Suggestions and opinions re: this amp set up

[Matthew Link]

Afternoon all, new guy here so please be gentle, sorry if this seems too obvious to some but....

I currently have a Marantz SR6011 amp driving my 5.2 home theatre system. I am very much a 50/50 film and music listener.

Would it be a worthwhile upgrade to amplify my front L and R channels with a dedicated power amp? I was looking at something like an Emotiva BasX A-300 or similar?

I currently bi-amp my fronts and they go plenty loud enough for my room but I wondered if I would get a better quality sound using a dedicated amp for the L/R only? My fronts are Monitor Audio BX6 floorstanders.

Any opinions or suggestions most appreciated.

 

[Pogre]

No. Adding external amplification will help things run cooler and give you a little bit more spl (you have to double the power requirements to gain only 3db). I have the same avr you do and did buy a separate amplifier, but did not expect anything other than what I stated above (runs cooler, looks cooler, a touch more spl), but won't change the sound.

*Edit: Passive bi amping is pretty much a waste of time. It doesn't hurt anything, but doesn't really improve anything either.

 

[j_garcia]

While I do think it would help, for a definite increase in output you'd need to effectively double your power. I'd say at least 200W, which means stepping up to the next tier of amp. When you say music, do you mean 2ch music mainly? Yes I think you'd benefit from more power, but if you aren't hearing audible strain now at the levels you listen at, you probably won't benefit as much as you'd like and that's why I say you'd need to move to something more powerful.

 

[TheWarrior]

Afternoon all, new guy here so please be gentle, sorry if this seems too obvious to some but....

I currently have a Marantz SR6011 amp driving my 5.2 home theatre system. I am very much a 50/50 film and music listener.

Would it be a worthwhile upgrade to amplify my front L and R channels with a dedicated power amp? I was looking at something like an Emotiva BasX A-300 or similar?

I currently bi-amp my fronts and they go plenty loud enough for my room but I wondered if I would get a better quality sound using a dedicated amp for the L/R only? My fronts are Monitor Audio BX6 floorstanders.

Any opinions or suggestions most appreciated.

Hi!

Assuming you use an LFE crossover on the front speakers, you will not have any appreciable improvement. Those are highly efficient, easy to drive speakers.

Outboard amps eek out improvements with lower impedance speakers, and speakers running full range signals that have woofers that perform better with their own power supply.

 

[Matthew Link]

Fantastic thanks for the suggestions all. Makes perfect sense. Yes I do use a xover around 80hz and send all the bass to my svs pb1000s (id highly recommend these to anyone). All the music listening I do is 2 channel stereo. I wasn't really after a major increase in SPL, more wondering if it was a recommended upgrade for better quality (not that the quality of the SR6011 is poor of course)

 

[ATLAudio]

If you can be honest with yourself, you could always purchase a separate from a dealer with a no hassle return policy, and find out for yourself.

 

[TheWarrior]

Fantastic thanks for the suggestions all. Makes perfect sense. Yes I do use a xover around 80hz and send all the bass to my svs pb1000s (id highly recommend these to anyone). All the music listening I do is 2 channel stereo. I wasn't really after a major increase in SPL, more wondering if it was a recommended upgrade for better quality (not that the quality of the SR6011 is poor of course)

If you've got cash burning a hole in your pocket. The biggest improvement would be found by adding a second subwoofer. The same would make install easier, and you're obviously pleased with the performance.

Subs are tricky to integrate correctly, in case you haven't caught on to that from some other threads. The amount of work you want to put in would determine the best course of action when installing a second sub.

 

[Pogre]

If you've got cash burning a hole in your pocket. The biggest improvement would be found by adding a second subwoofer. The same would make install easier, and you're obviously pleased with the performance.

Subs are tricky to integrate correctly, in case you haven't caught on to that from some other threads. The amount of work you want to put in would determine the best course of action when installing a second sub.

A second sub will absolutely give you an audible improvement if set up properly. It's a much more worthy way to spend your money if you're looking for improvements. If you just want a separate amp, that's fine. We just want to make sure you know the facts. Amps ain't cheap and you can get improvement spending your cash elsewhere.

 

[Matthew Link]

Great advice guys and yes couldn't agree more. Thankfully I'm already running the dual pb-1000s. I've just let the amp run audyssey auto set up for the subs and they sound pretty good. (If anything a bit overkill for my room but the bass response is much flatter throughout the room now)

 

[TheWarrior]

Great advice guys and yes couldn't agree more. Thankfully I'm already running the dual pb-1000s. I've just let the amp run audyssey auto set up for the subs and they sound pretty good. (If anything a bit overkill for my room but the bass response is much flatter throughout the room now)

Awesome! Then let me just say be careful with putting out any upgraditis symptoms on here. We can help you spend every cent and then some!

Sounds like you're in a good place, otherwise. Vacation?