Amp VS Receiver

[Audiokarate089]

I just have a question. I have a pair of RTI12's right now they are hooked up to a harman kardon AVR 520. Now I was pretty sure I would be needing an amp to power them to really get them to shine. However I was reading online about a receiver I was going to get a denon Avr 3805, I found an article on bi-amping the speakers through the denon. Now my question is would this suffice enough for these speakers OR would it be better just to keep the HK and move onto a 2 channel Amp. I have a Csi5 center and a pair of RTI 100''s in the rear that I was just going to power with the receiver. Any suggestions would be helpful. Budget is about...1200$ for either amp or receiver.

[okiepolkie]

Get a good two channel or three channel amp for the front stage.
Amps in your price range: Rotel, Outlaw, Adcom, ...

Others will have better options on brands, but I would bypass the new receiver option and just get the separate amplifier.

[Dennis Gardner]

I would get the 3805 for it's processing abilities not it's amps.
The HK may actually sound better than the Denon on some material. If you don't need more processing power, I would buy an outboard amp since the 12s will still be more speaker than the Denon could drive well and pocket $500.

I may be biased since I have an HK 7200 and just love the sound!

[Audiokarate089]

Thanks for the info. I am going to go with an amp just need to decide on one. I have been looking at the adcoms and the rotels although is there a point where it can become overkill? Any particular models anyone would recommend for the rti12's? Thanks for the sugesstions.

[F1nut]

Originally posted by Audiokarate089
is there a point where it can become overkill?

NEVER!!!:D

[Audiokarate089]

Originally posted by F1nut
NEVER!!!:D

ha I didnt think so. Nonetheless I have been looking at MANY brands of amps. Rotel,Parasound,Adcom just to name a few. Has anyone heard or had any particular expierence with one over the other that just stands out. as I said budget is about 1200$ and there seems to be a fair offering of amps availible for that price. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some time to find some dealers that sell some of these amps. thanks for anything you may suggest.

[F1nut]

If you don't mind buying used (and you shouldn't) take a look at www.audiogon.com for your amp needs.

I've picked out a few that I think are worth looking at.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1109716166

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1109687782

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1109624948

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1109619695

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1109600727

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1108100872

[Audiokarate089]

have no problem at all buying used. I came across the rotel earlier and was defintly considering that one. I havent heard the marsh amp yet. however it seems to have some shining reviews online and the price is defintly right. Thanks for all of those suggestions..it leaves so many options anything else anyone may come accross that seems like a good deal please post. thanks

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Take a look also at the parasound HCA1500A or the 1200 MKII...both very nice amps and would leave you some money left over to upgrade something else as well...

[Polkapops]

I also own a Denon 3805 with a pair of RTi12's up front -
I just purchased an Outlaw 770 (200w x 7ch) from their 'B' stock for $1549 last week. Free shipping as well. Haven't checked to see what else is in their 'B' stock bin, but here is their website:
http://www.outlawaudio.com/home.html
With the new amp, everything seems 'closer' - more involved....
Good luck and happy hunting! Sometimes it can be frustrating but I have learned SO MUCH from this site that I've found the hunt is half the fun! Well, maybe not half - The REAL fun comes when you're grinning ear to ear in astonishment listening to the new gear!! :D

[Audiokarate089]

Yea I have learned a lot along the way. I am probably going to audition the parasounds tomorrow I found a dealer here that sells them. Thanks for the suggestions defintly needed them. I am sure I will be asking more questions on here once I get my new amp. :)