Best post amp for tower speakers?

Oliver Capogrossi

Oliver Capogrossi

Enthusiast
I am looking for a post amp to use with a pair of tower speakers I have. I use the preouts on my receiver because my other speakers have post amps so they are much louder. I am looking to find a good stereo amp to process the amp to power the tower speakers. I want something inexpensive but with ample power. I think the tower speakers can handle up to 250 watts per. Let me know any suggestions. Thanks! I’m new here.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Post amp? Not familiar with that term. I'll assume you mean external amp. Try a Crown XLS1502.
 
Oliver Capogrossi

Oliver Capogrossi

Enthusiast
Hey thanks for your reply.. That seems to be what I'm looking for it's just a little bit more expensive than I was hoping for. Some I saw were running from $100-200. As for the "post amp" I just mean something that can amplify a preout off the receiver. I'm not sure the correct term, still learning. Thanks!
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Hey thanks for your reply.. That seems to be what I'm looking for it's just a little bit more expensive than I was hoping for. Some I saw were running from $100-200. As for the "post amp" I just mean something that can amplify a preout off the receiver. I'm not sure the correct term, still learning. Thanks!
The better term is external or outboard amp. Post makes some sense of course, but isn't generally used in this context.

Amps of the 200-300 watt per channel range are going to be more than $100-200 range for a new amp; the Crowns are very well priced, it generally just goes up from there. ADTG's suggestion of the used XLI800 is one way to keep the price down.

Also keep in mind that if your towers are rated for 250w that is more a maximum before damage occurs rating, not that it will particularly need or sound good with that much power. Are you not able to get as loud as you like now or are experiencing distortion/clipping with your current amplification? Might try and use an spl calculator to see how loud your speakers will get with power at your listening distance http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html
 
Oliver Capogrossi

Oliver Capogrossi

Enthusiast
I experience distortion at decently loud audio on them when I power them through a subwoofer. Basically, I have a mini subwoofer that has an onboard amp built in for powering other speakers. I've realized that amp will not suffice for these tower speakers, because upon turning up the volume they distort. When I plug the speakers straight in to the receiver though, they go much louder with no distortion so I know its not the speakers. I see that amp is 300Watts at 4ohms. Is it okay if my speakers are 8ohms? Thanks for all of the explanations.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I experience distortion at decently loud audio on them when I power them through a subwoofer. Basically, I have a mini subwoofer that has an onboard amp built in for powering other speakers. I've realized that amp will not suffice for these tower speakers, because upon turning up the volume they distort. When I plug the speakers straight in to the receiver though, they go much louder with no distortion so I know its not the speakers. I see that amp is 300Watts at 4ohms. Is it okay if my speakers are 8ohms? Thanks for all of the explanations.
??? Better to explain exactly what gear you have, make and model number for especially your receiver and sub but also the speakers....
 
Oliver Capogrossi

Oliver Capogrossi

Enthusiast
I have a Yamaha RX-V779 receiver and I am trying to power Energy CF-50 tower speakers. Again, I plan on using the preouts on the back of my receiver because my other speakers are amplified. Thanks
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
I experience distortion at decently loud audio on them when I power them through a subwoofer. Basically, I have a mini subwoofer that has an onboard amp built in for powering other speakers. I've realized that amp will not suffice for these tower speakers, because upon turning up the volume they distort. When I plug the speakers straight in to the receiver though, they go much louder with no distortion so I know its not the speakers. I see that amp is 300Watts at 4ohms. Is it okay if my speakers are 8ohms? Thanks for all of the explanations.
I believe the confusion is on your subwoofer powering speakers. That is a very unconventional system. What is the make and model of the subwoofer so we can better understand your system!?
Is the an HTiB (Home Theater in a Box)?
If so, the satellite speakers are generally matched very specifically to the ability of the included amp, and it would make sense that your CF-50's would not be happy being driven by your sub.
But you seem to have a mainstream AVR, so we just don't understand what you have (at least I don't)!
 
Oliver Capogrossi

Oliver Capogrossi

Enthusiast
Hey, I apologize for the confusion. The mini subwoofer I use to power my satellite speakers is in fact, a home theater in a box subwoofer. (Craig) It has worked and done it's job for many years as far as the ceiling speakers go, so I'm just looking to amp up the towers.
 
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top