Amp questions - Blu-ray Forum

SoundFreak · 07-05-2009, 12:41 PM

As I near the completion of my basement I've decided after all the hard work I am going to treat myself to some nice HT seats and an AMP (assuming budget is within check, lol). Also, to add, I have yamaha V663 receiver and klipsch fronts, bose surrounds which I cannot wait to replace.

I'm not looking to spend a ton of money (under 500, preferably under 400) so what are some good options (if any)?

What are good, reliable, quality brands?

Will it improve my sound quality? Sometimes I get the feeling my speakers are underpowered. I think back to my car stereo days with the booming bass and when i added an amp, the sound was much more alive!!! I'm assuming this is true for this application too.

How are amps connected? Does HDMI go from the receiver to the amp or vice versa? Do I need anything else other than an extra cable?

Is it a worthy investment if I decided to spend the money or would I be better off upgrading to a more powerful receiver.

Steve · 07-05-2009, 01:30 PM

A good brand of amp to look into for the price is Emotiva. Even then $500 may be unrealistic for a 5 channel amp.

All of your components would still be connected to your receiver, except for your speakers. You would use the preouts of the receiver to run to the amp, and then connect your speakers to the amp. I'd say you'll probably see the biggest gain from adding an amp, rather than upgrading your receiver, at least in terms of power. Receivers usually max out at around 140 Watts per channel (on paper) but amps will often push a realistic 200 watts per channel, or more.

crazyBLUE · 07-05-2009, 02:57 PM

fireman forgot to mention that you will use RCA cables to connect the AMP to the receiver Pre-outs . A good starting budget would be $600 & that would be for A 3 channel amp !

SoundFreak · 07-05-2009, 09:22 PM

So would this 3 Channel be worthy? I'm mainly concerned with my front 3 and if/when i can spare some extra $$$ i can always add a new amp to the side and rears, correct?

http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

crazyBLUE · 07-05-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreak

So would this 3 Channel be worthy? I'm mainly concerned with my front 3 and if/when i can spare some extra $$$ i can always add a new amp to the side and rears, correct?

http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

The front sound stage is the biggest part of the sound system ! The surrounds are just added to it ! Its fine to just do the front 3 ! Then run the surr. off the receiver !

YES !!!

solarrdadd · 07-05-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

The front sound stage is the biggest part of the sound system ! The surrounds are just added to it ! Its fine to just do the front 3 ! Then run the surr. off the receiver !

YES !!!

I agree with crazy! I have a 7.1 and currently run my 5 of my 7 from my amp and the other 2 from my receiver until I upgrade later. works out just fine!

SoundFreak · 07-05-2009, 10:00 PM

SOLD! lol

I'm the most impatient fool I've ever known so we'll see how long before I crack and make the plunge.

"Honey, I have to buy it now so I can test it out. I don't want to build a cabinet for it if it's not the right one" hehe

Now seriously, the biggest reason I feel like I need the amp is because at higher volumes I can hear the sound start to break apart. I know it's not the speakers not handling the power, am I right for assuming it's likely not getting enough power? I want a deeper sound especially out of my center which I know it's capable of producing.

07-05-2009, 12:41 PM	#1
SoundFreak Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Home Theater Gallery:23	Amp questions As I near the completion of my basement I've decided after all the hard work I am going to treat myself to some nice HT seats and an AMP (assuming budget is within check, lol). Also, to add, I have yamaha V663 receiver and klipsch fronts, bose surrounds which I cannot wait to replace. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money (under 500, preferably under 400) so what are some good options (if any)? What are good, reliable, quality brands? Will it improve my sound quality? Sometimes I get the feeling my speakers are underpowered. I think back to my car stereo days with the booming bass and when i added an amp, the sound was much more alive!!! I'm assuming this is true for this application too. How are amps connected? Does HDMI go from the receiver to the amp or vice versa? Do I need anything else other than an extra cable? Is it a worthy investment if I decided to spend the money or would I be better off upgrading to a more powerful receiver.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Amplifiers & Surge Protectors & Power Conditioner Questions	Pre/Pro, Amplifiers and Separate Systems	JJ	70	08-10-2009 04:30 PM
Ghost In The Shell 1 & 2 questions	Blu-ray Movies - North America	iownu	22	12-02-2008 11:48 AM
PS3 & HDMI Cable & OPtical Audio Questions	Newbie Discussion	huttyhawk	14	03-04-2008 12:07 AM
Decisions & Questions	Newbie Discussion	acomire	16	11-30-2007 06:55 PM
Sammy HLS5087 & ps3 questions.	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	BTBuck1	13	04-25-2007 07:20 AM

07-05-2009, 01:30 PM	#2
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	A good brand of amp to look into for the price is Emotiva. Even then $500 may be unrealistic for a 5 channel amp. All of your components would still be connected to your receiver, except for your speakers. You would use the preouts of the receiver to run to the amp, and then connect your speakers to the amp. I'd say you'll probably see the biggest gain from adding an amp, rather than upgrading your receiver, at least in terms of power. Receivers usually max out at around 140 Watts per channel (on paper) but amps will often push a realistic 200 watts per channel, or more.

07-05-2009, 02:57 PM	#3
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	fireman forgot to mention that you will use RCA cables to connect the AMP to the receiver Pre-outs . A good starting budget would be $600 & that would be for A 3 channel amp !

07-05-2009, 09:22 PM	#4
SoundFreak Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Home Theater Gallery:23	So would this 3 Channel be worthy? I'm mainly concerned with my front 3 and if/when i can spare some extra $$$ i can always add a new amp to the side and rears, correct? http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

07-05-2009, 10:00 PM	#7
SoundFreak Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Home Theater Gallery:23	SOLD! lol I'm the most impatient fool I've ever known so we'll see how long before I crack and make the plunge. "Honey, I have to buy it now so I can test it out. I don't want to build a cabinet for it if it's not the right one" hehe Now seriously, the biggest reason I feel like I need the amp is because at higher volumes I can hear the sound start to break apart. I know it's not the speakers not handling the power, am I right for assuming it's likely not getting enough power? I want a deeper sound especially out of my center which I know it's capable of producing.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals