Add or not to add a stereo amplifier

[Unisubzero]

Hello guys,

I have a question and I hope someone can help me out.

Right now I have a Yamaha RX-A3050 AV receiver with B&W 703 speakers (& KEF for surround) and I was thinking to add a stereo amplifier to this setup. Hopefully for a better music experiences.
I`m considering to get one of those: Marantz PM-14S1 of Rotel RA-1570 of Yamaha A-S1100.

Now is the question: will it add anything to the sound quality or become a bottleneck?
If it will improve the sound which one should I get?

PS. I’m a beginner HiFi enthusiast.

Gr, Uni

 

[TheWarrior]

An integrated amplifier (an amp with source and volume control) is intended to be a 2 channel receiver, of sorts. You would never combine an integrated amp with an AVR.

You want just a standard 2 ch amp (or dual mono block) powered by the preouts for each channel on the back of the AVR.

Obviously you will need to run room correction again when they get connected!

 

[Unisubzero]

According to Yamaha user manual it is possible to do so with external power amplifier:

• With unbalances inputs
• With volume control bypass
• Output power 100W or more

They even give as example Yamaha A-S3000. (probably commercial advice)

Can you give me an example of standard 2 ch amp (or dual mono block)?
Wat schuld I look voor?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

If you can achieve your preferred listening volume with your current receiver I wouldn't bother with new amp. You will get bigger improvements with new speakers, sub or room acoustics.

 

[markw]

What you need is a POWER amp, not an integrated amp.

Anan integrated amp has a preamp and a power amp in one box.

You don't need or want another preamp. Your receiver already serves this purpose and running the signal through another preamp stage will not do it any good. In fact, it may degrade it.

Now, whether or not it will improve the sounds depends on if you're running out of power now. If you will be using only two channels, your receiver is speced for 150 watts per channel. If you're running all your possible channels simultaneously, that number drops substantially, to what I don't know.

 

[PENG]

According to Yamaha user manual it is possible to do so with external power amplifier:

• With unbalances inputs
• With volume control bypass
• Output power 100W or more

They even give as example Yamaha A-S3000. (probably commercial advice)

Can you give me an example of standard 2 ch amp (or dual mono block)?
Wat schuld I look voor?

Of course you can use an integrated amp as a power amp as long as it has the inputs for it. Of the 3 you listed, the Marantz PM14S1 can certainly do it easily. You can do it with the other two but it gets slightly complicated as you cannot bypass the preamp (not 100% sure,you have to read the manual t find out).

For what you have now, any of those integrated amp won't even get you more power. If you really want to add an amplifier, go with a 300WPCX2 power amp. ATI's seem highly recommended by a few forum members here and they are relatively affordable. Marantz and Denon use to make nice and expensive power amps but now they only make high end integrated amps.

 

[herbu]

Now is the question: will it add anything to the sound quality or become a bottleneck?

Your Yamaha is a strong receiver. It has plenty of power. Many people here have had the same question as you about their own receiver. Many have bought a separate amp. And many will tell you the improvement in "sound quality" is tenuous and debatable.

On paper, there may be some slight advantage. To your ears, with "normal" speakers in a "normal" room at "normal" listening levels, your improvement with a separate amp will most likely join the "tenuous and debatable" ranks.

That being said, most of us do indeed have a separate amp. Mainly because we are, after all, Audioholics, and want any edge we can get... tenuous or not.

My suggestion: If you have extra $$$ you just have to spend on your home theater, go ahead and get an amp... a big one. The only thing it will likely do is calm your mind that you have enough power. That, and move you one step further down the Audioholics rabbit hole. Welcome.

 

[TheWarrior]

According to Yamaha user manual it is possible to do so with external power amplifier:

• With unbalances inputs
• With volume control bypass
• Output power 100W or more

They even give as example Yamaha A-S3000. (probably commercial advice)

Can you give me an example of standard 2 ch amp (or dual mono block)?
Wat schuld I look voor?

It's a waste of money to buy an integrated amp when what you need is a power amp. Why have two components do the same thing?

I use Emotiva UPA-1 amps, which are now called XPA-100. They are capable of 250W into 8 ohms. Driving Philharmonic 3's, the improvement in sound quality is noticeable vs. a Denon X4000 receiver. What I know of B&W speakers is that they can be power hungry, and you've got several woofers that might appreciate a little extra current on demand!

 

[Unisubzero]

Oke, it's getting a bit more clear now!
Thanks for your advice guys.

I will see what I can get here in Holland
Maybe Rotel RB-1582 MkII will do

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
Now is the question: will it add anything to the sound quality or become a bottleneck?
If it will improve the sound which one should I get?

PS. I’m a beginner HiFi enthusiast.

Gr, Uni

The question to answer is what are you after? What is the current problem and issue with this setup?

 

[Latent]

I would only add a Power amp to that RX-A3050 if you want to listen at higher SPL and want to push your speakers harder. But unless you have a larger room or love loud music then you are not going to get much benefit. With Home theater use the amp has the advantage of taking off the front two main channels load from the internal amp section so you can power the whole system including your surrounds to a higher level without distortion and handle the sudden peaks during demanding action scenes.

The other reason to get an amp is to allow you to use the 11.2 channels of processing to support 7.2.4 speaker setups that can't be powered from the 9 built in amp channels.

 

[Mikado463]

Right now I have a Yamaha RX-A3050 AV receiver with B&W 703 speakers

given your speakers relative ease (90db) of being driven I suspect your AV receiver does a fine job

I was thinking to add a stereo amplifier to this setup. Hopefully for a better music experiences.
Now is the question: will it add anything to the sound quality or become a bottleneck?

bettering your 'music' experience ……… that could come in different flavors including tube amplification, Solid State in class A vs AB, D , etc.

is it fair to assume your looking for improvement in two channel (music) enjoyment ?

If it will improve the sound which one should I get?

myself I look for amps (solid state) that are inherently stable , have the ability to 'double down' in power as impedance drops