do i really need anything else?

[jaybirdmusic74]

so it started about a year ago. I walked into a high end store and purchased a integra dtr 6.4, i thought i was done. 3 months later i went back and bought a new elite dvd player, again i thought i was done, 3 months after that i bought a new definitve subwoofer, and yes i thought i was done, 2 months later i bought definitve bp 7004, i thought for sure i was done, then a week after i bought the definitve clr2500, 3 days after that i bought deifnitive rears and i was sure i was done, until now. My stereo guy is telling me to go with separates, i trust him but now looking into it, i see mono blocks, multi channel, stereo, digital amp etc. and then there is processors. I have invested lots of funds already and now im not sure if the extra investment will justify the end result, and which pieces to get. I am asking if going with separates will make that much of a difference, and if so which ones to get? my budget is modest, about 2-3000 canadian.


help me please!

 

[fergusonv]

I would look at getting some nice monoblocks or a multichannel amp and add them to your existing setup. Amps will last many, many years and are a safe investment.

 

[zumbo]

That receiver has pre-outs. If you want more power, just add whatever amp/amps you feel is needed. Your receiver will function as a pre-amp fine as long as it supports the other equipment you are using. You can get a good amount of power per dollar from Adcom. They have dealers in Canada I believe.
http://www.adcom.com/

 

[Leprkon]

it sounds to me like you have a pretty doggone decent system already.. why not wait until the end of the year and see if anyone does anything with true 7.1 ?

some of the newer seperates (emotiva, outlaw, etc) have lots of bells and whistles, but nothing that is an order of magnitude above what you already have.

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

I would look at getting some nice monoblocks or a multichannel amp and add them to your existing setup. Amps will last many, many years and are a safe investment.

I dont even know what a monoblock amp is or how to apply it.

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

That receiver has pre-outs. If you want more power, just add whatever amp/amps you feel is needed. Your receiver will function as a pre-amp fine as long as it supports the other equipment you are using. You can get a good amount of power per dollar from Adcom. They have dealers in Canada I believe.
http://www.adcom.com/

I looked at the adcom site, not sure of the price range but those locations aren't close to me and honestly i dont like the look of them. I want solid performance, but i also want something that looks sweet. I like the rotel rmb-1095

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

it sounds to me like you have a pretty doggone decent system already.. why not wait until the end of the year and see if anyone does anything with true 7.1 ?

some of the newer seperates (emotiva, outlaw, etc) have lots of bells and whistles, but nothing that is an order of magnitude above what you already have.

thanks for the praise, as for amps i dont care about bells or whistles at least not with an amp, just solid outstanding performance

 

[zumbo]

I looked at the adcom site, not sure of the price range but those locations aren't close to me and honestly i dont like the look of them. I want solid performance, but i also want something that looks sweet. I like the rotel rmb-1095

Like I said, power per dollar. I dig Rotel as well. But, if you want purdy.
http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=processors&brand=42

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

Like I said, power per dollar. I dig Rotel as well. But, if you want purdy.
http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=processors&brand=42

not bad looking, those lit side panels would look sweet at night. i'm pretty sure about the sound and look of the rotel, but will adding it to my set up make a big difference?

 

[mike c]

jaybird, like the poll I made in the steam vent. 50% of the guys here will say yes. 50% will say no.

then again, difference in what? in sound ... dunno. in bragging rights? hehe, in spades.

 

[ht_addict]

so it started about a year ago. I walked into a high end store and purchased a integra dtr 6.4, i thought i was done. 3 months later i went back and bought a new elite dvd player, again i thought i was done, 3 months after that i bought a new definitve subwoofer, and yes i thought i was done, 2 months later i bought definitve bp 7004, i thought for sure i was done, then a week after i bought the definitve clr2500, 3 days after that i bought deifnitive rears and i was sure i was done, until now. My stereo guy is telling me to go with separates, i trust him but now looking into it, i see mono blocks, multi channel, stereo, digital amp etc. and then there is processors. I have invested lots of funds already and now im not sure if the extra investment will justify the end result, and which pieces to get. I am asking if going with separates will make that much of a difference, and if so which ones to get? my budget is modest, about 2-3000 canadian.


help me please!

Your dealer just wants to make a sale. Never trust your dealer. What is it about your setup that you don't like? Is your room too large? Is you receiver underpowering your speakers. Or do you just have the upgrade bug? I've done the seperates route with a Rotel RMB-1095 and NAD S250 in my setup and praised what I thought I heard. I've also had numerous receivers most noteably a NAD T773 and now a Denon 4806, both off which have a robust ampstage. At normal listening levels you'll be hard pressed to hear the difference between a receivers amps and a dedicated amp. You'd be lucky to be using 1-2watts. At higher volume levels, or if your powering low efficient, low ohmn speakers then you'd notice a difference between the two. From the specs your speakers are 8ohm/92db which should be an easy load for your receiver to handle. If you add an amp then you have to get cables, then theres the chance you could have ground loop issues. Save your money or maybe look into a new LCD or Plasma. Just my 2cents.

ht_addict

 

[Swerd]

so it started about a year ago. I walked into a high end store and purchased
Integra dtr 6.4
Elite dvd player
Definitve subwoofer
Definitve bp 7004
Definitve clr2500

My stereo guy is telling me to go with separates...

Your HT system seems like it's very good. I think its time to listen to your HT system and not your stereo guy. He only wants to sell you more stuff.

Your receiver, if it's like the currently sold Integra 6.6 model, delivers about 100 watts per channel. The DefTech BP 7004 front speakers have 10" subwoofers in them each separately powered by 300 watt amps. That leaves the Integra receiver to drive the two 5¼" mids and the two 1" tweeters. 100 watts is plenty for that.

Listen to your system. Is the volume too weak? Can you hear distortion due to the Integra's amplifier clipping? If not, keep what you have and enjoy it.

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

Your dealer just wants to make a sale. Never trust your dealer. What is it about your setup that you don't like? Is your room too large? Is you receiver underpowering your speakers. Or do you just have the upgrade bug? I've done the seperates route with a Rotel RMB-1095 and NAD S250 in my setup and praised what I thought I heard. I've also had numerous receivers most noteably a NAD T773 and now a Denon 4806, both off which have a robust ampstage. At normal listening levels you'll be hard pressed to hear the difference between a receivers amps and a dedicated amp. You'd be lucky to be using 1-2watts. At higher volume levels, or if your powering low efficient, low ohmn speakers then you'd notice a difference between the two. From the specs your speakers are 8ohm/92db which should be an easy load for your receiver to handle. If you add an amp then you have to get cables, then theres the chance you could have ground loop issues. Save your money or maybe look into a new LCD or Plasma. Just my 2cents.

Your right, its the bug. My room is actually pretty small, and I'm sure
I have more than enough, but I also like bragging rights. I can't upgrade T.V. wife would snap, I just got it 51inch rear projection hitachi.
I just want to make sure I get the absolute most out of my system

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

before i got the deftech speakers my system shut off twice due to my extreme listening styles. At least once or twice a month I like to feel like im a teenager again and blast it like im at the concert. So I told my Stereo guy that the sytem I want will make my ears give in before my system does.

 

[mike c]

is your equipment properly ventilated? at least 4" clearance on all sides?

 

[stevo137]

Jaybird,
You certainly have spent enough with your dealer that they should let you take an amp and interconnects home and give it a try. They should have a floor unit or something decent in your power range.
I know my dealer would, they have been very fair to me. I bought the 7.2 and was told if I didn't like it, return it and this is a high end store.
The others make some good points though, there is a store not far from this one that is all about selling and commission.

 

[ht_addict]

before i got the deftech speakers my system shut off twice due to my extreme listening styles. At least once or twice a month I like to feel like im a teenager again and blast it like im at the concert. So I told my Stereo guy that the sytem I want will make my ears give in before my system does.

What speakers did you have before the Deftech's? They may have been less efficient and lower ohm which would explain the shutting down.

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

What speakers did you have before the Deftech's? They may have been less efficient and lower ohm which would explain the shutting down.

I had cheap polk audios, R30, CSI3, R15, PSW10 alll together cost the same as my deftech centre channel.

Yesterday I went back to the store and bought 3 10' transparent cables for my fronts. $450.00

Then I told the guy that I was going to hold off on the amp, but if he got a line on a used Rotel to give me a call, hopefully it will be a few months before I hear from him, maybe by then I'll have kicked this expensive bug and just enjoy my system.

 

[mike c]

Yesterday I went back to the store and bought 3 10' transparent cables for my fronts. $450.00

kaafff kaaafff ... iiiii caaaaantttt brreeaaatthhheee.

 

[JES14]

Yes the bug, it always knaws at us the hardest the more we visit these stores. I try to tell myself that but I still end up inside...
But to answer your question, I added a 2-channel NAD amp to my system about a month ago now and do not regret it one bit. One of the best upgrades I have tried, not only does it improve the sound from my main speakes but frees the receiver up from driving them. Which in turn makes the entire system light up, better broader soundstage, better bass response and imaging. I like to listen at near reference levels when I can. I used to get some listener fatige, now I can't get enough. Just my .02.
I also agree with the earlier poster that your dealer should let you try an amp out over the weekend. At the very least have a liberal return policy.