New receiver or additional amp?

[Ryan8886]

I presently run my system through an H/K AVR 330 that I've had for a couple years. Since purchasing it, I've upgraded most of my system with the equipment listed in my signature, except for the TV (prior purchase). Overall, I've been very pleased with the 330. My only beef is that at 55X5 wpc, it could be a tad stronger in the output department. To calibrate to Dolby reference, it requires a master volume setting of -5 with a little room trim up if needed. I've never overheated it, but it puts out enough heat during a DVD concert to keep the room toasty!
However, looking to the future, I see the need to upgrade.
I use the 330 as a video switcher, however it will only handle component, not HDMI. To complicate matters, the only digital input on the TV is DVI, so I spend a lot of time switching inputs on the TV from sat box (component) to DVD (HDMI into DVI)
The TV likely isn't going anywhere for a while, as it's only 4 years old. I recently won a 2-port HDMI switcher off here that I could integrate and solve some spaghetti wiring problems with; negating the need for an HDMI receiver for a while longer.
I guess my real question (I'm prone to rambling..sorry!) is should I scrap the 330 in favor of something like the Onkyo TX-SR605 for about $450 or just add a small amp to give my Athenas a little boost while taking some load off the 330? The 605 would definately furture-proof me for a while, or should I wait a few years and see what comes down the pipe?

 

[Leprkon]

if it has line output, go for an external amp. you can always keep using your amp for whatever receiver you buy next time.

http://www.emotivaaudio.com/amplifiers.html

 

[cfrizz]

Adding separate amplification to my 110wpc Denon was the biggest improvement I have ever made to my system.

So that's the way I would go. But I wouldn't go with a small amp especially if you have tower speakers. I would get a 5 channel amp of at least 200wpc.

And as Leprkon pointed out, you will keep the amp through all other upgrades.

I will probably change other components in my system over time but the amp STAYS!!!

 

[Leprkon]

I will probably change other components in my system over time but the amp STAYS!!!

at 405 wpc, could you move it if you wanted to ?

 

[Seth=L]

The LPA-1 amp from Emotiva should be more than adequate for the Athenas as they are quite efficient and aren't a difficult load either. Getting a new receiver would be an option, but getting the Onkyo TX-SR605 isn't going to give you anymore power than you had, it might actually be less powerful than the H/K believe it or not. If the 330 has preouts I would get the power amp. If $499 is to much for you to spend you could look on the used market for a two channel amplifier from Carver, Adcom, Yamaha, Pioneer Elite, and many, many others. However, the Emotiva is an outstanding deal and it is a tank (63 pounds).

Note: The Onkyo TX-SR605 does not have preouts for all channels, only the subwoofer, so it is not completely future proof. The Onkyo TX-SR705 may have preouts for all channels, but it has not been released yet.

Also: How how does it get, it shouldn't stay extremely hot because it has forced air cooling, it has a high temperature sensor that activates a fan to remove access heat when the receiver is working hard enough to produce large amounts of heat. As far as I can tell, you have not really pressed the limits of this receiver yet.

 

[cfrizz]

YES!!!! You have no idea how long I waited to get a 5 channel amp just for that reason!!!

Most of them start at 70lbs & go UP from there! I can't physically manage that kind of weight.

So when a member of the Polk board was selling his Sunfire, I asked him how much it weighed & he said 43lbs!!! HUH? OH YEAH SOLD!!!

I don't know how they manage to make such powerful amps & yet have them be so lightweight, but I'm grateful that they do!

I was looking for a 200wpc amp, (I won't settle for anything less) so the extra 205 watts is a bonus!!!

at 405 wpc, could you move it if you wanted to ?

 

[Seth=L]

YES!!!! You have no idea how long I waited to get a 5 channel amp just for that reason!!!

Most of them start at 70lbs & go UP from there! I can't physically manage that kind of weight.

So when a member of the Polk board was selling his Sunfire, I asked him how much it weighed & he said 43lbs!!! HUH? OH YEAH SOLD!!!

I don't know how they manage to make such powerful amps & yet have them be so lightweight, but I'm grateful that they do!

I was looking for a 200wpc amp, (I won't settle for anything less) so the extra 205 watts is a bonus!!!

Downtracking converter power supplies, sadly I think their ratings are a little optimistic. I had a Sunfire True Dud subwoofer and the amp would just fall apart when pushed (it claimed to have 1000 watts RMS, and overshot I think) Now, don't get me wrong the Sunfire amplifiers are quite nice, my dad was using his for near 10 years before one of the caps blew, but they say it will cost him $350 plus shipping to get it fixed for both capacitors, they say they are custom, I say there is probably a more cost effective alternative. It powered his Klipsch (not sure what model, but they are from the Legend series) and a pair of Martin Logans in a rather small room. They went loud enough to be uncomfortable to listen to.

 

[Ryan8886]

The LPA-1 amp from Emotiva should be more than adequate for the Athenas as they are quite efficient and aren't a difficult load either. Getting a new receiver would be an option, but getting the Onkyo TX-SR605 isn't going to give you anymore power than you had, it might actually be less powerful than the H/K believe it or not. If the 330 has preouts I would get the power amp. If $499 is to much for you to spend you could look on the used market for a two channel amplifier from Carver, Adcom, Yamaha, Pioneer Elite, and many, many others. However, the Emotiva is an outstanding deal and it is a tank (63 pounds).

Thanks for the input Seth...and Leprkon, as well! I thought that may be the answer, however the idea of getting into separates seemed a little daunting. I've casually looked at separates in the past, just as a part of learning more about the hobby, but it all seemed a little "deeper" than my knowledge base. At your suggestion, I took a look at the LPA-1 and it's beginning to suck me in! For the cash, it, without a doubt, seems to be an excellent value. I checked the manual on my H/K 330 and it does have pre-out's for all channels....so this may be workable.
So, if I'm understanding this right, the H/K becomes the "pre/pro" and continues to handle all processing and switching, sending it out at line level to the LPA-1 for all the amplification...correct? Volume control is still done by way of the H/K, right? It just has 125wpc instead of 55wpc to play with? (sorry if that's a dumb question)
To answer the heat question, Seth, we're not talking hot enough to fry eggs, however it gets pretty warm. Ventilation in my stand could admittedly be a bit better (front and back are open, but sides are a little choked). If I purchase this, I'm going to have to look at a new stand anyway! Maybe I'm just starting to get greedy and want that bit of extra punch I don't feel I'm getting out of the H/K.

 

[mike c]

So, if I'm understanding this right, the H/K becomes the "pre/pro" and continues to handle all processing and switching, sending it out at line level to the LPA-1 for all the amplification...correct? Volume control is still done by way of the H/K, right? It just has 125wpc instead of 55wpc to play with? (sorry if that's a dumb question)

yes and yes

 

[Seth=L]

I don't really think you should be concerned about the receiver at the moment but rather try to concentrate on speaker placement and room acoustics. These things will dictate the "punchiness of your speakers much more than amplification will. From what you have said, it seems you have not really maxed out the H/K yet, so I would read up on placement and acoustic treatments for the speakers and room.

 

[Ryan8886]

I don't really think you should be concerned about the receiver at the moment but rather try to concentrate on speaker placement and room acoustics. These things will dictate the "punchiness of your speakers much more than amplification will. From what you have said, it seems you have not really maxed out the H/K yet, so I would read up on placement and acoustic treatments for the speakers and room.

Hmmm...okay...always willling to learn. Acoustic treatments are an option I suppose. As far as placement goes, the room design has me limited to placement in the least favorable configuration: spread across a corner with large windows on either side. To make matters worse, the windows have vertical blinds, not drapes.
Sadly, this is a family room, not a dedicated H/T room and I literally have no other placement options. The house is a tri-level, so the family room is partially below ground (windows are at ground level). Walls are paneling over drywall over concrete.
I've done what I can so far to make it workable (the Athenas are front-ported so as not to be venting back into the big empty void and the furniture is set up so listening isn't too far off axis). Are acoustic treatments a realistic option without getting into heavy money?