Add a amp?

[zepaholic]

OK here's what I got:
Yamaha RX-V2500
Paradigm Studio 40'sv3
Paradigm CC470V3
JBL Studio Series S26 as surrounds

I am thinking of adding the Rotel 1095 5 channel amp. If I do this will I really notice a difference? I am looking to give my system some punch.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't think you need it for the JBLs, but the Studios will probably benefit. If you aren't running out of power now, ie; the systems sounds strained, then no it isn't going to sound "different".

 

[Seth=L]

Your list doesn't include a sub, if you have one upgrading it will give you "punch" If you don't have a sub, get one. The Yamaha should have plenty of power even for moderately larger rooms. Mid-sized or less you probably won't notice any difference.

 

[highfihoney]

I know what "punch" means but it would help if you describe what type of punch your looking for & what you feel is missing that could possibly be improved on with more wattage.

Do you need punch for movies or music & if music is the area needing punch or impact what listening levels are you looking for.

 

[zepaholic]

Your list doesn't include a sub, if you have one upgrading it will give you "punch" If you don't have a sub, get one. The Yamaha should have plenty of power even for moderately larger rooms. Mid-sized or less you probably won't notice any difference.

OOPS, Forgot to list sub:
ARPR 808
I suppose I'M just getting a little bored with the sound.
Listen to mostly music (rock) and some movies.
Don't get me wrong it sounds good just trying to change things some.

 

[avliner]

To the OP,

I've added a modest power amp. (L/R mains only) to my system a couple of days ago and I really felt an overall improvement, soundwise.
My HT room is not that big, though ( 20' x 10').

I'll be running a new test tone this weekend, to get everything properly balanced. Bottom line: I'm very satisfied!

Hope this helps.
Cheers.

 

[zumbo]

A new sub. Spend the money on a new sub.

 

[Seth=L]

Yes, bigger sub. I have a feeling an 8" AR sub would be lacking in "punch".

 

[PENG]

OK here's what I got:
Yamaha RX-V2500
Paradigm Studio 40'sv3
Paradigm CC470V3
JBL Studio Series S26 as surrounds

I am thinking of adding the Rotel 1095 5 channel amp. If I do this will I really notice a difference? I am looking to give my system some punch.

I happened to have listened to the Studio 60 and 100 V3 a couple of years ago powered by a RX-V2400 and then a pair of Anthem separates. I brought several of my own CDs. The sales consultant was trying to demo the difference but none was audible to me and my friends who were with me so I knew it wasn't just me. The RX-V2500 is superior to the 2400 so I am quite sure you won't hear much difference with the Rotel 1095 unless you put those speakers in a large room and play music that has huge dynamic passages. That being said, I am of the opinion that more power is always better (peace of mind is one of the reasons), but you may want to consider spending the same money on a 2 or 3 channel amps in order to get even more power (e.g., 2 or 3X300 WPC or more). The RX-V2500 really should have no problem driving the surround and even the center channels so why waste those extra amps in the 1095.

For $2K, there is nothing to lose to check out the Halo A21?
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/ParasoundHaloA21.html

Not much more power than the Rotel but then you are getting closer to the high end territory with the Halo.

 

[mike c]

I belive for the same amount of money (with the rotel 1095) ...

you might be able to fit the HALO A21 for the left and right and a bridged HALO A23 for the center.

 

[zepaholic]

Thanks all for your help. I'll think this over for a bit before I make a move.

 

[longshot16]

I have a similar question. I have two systems setup in my house.
system 1= HK AVR 630, Onkyo DVP..., L/C/R Paradigm Titan Monitor (V5 series), Mirage 10" sub, and JBL 6.5 in-ceiling surrounds
System 2= Denon 3805, Denon 1930CI DVD Paradigm Monitor 11's (V4), CC390, Titan Monitor (Rears), and a PW2200.
Issue: Smaller systems sounds dramatiaclly better than the larger (speaker size, and cost) system. Rooms are different; one is a bedroom (small system) and the other is in the basement.

Q. Do I need an amp on the larger system to improve the SQ or is the difference in performance purely room acoustics.

My real question is: Is it better to acoustically treat the room or add an external amp. I plan on running some Sonnace in walls for the rear once I get long enough speaker cables.

 

[tomd51]

Depending upon your listening levels and the size of your room, adding outboard amplification may be a noticable improvement or may never come into play.

Do you find yourself cranking the 2500 to reference levels or feel it's straining on the material and volume you typically listen at?

I, myself, am using my 2500 as a pre/pro w/a Sunfire Cinema Grand 5x200w, but only because I found that I was really pushing my receiver at reference levels for some material and found the extra headroom provided a noticable improvement from about -30 to reference level. My listening environment's also bordering on 3000 cu. ft., so size does come into play.

If you're not really pushing the 2500 often and your listening area's not a larger room (2800 cu. ft. or more), you're likely not going to hear much benefit from the external amplification.

I'd have to agree that a sub upgrade would have a big impact on "punch". The addition of my SVS 20-39 PCi made a huge impact on my system overall. External amplification would improve the "punch" as well, but again, this would depend on the answers to the questions posed above.

Room acoustics and your speakers will likely have the largest impact on "sound quality". You could also upgrade the 2500 for a better pre/pro, but you'd likely have to spend two to three times as much to best it for performance and features... -TD

 

[longshot16]

My large theater room is 3400 Cubic ft. It is also not a rectangular room, more like a wicked L-shape.

Does it make since to close in the actual viewing area to make the room symetric?