Should I upgrade to seperate amp

[rlj676]

I'm fairly new to home theater, and get interested in spurts. So after helping my boss pick some stuff for a simple home theater, I've been bitten by the bug again.

I currently have a NAD 743 reciever, and the SVS SBS-01 system, with the sub that preceded the pb12 nsd. My room is very large, about 4000 cu ft, so I'm probably underpowered for the space (50w x 5), especially considering how inefficient the speakers are (85 db).

I've been wanting offboard amplifiers, under the impression the reciever would work well as a preamp. Budget is a constraint right now, but the Behringer A500 would fit in nicely. However, it is stereo and I think I'd need to power the front 3 speakers equally, and the reciever in stereo would provide a little more power for my rears.

So, would it be worth it to add this amp for my front "stereo pair", and power everything else with the reciever? Is there a 3 channel amp option that would be similar even? What are some opinions?

Thanks,

 

[ParadigmDawg]

For less than 200 bucks it would be worth a try with the A500. Powering your mains should free up some power from your AVR for the center and surrounds.

 

[rlj676]

thanks for the help.

Would there be an issue though with the center doing most of the work though, especially for movies, which is the majority of my use?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I dont know; my center amp was down for awhile and I used my AVR for the center and surrounds and it did a good job.

 

[mike c]

though a lot of dialogue and vocals come out of the center, it doesn't use up a lot of wattage

 

[rlj676]

So far it's sounding like this might be well worth $200 then?

And as I continue to want to upgrade I could just add more amps then.

 

[mike c]

yes you can, you can even bridge them if you have 8ohm speakers for 360wpc

I have 4 of the Behringer A500's myself three of them are bridged for the front channels and the 4th runs my LS and RS channels.
except for the absence of a 12b trigger, they're great.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1480204
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17004&highlight=behringer+a500

also, use an rca to 1/4" TRS connector - sometimes people get hums with the RCA input

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm fairly new to home theater, and get interested in spurts. So after helping my boss pick some stuff for a simple home theater, I've been bitten by the bug again.

I currently have a NAD 743 reciever, and the SVS SBS-01 system, with the sub that preceded the pb12 nsd. My room is very large, about 4000 cu ft, so I'm probably underpowered for the space (50w x 5), especially considering how inefficient the speakers are (85 db).

I've been wanting offboard amplifiers, under the impression the reciever would work well as a preamp. Budget is a constraint right now, but the Behringer A500 would fit in nicely. However, it is stereo and I think I'd need to power the front 3 speakers equally, and the reciever in stereo would provide a little more power for my rears.

So, would it be worth it to add this amp for my front "stereo pair", and power everything else with the reciever? Is there a 3 channel amp option that would be similar even? What are some opinions?

Thanks,

You have a very large room there. How far do you sit from the speakers?
Is that room all open, or have walls that makes part of the room smaller where the speakers are perhaps?
If not, My recommendation would be to save up and go for a better overall system for that room, unless the $$$ may just not be there for some time to come.
Do you have any issues with the setup now?
That Behringer is affordable indeed and can be utilized in future setups. And, it is a very good amp, especially for the $$.

 

[rlj676]

The room is definitely big, but I sit fairly close to the speakers. It's a loft style condo, so the living room and kitchen are all one space, but the tv and stereo is in half the room.

This is my first real setup, and I've had it for a year or so and have been pretty pleased.

It just doesn't get quite as loud as I'd like. I'm hoping adding this amp would help some, at least $200 worth.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The room is definitely big, but I sit fairly close to the speakers. It's a loft style condo, so the living room and kitchen are all one space, but the tv and stereo is in half the room.
This is my first real setup, and I've had it for a year or so and have been pretty pleased.
It just doesn't get quite as loud as I'd like. I'm hoping adding this amp would help some, at least $200 worth.

What happens when you turn it up to where you think you may be listening to with an external amp? Are there funny sounds, noises? Is it the sub that is lacking?
Any neighbor issues?
In the end, $200 is not an expensive experiment.

 

[rlj676]

It seems to lose some "clarity", or "oomph" at higher volumes. I'm not sure exactly what clipping sounds like, so I'm not sure if it's to that point.

The sub actually works ok for me I think, and I have the gain to about half.

My walls are pretty thick and the neighbors have yet to even hear me, so I'm not too concerned with that.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Sounds like some more power will help you. Give the 500 a try.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker upgrade?

You also might consider a speaker upgrade. Maybe a pair of the SVS center channels to replace your L/R bookshelf speakers. They have a higher efficiency and are more capable for your large room. Move the bookshelf speakers to the rear surround channels.

 

[rlj676]

You also might consider a speaker upgrade. Maybe a pair of the SVS center channels to replace your L/R bookshelf speakers. They have a higher efficiency and are more capable for your large room. Move the bookshelf speakers to the rear surround channels.

This is one of my longer term plans. They sell the center channel set up to be the L/R now. When I have the cash laying around I'll make this upgrade.

Overall, this feedback sounds like their is no issue with powering the center with the AVR and the L/R with this amp, so I'll be purchasing it soon.

 

[mtrycrafts]

It seems to lose some "clarity", or "oomph" at higher volumes. .

That could be a speaker issue as well, at its limits of linear operation. Speakers have limits and many have it rather low.

 

[rlj676]

I've ordered the amp.

I guess if it doesn't improve things how I want I'll have an excuse to buy new speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I've ordered the amp.

I guess if it doesn't improve things how I want I'll have an excuse to buy new speakers.

Yes, you will. and, you will have a good amp on the side to help things.

 

[Fowl]

rlj676,

Hav eyou gotten your A500 yet? If so how does it sound? I am asking as I too am interested it purchasing this puppy.

 

[rlj676]

I've gotten it, but I'm out of town through the 2nd. I'll be hooking it up once I get home.

There are a bunch of reviews on this amp in the other couple of threads though.

Also, I think I'm going to be upgrading to the SCS 01 mains as well, as the reviews seem to make them seem a major upgrade from the SBS 01's.

 

[Fowl]

rlj676,

Keep me posted on the developments. I just ordered mine today but by the time it get to me in the Cayman Islands it would be about 2 -3 weeks.

So in the mean time let me hear your thoughts on the amp.