to hit 75 easy, if i were you id be in the car yesterday and driving, hope that answers your question with ease also it appears that same person has a xpa5 for sale for 575 shipped as well i smell a combo deal for 1k [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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