shane_0_mac Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 I am going to have to get a new receiver, my HK does not give me the power I want. I am thinking a Marantz SR7500 or a Dennon AVR 3805. Of these 2 which would you guys go with? They are both about the same price at my dealer. My dealer wants me to go with the Marantz because for the same money I am getting THX certification with the Marantz. I think I will keep the HK for anoother room, its a great unit just lacks the power I crave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 according to specs online, AVR235 is 50 wpc, Denon 3805 is 120 wpc, so you're looking at about 4 db increase. Is that going to be enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane_0_mac Posted June 15, 2005 Author Share Posted June 15, 2005 I like stuff pretty loud, and I have to get my receiver real close to the zero DB setting to get the volume I like, so I want to get one with more power so I am not "maxed" out as often and have a little extra kick when I want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyT Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 Have you thought about adding an amp instead of getting a new receiver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 Shane are you playing HT that loud or 2 CH? I have a Yammie 130 wpc and watch movies at -20. I CAN"T IMAGINE listening to music that loud. How many dB are you trying to reach? How loud is it now? Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane_0_mac Posted June 15, 2005 Author Share Posted June 15, 2005 I am playing HT at -5db setting on my receiver. I mean the sound is crisp and clear, but I really do like it loud. The room at Steroe one is about the same size as my room, I will have them set up my system there with the Dennon and Marantz and see how much louder it is than mine. Michael you know I get confused easily on this stuff , but are you saying that a receiver at a true 105 watts per channel would not be much louder than my 50 watts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 Double the watts is about 3dB, that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
--udson Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 I'm thrilled with my Yamaha RX-v2500. 130 wpc. Movies to my ears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olorin Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Shane, I like what BobbyT said. That HK-235 has a fine processor and if it's power you want, it's an amp or three you need to get. B&K, Rotel, Parasound, and Sunfire, to name a few, are all highly regarded here, and you can start with a two channel for your mains and then add a three or five channel for the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane_0_mac Posted June 16, 2005 Author Share Posted June 16, 2005 So if a get a couple amps (this is the area of this stuff where I am real dumb) would I use my HK as a pre amp, or would I just be adding power to what it already produces? And will it be cheaper to add 2 amps than to buy a new stronget receiver? I am also going to see what kind of trade I can get with my dealer on my RB-35's for RF-7's. I need some better 2 channel audio (some can now say I told you so lol) I know the 7 are much stronger than my rc 35 but I figure since the upgrade bug is never going to stop there is no since getting RF-35 when before to long I will want the whole 7 series. Now if I can work a deal for the 7's then I assume I would really want a 2 channel amp to push them right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olorin Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Well, I'm not really qualified to talk much about the RF-7's since I don't have any, but I can regurgitate what's been said elsewhere on the board. A few folks here have reported a marked improvement in performance when they moved to a high-power (high current) amplifier. Apparently the RF-7 has a pretty punishing impedence dip, and to keep the woofers under control you need an amp with some muscle. IIRC the B&K 200.2 and a big Rotel -- 1095? -- are said to do well for that. But yeah, at this point your HK-235 becomes a preamp for those channels that are driven by outboard amplifiers. You may get some benefit in the remaining channels since the amp section's power supply is no longer responsible for the ones that were offloaded, but I have no idea if it would be perceivable. As for "cheaper," I guess that all depends on what you get and where you get it. Few would argue (at least here anyway) that separate amps are not "better" in terms of performance and flexibility. It's all a balancing act, really. The cheapest and easiest thing might just be the big receiver. You have to balance your desires against your pocketbook and your comfort level with making your system more complex. Something else to consider might be a more upscale receiver -- something like a Rotel 1068 or a B&K 307 or 507 might get you where you want to go and be a big step up in performance as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyT Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Start with a good 2 channel amp especially if you upgrade to 7s. Then see how well the receiver does with the rest of your speakers. Should be an improvement with the load of the 7s moved to the amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane_0_mac Posted June 16, 2005 Author Share Posted June 16, 2005 If I can pull a deal off for the RF-7's, How does this idea sound? Get a B&K 200.2 to drive the R-F7's, and then try to find a 125 X 3 amp to drive the centers and surrounds? Anyone have a ballpark price on a B&K 200.2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyT Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 I believe the ref 200.2 is around $1200 to $1300. You can check audigon for used amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 I have RF-7s and added a 2 channel outboard amp to my Pioneer receiver. The RF-7s sounded much better, and the other channels did benefit slightly from more power supply per channel for the remaining channels. Today, I have 2 channel and 5 channel outboard amps. I agree with the brands named as long as the amp has at least 200 watts. The higher wattage amps usually have higher current capability for driving low impedances like the RF-7s. The wattage is also good for better headroom for transient response. The RC-7 and RS-7s have impedance dips that are nearly as low as the RF-7s. When I went from a 225 watt Sunfire to a 400 watt Sunfire I noticed an improvement in the RC-7 and RS-7s. Again, it's not the watts available that is as important as the ability to drive impedances below 4 ohms and even below 3 ohms on the RF-7s. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spkrdctr Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 If you really want to have volume, I would recommend the Sunfire equipment. It could even be the Sunfire Reciever. Although you will get sticker shock. They have at least 110 volt rails and that means they will play so loud, you can rip your head off. Most "regular" recievers max out around 50 volt rails. The difference in available headroom and power is pretty substantial if you run the Sunfire at the 50 volt level, allowing it to double for peaks. Running any reciever or amp at generally 50 volts with RF-7s would kill your hearing very quickly. Major unreversible damage.... be careful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 First off does your Harman even have preouts? If so you could then buy a used two channel amp ( or new your choice and money), and a descent cd player. You may have some fine music then. By the way I listen to alot of amps around 0 and lower. No biggy as long as their quality watts. Do you hear distortion where you like the volume? If not it's cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane_0_mac Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 I do not hear any distortion at all. I just do not want to go above -5db. I think my HK does have pre outs, I will check to make sure. Its not like my system is quiet, it gets pretty loud I just would like a little extra kick sometimes. If I swing the deal for some RF-7's for now I will go with the 2 channel amp, then take a second mortgage lol and get another amp and the rest of the 7 line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
--udson Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 So what are the audible differences when you go to a seperate amp? I have the Rx7 line. What could I expect if I upgrade down the road? Are we talking fuller sound? More bass? Etc. etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 ---------------- On 6/17/2005 8:37:03 AM ] So what are the audible differences when you go to a seperate amp? I have the Rx7 line. What could I expect if I upgrade down the road? Are we talking fuller sound? More bass? Etc. etc... ---------------- [/blockquote> You will hear a wider soundstage with more depth. Deeper bass with more control. NO more artificial sounding midrage ( the most critical area where a receiver messes things up in my opinion.) Highs will either have more presence or be smoother depending on which brand you go with. But usually never brash or harsh. You'll have a much blacker background so the sound will sound like it's coming from a cleaner background. That really makes alot more difference than one would think. My old B&k had tons of presence in the top end nice for cymbals a bit soft in the bass, but beautifull mids. Singing was amazing. It was an st-140 highly talked about as tube like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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