Confessions of an Old Polk Junkie

[Marty123]

It started in 1987 when I bought a pair of Monitor 10s in England while in the Air force.

An update to Surround/Dolby Digital added a PSW120 SUB, CS245 Center and RT25 Surround.

For the last year, I had been looking at the newer Polks but I knew that my monitors would never quit.

A few months ago I discovered this board after I searched EBay for Monitor 10s. I found that these speakers were still wanted and read that a better-matched center would be the CS 400I.

I bought a CSi400 off EBay that needed attention and replaced a Driver and Crossover. I also started to really look at the RTi6s or RTi8.

My wife said if I could sell the Monitors I could upgrade. We both like the sound but they didn't look good with the new TV, however they still sounded great.

A deal on RTi12s from CC, that I learned about on this forum brought the Rti12s home. FXi 30s surrounds came off a good deal at Crutchfields. Then a Polk rebate allowed me to get a PSW404 sub.

My monitors are off to PA and my Rt25s will go to a colder climate (AK). Little by little they will find new homes. When will it end?

My system can be view at
My HomeTheatre (http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/showcase/view.php?userid=56101)

[dorokusai]

Great little story Marty, once a Polkie...always a Polkie :D

Well, normally ;)

[HBombToo]

My wife calles our house Stone Henge and its getting worse. Russman has me addicted!

HBomb

[POLKOHOLIC]

Dude, get a 2CH Amp for the Rti12's. They are beasts and you need ~200W/CH RMS minimum of nice clean power to really show em off...if you dont get it then you will blow your tweeters quicker then a whore on crack.

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by POLKOHOLIC
quicker then a whore on crack.

***LOL:D ***

HBomb

[izafar]

Marty,

Your system looks real nice. Looking at the pics I notice that speakers are placed very close to TV, consider placing them a little wider, also it seems that they are towed outwards, once you place them a little wider, you will need a slight inward tow. Also your rear surrouds are mounted too high, try pulling them down a couple of feet.

[Marty123]

I can't due much about about the surrounds because that is where the prewire is located and underneath them is a big opening to our kitchen. I could lower the right one but then I would need to put the left one on a pillar next to the opening and move the wires, maybe someday.

I am not sure about the other comment about getting a separate 2ch amp for the RTi12s. How would I then hook up thr Receiver. My son is going to give me a Dennon that has cleaner power. Would that help?

Ray

[Frank Z]

Welcome!

Adding a seperate amp is a breeze if your receiver has preouts. Connect the outputs from the receiver to the inputs on the amp, and connect the main speakers to the amp.

Nice looking setup, you should be proud!

[Marty123]

Thanks for the compilments any suggestions on a pre-amp / amp.

Ray

[POLKOHOLIC]

If you go seperates then you will need an amp for the rest of the speakers...tell us your budget first marty. seperates can be very costly... For a 2CH Amp Id go with: Rotel (http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rb1080.htm) . What Denon is your son giving you? I would definately look at the reciever for upgrade 1 because it doesnt have pre-outs for an amp. I have beene yeing that Rotel for quite soem time now and looking to purchasing in a couple months(undergoing financial instability at the moment)

[gacole2000]

Nice system!

I might also recommend tilting the CS 400i down a little (raise the back 1/2" or so). I found that it really helped my system with clearer speach by having the tweeter aimed more at ear level.

Welcome- Greg

[Frank Z]

Outlaw 950 for the preamp, and a 755 amp. You can get a B-stock 950 with a brand new amp for $1898. The Outlaw amps are the same as ATI amps for a fraction of the cost. Best bang for the buck by far.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Yes, which receiver will you be running? That's an important question...It will need pre-outs...

If you go the bi-amp route, as I've done...you can actually get a significant upgrade for <$200.

Use the receiver to power the mids and highs on the 12s and a separate 100 WPC (or more) amp to power the lows...This does a couple of things for you...

1 - Keeps your costs down as you're only having to buy an amp for the fronts and not a whole new separates based system

2 - Keeps your sound characteristics the same across all your speakers (since the receiver is powering all the speakers). The lows don't carry a lot of detail, so no problem having an amp on them...

If you have the extra $$$ laying around, by all means go separates...

What I would advise AGAINST is getting an amp to completely power the 12s (not bi-amping). You wanna have whatever source is powering all your other speakers also powering the mids and highs of your 12s...

For amp reccomendations...you'll get a lot of responses...I have the HK PA2000 pulling bi-amp duty in my setup and it works fine...