Adding 2 channel amp to av reciever

[kelly]

I have a 5 year old onkyo tx-ds777 5 channel reciever. It is rated at 105 watts per channel all channels driven. I have thought about adding a Rotel RB1080 2 channel amp rated at 200 watts per channel to drive my fronts for 2 channel stereo. My local audio video guy told me I should by the rotel 5 channel amp instead because the two channel would cause me problems when watching movies because the audio source would be coming from two different sources i.e. the onkyo,& rotel and would cause the sound to be conflicting. Is there any truth in this, or is he just trying to sell me a more expensive unit.

 

[WmAx]

I have a 5 year old onkyo tx-ds777 5 channel reciever. It is rated at 105 watts per channel all channels driven. I have thought about adding a Rotel RB1080 2 channel amp rated at 200 watts per channel to drive my fronts for 2 channel stereo. My local audio video guy told me I should by the rotel 5 channel amp instead because the two channel would cause me problems when watching movies because the audio source would be coming from two different sources i.e. the onkyo,& rotel and would cause the sound to be conflicting. Is there any truth in this, or is he just trying to sell me a more expensive unit.

The salesman's information is incorrect. You will have no problem using an outboard amp on just the main channels so long as the reciver has pre-amp outputs. However, if adding amp amplifier, I suggest going with at least 300-400 watts per channel if the purpose is to have considerably more power. 2x the power will only amount in 3dB increase in SPL. 4x the power will gain 6dB in SPL, which is significant. Of course, if you are not currently experiencing any problems with the amount of power available(play some dynamic classical with sustained peaks, if you hear harsh almost static/fuzz-like sounding disortion in these large peaks, you need more power).

-Chris

 

[Ax-man]

Keep in mind that if running 4 ohm speakers with the 1080 the output is 300 WPC instead of 200. I run an RB1080 connected to my HK receiver in this manner. Chris is correct, the TX-DS777 does have the pre-outs so therefore you will not have any conflicts between the two units. The salesman sounds like he would be best selling some other type of product other than A/V equipment.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have a 5 year old onkyo tx-ds777 5 channel reciever. It is rated at 105 watts per channel all channels driven. I have thought about adding a Rotel RB1080 2 channel amp rated at 200 watts per channel to drive my fronts for 2 channel stereo. My local audio video guy told me I should by the rotel 5 channel amp instead because the two channel would cause me problems when watching movies because the audio source would be coming from two different sources i.e. the onkyo,& rotel and would cause the sound to be conflicting. Is there any truth in this, or is he just trying to sell me a more expensive unit.

And, you may want to consider the Behringer A500 amp. It is a beast at $180. You bridge it to 360 watts into 8 ohms, more into 4.

Can the Rotel beat this even if you get two A500, one for each channels?

This amp is discussed in this section. Check it out.

 

[jcPanny]

All Channel driven.

Unless your old receiver was a flagship model, then it probably did not deliver 105 Watts all channels driven. Current mid-fi receivers (and probably yours) can deliver about 50 Watts per channel with 5-7 channels driven.

Thus, a dedicated amp in the 200-300 Watt range would be a big improvement. First, identify what you think is missing from your current Audio setup and whether the amp upgrade can improve this. Take advantage of the local dealer to try the equipment before you buy.

Another option would be 2 of the Outlaw monoblock amps for your fronts.

 

[toquemon]

Unless your old receiver was a flagship model, then it probably did not deliver 105 Watts all channels driven. Current mid-fi receivers (and probably yours) can deliver about 50 Watts per channel with 5-7 channels driven.

Thus, a dedicated amp in the 200-300 Watt range would be a big improvement. First, identify what you think is missing from your current Audio setup and whether the amp upgrade can improve this. Take advantage of the local dealer to try the equipment before you buy.

Another option would be 2 of the Outlaw monoblock amps for your fronts.

It's not very important to double de power to produce an audible effect. The most important thing about adding a power amp is that you'll help your receiver to "relax" on high demanding situations. In my case, i noticed some "stress" with my receiver with certain types of music and situations (parties, orchestal music with very large-sustained peaks). Well, adding a power amp with the same power of my reciever (100 watts/ch) pretty much solve the problem.

 

[indcrimdefense]

in the last 6 months, i have demoed 5-6 amplifiers, and all made a noticeable difference. i have demoed both 2 channel & multichannel amps, and therefore at times the receiver was powering the surrounds with a 2 channel amp powering the fronts. when i had a multichannel i used the receiver a pre-pro only, or briefly when i experimented w/ adding 2 surround rears it powered the surround rears. i have had zero problems adding a 2 channel amp to a receiver. i demoed a rotel 1080 earlier this year, in may i think, so my comments are slightly jaded by time. i had about at a 4 day demo, and the unit appeared new out of the box, so if you believe in break in the unit was not fully broken in. to date, i have demoed the following amps & they are listed in my order or preference; krell kav-2250, cary audio cinema 5, krell showcase 5, B&K reference 125.2, nakamichi pa-5II & rotel 1080. also had a several hour demo of aragon soundstage & 3000 series amp, can't remember if it was the 2 or 5 channel, in a dedicated listening room w/ the same type of front speakers that i have. while i have not heard it at home, i would rate the aragon behind krell & cary audio, and above or on par w/ b&k. other than the rotel, all were floor units at the dealer so were broke in. the rotel was my least favorite due to its brightness & sharpness, particularly with vocals. will say for classical it sounded fine w/ denon 2805. keep in mind i have klipsch reference speakers, which do not mate well w/ all components, and they did not like the rotel gear i demoed at all (stereo pre-amp, amp & cd player). best bang for the buck for 2 channel amp was the B&K, it's not as smooth and clean as either krell or cary audio, but its a hell of alot cheaper. im buying the krell kav-2250 to power my fronts, as for the rest of system will have to wait & see. ask for a demo at home

 

[kelly]

Thank you for your reply. I also have klipsch refrence series RF7. I don't want to get any brighter, so probably wont be going with the rotel. I live in Indy too, so tell me who you have been doing all of the home demos with. So I can check them out. Have you heard the klipsch with any parasound equipment! I have heard good things about them, but don't know of any local dealers. Closest one Is Lafayette.

 

[WmAx]

It's not very important to double de power to produce an audible effect. The most important thing about adding a power amp is that you'll help your receiver to "relax" on high demanding situations. In my case, i noticed some "stress" with my receiver with certain types of music and situations (parties, orchestal music with very large-sustained peaks). Well, adding a power amp with the same power of my reciever (100 watts/ch) pretty much solve the problem.

If the 'reciever' is 'stressed' to a point where it distorts/compresses the music, then it has insufficient power output and/or is not stabile under the current load. A watt is a watt is watt. If said reciever outputs 100 watts per channel in the respective load, it is a complete and utter waste to use an outboard 100 watt per channel amplifier. You will gain nothing except a lighter wallet. If you want to appreciably produce an audible effect(and this assumes you can actually use the added power in your situation), you need to triple or quadruple the power deliverable to the load. 2x power would only be 3dB increase in SPL; that is not a drastic difference.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

Unless your old receiver was a flagship model, then it probably did not deliver 105 Watts all channels driven. Current mid-fi receivers (and probably yours) can deliver about 50 Watts per channel with 5-7 channels driven.

Thus, a dedicated amp in the 200-300 Watt range would be a big improvement. First, identify what you think is missing from your current Audio setup and whether the amp upgrade can improve this. Take advantage of the local dealer to try the equipment before you buy.

Another option would be 2 of the Outlaw monoblock amps for your fronts.

Refer to the stickied thread on this forum:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14222

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

n the last 6 months, i have demoed 5-6 amplifiers, and all made a noticeable difference.

What differences were observed? What methodology did you use to compare this items? Level matched within 0.1dB? Rapid switching(auditory memory is very short)? Blind testing protocol(to eliminate subconscious phsychological bias)?

-Chris

 

[PENG]

Chris, not only he can hear the difference between all those nice amps, if I understood correctly he did so using the not so high end Klipsch speakers. Absolutely amazing!

 

[MUDSHARK]

Parasound Halo Pre-amps are an authorized brand at audioadviser.com. I have the parasound Halo p-3 and am very pleased with it. Since you have very efficient speakers, power output should be secondary to musicality. Try to listen to Bryston amps if you can. My 60 WPC Bryston outperforms most 100WPC amps that I have heard. You will really have to listen to the amp connected to your horns to determine if the match is a good one. By the way, I know many people who swear by the Klipsch sound. Your speakers are not the least bit inferior.

 

[WmAx]

Chris, not only he can hear the difference between all those nice amps, if I understood correctly he did so using the not so high end Klipsch speakers. Absolutely amazing!

Yes, absolutely amazing, indeed.

-Chris

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If said reciever outputs 100 watts per channel in the respective load, it is a complete and utter waste to use an outboard 100 watt per channel amplifier. You will gain nothing except a lighter wallet.

Not necessarily. Not all 100 watt amps utilize the same size capacitors, not are all using the same size heat sinks. If these amps are used for entertaining purposes, and driven to near audible distortion levels, a higher quality amp will most likely last longer - and may include a better warranty. A 100 watt entry level 5.1 surround sound receiver cannot compete with 5 well built monobloc, 100 watt commercial power amps - as far as utility goes.

I'm in no way pushing Krell here - say for instance Mackie or Crown. They're known to take a licking and... well, you know the rest. As far as sounding different - use room treatments, or pick up a Behringer eq. They'll make worlds of difference in sound over simply comparing 5 different amps.

 

[WmAx]

Not necessarily. Not all 100 watt amps utilize the same size capacitors, not are all using the same size heat sinks. If these amps are used for entertaining purposes, and driven to near audible distortion levels, a higher quality amp will most likely last longer - and may include a better warranty. A 100 watt entry level 5.1 surround sound receiver cannot compete with 5 well built monobloc, 100 watt commercial power amps - as far as utility goes.

I will agree, that under the circumstance of using the amplifiers near their output limits continuously for an extended period of time, that a more heavily built amplifier should be used to ensure reliable service. This is not a situation that is normally encountered in home hi-fi listening conditions.

-Chris

 

[mtrycrafts]

Chris, not only he can hear the difference between all those nice amps, if I understood correctly he did so using the not so high end Klipsch speakers. Absolutely amazing!

Well, this hobby is absolutely amazing. All that magic, pixy dust really works. Audio has no exemption from voodoo, mythology, bs, etc. LOL

 

[mulester7]

.....may all those who make defining statements on dedicated amplifiers with NO experience past 70 watts receive a HUGE pie in the face....it's pretty ridiculous to make such statements with no experience past the novice division, isn't it?....of course it is.......

 

[indcrimdefense]

kelly,

i demoed components from several ovation stores, audio solutions in broad ripple & premier custom audio & video. as for my speakers, i'm happy with them. they were the best sound for the least amount of money of all the speakers i listened to prior to making a purchase. as for my test procedure, it's simple, i set up the equipment using a tape measure, spl meter & the owner's manual and then sit down and listen. if it's not scientific enough for some of you, that's ok. i simply post my observations of what i hear, or don't hear, for the benefit of others, based upon my listening experiences.

 

[MacManNM]

Chris, not only he can hear the difference between all those nice amps, if I understood correctly he did so using the not so high end Klipsch speakers. Absolutely amazing!

Klipsch reference aren't top of the Klipsch line? News to me.