rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) Klipsch people, I have a set of KG4s that I purchased. I want to get an amp for them. Just sold my TX-8050. Right now I'm using a Klipsch Powergate. Feel free to comment. Take me to the cleaners. I'm doing the best I can. On a budget, if you know what I mean. I was thinking about the Onkyo a-9110. A guy on a website that it wouldn't be able to drive the KG4s well. Is this true? So I went back to looking at Yamahas. I want to try to keep it under $330. Right now, I've got a guy who will sell me a slightly used a-s501 for $330. Got to drive an hour to get it. An option, but there are important members of my family who think that is a waste of my time. Then there's some a-s500s laying around on internet sites for even less. I'm not sure I need the DACs in the a-s501. Then there's the receiver r-n50x and r-s50x. And then, finally, there's always an a-s301. Any recommendations here? I feel a bit bewildered. I know some of you are going to tell me to test them, but I live in the middle of nowhere, and not a lot of time. I want things to sound good. I don't need to overpower my middle-sized living room. Help me. Please. Edited January 25, 2019 by rjmartin Add tags :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Let me add that I've considered the Pioneer a-20 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I think the Yamaha will do a fine job driving KG4s. Where are you located? Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Which Yamaha? Can I get away with an a-s301? I'm in Minnesota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I think the A-S500/501 will do a great job driving the KG4s. Not sure about the Onkyo A-9110 or the Yamaha A-S301. Probably okay for a small room or computer stereo rig. For a short while, I drove my KG4s with an 80's NAD preamp/amp combo that was only 25w/channel and it did a superb job as long as I kept the volume at reasonable levels in my large family room/kitchen. Bill 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Martin, Welcome to the forum Suggest you look at vintage receivers/amps also. Had a set of KG4's and used a Marantz 1060 with them ... very clean sound with enough power (30W/ch). Sold that amp, but liked it so much, I just bought another one for $300 off CraigsList Another good Marantz is model 2238B, at the higher range of your $$ budget. If you want to save more, look at a Yamaha CR-620 or CR-820. About $100-200 and (? think) 35-40W/ch. The KG4's are fairly efficient (94dB's), but you will need at least 25 (real) W/ch. Not familiar with the Yamaha a-s500/501, but I am sure they will do a fine job. They spec at 85W/ch which probably is comparable to the 35-40W/ch for the older Yammies I mentioned. (And ... a dedicated amp will sound much better than the Onkyo AVR you sold.) Have fun ... good luck. Cheers, Emile Add-on ... check your KG4 tweeters ... the titanium diaphragm is a "must have" update for those 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam S. Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 +1 to what Emile said, but the Yamaha would be a solid choice also. I have KG2's purchased new in 1985. For years, ran them with an HK 25 wpc receiver. Recently, I thought they sounded a bit dull, so replaced the tweeters (left the crossovers original) with the crites Titanium diaphragms. Made a huge difference in the crispness and clarity, IMO. Well worth the $62. Would recommend the mod. Easy to do. Good luck. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 What's wrong with the Powergate you've got? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 I just figured it's not a good match. It does fine, but I wonder if I could improve with something more along the lines of a traditional amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Emile said: Martin, Welcome to the forum Suggest you look at vintage receivers/amps also. Had a set of KG4's and used a Marantz 1060 with them ... very clean sound with enough power (30W/ch). Sold that amp, but liked it so much, I just bought another one for $300 off CraigsList Another good Marantz is model 2238B, at the higher range of your $$ budget. If you want to save more, look at a Yamaha CR-620 or CR-820. About $100-200 and (? think) 35-40W/ch. The KG4's are fairly efficient (94dB's), but you will need at least 25 (real) W/ch. Not familiar with the Yamaha a-s500/501, but I am sure they will do a fine job. They spec at 85W/ch which probably is comparable to the 35-40W/ch for the older Yammies I mentioned. (And ... a dedicated amp will sound much better than the Onkyo AVR you sold.) Have fun ... good luck. Cheers, Emile Add-on ... check your KG4 tweeters ... the titanium diaphragm is a "must have" update for those Thanks for taking the time to input, Emile. I really appreciate it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Does anyone know how the sound quality compares between something like network receiver like the R-N602 and the integrated amp like a A-s501? RJM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron167 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Does anyone know how the sound quality compares between something like network receiver like the R-N602 and the integrated amp like a A-s501? RJMNot to the specific models, but I can speak to the lines they are related to. The A is going to sound better. The R will sound really good. Go with the one that appeals to you.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 14 hours ago, rjmartin said: Does anyone know how the sound quality compares between something like network receiver like the R-N602 and the integrated amp like a A-s501? RJM You know, most like only a slight difference in sound between the two. I say if you want the extra feature set the R-N602 possesses then go for it. I'll bet the average ear will not hear an audible difference between the two. But, the slight weight advantage with the A-S501(22.7lbs) vs R-N602(21.6lbs) most likely is in power supply. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 If you can swing it, skip the others and get this. Good deal IMO. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjmartin Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Thanks, Bill That's a great price for that amp! I did end up getting the a-S501 for $330, and I love it. The clarity of the instruments or vocals producing the music is really great. I've never heard something like this. Thanks for the link. I had already completed the purchase with the guy from CL by the time you posted that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimdogg Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I had a pair of KG4's that I stupidly sold (before I knew how great a vintage Klipsch speaker is) that I powered with a Rotel RA-985BX Integrated Amp. They sounded incredible. Now, 2 years later I found a pair of KG5.5's that I power with that same amp and those also sound amazing. I love the KG line from Klipsch, and prefer them when listening to 2 channel audio compared to my RP-280FAs. Glad you found a good fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloo Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Sorry to bump this older topic, but wanted to ask a few things if theyve changed in 3 years: I have a pair of Klipsch KG-4s connected to a Luxman R-115 and I love the sound. But it seems the left channel (a relay issue?) is failing in the Luxman, which means I need it fixed again. I already just got it fixed in Spring of 2021. I might just get it fixed again, but I dont want to keep throwing good money after bad on this system, I am considering just buying new. But I have other speakers as part of a surround sound setup with this R-115. Can anyone recommend a good receiver or amps for the following speakers in a 5.1 setup? Klipsch KG-4 Klipsch Academy Klipsch 0.5 Rear bookshelf speakers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Baloo said: Sorry to bump this older topic, but wanted to ask a few things if theyve changed in 3 years: I have a pair of Klipsch KG-4s connected to a Luxman R-115 and I love the sound. But it seems the left channel (a relay issue?) is failing in the Luxman, which means I need it fixed again. I already just got it fixed in Spring of 2021. I might just get it fixed again, but I dont want to keep throwing good money after bad on this system, I am considering just buying new. But I have other speakers as part of a surround sound setup with this R-115. Can anyone recommend a good receiver or amps for the following speakers in a 5.1 setup? Klipsch KG-4 Klipsch Academy Klipsch 0.5 Rear bookshelf speakers. Yes, diminishing returns unless the repair shop will stand behind their work. Likely not a fix but could try hooking to B speaker terminals. Since going with Home Theater now, almost any new or used Yamaha AVR with remote control would work. How much your looking to spend comes into play here. @Baloo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1291 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 How old is it and has the tech gone thru it or just quick fixed it? I just hit ebay and there's one there for $300 so what do YOU think? You're money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.