Amplifier: Needed? If so, any suggestions?

[GBMidge7]

Hey all. I posted a question awhile back about an amplifier and never got a response so I figured I'd try again. I just got my sweet tax return back, and I am planning on spending a portion of it to upgrade my front speakers. I will be purchasing 2 Polk RTiA9 floor standing speakers, and I feel like my general AV receiver (Yamaha RX-v663) won't be powerful enough to do them justice. As such, I am thinking I should also get an amplifier, but I have NO idea where to start looking for one. I was thinking a 3 channel, to power the new fronts and my center. I am pretty sure my receiver is capable of an external amp, but can you all confirm this as well for me? Any B & M store I have gone to has been crap in terms of having anything, so I figure online is the way to go. Can anyone suggest a decent amplifier that will give me a bit more power for not too much money? If I HAD to put a price limit, I would say less than $500 easily, and hopefully less if possible. Thanks in advance for the help, I hope I get can get some answers this time!

[JJ]

For a new product, for that budget, your solution is!



Emotiva XPA-3 - $599, however. But 200 watts a channel. It will provide a marked improvement over any receiver. And no, I am not an Emotiva fanboy, but I am somebody who appreciates value and the power these amps provide for their price.

For a used product, on that budget, your solution is!

http://www.audiogon.com

Look for early model Rotel or Parasound amps - Outlaw or B&K, perhaps - I'll try to find some model numbers.

B&M stores usually have no separate components or amplifiers.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

For a new product, for that budget, your solution is!



Emotiva XPA-3 - $599, however. But 200 watts a channel. It will provide a marked improvement over any receiver.

For a used product, on that budget, your solution is!

http://www.audiogon.com

Look for early model Rotel or Parasound amps.

B&M stores usually have no separate components or amplifiers.

I'll second that !

[erict]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

Hey all. I posted a question awhile back about an amplifier and never got a response so I figured I'd try again. I just got my sweet tax return back, and I am planning on spending a portion of it to upgrade my front speakers. I will be purchasing 2 Polk RTiA9 floor standing speakers, and I feel like my general AV receiver (Yamaha RX-v663) won't be powerful enough to do them justice. As such, I am thinking I should also get an amplifier, but I have NO idea where to start looking for one. I was thinking a 3 channel, to power the new fronts and my center. I am pretty sure my receiver is capable of an external amp, but can you all confirm this as well for me? Any B & M store I have gone to has been crap in terms of having anything, so I figure online is the way to go. Can anyone suggest a decent amplifier that will give me a bit more power for not too much money? If I HAD to put a price limit, I would say less than $500 easily, and hopefully less if possible. Thanks in advance for the help, I hope I get can get some answers this time!

Yes it will support an amp. I own the same receiver and it has the pre outs for an external amp and will be a great pre/pro for an Emotiva amp. I say Emotiva because I agree with the other posters as this is an outstanding amp for the money. You can call them and see if they have any B-stock XPA-3's as they sell the B-stk for $499

[GRIFMTL]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

For a new product, for that budget, your solution is!



Emotiva XPA-3 - $599, however. But 200 watts a channel. It will provide a marked improvement over any receiver. And no, I am not an Emotiva fanboy, but I am somebody who appreciates value and the power these amps provide for their price.

For a used product, on that budget, your solution is!

http://www.audiogon.com

Look for early model Rotel or Parasound amps - Outlaw or B&K, perhaps - I'll try to find some model numbers.

B&M stores usually have no separate components or amplifiers.

I agree with JJ's suggestions. I will also confirm that the XPA-3 made a significant difference to my front end. It really opened them up and I let the Pio take care of the 4 rears towers. The RTi A9's are very good speakers but they need power to really get the full potential out of them.

[Big Daddy]

Behringer Europower EP4000 Amplifier.

It is an impressive amplifier. I own one and use it to power the biggest subwoofer in my HT room. These are some of the specifications:

RMS Power at 1% THD (Both Channels Driven): 550 per channel (8Ω), 950 per channel (4Ω), 1,250 (2Ω)
Peak Power (Both Channels Driven): 750 per Channel (8Ω), 1,400 per channel (4Ω), 2,000 (2Ω)

RMS Power at 1% THD (Bridged Mode, Mono): 1750 (8Ω), 2,400 (4Ω)
Peak Power (Bridged Mode, Mono): 2,800 (8Ω), 4,000 (4Ω)

Frequency Response (-3dB): 5Hz to 50kHz

Damping Factor: >300 @ 8Ω

Weight: 37 pounds

Discounted Price: $300 to $350 + Free Shipping


The amplifier does not have any RCA inputs and has a relatively noisy cooling fan. You can buy RCA to XLR cables from Monoprice and the fan can easily be replaced. See how I replaced the fan in Post 753 of the https://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers...upgrading.html thread.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

Hey all. I posted a question awhile back about an amplifier and never got a response so I figured I'd try again. I just got my sweet tax return back, and I am planning on spending a portion of it to upgrade my front speakers. I will be purchasing 2 Polk RTiA9 floor standing speakers, and I feel like my general AV receiver (Yamaha RX-v663) won't be powerful enough to do them justice. As such, I am thinking I should also get an amplifier, but I have NO idea where to start looking for one. I was thinking a 3 channel, to power the new fronts and my center. I am pretty sure my receiver is capable of an external amp, but can you all confirm this as well for me? Any B & M store I have gone to has been crap in terms of having anything, so I figure online is the way to go. Can anyone suggest a decent amplifier that will give me a bit more power for not too much money? If I HAD to put a price limit, I would say less than $500 easily, and hopefully less if possible. Thanks in advance for the help, I hope I get can get some answers this time!

I would also look at an Emotiva amp as everyone has suggested. However, I also wanted to ask do you have any plans to upgrade your center speaker as well? I would think that including the matching center (RTi A6) would provide a pretty significant upgrade also since this is where virtually all of your movie/TV dialogue comes from.

[Fors*]

I agree with everyone else as well. I just bought my Paradigms and added an XPA-3 just 2 weeks ago. It will make your speakers more dynamic and clear, allowing for plenty of headroom at higher volumes at 200 watts per channel when al 3 are driven.

[GBMidge7]

A reply to everyone about the Emotiva... where would the best place be to look? I did a quick Amazon search and came up with nothing. Suggestions? And anything a little less expensive? I guess $599 isn't bad, of course, but less is what I was looking for.. And yeah, I was thinking about upgrading the center as well, but I don't want to blow my WHOLE tax return right away... we'll see what sort of deal I can find!

[GRIFMTL]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

A reply to everyone about the Emotiva... where would the best place be to look? I did a quick Amazon search and came up with nothing. Suggestions? And anything a little less expensive? I guess $599 isn't bad, of course, but less is what I was looking for.. And yeah, I was thinking about upgrading the center as well, but I don't want to blow my WHOLE tax return right away... we'll see what sort of deal I can find!

Emotiva usually have a few specials. The last one was during the Christmas holidays and the XPA-3 was on sale for $519 and that's when I bought it. You can also check is they have B stock and they are usually under $500 and come with the same full warranty. Several members here have bought more than one B stock.

[GBMidge7]

So I went to the Emotiva site... what is the diff between the XPA and UPA models? I notice the UPAs are a bit cheaper. And yeah, the XPA-3 is $599, so not too bad.

[GBMidge7]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

So I went to the Emotiva site... what is the diff between the XPA and UPA models? I notice the UPAs are a bit cheaper. And yeah, the XPA-3 is $599, so not too bad.

Strike that last question.... seems to be wattage. And how do I check for B-stock?

[Irrob]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

Strike that last question.... seems to be wattage. And how do I check for B-stock?

Give them a call.

[GBMidge7]

Originally Posted by Steve

However, I also wanted to ask do you have any plans to upgrade your center speaker as well? I would think that including the matching center (RTi A6) would provide a pretty significant upgrade also since this is where virtually all of your movie/TV dialogue comes from.

Just purchased the CSi A6 (aka RTi A6, of course) brand new on eBay for $349! Holy hell this thing is huge... hopefully I'll have room for it in the HT. I may need to make some major adjustments, but it will be worth it. Now I just need to order the RTiA9's. P.S... anyone have an opinion on the RTibA7's compared to the 9's? They are about $300 less per speaker, and I will be living in an apartment for at least a year. I know the A7's would be plenty for my needs, but I just almost can't resist the A9's... they are just SO sweet.

I also have an email into Emotiva support inquiring about B-stock and pricing... crossing my fingers for a deal! Thanks for all the help so far guys. I will be moving soon and setting up my upgraded home theater will be pretty damn fun.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

Just purchased the CSi A6 (aka RTi A6, of course) brand new on eBay for $349! Holy hell this thing is huge... hopefully I'll have room for it in the HT. I may need to make some major adjustments, but it will be worth it. Now I just need to order the RTiA9's. P.S... anyone have an opinion on the RTibA7's compared to the 9's? They are about $300 less per speaker, and I will be living in an apartment for at least a year. I know the A7's would be plenty for my needs, but I just almost can't resist the A9's... they are just SO sweet.

I also have an email into Emotiva support inquiring about B-stock and pricing... crossing my fingers for a deal! Thanks for all the help so far guys. I will be moving soon and setting up my upgraded home theater will be pretty damn fun.

Good luck with the B-stock XPA-3.....I know some others on this site who are looking into some B-stock amps as well....I got my XPA-3 brand new 2 weeks ago, as there were none at that time. Hopefully your luck will be better than mine.

[GBMidge7]

Well what do you know... I got an email back from Emotiva customer support letting me know they had some B-stock in! I got myself an XPA-3 for $499 plus shipping! I should have it by Monday or Tuesday, I am told, SWEET.

[erict]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

Well what do you know... I got an email back from Emotiva customer support letting me know they had some B-stock in! I got myself an XPA-3 for $499 plus shipping! I should have it by Monday or Tuesday, I am told, SWEET.

Congrats!!!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by GBMidge7

Well what do you know... I got an email back from Emotiva customer support letting me know they had some B-stock in! I got myself an XPA-3 for $499 plus shipping! I should have it by Monday or Tuesday, I am told, SWEET.

Congrats on the new Amp GB !

[LordoftheRings]

Bravo! You'll luv it!