Any home theater buffs?

BlackSunshine · 11-01-05, 10:51

I'm looking for a recommendation on equipment. I'm not actually a home theater fan, per se, because I listen to 95% 2 channel audio (music.) I am going to be picking up a set of Klipsch RF-7 speakers (I love Klipsch sound) to replace my cheap Infinity Studio Monitors but am a little concerned that my 110 watt x 5 RMS Yamaha receiver won't pack enough punch to really accentuate what these speakers can do. They're pretty serious speakers from what I understand, but they are a little bit power hungry, although they are quite efficient for how large they are. Seems a popular way to go is with a tube amp... but, I haven't won the lottery yet.

I don't have much (okay, any) experience with using separate components (pre-amp, amp, receiver, etc.), as in the past, I have always just used my receiver to plug everything into, and been content with that. My receiver now does have a pre-amp output, so I am considering simply adding a pre-amp to it. However, I have no idea how this works or what to expect. Also, the prices I'm seeing for these are ridiculous. I'm talking over $1000 for a pre-amp. I don't need anything that fancy. Really all I want is something to boost my power (Klipsch recommends 200watts per speaker).

I was hoping somebody here could make a recommendation for a pre-amp that won't break the bank, but will allow me to get the extra 90 watts I need. Does ONLY the pre-amp supply wattage, or is it a combination of the pre-amp and the receiver? So, since my receiver is 110 watts, would I need a 90 watt pre-amp, or do I need a pre-amp with the full 200 watts?

Wow, that was a lot for a car detailing forum. What can I say? I like the attitudes and knowledge around here. Why not throw this out there?

When I'm finished, I would like to be running my RF-7 mains, two surrounds, a center, and my SVS subwoofer. Thanks for any help, advice, anything ya got.

John Styrnol · 11-01-05, 11:09

To tell you the truth your current reciever will handle the 5 speakers you have. The sub will have to be amplified though. The only thing a pre-amp does is 2 channel (tone, source selection, balance). A processor which are in 5+ channel recievers does the same (dsp selection, source selection etc). All Klipsch speakers are very efficient. I use to have a Yamaha receiver and Klipsch speakers, to me when listening to music was way to bright, but for movies wes very nice. If you have anymore questions let me know.

BlackSunshine · 11-01-05, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Styrnol

To tell you the truth your current reciever will handle the 5 speakers you have. The sub will have to be amplified though. The only thing a pre-amp does is 2 channel (tone, source selection, balance). A processor which are in 5+ channel recievers does the same (dsp selection, source selection etc). All Klipsch speakers are very efficient. I use to have a Yamaha receiver and Klipsch speakers, to me when listening to music was way to bright, but for movies wes very nice. If you have anymore questions let me know.

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about maybe also getting a newer receiver, as I see some that have 170 watts per channel. I'm not sure how much of an improvement I'll get with 60 additional watts per channel over what I have now. My subwoofer is powered, so it just needs to be plugged into the receiver and it's good to go. Unforunately, it doesn't have a frequency level knob, so it doesn't pick up even some kick drum (bass drum) on certain recordings. I know I go against the grain when I say I like to feel and hear the bass in my music. Seems most aficionados think of bass as an afterthought, looking more for a well-rounded sound, which is also important, but I do like the bass to be highlighted. Probably because I play the bass guitar myself. So, needless to say, I'm hoping the RF-7s with the twin 10 inch woofers in each enclosure will pump out some good bass.

In my case, I'm not really worried about the surround/center channels, because like I said, I listen to 2 channel music the vast majority of the time, but I do need the other channels to be there for DVDs, SACDs, etc.

tdekany · 11-01-05, 12:45

I would first see what the Yamaha can do before you spend any money.

Second, when you connect another amp, you are bypassing the receiver's own amp.

If you need one, I'd suggest Parasound. Go to www.audiogon.com for high end stuff at a steal.

BTW, you need a power amp (amp) not a preamp. The receiver is your preamp.

The woofers in the speaker isn't really going to deliver the sub bass you are after. You will need a dedicated subwoofer. www.hsuresearch.com

MorBid · 11-01-05, 01:07

I have a Yamaha RX-V995 that's part of my 3 year old HT setup with a Pioneer SD-643HD5 64" HDTV.

The previous repsonse is correct in that if you have a Receiver/Amplifier then you don't need to pre-amp unless

a) you want to (pureist prefer it) and your Receiver/Amp has pre-out's or Main/out's

and or

b) you don't have a receiver/amp just a reciever.

I chose Paradigm's for my speakers (Reference Studio 60's for the mains) and the Yamaha with's it's 100W per channel does me some justice.

here are some links you can do some research at

Audio Review
AVS Forums
Home Theater Forums

Hope this helps

tdekany · 11-01-05, 01:17

[quote=MorBid]

I am on avs!

MorBid · 11-01-05, 01:30

well imagine that, I didn't know we autopians were such a diverse group. I love that spot. I bounce from hobby to hobby which means from forums to forums.

AVS is like here. Alot of people helping each other out with out the hassle and putting people down cuz they know less than you

BlackSunshine · 11-01-05, 01:51

Hey thanks for the replies guys. I have browsed the Audio Review website and various forums and man, that stuff is overwhelming to me.

Regarding the pre-amp, the only reason I even brought it up was because when I e-mailed Klipsch about recommendations to power the RF-7s, he said he recommends 200watts and that if my receiver had a pre-amp output, the best thing to do would be to add a pre-amp. He also said the 110 watts I have now will drive them just fine, but maybe not to super high volume levels (which doesn't really matter to me.)

tdekany-- I already have a dedicated subwoofer. I have the SVS PB10-ISD. Problem is, without a frequency knob, I can't really adjust it to pick up much of the bass frequencies encountered in most music reproductions. Maybe I'll step up to the 12 to get that, after I get the Klipsch's.

the other pc · 11-01-05, 01:59

Klipsch has always been known as a premier maker of highly sensitive speakers. That is, speakers that take less power to play louder than others. Paul Klipsch always felt that what the world needed was a really good 5W amp.

The RF-7s' rated sensitivity is 102db @2.83V/1m. That translates as playing freaking loud with only 1 Watt of drive. With your present 110W amp you'll be able to make ears bleed in the next county.

PC.

PrinzII · 11-01-05, 02:41

I am a member on Home Theater Forum and definitely agree with Yamaha as far as receivers go. Other brands you may want to consider:

Denon
Marantz
Onkyo
Outlaw
NAD

Speakers I would recommend:

Velodyne
Energy
Paradigm
B&W
Polk Audio (RT series)

However, a lot of people neglect to mention the cabling even though it is pretty critical as well.

MorBid · 11-01-05, 02:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrinzII

However, a lot of people neglect to mention the cabling even though it is pretty critical as well.

Opps, your right. I forgot.

PrinzII · 11-01-05, 02:53

Morbid: It's all good.

My dream setup consists of the following:

Yamaha RX-Z9 Receiver
B&W DM 600 S3 Speakers (Mains)
B&W LCR 600 S3 Center Channel Speaker
3 B&W LM-1 Bookshelf Speakers ( Surrounds)
Denon DVD-2910 DVD Player
Velodyne DD1012 Subwoofer
Cabling: Tributaries