Audio Amplifier for home theater system - Suggestions plz

[Hope455]

I am in market for a audio amplifier for my home theater system, looking for suggestions.

Here is my existing setup
Projector - Epson Home Cinema 2045 LCD Projector White
Receiver - Denon x3300
Speakers:
Front Tower - Polk Audio RTI A7
Center - Polk Audio CSi A6
Surround - Polk Audio FXIA6
Rear - Polk Audio T15
Sub - Polk Audio PSW505
Wiring - 14AWG 2-Conductor Speaker Wire

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Suggestions regarding what exactly? Are you looking for a new AVR, or to add an outboard amp to the one you have?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Hope455]

I feel my AV receiver does not provide enough power to my speakers, I am looking for a audio amplifier for my receiver. 3 or 5 channel.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Monolith, Marantz, Adcom, Outlaw, Emotiva, McIntosh, Parasound, Anthem, Rotel make 5-channel amplifiers. I’m sure there are others.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[lovinthehd]

What's your budget? How many watts per channel (wpc) were you thinking about? How far away from the speakers do you sit and what spl are you trying to achieve?

 

[Hope455]

What's your budget? How many watts per channel (wpc) were you thinking about? How far away from the speakers do you sit and what spl are you trying to achieve?

I am a newbie and learn from online forms...but after all I've invested in this setup I not satisfied with the overall output, so my friend suggested me to get a power amplifier.

My max budget for amplifier is around 1K

According to my speaker specs
Recommended Amplifier Power Per Channel: 20→300 watts(rtia7),20-200watts(csi16),20-150Watts(fxia6)
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity (1 watt @ 1 meter): 88-90 dB

Thanks

 

[Leemix]

For movies and/or music?
What sound do you want, is it more low end?


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[lovinthehd]

I am a newbie and learn from online forms...but after all I've invested in this setup I not satisfied with the overall output, so my friend suggested me to get a power amplifier.

My max budget for amplifier is around 1K

According to my speaker specs
Recommended Amplifier Power Per Channel: 20→300 watts(rtia7),20-200watts(csi16),20-150Watts(fxia6)
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity (1 watt @ 1 meter): 88-90 dB

Thanks

Overall output? What qualifications does your friend have? You mean you are hearing issues such as distortion or clipping when you listen at high levels? You might try and use an spl calculator to get an idea of how distance/sensitivity/power work together http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

 

[lovinthehd]

FWIW I'd upgrade your subwoofer (assume you mean you have the 505?) before adding amps....better value.

 

[Hope455]

For movies and/or music?
What sound do you want, is it more low end?


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90% movies

 

[Hope455]

Overall output? What qualifications does your friend have? You mean you are hearing issues such as distortion or clipping when you listen at high levels? You might try and use an spl calculator to get an idea of how distance/sensitivity/power work together http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

My friend has basic audio knowledge, I do not hear any distortion but even at high volume setting on the receiver sound is not loud enough as I expect from Polk rti series. I will try the calculator tomorrow. Thanks

 

[Hope455]

FWIW I'd upgrade your subwoofer (assume you mean you have the 505?) before adding amps....better value.

Yes, I have a Polk Audio PSW505 sub woofer...since I have all my speakers from Polk I went with 12inch 300W.
My receiver is 7.2 do you think I shd add one more subwoofer or upgrade psw505? Any suggestions for subwoofer?

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, I have a Polk Audio PSW505 sub woofer...since I have all my speakers from Polk I went with 12inch 300W.
My receiver is 7.2 do you think I shd add one more subwoofer or upgrade psw505? Any suggestions for subwoofer?

Usually easier to integrate two identical subs. I'm not a fan of Polk subs, they're just not very good. I'd look to Hsu, SVS, Rythmik, Seaton, Funk, Power Sound Audio ....
maybe even DIY (which is what I do now).

 

[lovinthehd]

Also, no need to match brand of speaker to sub except perhaps for aesthetics.

 

[Hope455]

Also, no need to match brand of speaker to sub except perhaps for aesthetics.

Yes, now I know to match brand for speakers only

 

[Hope455]

Usually easier to integrate two identical subs. I'm not a fan of Polk subs, they're just not very good. I'd look to Hsu, SVS, Rythmik, Seaton, Funk, Power Sound Audio ....
maybe even DIY (which is what I do now).

Thanks for the list, I will check.

Any power amplifier suggestions for my setup?

 

[Leemix]

My friend had basic audio knowledge, I do not hear any distortion but even at high volume setting on the receiver sound is not loud enough as I expect from Polk rti series. I will try the calculator tomorrow. Thanks

Overall volume? Voices? Effects? Building falling down? If we have a bit more specific information its easier to give good advise. A seperate power amplifier wont actually make things louder if set up right. It will keep the sound cleaner a little louder but since you arent experiencing any clipping or such. What volume is the knob at when you thnk it should be a lot louder?


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[AcuDefTechGuy]

How big is your room, how far do you listen, how loud do you listen?

Most people don’t need an external amp. But the Denon AVR will get hot, so you’ll need 2 or 3 of the 120 mm USB fans like AC Infinity atop the Denon.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the list, I will check.

Any power amplifier suggestions for my setup?

An amp I've used is the Crown XLS1500, current version would be the XLS1502, usually go for $400 but sometimes on sale for less. Aesthetics aren't for everyone but should be enough power. Keep in mind a doubling of power only gets you an additional 3dB of spl (try adjusting your avr 3dB to see what kind of difference that makes).

Another consideration is that your speakers are the limiting factor.

Really better to have more information from you.

 

[PENG]

Thanks for the list, I will check.

Any power amplifier suggestions for my setup?

As mentioned before, it is really important that you provide at least your sitting distance from the main speakers and how loud do you want to listen to most of the time (example: as loud as watching an action movie in a cinema or half as loud?). Without knowing that, all I can say is, get as much power as your speakers can handle, so in this case, something like the following will be suitable:

https://emotiva.com/products/xpa-3-gen3 3X275 W, 8 ohms
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15593 5X200/300 W, 8/4 ohms
http://www.rotel.com/product/rmb-1585
http://www.rotel.com/product/rmb-1575 5X250/500 W 8/4 ohms
https://www.crownaudio.com/en/products/xls-1502 2X300/525 W (you may need 2)

If you don't listen very loud, or even at cinema loud but sit only 7-8 ft from those speakers, you may not need an external amp at all (obvious it won't hurt to have one), but as suggested, put a fan on top to pull the heat up and out regardless.