Should I add an amplifier?

[JesseSerio1]

System sounds great, but wondering if I should add an amplifier. I set up a Cambridge audio sr-20 receiver and pro-ject esprit turntable with klipsch rp-280 f speakers. It sounded great so I added a 10 powered klipsch sub and it sounds even better, now I’m wondering if I should add more power, or am I approaching a point of diminishing returns?

I just want to build the uptime 2 channel “bitchin hi-fi” what should I do? This started as a budget project, but I think I found a new passion. Any and all opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

What kind of music are you in to? A better subwoofer will give you much more return on investment than an amp. Especially with the easy to drive klipsch towers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If Home Theater is a life hobby for you like it is for many of us (AKA Audioholics), then you will probably want to eventually upgrade to something more “high-end” and even more complex.

If it’s more of a casual hobby, then you should stop at “my system sounds really good” and be happy.

Some say buy a better amp. Some say buy a better subwoofer. Some say better processor, better speakers, etc. Or all of the above.

What’s in your wallet or bank?

 

[Bucknekked]

I would piggy back on @AcuDefTechGuy's line of thought. I kinda got the gist that you were in this thing for 2 channel listening. If you are looking to make a 2 channel system for music the best it can be, that's one line of thought. If you're pushing a a HT system, that's another kettle of fish.

So basic goals would be nice to know before we spend all your money

What's the goal of the system? (2 channel, analog, LP's, what are we doing?)
How big a room are you dealing with?
Any restrictions (wife acceptance factor can be a buzz killer)?
Budget?

Do not fear ! We can spend any budget and expand any simple set of goals beyond comprehension. We are up to the task

 

[JesseSerio1]

My goal was to build an awesome 2 channel hi fi. I am only using it to listen to LPs, and stream right now , I will add a CD player eventually. And don’t see it being added to a tv or home theater setup.

The system is in a 25x65 living room/kitchen.

As long as I can pull the lie off I don’t really have any restrictions. I don’t really want to spend more than $1500.

I do have a klipsch r10Swi powered subwoofer, maybe add a second one of these? Along with amplifier.

A big fear is throwing money into the components once I’ve hit a point of diminishing returns.

 

[lovinthehd]

That's a huge room! 8 ft ceilings? Subs work on volume and can't imagine that little 10" sub is up to the task If your speakers are loud enough and clear enough you likely won't benefit from an amp....and you'd need to get a different receiver rather than add an external amp, as the SR20 has no provision for an external amp.

 

[JesseSerio1]

That’s good to know that my recover has no provision for an external amp. I am new to this hobby, and thought an amp was something I could just plug in.

My hi fi really sounds great, maybe I should focus on improving other aspects of the system; carpet under the sub, improved wall surfaces etc.

 

[lovinthehd]

That’s good to know that my recover has no provision for an external amp. I am new to this hobby, and thought an amp was something I could just plug in.

My hi fi really sounds great, maybe I should focus on improving other aspects of the system; carpet under the sub, improved wall surfaces etc.

You need a receiver with pre-outs for the channels you want to amplify....you have only the one pre-out for the subwoofer on that receiver, tho. You have decent power in that amp and relatively sensitive speakers, an external amp may get a little bit louder, but that's all (for each doubling of amp power you gain only 3dB spl). You might want to play around with this spl calculator to get an idea of the relationships involved. I'd knock 3-4 dB off the stated Klipsch sensitivity spec, they use a funky in-room spec rather than anechoic. Tuning placement of speakers/sub and paying attention to room acoustics would be a better use of your time/money I'd think.

 

[JesseSerio1]

Thank you very much for your help, It has provided me some valuable insight.

 

[Bucknekked]

Thank you very much for your help, It has provided me some valuable insight.

Another valuable insight before you spend any money is to have a very specific idea for what you want to improve. Your existing system has pluses and minuses (in your eyes). After listening to it carefully, and over a span of time, what would you most like to improve? Is there a negative you'd like to remove? One of the keys to a successful upgrade is to have a very specific idea of what you'd like to fix or make better.

Just wanting to "make it sound better" is too vague. Often, you can make it sound better by just moving components around in the room and that's free outside of the labor it takes to do it. We often ask people to do REW measurements of the system and that gives us a good idea of where the weak points may be. If you aren't up for that, I get that. Its very geekish to do (I went ahead and bought the stuff and did it though. It was awesome).

You are way ahead of the game by just the fact you are asking questions BEFORE you spend money. Way too many OP's come here after spending money for an upgrade and nothing got better. You are miles ahead by asking about what could make your stuff better before you spend the cash.