Denon AVR-987 and external amp....

[Chopin_Guy]

So I was consulting my manual for the Denon AVR-987 but it did not answer some of the questions that I had with adding an external amp to this receiver. So I now appeal you everyone here.

1) The first thing is do the amplifier modules in the receiver still run when you are you using the pre-amp outs?

2) I currently use the 'bi-amp' feature that doubles the front signal over the extra surround channels. Would this also apply to the pre-amp outs as I would still like to wire the main speakers this way?

3) Finally....I am looking at the Emotiva amps. I have read favorable things of them here and was wondering if anyone had any personal experience with them. I am running Polk RTi12's mains, CSi5 Center, and FXi3's surrounds. With the XPA-5 I don't think I would even need to bi-amp the fronts initially, but would this improve my sound quality??

I appreciate your ideas....

 

[Davemcc]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No.

I'm pretty sure of those answers, i.e. that the preouts copy the amplifier signal so whatever you have the options set to will come out the preout whether surround back, zone two or biamp. But I think the XPA-5 has enough power that you won't need to worry about biamping at all.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

What you said is what I would have thought the defaults of the receiver would have been...just wanted to be sure....

Is this a worth while idea, as I know these Polks can be power-hungry...especially with the RTi12's and all the drivers packed into the cabinet....?? I have read that the extra power will really help...???

 

[Davemcc]

The RTi12 may look imposing, but they don't present a difficult load to the amplifier. They are 8 ohm nominal with 90db sensitivity. Any decent receiver should be able to drive them just fine.

The Denon 987 is the equivalent of the Denon 2807 and is a good solid mid-line receiver. To be honest, I don't think you would hear a difference between the Denon or Denon/Emotiva unless you listen at reference levels, i.e. very loud. If you biamp the Denon, you are actually putting almost as much power into the speaker as with the Emotiva anyway.

If it's a tweak you need to try just to see for yourself, at least the Emotiva is affordable and returnable.

 

[wire]

What you said is what I would have thought the defaults of the receiver would have been...just wanted to be sure....

Is this a worth while idea, as I know these Polks can be power-hungry...especially with the RTi12's and all the drivers packed into the cabinet....?? I have read that the extra power will really help...???

Just wondering , where you heard the extra power really helps the RTi12's ?
I have heard that about the LSI series , but not the Rti series .
Might want to check out the Polk Forums and see what they say .

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I have read that on Audio Review and if I remember correctly also from some of the reviews found on the Polk site, Crutchfield, and even a few people on here have mentioned that as well...

They are fairly sensitive speakers so it can be debated....probably comes down more to your listening levels and materials more than anything....

 

[wire]

I have read that on Audio Review and if I remember correctly also from some of the reviews found on the Polk site, Crutchfield, and even a few people on here have mentioned that as well...

They are fairly sensitive speakers so it can be debated....probably comes down more to your listening levels and materials more than anything....

Yeh
If the Amp has a money back if not satisfied , maybe give it a try .
Still say , the Polk Forum willbe able to help also .