If someone could explain this preamp/amp thing please

[shotty53]

Hey guys, i'm still somewhat new with all this stereo system stuff.

I used to have an old school fisher setup and am now looking into replacing it because, well it finally went out on me.

My problem, i don't fully understand all this pre-amp/amp/reciever thing.

All i really want is a big cd player I don't really plan on having surround sound since my room is not that large and i prefer to listen to music. I would like to still be able to connect my tv to the stereo though.

Ive heard that the best combo is a preamp/amp instead of a receiver. Also, what is better, im guessing a stereo preamp/amp cuz its 2 channels correct. If someone could point me in the proper direction of where i could get some better info or suggestions, i would greatly appreciate it... Thanks in advance.

Also, let me see if i understand.
Tuner (radio)
CD Player
Preamp (like a reciever in where everything plugs into this)
Amp (power for speakers)
Speakers

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What speakers are you trying to push there? Speakers are the most important piece and then you get the power (AVR or seperates) that they require.

 

[shotty53]

hrmm.. never really thought about the speakers yet.. Still need to look those up.. One of mine is blown, so ive been just listening through 1 speaker and i was planning on replacing both of them.,...

I'm guessing i need floor standing speakers correct..

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well that will determine what you need. AVRs these days have good power and every feature you would ever need. If you end up with inefficient speakers you may want a little more power and you can just use your AVR as the pre/pro and add an external amp. A lot of us do it that way. Emotiva has the best prices for good quality seperates and amps.
http://www.emotiva.com/

 

[Davemcc]

What kind of budget are you looking at here? Stereo recievers for $199 would do the job for you if you choose from among common, mass-market speakers.

 

[shotty53]

well, i just got my x-mas bonus.. So my total budget for everything is $2,000-$3,000.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I was supposed to get around 10k for a christmas bonus this year but instead, I got laid-off
You can get a nice system for 2-3k; you only want to go two channel...correct?

well, i just got my x-mas bonus.. So my total budget for everything is $2,000-$3,000.

 

[shotty53]

I was supposed to get around 10k for a christmas bonus this year but instead, I got laid-off
You can get a nice system for 2-3k; you only want to go two channel...correct?

Dude, that sucks and I'm sorry to hear that, hope something good will come out of that. But, yeah i only want 2 channel. My room isn't large enough to fit many speakers in it.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Do you live near a big city? The best thing to do is start auditioning speakers and see what you like the sound of. My favorites are:

Paradigm
B&W
Monitor Audio
PSB
Swan
AV123

After you find speakers you can figure out what to power them with. Spend 3/4 of your budget on the speakers.

 

[shotty53]

yeah i live in miami. I did happen to listen to a jbl but it was a sub only so... I guess its time for me to drive around..

1 thing though, i would need what type of speakers, cuz what i have now has a 12" sub and im guessing a mid and high speaker as well.
And what i have noticed, is no sub with 2 more speakers or a floorstanding with a sub in it... So??

NVM i figured it out...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

JBL is not known for making a good sub. I am uncretain what your last statement means.

So with your budget you want a AVR, speakers and a sub?

yeah i live in miami. I did happen to listen to a jbl but it was a sub only so... I guess its time for me to drive around..

1 thing though, i would need what type of speakers, cuz what i have now has a 12" sub and im guessing a mid and high speaker as well.
And what i have noticed, is no sub with 2 more speakers or a floorstanding with a sub in it... So??

 

[Davemcc]

well, i just got my x-mas bonus.. So my total budget for everything is $2,000-$3,000.

You, my friend, are in a position to build a very fine system.

In that range, I would suggest a Rotel RC-1070/RB-1070 combo. You should be able to make a deal for both ~$1000.

I would suggest speakers in the $2000 range for a set of full range towers. The ones that I can suggest are B&W, Dynaudio and Focal.JMLabs. The $2000 Dynaudio that I heard displayed absolutely amazing imaging. Even standing in the empty space between the speakers, I could look down and expect to see a center speaker right in front of me, which of course wasn't there. Be sure to take the time to listen to speakers to find the ones you like. Opinions on subject are a good starting point on what to look at, but you have to decide which speakers are best for you.

Enjoy the hunt.

 

[shotty53]

Lol.. Yeah i confused myself.. What i ment to say was
how am i able to get good/heavy bass off of speakers that are only 6-8"..
I was stating that my old setup had a 12" speaker along with 2 other 6" or 5" speakers.. I know the bass comes from the 12...

So my question was what type of speakers would i be looking for for good bass...

 

[Davemcc]

Lol.. Yeah i confused myself.. What i ment to say was
how am i able to get good/heavy bass off of speakers that are only 6-8"..
I was stating that my old setup had a 12" speaker along with 2 other 6" or 5" speakers.. I know the bass comes from the 12...

So my question was what type of speakers would i be looking for for good bass...

Any good full range tower in the range you are looking should have adequate bass extension, well into the 30Hz range or better. Modern materials and design have allowed smaller, high excursion speakers to produce stunning bass. Don't worry so much about the size of the speaker. Let your ears be the judge.

I also forgot, Era is also due to begin shipping their new tower speakers, also in the $2000 range. If they are as good as their bookshelf designs, I could recommend them.

 

[shotty53]

Well, i will be heading to a B&W dealer near my job tomorrow to take a look at the speakers... Thanks for the help so far, i will keep you all updated..

 

[Davemcc]

Just a note, B&W dealers are very often Rotel dealers as well. You may be able to swing an outstanding package deal on a complete system.

 

[shotty53]

I hope so, save me some gas, cuz the rotel dealer i found is a good 40-50minutes from the B&W dealer... LOL

Well, off to work i go now, thanks again.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Great suggestions....

You, my friend, are in a position to build a very fine system.

In that range, I would suggest a Rotel RC-1070/RB-1070 combo. You should be able to make a deal for both ~$1000.

I would suggest speakers in the $2000 range for a set of full range towers. The ones that I can suggest are B&W, Dynaudio and Focal.JMLabs. The $2000 Dynaudio that I heard displayed absolutely amazing imaging. Even standing in the empty space between the speakers, I could look down and expect to see a center speaker right in front of me, which of course wasn't there. Be sure to take the time to listen to speakers to find the ones you like. Opinions on subject are a good starting point on what to look at, but you have to decide which speakers are best for you.

Enjoy the hunt.

 

[Tod]

You, my friend, are in a position to build a very fine system.

In that range, I would suggest a Rotel RC-1070/RB-1070 combo. You should be able to make a deal for both ~$1000.

I would suggest speakers in the $2000 range for a set of full range towers. The ones that I can suggest are B&W, Dynaudio and Focal.JMLabs. The $2000 Dynaudio that I heard displayed absolutely amazing imaging. Even standing in the empty space between the speakers, I could look down and expect to see a center speaker right in front of me, which of course wasn't there. Be sure to take the time to listen to speakers to find the ones you like. Opinions on subject are a good starting point on what to look at, but you have to decide which speakers are best for you.

Enjoy the hunt.

I was just going to recommend the RC-1070 too until I saw I was too late. I'll be buying one tomorrow at the dealer's annual customer appreciation sale. Another amp to consider would be the Emotiva stereo amp. The Rotel pre-amp seems to be the best affordable option from a more than respected company, but the Emotiva amp is a little cheaper. On the other hand as they mentioned, there is the whole package deal thing...

 

[gus6464]

And when you star listening to the different B&W's make sure you listen to the CM7, my favorite B&W speaker after the 802D (and a lot cheaper too). Maybe you can get a good discount by buying the rotel/CM7 combo.