Need advice/recommendation: Power ampllifier

[dirtydoughboy]

I have a nice hi-fi setup.
Im under no illusions about it being "the greatest ever", but im moderatly happy with it.
I want to add a power ampllifier to the system to give it a bit more and have no experience at all with them.
I am a student at the moment, and dont have a huge amount of $$ at my disposal. However I am looking into buying so when I have the funds, I can go ahead.

My system at the moment is
Integra dtr 7 Home audio receiver:
105 watts per channel min. RMS at 8ohms, 2 channels driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.08% total harmonic distortion, 135 watts min. RMS at 6 ohms, 2channels driven from 1 kHz with no more than 0.1% total harmonic distortion.
(Im pretty sure the amp is Dolby Digital Certified)
Polk audio Monitor 70 x2
CS2 center channel
Surrounds (i think they are rt3's)
and a Polk PSW-1000(If I repair it)

Please - I dont want advice on "replace xxx cos it sux" Im simply looking for strong good value for money options for a power amp to insert into the system. Im quite happy to take advice and buy second hand gear, it doesnt need to be brand new stuff.

I really enjoy the system primarily to watch/enjoy action movies where I like to feel im actually at the cinema, and blu-ray movies.
I will also use it for music(stereo), and radio, but primarily ill use it for the movie experience where im an action movie junkie.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think the Crown XLS 1500 for $325 delivered is the most cost effective. It is 300wpc x 2ch 8ohm.

http://www.amazon.com/Crown-XLS1500-Amplifier-integrated-Crossover/dp/B003HZV2JS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341177397&sr=8-1&keywords=crown+xls+1500

Your surrounds and center speakers don't need more than 100wpc.

 

[jonnythan]

More amp is the last thing you should spend money on if you want to upgrade. Put money into fixing your sub and upgrading those speakers.

 

[zieglj01]

I would not focus on the amp - if you want more of a movie experience,
then fix the sub, or get a new one. There is only so much those Polk
speakers can do, amp or no amp. Bass is the name of the game here,
a powered subwoofer can bring that.

 

[dirtydoughboy]

Ziegl, just go on the idea that the sub is working. Im quite happy with the monitor 70s with the sub I had them before but i did something I will not name to the sub. Its not the subs fault it wont go lol.
But yes, I plan on fixing that most def. if I get an power amp.

 

[dirtydoughboy]

Also, how are the Yamaha power amps? I had a yamaha many years ago, it was nothing special as I was just beginning to move toward better quality audio equipment, but it did a very nice job.
Also hearing that a lot of the newer Onkyo stuff is needing repair, and they are far less reliable than the older models. Is this also true of the newer Integras? ( I would assume so)

 

[jonnythan]

Ziegl, just go on the idea that the sub is working. Im quite happy with the monitor 70s with the sub I had them before but i did something I will not name to the sub. Its not the subs fault it wont go lol.
But yes, I plan on fixing that most def. if I get an power amp.

Adding an amp to that system won't do much of anything for you. That should be low on the priority list with those speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Also, how are the Yamaha power amps? I had a yamaha many years ago, it was nothing special as I was just beginning to move toward better quality audio equipment, but it did a very nice job.
Also hearing that a lot of the newer Onkyo stuff is needing repair, and they are far less reliable than the older models. Is this also true of the newer Integras? ( I would assume so)

Welcome

I seriously doubt an amp, per say, will help you out.
I suggest you follow the advice given what to save your $$$ for.

 

[dirtydoughboy]

Is it the output or the quality of the polks you feel is lacking Jonny?

 

[jonnythan]

Quality. I owned those speakers and moved on from them.

Output is definitely not a problem. They are fairly sensitive speakers. Unless you are driving them to extreme volume levels, your Integra is definitely feeding them sufficiently.

 

[zieglj01]

Also, how are the Yamaha power amps? I had a yamaha many years ago, it was nothing special as I was just beginning to move toward better quality audio equipment, but it did a very nice job.
Also hearing that a lot of the newer Onkyo stuff is needing repair, and they are far less reliable than the older models. Is this also true of the newer Integras? ( I would assume so)

It is up to you - however, it is not going to give you better sound.
Also, by trying to push more bass from them - will highlight that
annoying resonance, from a weak cabinet.

 

[dirtydoughboy]

How do you mean sensitive? Are you meaning they are responsive speakers?
Btw, thank you all for your responses. Im learning about all this and will be doing a lot of reading over the next few days to get up to speed.
I really appreciate the feedback.

 

[jonnythan]

A speaker's sensitivity is how loud it can play with a given wattage of input. The Monitor 70s produce a lot of output from a small amount of power. Spending a bunch of cash on more amp for them over that very nice Integra will do nothing whatsoever for you.

Realize that when listening to those speakers, your amp is generally driving them with 1-10 watts of power. Going from 100 to 200 watts won't accomplish much.

 

[dirtydoughboy]

A speaker's sensitivity is how loud it can play with a given wattage of input. The Monitor 70s produce a lot of output from a small amount of power. Spending a bunch of cash on more amp for them over that very nice Integra will do nothing whatsoever for you.

Realize that when listening to those speakers, your amp is generally driving them with 1-10 watts of power. Going from 100 to 200 watts won't accomplish much.

Great to know I made at least one sensible purchase in my life.
Great feedback mate.
The next question might be I guess IF I were to look at upgrading the speakers then, would you suggest a higher quality polk or go with something completely different?
FYI - I shop looking for bang for buck. Im not interested in buying outright quality for thousands of dollars. At least not until im a semi-millionaire heh.
Also the reason I bought the polk center was that it was the same type of speaker as the monitor 70s, so the timbre would match. Is this a BIG factor to consider when buying left/right/center or have I overemphasized its importance..?

 

[jonnythan]

BTW, I don't mean to imply the speakers suck. They absolutely don't. They're entirely decent for HT and produce good bass.

Yes, matching the center to the mains is absolutely critical. You did good there.

If you have HT money burning a hole in your pocket, though, I suggest just saving up and getting better speakers at some point. The RTi series of Polk is good, but you can generally do better for the money. There are a billion options out there.

 

[zieglj01]

The next question might be I guess IF I were to look at upgrading the speakers then, would you suggest a higher quality polk or go with something completely different?
FYI - I shop looking for bang for buck. Im not interested in buying outright quality for thousands of dollars. At least not until im a semi-millionaire heh.

Depends on the budget - However, I would work on the sub area.