Separates newb questions

[Inertia]

I have always just bought entry level Denon receivers. I know they lack the power to drive the better floorstanding speakers. I want to stick with a 2.1 system for home theatre and gaming.... don't listen to music much. My questions are what does a pre amp do? DOes it have all the hookups for dvd, gaming, vcr, built in tuner and HDMI ins and outs just like a receiver? Just without the built in amplifier? I would like to get a nice pair of floorstanding speakers and an amp that does around 300 to 400 watts x 2 rms into an 8 ohm load. Any help you guys can give me would be great!

 

[no. 5]

My questions are what does a pre amp do? DOes it have all the hookups for dvd, gaming, vcr, built in tuner and HDMI ins and outs just like a receiver? Just without the built in amplifier?

Yep... well, usually, some preamps don't have HDMI.

However, there may be absolutely no need to get a separate amplifier; it is a speakers impedance and phase curve that make it hard on a receiver, not the size of the cabinet. And even if a speaker is a difficult load on an amplifier, you still may not need 400 Watts.

 

[mazersteven]

I would like to get a nice pair of floorstanding speakers and an amp that does around 300 to 400 watts x 2 rms into an 8 ohm load.

So you don't have speakers now? If so what speakers do you have? Why do you want to replace them?

And what budget are you working with?

If you don't listen to music I'm trying to figure out what your missing?

 

[Inertia]

I have some Infinity bookshelf speakers. Would like a nicer pair of Klipsch or Axiom or PSB floorstanding speakers. I have a small 8" infinity sub also. My budget has a limit of maybe $2500 just don't know what the right components are to spend it on yet. Want a preamp that has HDMI for my projector and dvd and gaming. And an amp that can push a really nice pair of mains. Not sure on a sub yet.

 

[mazersteven]

Where are you located?

 

[Davemcc]

You won't need a separate amp for the Klipsh, PSB or most Axioms. It looks like most decent receivers will meet your needs just fine. You might want to look into a stereo amp like the Emotiva XPA-2 if you choose the 4 ohm Axioms as long as the receiver has preouts.

The $2500 budget including speakers doesn't lend itself to most separates setups, with the possible exception of Emotiva's offerings but their processor isn't available just yet.

 

[jcPanny]

2.1 system

I would spend $1500-2k on the speakers and sub and the rest on the electronics. There are several receiver option in the $600-1k price range with plenty of power and features like the Onkyo 805 or Yamaha RX-V1800. Emotiva or other seperates would be over half your budget.

Start auditioning floorstanders in the $1k price range and subs in the $500+ range for your new system.

 

[fmw]

If you want an improvement in sonics then I would recommend you spend all the money on speakers and use what you have. An amp isn't going to change the way the system sounds.

 

[Inertia]

Alright thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[jamie2112]

There are alot of great speakers in your price range out there. Out of the 3 brands you listed the PSB would be my choice. Good luck with your shopping.