Need amp info.

[cam555]

I have Klipsch Synergy surround sound. I have the F3's, C3, S3's and the 12" 650 watt klipsch sub. All powered by a yamaha htr 6090 receiver. Ok...heres my question....how much better would my speakers sound if they were all powered by separate amps? I'm new to separate amps and I'm just wondering how much it would cost and if I should even worry about them and whats the best bang for my buck. When i go searching on the net for amps....all i get is real high dollar products that i could prolly never afford. please help!

[MouseRider]

There are power amps out there in the market that start in the low hundreds per pair of channels, the question is are they any better than the amps that are already in your Yamaha.

Typically, the reason to go with separates is to get better quality and have the flexibility to get the best component for each job in the chain.

A good 5-channel amp like the THX Ultra II certified Parasound 5125 which is a high-current amp will run you about $1,200, there are probably some which are cheaper and still good but sky's the limit for some audiophile amps.

Amplifier technology is stable, so getting a good power amp will last you a long time and most good brands come with 5 to 10 year warranties, so the added cost does come with benefits.

After that, you'll just need to upgrade the more volatile and rapidly changing "processing" part of the equation which you can opt to purchase more expensive "pre-amp/processors" or continue to get a receiver that has pre-outs like your current Yamaha and get the benefits of a better amplification stage with your standalone amp.

Just as an example, over the last 8 years, I've upgraded my projector 3 times, processor 6 times (2 board upgrades, 1 complete chassis upgrades, 3 software updates), disc players 4 times and remote 3 times.

Never changed my speakers or my amps.

[desmond]

you should get amps that match well with your speakers. most separate amps will give you a nice improvement over yamaha. does your receiver have pre/pro outs?

[cawgijoe]

if your speakers are 4ohm rated or inefficient I highly recommend either going with a 5-channel amp and use your Yamaha as a pre-amp or go with a 3-channel amp for the front speakers and run your surrounds off the Yamaha.

I have a pair of Thiel CS1.6 speakers up front with a Thiel SCS2 center channel (awaiting - just bought used), Atlantic Technology sub, and Mirage Omnipolar surrounds.......my Denon AVR3300 is driving the rear channels and I have an Acurus 100wx3 for the fronts. It's awesome.

The Denon AVR3300 would drive the Thiels, but the sound was a bit lean and the reciever would run hot.

[cam555]

my speakers are 8 ohm rated i believe

[cam555]

whats the diff between an amp and a pre amp?

[MouseRider]

Originally Posted by cam555

whats the diff between an amp and a pre amp?

A receiver is essentially 3 things in one:

1) Radio tuner
2) Pre-amp/Processor
3) Power-amp

The pre-amp is the stage that performs the source switching, tone adjustments/equalization, volume, etc. In modern units, pre-amp are often also processors that contain the digital processing stage to do digital-to-analog conversions, bitstream processing or provide DSP effects.

Your Yamaha has pre-outs which basically allows it to become a tuner and pre-amp, bypassing the internal amplifiers.

A power-amp or amplifier just does one thing, amplify an input signal. Because it is so single purpose, it can be very well designed to do that one thing very very well.

[Beta Man]

Just my opinion, but I think you'll be VERY upset at spending that kind of money on amps for those speakers. Upgrade elsewhere..... Receiver or Speakers.

[desmond]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Just my opinion, but I think you'll be VERY upset at spending that kind of money on amps for those speakers. Upgrade elsewhere..... Receiver or Speakers.

good point. system only as strong as its weakest link.

[cam555]

my speakers aren't very good?

[Big Daddy]

I have several amps in my system that are far more powerful than any receiver on the market. In the following I have listed some manufaturers of reasonably priced Amps and Preamps. There are other companies like Krell and Mark Levinson that make Amps and Preamps, but you need to be Bill Gates to afford them.

Sunfire Amps and Preamps are designed by Bob Carver who is a legend in the field.
http://www.sunfire.com/products.htm

Anthem Amps and Preamps:
http://www.anthemav.com/?gclid=COCwy...FRBaiAodmECq0A

NAD Amp and Preamps:
http://nadelectronics.com/products/h...tre-amplifiers

Rotel Amps and Preamps:
http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=18

[cam555]

thanks....checking out the sites right now. Are my speakers worth being amplified by separate amps?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by cam555

thanks....checking out the sites right now. Are my speakers worth being amplified by separate amps?

I do not know much about your speakers. I only know that Klipsch makes very good speakers. Separates make all speakers sound better. However, the better the speakers, the more you hear the benefits of separates.

[cam555]

where can i find really cheap 7 channel amp? those sites you gave me are way too much for me to spend now...im looking at about maybe a $1,000

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by cam555

where can i find really cheap 7 channel amp? those sites you gave me are way too much for me to spend now...im looking at about maybe a $1,000

Try Crutchfield and do a Yahoo or Google search.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...lifiers&tp=180

An Integrated Amp combines a Preamp and an Amp, but it does not have a Tuner. Remember that a receiver consists of three major components: Preamp, Amp, and Tuner.

[cam555]

all i want is just a separate 7 channel amp that does about 200 watts per channel

[cam555]

but yet i dont want to overload my speakers.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by cam555

but yet i dont want to overload my speakers.

Just because an amp is rated 200 watts per cannnel, it does not mean that you will overload your speakers. It simply means that you will have plenty of reserve power for peak sound. The more reserve power you have, the better your speakers will sound without distortion.

You have to turn the volume to a reasonable level. Of course if you turn the volume up all the way, you can burn your speakers, create an earthquake, and go deaf in the process.

[cam555]

ok good! i listen to my system loud...but never cranked.