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Should I Buy an Amp For My New System?


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So I've recently put together a new system that I'm really happy with, but I'm just wondering if it would be beneficial to get an External Amp. Here's my setup:

 

Marantz SR6012

2 Klipsch RP280FA

1 Klipsch RP450C

2 Klipsch RP500SA

2 Monoprice Alpha Carbon 8" Ceiling Speakers for Rear Heights

Revel B12 Subwoofer 1000w RMS

 

I sit about 8 feet from the speakers and play a lot of music in Pure Direct 2 Channel, but of course I also watch a lot of movies/tv. I typically listen at around -11db and I don't really need it any louder. But I'm just wondering if I'm losing any audio quality by not using an External Amp even though my speakers are very efficient. Everything runs from my PC via HDMI.

 

If you do think I should get an amp it seems like I need to get at least a 3 channel so that the Fronts and Center can run on that one. Is that correct? It would be a lot cheaper to go for a 2 channel, but I was worried about the center not matching in movies.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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1 hour ago, wuzzzer said:

That Marantz is a very capable receiver.  If you choose to, a good two or three channel amp for the front stage would probably be sufficient.

 

Your receiver will level match all your speakers when you run the auto setup it has.

 

Do you think I would notice a difference in sound quality?

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110 watts per channel 2 channels driven 9 channels of amplification. Heat, enemy of electronics. See if you can find someone that has a 3-channel or 5-channel amp that you can borrow. But that's just my opinion.

 

Keith 

 

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48 minutes ago, T2K said:

110 watts per channel 2 channels driven 9 channels of amplification. Heat, enemy of electronics. See if you can find someone that has a 3-channel or 5-channel amp that you can borrow. But that's just my opinion.

 

Keith 

 

Ok yea I'll see if I can find someone. Thanks!

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12 hours ago, suboost said:

Do you think I would notice a difference in sound quality?

 

33 minutes ago, wvu80 said:

No, you will not hear any difference in quality.

 

33 minutes ago, wvu80 said:

You will get better dynamics at higher SPL.

I kind of think better dynamics makes for better sound quality.;):P

 

Bill

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You probably won't regret getting a decent 3-5 channel amp, but it's not like you have to in order for your setup to sound really good, but with an amp that can give you some headroom and keep the receiver from working harder than it needs to, you will probably hear a difference, although changing amps typically isn't some OMG moment, like you've been missing something, but typically subtle differences between the amps and giving your main speakers what they do better with.  I don't have your speakers, but for my RF 7's, here's how I progressed.

 

1.  Driven with receiver rated at 145 (rated)  Drove the 7's fine, no problems, sounded great.

2.  Driven with various amps, settled in with QSC rated around 450, noticeable difference in the woofer response (you can hear it clear as day when you A/B test)

 

 

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15 hours ago, suboost said:

 

Do you think I would notice a difference in sound quality?

 

I've never heard your particular speakers before but I think you would easily hear an audible difference using a separate amp with them. If nothing else it should lengthen the life of your receiver. I'm not into arguing this stuff any more but anyone that couldn't hear the difference probably didn't use a Yamaha receiver with their Klipsch speakers 30 years ago.

 

Do your homework and beware of sellers. Find an amp that will compliment your speakers and try it for yourself. You should easily be able to find a used 3-channel amp for $150-$200. Good luck to you.

 

Keith

 

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3 hours ago, T2K said:

 

I've never heard your particular speakers before but I think you would easily hear an audible difference using a separate amp with them. If nothing else it should lengthen the life of your receiver. I'm not into arguing this stuff any more but anyone that couldn't hear the difference probably didn't use a Yamaha receiver with their Klipsch speakers 30 years ago.

 

Do your homework and beware of sellers. Find an amp that will compliment your speakers and try it for yourself. You should easily be able to find a used 3-channel amp for $150-$200. Good luck to you.

 

Keith

 

Thanks for the advice. Any ideas of a good place to get one? I was thinking of just getting a new Emotiva 5 channel for about $500 or so, because I didn't see any good ones on Craigslist. Any other places I should look?

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4 hours ago, Pete H said:

You probably won't regret getting a decent 3-5 channel amp, but it's not like you have to in order for your setup to sound really good, but with an amp that can give you some headroom and keep the receiver from working harder than it needs to, you will probably hear a difference, although changing amps typically isn't some OMG moment, like you've been missing something, but typically subtle differences between the amps and giving your main speakers what they do better with.  I don't have your speakers, but for my RF 7's, here's how I progressed.

  

1.  Driven with receiver rated at 145 (rated)  Drove the 7's fine, no problems, sounded great.

 2.  Driven with various amps, settled in with QSC rated around 450, noticeable difference in the woofer response (you can hear it clear as day when you A/B test)

 

 

Any that you would recommend? I was thinking of the Emotiva 5 Channel, since they don't seem to make a 3 channel under $1000. Any advice would be great. Thanks

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I've had great results with my Emo XPA-5's (Gen 1) but they've really jumped up in price and from what I've read, the newer ones have stepped back in sound quality.  The Monolith amps from Monoprice are getting great reviews and are made by ATI who is very reputable. A Parasound amp is a good choice too if you can find one within your budget. 

 

https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=Monolith by Monoprice 7x200 Watts Per Channel Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs

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56 minutes ago, TasDom said:

I've had great results with my Emo XPA-5's (Gen 1) but they've really jumped up in price and from what I've read, the newer ones have stepped back in sound quality.  The Monolith amps from Monoprice are getting great reviews and are made by ATI who is very reputable. A Parasound amp is a good choice too if you can find one within your budget. 

 

https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=Monolith by Monoprice 7x200 Watts Per Channel Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs

Yea I've seen the Monoprice ones and they look great. They're about $1100. For that price how do you think it compares to a Marantz like this one?

https://www.us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avseparates&ProductId=MM7055

I just figured it might give the same type of sound, but if the other one is way better then nevermind.

 

Also, the main reason I like the Emotiva one here is because I only have about 5 inches of height available on my shelf and this seems to be one of the only ones that fits.

https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-5-Channel-Power-Amplifier/dp/B01IQWAXDC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_23_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1DWH3W53THSK2NDQSJG6

But now I'm worried since you said the quality may be lacking with the newer units. Any help or advice would be great! Thanks

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1 hour ago, TasDom said:

I've had great results with my Emo XPA-5's (Gen 1) but they've really jumped up in price and from what I've read, the newer ones have stepped back in sound quality.  The Monolith amps from Monoprice are getting great reviews and are made by ATI who is very reputable. A Parasound amp is a good choice too if you can find one within your budget. 

 

https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=Monolith by Monoprice 7x200 Watts Per Channel Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs

 

Also, what do you think about going with maybe 3 of these guys instead of the 3 and 5 channel amps?

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

 

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5 hours ago, T2K said:

 

I've never heard your particular speakers before but I think you would easily hear an audible difference using a separate amp with them. If nothing else it should lengthen the life of your receiver. I'm not into arguing this stuff any more but anyone that couldn't hear the difference probably didn't use a Yamaha receiver with their Klipsch speakers 30 years ago.

 

Do your homework and beware of sellers. Find an amp that will compliment your speakers and try it for yourself. You should easily be able to find a used 3-channel amp for $150-$200. Good luck to you.

 

Keith

 

So I'm looking at used amps on a few different sites and I was hoping you could give me some opinions on a few of these. They're all a bit more than I want to spend, but I can do it if it's really worth it.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Marantz-MM7055-5-Channel-Power-Amplifier/273612242391?hash=item3fb48f7dd7:g:KEMAAOSwu4dcFTn8:rk:3:pf:0

Figured this would have a similar sound to my receiver powering the rest of the speakers.

 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis994a7-anthem-mca-50-5-channel-power-amplifier-mca50-15812-multi-channel-amps

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis99a03-rotel-rmb-1075-multi-channel-amps

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis98j9h-naim-audio-napv-175-3-channel-amplifier-rare-and-made-in-the-uk-multi-channel-amps

This one seems kind of weak, but this company is apparently amazing quality wise from what I've read. Do you think that would be enough power?

 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis999b0-emotiva-xpa-3-3-channel-multi-channel-amps?creative=305983658573&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr93gBRDSARIsADvHiOrpzjayuCkrWLqC10EFeaXDQFb9sPvFOpExxNd4oa5arqDjxJrg39oaAp_ZEALw_wcB&keyword=

This one seems like the obvious choice, but also do I really need the extra power compared to a new version of their cheaper one? Would the quality be better on this one vs their cheaper one here:

https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-5-Channel-Power-Amplifier/dp/B01IQWAXDC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1545108033&sr=8-2&keywords=emotiva+3+channel

 

Thanks so much for the advice.

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