What Amp? I have no idea what I'm looking at

[kopkiwi]

I have a modest set up, nothing special, but it services my needs for now.

Here is my HT.

http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Tvs_An...E_SYSTEM/25856

Has enough HDMI inputs and handles HDMI audio.

I will also be hooking this up for records.

http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Hifi_A...URNTABLE/23632

I am looking at these two amps

http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Hifi_A...mplifier/20760

http://www.stereosupplies.com.au/ste...op.asp?id=2958

How do these two stack up? Can anyone else suggest another player/brand I should look at?

I'm not too clued up on amps..

[Big Daddy]

I am a bit confused.

You already have a home theatre system (receiver and speakers) and you want to buy a turntable.

Do you want the turntable to be part of the HT or do you want a two-channel setup in another room? I don't quite understand why you want a two-channel amp.

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I am a bit confused.

You already have a home theatre system (receiver and speakers) and you want to buy a turntable.

Do you want the turntable to be part of the HT or do you want a two-channel setup in another room? I don't quite understand why you want a two-channel amp.

Turntable is for my record collection. I want to plug that directly into my two channel amp.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kopkiwi

Turntable is for my record collection. I want to plug that directly into my two channel amp.

I understand that the turntable is for your record collection. What are you going to connect the two-channel amp to? Are you going to connect new speakers to the amp or are you going to connect the two channel amp to the HT system?

[guitarist155]

with separate speakers correct? not tied into the HT in anyway? I would definitely go with the rotel over the pio but it's almost twice the price

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I understand that the turntable is for your record collection. What are you going to connect the two-channel amp to? Are you going to connect new speakers to the amp or are you going to connect the two channel amp to the HT system?

Either other. Most likely to new speakers. Which I will set up on my deck.

Is there a way to connect both the receiver and amp to the same speakers?

[Big Daddy]

Rotel makes excellent amps.

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Rotel makes excellent amps.

Aaaand the speaker connection question?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kopkiwi

Is there a way to connect both the receiver and amp to the same speakers?

You need to have pre-outs for your fronts on your receiver to connect it to a two-channel amp. You connect them with two RCA cables. You still need to connect two speakers to the amp (not the receiver). You also do not need an integreted amp for this kind of setup. You must buy a two-channel power amp.

For listening to two channel audio, you have to set the receiver to two channel so that no sound comes out of the other speakers. You can also listen to two channel audio and matrix it into 5.1 channels with Dolby Pro Logic IIx or DTS Neo: 6.

If your receiver does not have pre-outs, you cannot connect an amp to it.

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

You need to have pre-outs for your fronts on your receiver to connect it to a two-channel amp. You connect them with two RCA cables. You still need to connect two speakers to the amp (not the receiver). You also do not need an integreted amp for this kind of setup. You must buy a two-channel power amp.

For listening to two channel audio, you have to set the receiver to two channel so that no sound comes out of the other speakers. You can also listen to two channel audio and matrix it into 5.1 channels with Dolby Pro Logic IIx or DTS Neo: 6.

If your receiver does not have pre-outs, you cannot connect an amp to it.

Analogue Audio In/Out: 2/1 Optical Digital In/Out: 2/0
Digital Coaxial In/Out: 1/0 HDMI In/Out: 3/1
Digital Media Port: 1 Component Video In/Out: 3/1
Composite Video In/Out: 4/1 Subwoofer Output: 1
Sound Modes

Cinema Studio EX A, B & C: Yes Multi Channel Stereo: Yes
2 Channel Stereo: Yes

That's from the specs page.

And this is the back of the receiver. So I am assuming I can't do it with this set up?

[Big Daddy]

I don't see any any pre-outs on the back of your receiver. Looks like the only option you have is to buy the Rotel integrated amp and two speakers and connect them. I assume the Rotel has input RCA connectors for a turntable. If it doesn't, you may have to buy a phone stage preamp.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e_...x=Phono+preamp

[Big Daddy]

You can still connect your turntable directly to the receiver with a phono preamp. If you do it this way, you won't need to buy an amplifier or additional speakers. You can use your turntable as part of your HT.

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

You can still connect your turntable directly to the receiver with a phono preamp. If you do it this way, you won't need to buy an amplifier or additional speakers. You can use your turntable as part of your HT.

Like I said, I know squat about Amps.

Would running the amp separately with the turntable and getting two separate speakers give me a better sound quality than running the turntable through the receiver.

The way I understand it is that amps are specifically built for sound quality. Correct? Where as receiver, not so much, other processing parts, blah blah.

Or am I way off.

What would you suggest? Buying a pair of 3 way bookshelf speakers, of good quality isn't an issue, can pick up a good set for around $100.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kopkiwi

Like I said, I know squat about Amps.

Would running the amp separately with the turntable and getting two separate speakers give me a better sound quality than running the turntable through the receiver.

The way I understand it is that amps are specifically built for sound quality. Correct? Where as receiver, not so much, other processing parts, blah blah.

Or am I way off.

What would you suggest? Buying a pair of 3 way bookshelf speakers, of good quality isn't an issue, can pick up a good set for around $100.

Generally speaking, amps should sound better than receivers. However, it also depends a lot on the quality of your speakers.

If money is not a problem, buy the amp and two good speakes. If it is possible, listen to the speakers. My taste in speakers may be different than yours. Bookshelf speakers are a good choice if space is limited. They usually do not have a lot of bass extension. If you have the money and space, buy tower speakers.

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Generally speaking, amps should sound better than receivers. However, it also depends a lot on the quality of your speakers.

If money is not a problem, buy the amp and two good speakes. If it is possible, listen to the speakers. My taste in speakers may be different than yours. Bookshelf speakers are a good choice if space is limited. They usually do not have a lot of bass extension. If you have the money and space, buy tower speakers.

Yeah space is limited, so bookshelfs are the ideal choice, just no room for towers.

Inputs: jPhono, CD, Tuner, Aux 1, Aux 2, Media Player

Thats the connections for the amp.

Yeah I've listened to this particular set of bookshelfs and they are surprisingly good for their price.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kopkiwi

Yeah space is limited, so bookshelfs are the ideal choice, just no room for towers.

Inputs: jPhono, CD, Tuner, Aux 1, Aux 2, Media Player

Thats the connections for the amp.

Yeah I've listened to this particular set of bookshelfs and they are surprisingly good for their price.

If the integrated amp does not have a phono input (an input specifically labled phono or turntable), you must buy a phono preamp. You connect the turntable to the pre-amp and the pre-amp to the amp.

[kopkiwi]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

If the integrated amp does not have a phono input (an input specifically labled phono or turntable), you must buy a phono preamp. You connect the turntable to the pre-amp and the pre-amp to the amp.

What's a JPhono?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kopkiwi

What's a JPhono?

That is for the turntable. You connect two RCA cables from the turntable to the Phono input. Usually, turntables also have a ground wire. Make sure you connect that to the amp. The amp should have a little screw where you connect the gound wire.