Can someone post some links about amps? And the difference between a pre-amp, an amp, and a receiver? I'm getting a little confused about these. I was just going to buy an AV receiver, Yammy or Marantz, but now I'm not so sure...
I went and listened to some more speakers, took my own CD, Maroon 5, and listened to some B&W along with Klispich (sp?) I didn't care for the Klipsich, but I did like the B&W 600 series.
Here's my question... The guy ran one pair of $800.00 close-out DM603 s3 with just a Denon, I don't remember the model, but about $600-700.00 range. I did like the B&W, but I noticed a scratchy-ness when listening, at louder volumes... I though the scratches were on my CD, and I should bring a different CD but...
I went into the "big room" where I listened to the new B&W 683 and 685 and there weren't any scraches, BUT... He had these really expensive Rotel amp, pre-amp, and CD player... again, I noticed the prices, and the Rotel's were $999.99 for one, $899.00 for the other, and the CD player was $600.00!
How much of a difference do these Rotel amps, pre-amps and such make on how good a speaker will sound, to the listener? Should I consider this type of set-up?
...And thanks!
Oh dear, you have complicated matters!
First of all congratulations picking out the Klipsch as aberrant in tonal balance.
The B & W speakers are excellent. However those speakers you listened to are quite a few years old and a long way from current. You have to delve into the B & W archive to get the specs.
Now I was directing you to a receiver purely to stay on budget. Those B & W speakers, if you delve into them are actually three ohm speakers over a lot of the range. Now the scratches you heard were the amplifiers in the receiver running out of power into the load presented and clipping. This is typical for the receiver market, unless you get into the higher priced THX certified Ultra ranges.
Now let be honest, I'm no fan of receivers, in fact I have never owned one and doubt I ever would. The speakers I selected, I thought were unlikely to severely embarrass a receiver.
Now if you like those B & Ws by all means buy them, but tell that dealer you will take those obsolete speakers off his hands for $250. And make sure he knows you are stretching yourself and doing him an extreme favor to take them off his hands for that much.
Now this whole issue remains poorly understood by the vast majority of members on these forums. However, you have identified the problem for yourself. I had to
post on this, this morning again.
Now if you want to go the separate route you have two options.
1). By a a cheaper receiver that has preouts, and connect a high current power amp to the preouts. The amps in the receiver will not be used, but still be on. Strangely, this will almost certainly be your cheaper option.
2). Buy a pre amp processor and separate amps. Rotel now have a
pre pro that will decode the new Dolby True HD loss less formats. You already have found the Rotel amps and they are excellent.
There are less costly power amps from
Emotiva, and
Outlaw.
I have to say you are doing due diligence and have progressed far, and discovered some fundamental issues to good reproduction in the home.
However, I think you are getting beyond the parameters of your original post. If that is where you want to head we remain ready to help.
If you are considering something superior, and have the budget, to go the separate route with the speakers to do it justice, then you should consider something from the
B & W 800 range. I warned you that to get what I have come to understand you are looking for, the budget needs to go up considerably.
Look again at my technical post I sent you about the advantages of high current amps. It is in a post on this thread. That really goes to the heart of the question you are asking.
Here is the post.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=489264&postcount=2