amp benefits ?

[lunchbox]

I'll start off by saying i'm a noob in the home theater arena. I just upgraded my theater to polk monitor 50s, 30s and CS1 with the pioneer 1018 receiver. The general impression I get from reading this forum is an amp will make everything sound better. Question is pioneer says the 1018 "allegedly" puts 130W (I've read 110W is more like it) per channel and the Emotiva UPA-7 says it puts 125W per channel. With my setup, which is entry level compared to most on this forum, would i see any benefit to running the 1018 as a prepro and getting the UPA-7?

[VinnAY]

It seems you're merely talking about power/wattage ratings...you want more power because you think it will sound better?

[lunchbox]

Like i said i'm a noob and trying to educate myself on this stuff...feel free to educate me. I don't know a lot about it and that is why I'm asking questions.

[Big Daddy]

Go to the Amplifier Manufacturers thread and read Post #2. I have explained the advantages and disatvantages of Receivers vs. Amplifiers there.

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Go to the Amplifier Manufacturers thread and read Post #2. I have explained the advantages and disatvantages of Receivers vs. Amplifiers there.

Thanks, Since he explained me. He is an awesome man!

I learned about the advantages and disatvantages.

[mikewills]

NM

Mike

[lunchbox]

Thanks for the info. I guess my question is more specific to my setup, would i see a noticible benefit with my speaker setup since it is more entry level than high end.

[Slec]

i think it is mostly based around how discerning a listener you are or how often you use your system.

In car audio, there is a tremendous difference in using separate amplification vs. running something off the factory amp, or even a aftermarket head unit/receiver. I'm moving in the separates for home theater direction but I'm not there yet. my driving force is the above knowledge.

If you listen to your system quite a bit (whether it be for movies and/or music) then, yes you will notice the difference. If you use the system once a week, it might not be as noticeable.

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by lunchbox

Thanks for the info. I guess my question is more specific to my setup, would i see a noticible benefit with my speaker setup since it is more entry level than high end.

Running a quality amp like the emotvia will sound better than the amp that is in your pioneer power for the most part is irrelvant for the most part .. Its the quality of the internals that makes one amp better than another...In an avgerage roon 15x20 125 watts is enough to piss off your wife and will provide enough to make your ears hurt after a good action movie

[elaine1015]

I learned about the advantages and disatvantages

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Awesome I had no clue what/how amps worked but I think I get the general idea of it now. Very cool expensive but cool nonetheless do you guys think I will be fine running my Onkyo with the speakers I own?

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by LifeOfAPirate13

Awesome I had no clue what/how amps worked but I think I get the general idea of it now. Very cool expensive but cool nonetheless do you guys think I will be fine running my Onkyo with the speakers I own?

If you mean by adding an AMP to you're receiver , You will need A different receiver ! The 605 does not have PRE-OUT'S on back ! you're receiver must have Pre-out's to hook an amp up to you're system !!

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by LifeOfAPirate13

Awesome I had no clue what/how amps worked but I think I get the general idea of it now. Very cool expensive but cool nonetheless do you guys think I will be fine running my Onkyo with the speakers I own?

Your speakers will be fine being run off the Onkyo. Those Klipsch are pretty efficient speakers. If you really want to open them up though, I'd recommended a more powerful receiver or getting a receiver with pre-outs and an external amp.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by lunchbox

I'll start off by saying i'm a noob in the home theater arena. I just upgraded my theater to polk monitor 50s, 30s and CS1 with the pioneer 1018 receiver. The general impression I get from reading this forum is an amp will make everything sound better. Question is pioneer says the 1018 "allegedly" puts 130W (I've read 110W is more like it) per channel and the Emotiva UPA-7 says it puts 125W per channel. With my setup, which is entry level compared to most on this forum, would i see any benefit to running the 1018 as a prepro and getting the UPA-7?

I would save your money and upgrade something else like your speakers. That way you will hear a substantial difference instead of a very minor one. Everything is as only as good as your weakest link and putting an external amplifier into your setup in all all honesty will most likely not provide you with a substantial improvement in sound quality that I think you are looking for. While you want your speakers to be powered efficiently, simply adding more wattage to the picture will not really be all that noticeable on most entry level speakers.

Like everyone else, we want to improve upon what we have and upgrading to better speakers even if you love Polk and stay with Polk would be a much better choice in the end and way more satisfying. I'm sure you're probably thinking: "this is not what I wanted to hear", but I'm sure you would want someone to be honest with you. Don't spend your money on something that will not really benefit you at this point in time. Buying an amp at this point in the game will simply be a band-aid.

When you start looking at amps consider whether or not the amp you are looking at is truly an upgrade over the amplifier stage in your receiver. Often times it would be wiser to spend your hard earned money elsewhere if you want to achieve any true gains. If not you will be right back to where you started from.

[csw]

Originally Posted by lunchbox

I'll start off by saying i'm a noob in the home theater arena. I just upgraded my theater to polk monitor 50s, 30s and CS1 with the pioneer 1018 receiver. The general impression I get from reading this forum is an amp will make everything sound better. Question is pioneer says the 1018 "allegedly" puts 130W (I've read 110W is more like it) per channel and the Emotiva UPA-7 says it puts 125W per channel. With my setup, which is entry level compared to most on this forum, would i see any benefit to running the 1018 as a prepro and getting the UPA-7?

At some point in time we all get to the area of diminishing returns. But I must say that adding the UPA-2 to my Yamaha 2600 has improved the sound quality of the fronts (more headroom and bigger soundstage). If your wanting to take the plunge into seperates, this $299 amp will at least get your feet wet into that catagory. Going the UPA-7 route is another option, but the buyers remorse goes up if it doesn't work out for you (not likely though). This way down the road you could add a more powerful 3 channel to go with the UPA-2. This is my second outboard amp to be coupled with the 2600 and I have not regretted either choice.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by mdabb

I would save your money and upgrade something else like your speakers. That way you will hear a substantial difference instead of a very minor one. Everything is as only as good as your weakest link and putting an external amplifier into your setup in all all honesty will most likely not provide you with a substantial improvement in sound quality that I think you are looking for. While you want your speakers to be powered efficiently, simply adding more wattage to the picture will not really be all that noticeable on most entry level speakers.

Like everyone else, we want to improve upon what we have and upgrading to better speakers even if you love Polk and stay with Polk would be a much better choice in the end and way more satisfying. I'm sure you're probably thinking: "this is not what I wanted to hear", but I'm sure you would want someone to be honest with you. Don't spend your money on something that will not really benefit you at this point in time. Buying an amp at this point in the game will simply be a band-aid.

When you start looking at amps consider whether or not the amp you are looking at is truly an upgrade over the amplifier stage in your receiver. Often times it would be wiser to spend your hard earned money elsewhere if you want to achieve any true gains. If not you will be right back to where you started from.

I have to agree with Mdabb. Upgrading to higher quality speakers will give you the biggest benefit as far as audio quality is concerned. Once you have better speakers in place, external amplifiers will give you much more noticeable results.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I have to agree with Mdabb. Upgrading to higher quality speakers will give you the biggest benefit as far as audio quality is concerned. Once you have better speakers in place, external amplifiers will give you much more noticeable results.

+2

[crazyBLUE]

+3

[Travis]

Thanks for all the info.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Don't know where to go for an amp, and if that is theright path to take. From reading thiis thread I believe my speakers will be upgraded, then receiver, than an amp.

After the speakers I have to decide whether or not to get an AV reciever with pre-outs or a pre-amp processor to pair with an amp. Decisions, decisions.

[primaz]

Originally Posted by Travis

Thanks for all the info.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Don't know where to go for an amp, and if that is theright path to take. From reading thiis thread I believe my speakers will be upgraded, then receiver, than an amp.

After the speakers I have to decide whether or not to get an AV reciever with pre-outs or a pre-amp processor to pair with an amp. Decisions, decisions.

I think most of the money should go to speakers say 50% then upgrade the rest. It really depends on your budget as the sky is the limit in audio. I would audition a ton of speakers even ones you think might be out of your reach as often online you can find deals. Accessories for less has had good prices on Cantons and a few other high end speakers, often selling brand new last years models at great deals! Once you get good speakers not run of the mill speakers like Polks I'd slowly build up the system with separates not AVR's. It still is a lot of money but with brands like Outlaw it can be had at a reasonable price yet still get that higher end quality without spending tens of thousands of $$'s