new amp

[gaspos]

Folks,

I´m new to the forum and would like to know your opinion which way to upgrade.

My 7.1.4 setup:
AVR Denon X4500H, 11.2-channel processing, but with just 9 internal amps
Power amp old Rotel RMB 1075, which I use to power my LCR, 5 channel amp, 120 W into 8 ohm per channel
Towers Magnat Signature 1109, power handling: 300 W RMS / 550 W peak, impedance: 4 – 8 ohms, frequency response: 20 – 55 000 Hz, efficiency (1W/1m): 94 dB
Centre Magnat Signature 93, power handling: 140 W RMS / 200 W peak, impedance: 4 – 8 ohms, frequency response: 32 – 55 000 Hz, efficiency (1W/1m): 91 dB

My room is 9 x 5 x 2,7 m / 29 x 16 x 9 ft
I use it 50:50 HT vs stereo music (Tidal).

I´m happy with performance of my HT setup, but not sure about stereo music. I feel my big Magnat fronts do deserve better amplification and may be more headroom.
I´m not sure which way to go.

Would you recommend to buy better 3 channel amp like Emotiva XPA-DR3? In that case I would use Denon as a source with its preinstalled Tidal app (HiFi subscription since Denon is not licensed for MQA). Denon AVR can disconnect internal amps for front LR channels to get them powered externally.

Or would a stereo power or integrated amp be better choice? In that case I would let my Denon AVR power the center channel and would have to look for solution how to play Tidal (MQA).

My budget is approx. 2000 EUR. Used gear is also OK.

Thanks for your help.

 

[mazersteven]

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER OUTPUT

• > 30 watts

SENSITIVITY (2.8V/1M)

• 94 dB

I have no experience with those speakers but they sure look nice, look like Cantons.
The receiver you have and that Rotel amp should be plenty to power these unless you're in a super large room and listening constantly at reference levels. I don't see the need for a more powerful amp. The gains in volume are going to be relatively small and I do not believe you would benefit sound quality
JMO

 

[Gmoney]

You have nice setup no need to add that Elmoetvia. You Rotel amp is taking a load off of your Avr already.

 

[CajunLB]

Any subs

 

[Mikado463]

well since you didn't tell us more about your room other than it's dimensions I would first take a look at it as it relates to speaker placement (L/R in particular for your 2 ch listening) and whatever acoustic shortcomings it might have

 

[gaspos]

Thanks to everybody!
Attached picture of my setup.
The old HK SUB-TS 11 is sold, new SVS SB-2000 Pro is coming... placement might be different than on the picture.
Main listening position is where the picture was made from - approx. 5m/16ft from the center speaker.
There is approx. 0,5m/2ft between L/R and back wall.
No room treatment so far, at least carpet will come to cover the empty area in the middle.

 

[Mikado463]

gas, thanks for posting the pic !

first off it appears you have an opening to the left but not to the right ? if so there does lie one potential issue(first point of reflection for the right channel but none for the left) and that coffee table........ if at all possible never have anything between you and the speakers.

I know this is a general rule, but corner bass trapping along with first point of reflection treatment is usually a good place to start. Plus, if you could move your L / R speakers further into the room you would be surprised as to what that would do to your soundstage.

 

[ski2xblack]

Hmm. The claimed sensitivity, bass extension, and not exactly huge cabinets seem to violate Hoffman's Iron Law. If it's a bit of marketing-optimized specsmanship, a la DefTech or Klipsch, it's worth considering when pondering the amp question. So let's do that. If they're only 91 db/w/m, using your Rotel's available 120 watts(8 ohms), that would still be approx 104db (peak) at your chair. If, say, the sensitivity is wildly overrated and they're only 88 db/w/m, 120 watts is still 101db.

Also, their impedance is spec'd as "4-8" ohms, but let's just go with 4 ohms as it's the most demanding, worst case scenario. Your Rotel can do over 200 watts into 4 ohms all channels driven, and 264 watts driving just two channels, per measurements done by Sound&Vision. So for three channels, as you are using it, probably allows well over 200 watts. That should be enough for reference or near reference level output, even if the speakers are less sensitive than advertised.

So, yeah, unless you're some sort of masochistic headbanger who constantly cranks it to eleven, you probably don't need to worry about it.

Room looks very nice, as do the speakers, and the new sub will be a significant upgrade.

 

[gaspos]

Mikado, ski, thanks for your inputs!

I will experiment with speaker placement when the new SVS sub arrives.

ski, you´re probably right, hifitest.de also had measured those speakers and they rated them 90-91 dB.

I do not have feeling I need more power to play more loudly. I thought maybe more headroom might improve the sound quality.

Would you recommend to use the new SVS sub together with my L/R when listening to music?

I started this thread cause I was not sure if my Rotel RMB 1075 is good enough to get the best out of my mains. If not, what solution do you suggest? Better 2 or 3 channel power amp, better integrated amp, ...?

 

[mazersteven]

I started this thread cause I was not sure if my Rotel RMB 1075 is good enough to get the best out of my mains. If not, what solution do you suggest? Better 2 or 3 channel power amp, better integrated amp, ...?

You keep asking about your Amp. Is there something your missing or unsatisfied with?

THAT'S A REALLY NICE AMP!!!

 

[gaspos]

Maze, thanks
I'm really happy how my Rotel performs in my HT. I also like how music sounds with it, but I read on 2 forums it is not good enough for critical stereo listening. And since this is my first and only power amp I ever had I connot compare it to any other. So my question was more like if I'm not missing something, if it is good enough to get the best out of the rest of my system.
If folks here (which I really respect) say my Rotel is the right match and an amp upgrade would not bring significant benefit, then I would just stay with it and will thank you for your help and saving my money.

 

[mazersteven]

but I read on 2 forums it is not good enough for critical stereo listening. .

 

[ski2xblack]

I was not sure if my Rotel RMB 1075 is good enough to get the best out of my mains. If not, what solution do you suggest?

The only reason your Rotel would be "not good enough" is if you regularly exceeded it's capabilities. I doubt that's the case, but warrants some analysis of your power use, hence my previous post. If your speakers are legit 90 db/w/m, the Rotel is capable of reference level output at your listening position, which to me is uncomfortably loud.

 

[PENG]

Maze, thanks
I'm really happy how my Rotel performs in my HT. I also like how music sounds with it, but I read on 2 forums it is not good enough for critical stereo listening. And since this is my first and only power amp I ever had I connot compare it to any other. So my question was more like if I'm not missing something, if it is good enough to get the best out of the rest of my system.
If folks here (which I really respect) say my Rotel is the right match and an amp upgrade would not bring significant benefit, then I would just stay with it and will thank you for your help and saving my money.

Your Rotel amp is as good as any in terms of "sound quality". I don't believe that Emotiva amp would help. So if you think you need more power for the 3 front channels, then just get a 3 channel 200-250 W 8 Ohms, 300-400 W 4 ohms rated power amp such as the :

3X Model 2220 (outlawaudio.com)
Monolith by Monoprice 3x200 Watts Per Channel Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs - Monoprice.com

Or pick one from here:
Buckeye Amps: New US based Hypex multichannel amplifier builder, line-up announcement! | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

Not sure if you can get any of those from Europe though.

If not, how about the Anthem MCA325
Anthem® | MCA 325 | Specifications (anthemav.com)

As others mentioned, your Rotel is likely powerful enough for you now unless you regular listen to near reference level. However, since you started questioning already, you probably should pull the trigger regardless, and you may hear a difference due to expectation bias alone.

 

[lovinthehd]

Maze, thanks
I'm really happy how my Rotel performs in my HT. I also like how music sounds with it, but I read on 2 forums it is not good enough for critical stereo listening.

I think the experience speaks much louder than reading about what amps "might" do on forums Depends perhaps on how hard you clench your butt cheeks when "critically" listening, that could change things

 

[Mark E. Long]

Keep your amp add a second SVS your world will expand it will help fill in that big doorway somewhat !

 

[gaspos]

Thanks to everyone!
I decided to stay with my Rotel power amp.
I will wait for the new SVS sub and will play with speaker placement.