Would I benefit from using a separate amp vs receiver?

[Castx]

I've gone down the rabbit hole of separates vs receivers and came out the other end with more questions than answers and was hoiping I could get some community feedback.

 

My current setup is as follows:

Mains: RP-8000F

Center: RP-504C

Surrounds: RP-402S

Receiver: Denon X3500H

Sub: SVS PB-2000

I'm planning on adding atmos modules in the near future.

 

I'm currently debating on adding a Crown XLS 1502 into the mix to take some load off the receiver and to see if I can gain a noticeable improvement with what the RP-8000F's can offer.

 

For those who added a separate amp into their setups, I would love to know what your experiences have been and whether adding an amp should be my next step into finessing my setup.

 

Thanks in advanced.

[JohnA]

Realistically, no. 

 

But, it won't hurt beyond your wallet.

 

Your power demand during a movie, perhaps excepting a heavy metal concert, will normally be just a few watts and peak well under 100.  That's how the manufacturers can get by with too small power supplies, They just aren't used. 

 

A better solution for quality sound would be to a a multi-channel power amp for all channels and use your receiver as a pre/pro.  It is an additional layer of complication and turn-on/turn-off sequence begins to matter.  Look at Parasound, Acurus, Emotiva, Marantz, Rotel, Integra. 

 

At the cost of adding a quality amp, you may see that replacing your receiver with a muscular, high quality receiver a better choice.

http://www.integrahometheater.com/Products/model.php?m=DRX-R1.1&class=Receiver&source=prodClass#prettyPhoto

I have the room and am willing to accept the complication, so I have all separates with 3 power amps and 9 channels. 

[willland]

My experience.  

With my RF-63s/RC-64/RS-35s main system in a 5000+ cu ft room, I went from a mid level Onkyo TX-SR705(100w/ch in stereo) to adding a B&K Reference 4430(200x3) driving my LCR and the improvements were immediate.  Substantially better bass drive, more open and detailed, dynamics galore.

 

Bill

[twistedcrankcammer]

23 minutes ago, JohnA said:

Realistically, no. 

 

But, it won't hurt beyond your wallet.

 

Your power demand during a movie, perhaps excepting a heavy metal concert, will normally be just a few watts and peak well under 100.  That's how the manufacturers can get by with too small power supplies, They just aren't used. 

 

A better solution for quality sound would be to a a multi-channel power amp for all channels and use your receiver as a pre/pro.  Look at Parasound, Acurus, Emotiva, Marantz, Rotel,

 

 

John,

 

He has told us the speakers, but he has NOT told us the room size NOR the amount of music vs: Movies he listens to?

 

Depending on if you like movies or music more, I would spend the money on the best Sub you can afford and have room to fit first.

 

Secondly and especially if you have the room and funds, I would buy speakers that are the best you can afford.

 

John has mentioned some good brands of multi channel amplification, but if you have the real estate, I prefer multiple amplifiers over a single multi channel amplifier for EXACTLY the same reasons you want to try separates in the first place. I run four old Nakamichi Stereo amplifiers to get my seven channels of surround sound. Each of my amplifiers weighs around 75 pounds each, so I have around 300 pounds of amplification.

 

The place where separates will really shine is for music. Lots of headroom will give you a little better bass hit at low listening volumes, kind of like a loudness button.

 

Any more questions please ask.

 

Roger

[Castx]

1 minute ago, twistedcrankcammer said:

 

 

John,

 

He has told us the speakers, but he has NOT told us the room size NOR the amount of music vs: Movies he listens to?

 

Depending on if you like movies or music more, I would spend the money on the best Sub you can afford and have room to fit first.

 

Secondly and especially if you have the room and funds, I would buy speakers that are the best you can afford.

 

John has mentioned some good brands of multi channel amplification, but if you have the real estate, I prefer multiple amplifiers over a single multi channel amplifier for EXACTLY the same reasons you was to try separates in the first place. I run four old Nakamichi Stereo amplifiers to get my seven channels of surround sound. Each of my amplifiers weighs around 75 pounds each, so I have around 300 pounds of amplification.

 

The place where separates will really shine is for music. Lots of headroom will give you a little better bass hit at low listening volumes, kind of like a loudness button.

 

Any more questions please ask.

 

Roger

 

My apologies, I should have mentioned these details as well.

 

Room size is about 300 ft² but the whole floor is open concept and is open to an additional 800 ft² of space.

I would wager 70/30 for Movies/Music. When we play music, we like to crank it in order to hear around the whole house.

 

These RP's are basically my end-game speakers, I am quite happy with them, and now looking to fill in the gaps where I can, whether that be room correction (limited due to open concept), amplifiers, atmos speakers, etc.

 

I feel the next best step would be to add a power amp for the L/R before adding any additional speakers and move forward from there.

 

Thanks for all the input thusfar.

[willland]

55 minutes ago, Castx said:

Room size is about 300 ft² but the whole floor is open concept and is open to an additional 800 ft² of space.

BIG room as far as square footage including additional space.  What is the ceiling height?

 

Bill

[Castx]

16 minutes ago, willland said:

BIG room as far as square footage including additional space.  What is the ceiling height?

 

Bill

9ft flat ceilings.

[willland]

26 minutes ago, Castx said:

9ft flat ceilings.

So about 2700ft3 in main area and 9900ft3 overall.

 

Like I said, BIG.

 

1 hour ago, twistedcrankcammer said:

Depending on if you like movies or music more, I would spend the money on the best Sub you can afford and have room to fit first.

Agree totally but I still do think you will benefit by adding an amp.  Maybe add another PB-2000 to the mix and get a nice used affordable 3-channel amp if you can find one on the cheap.

 

Bill