QUESTION: Equipment For PSB Image Speakers

[chkngreez]

Why not buy a couple of crown pro amps? They're on sale pretty cheap right now and you will get all the power you could want or need. The setup is simple, just use the receiver's pre outs and use an rca/xlr adapter for the amplifiers. More power for less money than many of the alternatives available IMO.

 

[krzywica]

Why not buy a couple of crown pro amps? They're on sale pretty cheap right now and you will get all the power you could want or need. The setup is simple, just use the receiver's pre outs and use an rca/xlr adapter for the amplifiers. More power for less money than many of the alternatives available IMO.

Because they are loud, hideous, and mostly come in 2 channel only. Which means you would have to buy more than 2 amps just for a 5 channel setup. Unless you have a dedicated equipment room with a rack or your not married/don't care about aesthetics this is a bad idea.

 

[chkngreez]

They are really not that loud, my PS3 and XBOX are louder than my pro amp. It was just a suggestion, not to mention it could handle the mains, while the receiver takes care of everything else. Aesthetically speaking, if the amp is in a cabinet it won't look bad either. Everybody has their own opinion, though.

 

[3db]

The Marantz SR6004 has one of the finest preamp sections you'll find a receiver, and it has plenty of nice features. It does lack HDMI 1.4 (needed to support 3DTV) if you care about such things. Note: you need a HDMI 1.4 capable source and display, so unless you went out of your way to buy a 3D ready blu-ray player, cable box, or television, then you don't need HDMI 1.4.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6004/Marantz/SR6004-Dolby-TrueHD-PLIIz/dts-HD-MA-AV-Receiver/1.html

Apart from the OP about to blow his speakers, I don't know if the SR6004 is a safe choice from what I've read here..

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1199061&highlight=marantz+pop+death

 

[Seth=L]

Apart from the OP about to blow his speakers, I don't know if the SR6004 is a safe choice from what I've read here..

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1199061&highlight=marantz+pop+death

Hmm, maybe not. That's pretty bad it seems. I wonder if they rectify this problem in the refurbs or if they just replace what "popped" with the same thing and send it back out again.

 

[Simon Says]

++ That.

You could also check out the Marantz SR7002. Has a great amp section if plus affords you the ability to add external amplification.

The recommendation for a Pioneer plus the Rotel is a chumps game.

I would say to look used on the Amplification side, also look at Emotiva and Outlaw audio. I picked up a killer Adcom GFA5503 for $350 local. Thing was almost brand new. Craigslist is your friend.

What area do you live?

I live in NY....... hudson valley and catskills area. i just want the system to sound really nice...i know it wont be blasting in all parts of the house. im not looking for that. but it will still be heard and felt if i get a sub with it to...that why i was thinking of just a nice receiver like the elite sc-35. i did look at the xpa amp...it looks like a beast....if i did get that..then i would just need a decent receiver for a way lower price than the sc-35...i dont care about 3d but all the hdmi is nice from what i hear.

 

[3db]

I live in NY....... hudson valley and catskills area. i just want the system to sound really nice...i know it wont be blasting in all parts of the house. im not looking for that. but it will still be heard and felt if i get a sub with it to...that why i was thinking of just a nice receiver like the elite sc-35. i did look at the xpa amp...it looks like a beast....if i did get that..then i would just need a decent receiver for a way lower price than the sc-35...i dont care about 3d but all the hdmi is nice from what i hear.

What you have chosen will work just fine for your family room.

 

[3db]

Hmm, maybe not. That's pretty bad it seems. I wonder if they rectify this problem in the refurbs or if they just replace what "popped" with the same thing and send it back out again.

Its too bad becuase the feature set is right, the power delivery is right and its very pleasing to the eye too look at.

 

[krzywica]

I live in NY....... hudson valley and catskills area. i just want the system to sound really nice...i know it wont be blasting in all parts of the house. im not looking for that. but it will still be heard and felt if i get a sub with it to...that why i was thinking of just a nice receiver like the elite sc-35. i did look at the xpa amp...it looks like a beast....if i did get that..then i would just need a decent receiver for a way lower price than the sc-35...i dont care about 3d but all the hdmi is nice from what i hear.

The problem I have with buying a top tier receiver is that you pay top dollar for something that cannot be upgraded in a few years when new formats come out. And on top of that the receiver is still going to have compromises. I wouldn't want to plop down $2k every 3-4 years when I can spend that once on a nice power amp one time and buy a new receiver or pro-processor every few years for much less than a top tier receiver.

I'm not quite sure where Seth is getting the idea that you want face melting volumes....

 

[Seth=L]

The problem I have with buying a top tier receiver is that you pay top dollar for something that cannot be upgraded in a few years when new formats come out. And on top of that the receiver is still going to have compromises. I wouldn't want to plop down $2k every 3-4 years when I can spend that once on a nice power amp one time and buy a new receiver or pro-processor every few years for much less than a top tier receiver.

I'm not quite sure where Seth is getting the idea that you want face melting volumes....

How am I not understanding that? I recommended a receiver to use as a preamplifier.

 

[chkngreez]

For the speakers you have, you really don't need the xpa. Seriously, a CHEAP pro amp will give you plenty of power for your mains, and maybe even buy a second for your rear speakers. It would still be cheaper than the xpa and give you all the headroom you would ever want. The center can run straight off your receiver and it would have plenty of power too. All I'm trying to do is save you some $$$. Also, Onkyo makes some damn good receivers at a reasonable price. You can pick up an older model refurb for a few hundred and it comes with a full warranty. Just sayin'.

 

[3db]

Just a quick question.. Have you auditioned these PSB's at an audio store? If so, what were they using to drive the speakers? Was the audition room very large? It doesn't take alot of power to get those PSBs to play loud. Your best approach would be to get the receiver and then if you find that a little under powered (which i'll be surpised) then spend the money on a used pr-am as suggested by chkngreez.

 

[Simon Says]

yes i heard them play. i have no idea what the dealer was using to push them.i think he said he was using a 2 channel amp 100 watts per channel. they sounded nice. i am looking at these 2 receivers to push my PSB speakers. the pioneer elite sc-35 and the yamaha rx-a 3000...ive seen some posts saying that the pioneer is good but its boomy. ive heard that the yammy is good and that its surround sound is much nicer that models of the same class... i will be using this system to watch movies(preferably action and thrillers) and to crank music of all types..i like rock, r&b, some country, heavymetal, and rap...i will be running the psb t6 towers, s5 surrounds, outlaw lfm-1 plus sub, not sure on the center yet. so.... which 1 of those recievers seems like the 1 i should pull the trigger on?

 

[3db]

yes i heard them play. i have no idea what the dealer was using to push them.i think he said he was using a 2 channel amp 100 watts per channel. they sounded nice. i am looking at these 2 receivers to push my PSB speakers. the pioneer elite sc-35 and the yamaha rx-a 3000...ive seen some posts saying that the pioneer is good but its boomy. ive heard that the yammy is good and that its surround sound is much nicer that models of the same class... i will be using this system to watch movies(preferably action and thrillers) and to crank music of all types..i like rock, r&b, some country, heavymetal, and rap...i will be running the psb t6 towers, s5 surrounds, outlaw lfm-1 plus sub, not sure on the center yet. so.... which 1 of those recievers seems like the 1 i should pull the trigger on?

It comes down feature sets and easy of use.

 

[Simon Says]

It comes down feature sets and easy of use.

I was offered the Yamaha RX-A 2000 from a dealer for 1200$ This receiver is 130watts/per channel; which is 10 watts less than the yammy rx-a 3000 and the pioneer elite sc-35.they also are 400-500 dollars more. Since I'm not real experienced with these electronics, I don't know which of the 3 receivers I should go for. As far as feature sets, of course I do want to have some nice stuff but I don't want to pay 4-500 dollars more unless those receivers are gonna be worth it..As far as ease of use, I really don't know. All these dealers are gonna say their product is easy to use. If somebody with experience could check these 3 receivers out online for me that would be cool if u get the chance.

Yamaha RX-A2000
Yamaha RX-A3000
Pioneer Elite SC-35

 

[3db]

The dealer is just going to have to let you play with them. You could also try downloading the manuals and reading up on them. I found doing this last suggestion helped me alot. A dealer interested in your business should be helping you out.

 

[pelennor]

For the speakers you have, you really don't need the xpa. Seriously, a CHEAP pro amp will give you plenty of power for your mains, and maybe even buy a second for your rear speakers. It would still be cheaper than the xpa and give you all the headroom you would ever want. The center can run straight off your receiver and it would have plenty of power too. All I'm trying to do is save you some $$$. Also, Onkyo makes some damn good receivers at a reasonable price. You can pick up an older model refurb for a few hundred and it comes with a full warranty. Just sayin'.

If you're after a cheap pro amp, the Behringer A500 would be a good choice. No fan too, so it's silent.