external amp newbie - Blu-ray Forum

ak808 · 12-21-2008, 12:16 AM

Can someone be so kind to explain the whole external amp thing and how it work? What I want to know is what equipment will be needed. What do they mean by pre/pro? I just bought a pioneer elite vsx-03 and was wondering if I could hook up an external amp to run my front stage. If so any recommendations on the best bang for the buck amps?

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 12:49 AM

A Receiver consists of three or four parts: A Pre-amp, a Processor, an Amplifier, and a Tuner.

The pre-amp does all the input/output and switching. You connect all your devices (CD, DVD, Sattelite receiver, VCR, etc) to the inputs of the pre-amp. In addition, the volume control is on the pre-amp.

The processor is usually part of the pre-amp and does all DSP, HD audio such as Dolby, DTS, etc. This is why we call it pre/pro.

The amplifier is simply a box that provides power. You normally do not find many knobs on it. You connect the amplifier's inputs to the pre-amp's output and connect your speakers to the amplifier. The amplifier runs your speakers. Amplifiers can be mono, stereo or multi-channel.

The tuner is the radio (AM/FM). You connect the outputs of the tuner to the inputs of the pre-amp. You also connect an antenna to the tuner for better reception.

You can use your receiver as a pre-amp and connect it to an external amplifier for better audio quality. That is what I do.

Emotiva gives you the best bang for the hard-to-find dollar.

ak808 · 12-21-2008, 12:56 AM

That was quick thanks alot. I'm assuming your using the emotiva. Any particular model I should be looking at? I only really want to power the F/C/R maybe the rear surrounds but not really to sure.

ak808 · 12-21-2008, 01:01 AM

I'm looking at their website more specifically the xpa-3 and notice that they are 3 pairs of binding post. Would I take a wire from my receiver channels to each post then from the same post to the speakers?

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak808

That was quick thanks alot. I'm assuming your using the emotiva. Any particular model I should be looking at? I only really want to power the F/C/R maybe the rear surrounds but not really to sure.

No, I don't own Emotiva. Look at my sig.

ak808 · 12-21-2008, 01:10 AM

This should be common sense but if my bp6s recommended associated amplified power is 20-175watts then I would probably blow them using the xpa3 which has a rating of 200 wats per channel. RIght?

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak808

I'm looking at their website more specifically the xpa-3 and notice that they are 3 pairs of binding post. Would I take a wire from my receiver channels to each post then from the same post to the speakers?

No, you connect the pre-outs of your receiver to the new amplifier and then connect your speakers to the new amplifier. You will not use the speaker binding post of your receiver.

Edit: You will not use the speaker terminals of the receiver for the three front speakers. However, you will still have to use the speaker terminals of the receiver for the surround speakers.

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak808

This should be common sense but if my bp6s recommended associated amplified power is 20-175watts then I would probably blow them using the xpa3 which has a rating of 200 wats per channel. RIght?

More power is better than less power. An amplifier with reserve power does not clip that easily. A powerful amp allows your speakers to play at their best without distortion. Those numbers are maximum numbers. If you use all the amplifier's power, you will be blowing your ears and your windows before you do any damage to your speakers.

crazyBLUE · 12-21-2008, 01:28 AM

HIGH Big Daddy !

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

HIGH Big Daddy !

How is your new toy?

crazyBLUE · 12-21-2008, 01:40 AM

AWE SOME !!!! I put 5 new pics on gallery of tear down & redo .Check it out let me know what you think ! PLEASE !

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

AWE SOME !!!! I put 5 new pics on gallery of tear down & redo .Check it out let me know what you think ! PLEASE !

It looks wonderful. I hope you don't plan to put the amplifier on top of the subwoofer permanently. It is too heavy and hot. There are nice amplifier stands that you can buy or you can build.

red_5ive · 12-21-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak808

I'm looking at their website more specifically the xpa-3 and notice that they are 3 pairs of binding post. Would I take a wire from my receiver channels to each post then from the same post to the speakers?

Have you considered an XPA-5? I know it's slightly more, but might as well get the extra channels while you're spending the $. If you have a 5.1 setup, then you could send clean amplification to all your speakers, and depending on what you're running for surrounds chances are external amplification will open them up and provide a better overall sound field. You can then use the internal amps to power 2 channels for 7.1, or add an XPA-2 later to power your mains.

Just my 2 cents.

crazyBLUE · 12-21-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

It looks wonderful. I hope you don't plan to put the amplifier on top of the subwoofer permanently. It is too heavy and hot. There are nice amplifier stands that you can buy or you can build.

Come on Big Daddy you didn't go far enough ! That BAD-BOY is on the stand !!

Big Daddy · 12-21-2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Come on Big Daddy you didn't go far enough ! That BAD-BOY is on the stand !!

Good. Now it is time to party.

ak808 · 12-21-2008, 08:44 AM

Yeah I was actually thinking about the xpa-5. Thanks for all your guys help.

12-21-2008, 12:16 AM	#1
ak808 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:342	external amp newbie Can someone be so kind to explain the whole external amp thing and how it work? What I want to know is what equipment will be needed. What do they mean by pre/pro? I just bought a pioneer elite vsx-03 and was wondering if I could hook up an external amp to run my front stage. If so any recommendations on the best bang for the buck amps?

12-21-2008, 12:49 AM	#2
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	A Receiver consists of three or four parts: A Pre-amp, a Processor, an Amplifier, and a Tuner. The pre-amp does all the input/output and switching. You connect all your devices (CD, DVD, Sattelite receiver, VCR, etc) to the inputs of the pre-amp. In addition, the volume control is on the pre-amp. The processor is usually part of the pre-amp and does all DSP, HD audio such as Dolby, DTS, etc. This is why we call it pre/pro. The amplifier is simply a box that provides power. You normally do not find many knobs on it. You connect the amplifier's inputs to the pre-amp's output and connect your speakers to the amplifier. The amplifier runs your speakers. Amplifiers can be mono, stereo or multi-channel. The tuner is the radio (AM/FM). You connect the outputs of the tuner to the inputs of the pre-amp. You also connect an antenna to the tuner for better reception. You can use your receiver as a pre-amp and connect it to an external amplifier for better audio quality. That is what I do. Emotiva gives you the best bang for the hard-to-find dollar. Last edited by Big Daddy; 12-21-2008 at 12:54 AM.

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12-21-2008, 12:56 AM	#3
ak808 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:342	That was quick thanks alot. I'm assuming your using the emotiva. Any particular model I should be looking at? I only really want to power the F/C/R maybe the rear surrounds but not really to sure.

12-21-2008, 01:01 AM	#4
ak808 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:342	I'm looking at their website more specifically the xpa-3 and notice that they are 3 pairs of binding post. Would I take a wire from my receiver channels to each post then from the same post to the speakers?

12-21-2008, 01:10 AM	#6
ak808 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:342	This should be common sense but if my bp6s recommended associated amplified power is 20-175watts then I would probably blow them using the xpa3 which has a rating of 200 wats per channel. RIght?

12-21-2008, 01:28 AM	#9
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	HIGH Big Daddy !

12-21-2008, 01:40 AM	#11
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	AWE SOME !!!! I put 5 new pics on gallery of tear down & redo .Check it out let me know what you think ! PLEASE !

12-21-2008, 08:44 AM	#16
ak808 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:342	Yeah I was actually thinking about the xpa-5. Thanks for all your guys help.

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