Power AMP Advice

[jeanseb]

Hey!

I'm starting to look at integrating a power amp to my system but I don't know anything about them. Here's what my system is made of:

-Yam RX-V1600
-2x Athena AS-F1
-Athena AS-C1
-Athena AS-R1
-2x Velodyne DLS-5000R

What would you suggest? I'm also considering upgrading my speakers soon so I'd like to have somehting with enough gut to power something bigger.

Thanks!

 

[jinjuku]

What speakers are you thinking about upgrading to? How much money are you planning on spending on the amp?

 

[jeanseb]

What speakers are you thinking about upgrading to? How much money are you planning on spending on the amp?

I don't know about money. My next speaker may be ENERGY RC series or Paradigm Studio series...

 

[jeanseb]

What about Emotiva XPA-3 amp? is it good? I know it's cheap so I'm wondering if there's a catch...

 

[zumbo]

I added an Adcom 7605 to my Yamaha 1400 several years ago, and it brought my 87dB 4ohm speakers to life. I have since upgraded the 1400 to a Z7, and I continue to use the Adcom 7605 as my power source. I have been very pleased with the unit, and have had no issues.

I would like to upgrade to a 7705, but am in no position to do so. I would recommend either.
http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch.aspx?N=365+1069

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/adcom-power-amplifiers.html

 

[JerryLove]

What about Emotiva XPA-3 amp? is it good? I know it's cheap so I'm wondering if there's a catch...

I high infant mortality (there appear to be a number that fail within the first few weeks), but other than that it's gotten very solid reviews from people here. A good, inexpensive, consumer amp.

which 'digms are you after.

 

[jeanseb]

I high infant mortality (there appear to be a number that fail within the first few weeks), but other than that it's gotten very solid reviews from people here. A good, inexpensive, consumer amp.

which 'digms are you after.

I barely know paradigm. IYO, which series would worth to upgrade to and at the same time, is a good bang for the buck?

 

[zumbo]

Paradigms are good speakers, but I don't consider them bang for the buck.

MB Quart QLS were bang for the buck when I got mine six years ago, and they are today. The company got bought-out, and the manufacturing was moved to China. The QLS line were handmade in Germany before the buyout.

I purchased my QLS 830's from Yawaonline. United Online Shopping has them as well. From time-to-time, both stores will list on ebay.

 

[oppman99]

Jeanseb,

If you are looking at Paradigm, I would personally suggest (have them myself) the Studio or Signature lines. Problem is they are not cheap (especially the Signatures), which is why I bought mine used. I can tell you there is little sonic difference between the Studio versions 3, 4 or 5. Don't even listen to the Signature line unless you can afford them. It will drive you crazy. If you like the sound of the Studio line, I have heard many people compare the Emotiva speakers favorably to Studios but at a much less expensive price. Haven't heard them myself though. PSB is another company to look into. I know at least a couple people that replaced their Paradigms with PSB's.

Emotiva amps pair very well with Paradigm speakers IMO. I have never had any problems with any of my Emotiva amps. Anything that could go wrong will be covered by the 5 year warranty anyway. They are hard to beat in the price vs performance category, especially with the sale that runs through the end of the month.

Speaker wise, do some research and some listening. You may find other speaker brands that meet your needs/preferences for less than Paradigm. For amplification, I really don't think you can go wrong with Emotiva.

 

[jeanseb]

You may find other speaker brands that meet your needs/preferences for less than Paradigm.

What do you think of Polk RTi and Lsi series? Energy RC-50 or RC-70?

For amplification, I really don't think you can go wrong with Emotiva.

That is what I wanted to hear!

 

[oppman99]

I have a buddy who loves his Polk RTi's but I haven't heard them yet. Haven't auditioned any Polk or Energy speakers in the last couple of years, but I personally didn't care for either brand when I did. I am not saying they are bad speakers, just that I found something I liked better. Give each a listen if you can and let your ears decide. If neither jumps out at you and says "This is the one", then keep looking/listening. Be patient. Picking the right speaker for you will save you from more expenses (upgrade bug) later on. Learn from my personal experience. I've gone through at least 4 sets of speakers in the last year and a half and selling them to get something different or better is a pain in the... If I had to do it over, I would find the speakers I loved first, and then saved until I could afford them. It would have been less expensive in the long run.

 

[PENG]

What do you think of Polk RTi and Lsi series? Energy RC-50 or RC-70?

Just the other day I AB compared a pair of RC-70 with a pair of big Martin Logan listed for $2499 each. The RC-70 sounds better overall but the Martin Logan has slightly better mids. The LSi 15's are probably the best among the 3 you mentioned, if you are prepared to give them the power they need. Hopefully you can listen to all of them and then make up your own mind.

 

[JerryLove]

I think I saw some LSI on Tampa Craigslist over the weekend.

 

[selkec]

What about Emotiva XPA-3 amp? is it good? I know it's cheap so I'm wondering if there's a catch...

I have the xpa3 and never had a problem out of it. I have also owned an xpa-5 and 2 xpa-1's and an other xpa-3. for a total of 5 emo amps and never had any problems. They did bring my speakers to life. The xpa3 and 5 sounded about the same. A huge difference over just the reciever. But the xpa-1's were in a league of their own. from my experience you cant go wrong with emotiva. And their customer service is excellent.

 

[cfrizz]

What do you think of Polk RTi and Lsi series? Energy RC-50 or RC-70?

Polk makes very good speakers. I've had my mains for almost 20 years.

Now the RTI & LSI series sound totally different. The RTI's are outstanding for movies, however a good many people find them kind of bright for music.

The LSI's do both music & movies very well. They are a warm speaker with an outstanding tweeter.

However, the catch to that is you need LOTS of power to get them to operate to their full potential since they are 4ohm speakers. Minimum, an amp of 200wpc @ 8ohms & up. The XPA Emotiva's will get the job done. The more power you give them the better they sound.

 

[Josuah]

IMO, Emotiva amps are an excellent value but you can certainly find better amps (that will be more expensive). My opinion is based on their older line though; I haven't heard their new line.

I haven't been a fan of Polk or Energy speakers. It doesn't help much to ask other people what speakers they like though, because everyone has vastly different preferences in what they like when it comes to speakers. I would recommend listening to a bunch, and then if there's one you like coming back to ask if there are other speakers similar but "better" that you should also consider?

 

[PENG]

I would recommend listening to a bunch, and then if there's one you like coming back to ask if there are other speakers similar but "better" that you should also consider?

That is an excellent idea. I would also suggest people to listen to live concerts (preferably those that use real musical instruments and minimum electronics) first, before auditioning speakers. Some people may actually not prefer the sound of the original live music; and therefore may not like the sound of speakers that are designed to be accurate or neutral. The only way to find out is to listen to it them all.

 

[jeanseb]

I could get a great deal on Polk Rti9 (±525$) And Lsi9(±800$). Would that deal would be good enough to go into that direction instead of anything else?

 

[cfrizz]

I could get a great deal on Polk Rti9 (±525$) And Lsi9(±800$). Would that deal would be good enough to go into that direction instead of anything else?

You should get speakers from one series or the other. Do not mix the 2 together, they sound totally different, and have different power requirements.

If you can go listen to both with music you are very familiar with, that would be the best thing to do to pick the one that sounds the best to your ears.