Thinking of upgrading to seperate Amp

[DB boy]

I'm thinking of buying an amplifier for my system but would like to know what benefits or changes I can expect by adding a seperate amp to my current system.

I'm thinking of adding the Emotiva IPS-1 or even the MPS-1 amplifier to my Yamaha RX-V2500. My speaker system setup is Axiom M-80 front, Vp-150 center, and the QS8 surrounds. So any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[GlocksRock]

I think the biggest benefit you would get is headroom. I just added an Emotiva IPS-1 to my RX-V1600 and I can tell a difference, but it's not a huge difference. There is no audible strain on the system with the amps, and everything sounds really good at higher volumes, especially when running music in 7 channel stereo mode. The external amp will provide it's power for all channels driven, while the receivers power rating is not for all channels driven simultaneously. If you got the Emotiva IPS-1 and your speakers are 4 ohms, you would be getting 200 watts per channel, and your receiver would have much less strain on it. If you go with Emotiva, and you don't feel the improvement was worth the money, you will have no problems returning it, and you will only be out shipping costs.

 

[Adam]

I'm no expert, but I'll give you my experiences.

I have a Pioneer VSX-1015 and NHT speakers. The NHT speakers are not incredibly efficient. Most of the time, they sounded just fine. When I would turn the volume up (say, to listen to a concert DVD), though, it seemed like something was missing. It was hard to put my finger on, but it just didn't sound great.

I decided to take a chance and try external amplification. I got an RPA-1 (it was a cheaper experiment than the MPS-1, got me 200W/channel compared to the IPS-1, but only gave me two channels). I noticed an obvious improvement in the sound when I would play that concert DVD at louder volumes. Much more clear and dynamic. My center channel was now the weak link, as it was still being powered by the receiver. So, I began to wish that I had just gotten a five or seven channel amp (although I don't regret trying out the RPA first, as it was just an experiment).

I just got an IPS-1 delivered on Friday, got it hooked up to my center and rear speakers, and it also made a noticeable improvement. The vocals on that convert DVD sound more true and real and have less background noise (which I think was just some sort of distortion from the receiver). I can turn the volume up louder now without getting ear strain, and I attribute that to having ample power to drive the speakers.

So, yes, I think it's worth a try. You can always return an amp to Emotiva, although you will need to pay shipping. (EDIT - I see that GR already mentioned this.)

 

[DB boy]

Can you give me an example or a description of what I can expect. Like for instance if I was watching armageddon or 300 what would I expect. What if I'm just listening to the radio or even a cd.

Currently I'm having to turn up my volume on my receiver to about -30 or -28 and still sometimes it is hard to hear the voices when people talk. Would the external amp make any improvements in that aspect?

 

[Adam]

Currently I'm having to turn up my volume on my receiver to about -30 or -28 and still sometimes it is hard to hear the voices when people talk. Would the external amp make any improvements in that aspect?

Just curious, have you gone through and level-matched your speakers? Perhaps your center channel is set at a lower volume than the other speakers.

An amp could make the dialog more clear, but only if you're getting distortion from your current receiver.

 

[DB boy]

I have gone through and adjusted the individual speaker levels. Just trying to visualize the difference between the current amp and the external amp. Maybe that is what I do, just try it out and if I don't notice any difference then send it back and just lose out on the shipping charges.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Currently I'm having to turn up my volume on my receiver to about -30 or -28 and still sometimes it is hard to hear the voices when people talk. Would the external amp make any improvements in that aspect?

On most recievers, that is a very low volume (I typically play mine at -25 to -22, and I like it fairly quiet.) Sounds like power is not your issue.

 

[Adam]

On most recievers, that is a very low volume (I typically play mine at -25 to -22, and I like it fairly quiet.) Sounds like power is not your issue.

For me, I normally listen around -40 to -48. I'll hit the -20's when I crank it up for a movie (and it's in that range that I really noticed the improvement from the amps).

 

[OttoMatic]

Currently I'm having to turn up my volume on my receiver to about -30 or -28 and still sometimes it is hard to hear the voices when people talk. Would the external amp make any improvements in that aspect?

It sounds like you are experiencing dynamic range. Is your complaint that the voices are too quiet during normal passages, and that effects, explosions and such are too loud? If so, that's the nature of the beast with many movies. Many receivers and preamps implement a "night mode" for DD signals. That mode will apply compression (or some similar algorithm) to the signal such that the level of dialog and explosions are closer to each other (as opposed to quiet talking and ear-splitting explosions).

If your problem is with dynamics of movies or music being limited, distorted or compressed, you may do well with a different amp. However, if you're not really pushing the system, it's likely not going to help to have an external amp.

I would agree with the otherst that listening at a volume of -30 dB isn't all that loud (although the actual SPL will vary based on a variety of factors). I'd guess you're not straining the amplifier section of your receiver.

 

[DB boy]

It sounds like I probably won't even notice a difference then until I get to the higher volume settings, is that what I'm hearing. What about at the lower setting like at -40 or at -30.

 

[OttoMatic]

For the most part, I'd say that amps, including the one in your receiver, are going to sound very similar. I don't think you will notice a big difference at low volumes.

I see we posted almost on top of each other. Check out my post that's two back.

 

[DB boy]

What sounds or what would I hear if I was straining my receiver. Thanks for all the comments, maybe I just need to spend a little more time and tweak my machine a little more.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Can you give me an example or a description of what I can expect. Like for instance if I was watching armageddon or 300 what would I expect. What if I'm just listening to the radio or even a cd.

Currently I'm having to turn up my volume on my receiver to about -30 or -28 and still sometimes it is hard to hear the voices when people talk. Would the external amp make any improvements in that aspect?

How about turning the Center Channel Speaker Level 2 or 3 dB above the rest of the speaker levels?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Can you give me an example or a description of what I can expect. Like for instance if I was watching armageddon or 300 what would I expect. What if I'm just listening to the radio or even a cd.

Currently I'm having to turn up my volume on my receiver to about -30 or -28 and still sometimes it is hard to hear the voices when people talk. Would the external amp make any improvements in that aspect?

That amp should be plenty if you have a good sub. Your listening levels are for movies or CDs? CDs usually have a higher level than movie channels, so don't worry about increasing the volume control on movies.
May want to check the manual and see if it has a dialogue normalization feature in that receiver.

 

[jcPanny]

Amp options

DB,
If you are considering an Emotiva amp and have a 5.1 system, they will be releasing an new 200 Watt x 5 channel amp soon.

I have a lower end Yamaha HTR-5860 receiver and noticed an improvement when I upgraded to an emotiva LPA-1 amp to drive my 4-ohm Onix Ref speakers. I also use a couple channels of the amp to power my distributed audio system.

You Axiom speaker have a high sensitivity so they require less power to play loud. An amp power upgrade might be less noticable uless you play movies at refrence levels and/or have a big room.

 

[DB boy]

Thanks for all the comments. Due to the sale they are having now I ordered the Emotiva IPS-1 and should have it by this Friday. I figure it is probably best that I at least test it out and if no real changes then send it back. I'll also have to spend some time tweaking my receiver to see what I can get out of it.

 

[alexadams77]

Thanks for all the comments. Due to the sale they are having now I ordered the Emotiva IPS-1 and should have it by this Friday. I figure it is probably best that I at least test it out and if no real changes then send it back. I'll also have to spend some time tweaking my receiver to see what I can get out of it.

Keep us updated once you have it set up and experience the difference, if any, to all of us.

 

[DB boy]

I will certainly update this once I test out the new machine. I've been looking at getting a seperate amp for a long time now and hope there is a notable difference. Just thinking that a receiver with stated amp power is only 38 pounds and the amp coming alone is 80 pounds, I would hope that means something. I would certainly hope that it gives me some WOW factor and that it isn't just a really heavy paper weight.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Like everyone has said; you wil really notice the addition of the ext.amp at high volumes.

One thing I did gain at low volumes was an increased clarity of my center ch. It makes no sense but it but the clarity increasd by 15 or 20%