What affects sound more- amp or reciever?

[Ace944gs]

Hey all-

IYO, what makes the most difference for sound (keeping all other components the same)- an amp or a reciever?

Specifically, I'm working really slowly on building my system, and I currently have an HK 635, which I love. I'm moving to a bigger place in a few weeks, and can't wait to use the money I saved up for some LSi9s for my 2ch. setup. What can I expect when I add an amp, in terms of sound quality? I know my HK is probably underpowered for the LSis, but I love the sound of the HK, and wonder what exactly I should look for for my amp selection. Will buying one particular brand of amp affect the sound differently than another? Thanks!

[AndyGwis]

Hi Ace,

I have the 635 and moved to power amps to help in 2-channel. They do make a big difference, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell you to try out some nice used amps on your LSi9's.

I like the warm sound of the B&K st-202 I purchased and it would mate very well with your 9's in 2-channel. 200wpc would be good for those bookshelfs, although you may need more if you had lsi15, which are more power-hungry due to powering woofers.

Start looking around audiogon for some stereo amps. Where are you located? You can even query for items near you area to save on shipping.

Also, what's your budget for an amp, and have you also considered getting a pre? I have a B&K St-202 and Pro-10MC and love them!

[Ace944gs]

I'm located in Tampa, FL. I havn't really considered a pre, mostly b/c of budget and the fact that I recently bought the 635 and love it :). Unfortunatly I will have to wait a few months after I get the LSi9s to get the amp, so I'm not entirely sure what the exact budget will be, but I'm hoping for sub $500 (is that reasonable?).

I havn't begun doing that much research for the amp, but your response is encouraging! I've heard (personally and from others) only great things from Hks, LSis, and can't imagine adding a good amp will hurt the sound.

[cfrizz]

Hi Ace. Since you like your HK by all means keep it. Just get a 200wpc or more amp to hook up to it & be amazed at the difference.

You will have greater clarity, better musical separation, better bass, as well as being able to really crank it!

Keep a look out @ Audiogon for Parasound, Rotel, Sunfire, Outlaw.

[AndyGwis]

Frizzy is right, no need to ditch the 635. It's a great pre, but I was under the impression the 635 was for your HT setup and you were building an entirely new 2-channel setup with the 9's. My mistake if that's not the case.

I have used my 635 as a pre for quite a bit, no problems there, and it's bass management would easily allow for a sub with those 9's, if you so desire.

$500 on the used market will go a long way. I'm sure you could get something in the $350 / $400 range with the way prices are right now and be totally happy. If you go up to $500, the possibilities are really quite strong for an almost like-new amp from any good company mentioned above.

[faster100]

The answer is all of the above.. I had a denon receiver as a pre and a outlaw amp, sounded nice but i sold the denon and got a stand alone pre-amp for ht.. sounded excellent, night and day almost... now i returned the outlaw amp and for rotel.. similiar wattage and it to sounds different.. you have to, if you have the means and patience to try different amps to see what sound you like or take advice from people who know said amp and brand.. the HK will do nice for a pre-amp with an external amp of your choosing. a better pre will only improve on it, amps........ thier are many, name the wattage, style you like and the sky's the limit... for a 5 channel or more $500 wont cut it... if your talking 2 channel they start at 150 for decents ones and on up..

[F1nut]

no need to ditch the 635. It's a great pre

That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think. It may be OK or good, but great it ain't.

[Ace944gs]

Thanks for the feedback! right now the HK will have to remain as the pre for the 2ch. as well. I honestly rarely watch media needing surround sound, and would say 80-90% is good old stereo music. Thats great news to hear I can get a 2ch. amp in the under $500.00 range, used.

I have to admit as well...the LSi9s will be sub-less for as long as I'm in school. Still, every time I've listened to them w/o sub I'm totally fine w/ the sound...still like them :)

faster100- I guess that is what I'm looking for- advice from people who have used HK & LSis and what their recommendations for amps would be... I havn't found an accomodating store in the area (tweeter is all I've found) for demos...so the sage advice from polk forum members is what I'm going to have to base my decision on!

[ruffjustice]

heat affects quality of sound for tube amps due to the change in bias resistances when tubes become overly heated .. i should know i used to run 300-400 watts om am in 27 mhz. band know as c.b. ; transisitor amps alway's sounded crispy when run at full pwr. so to would run them at 1/4 power to achieve a swing let say dead key 25 watts - 125 peak ! and the am audio would be much louder n clearer for trans. amps, but nothing beats tube amp for that nautral sounding audio ! :eek:

[F1nut]

Ok, who has the decoder ring???

[Dennis Gardner]

Ok, who has the decoder ring???

and that was edited.............

[faster100]

and what does cb amps have to do with this?

I just happen to be an old (young) cb'er and know what's what on that subject.. however in home audio we can't set or adjust our power output besides with the volume knob.....

in cb radio, the driver.. ie: the cb or modulator that drives the bigger amp is what determines the final output.. and is also driven by a persons voice, ie: modulation.. if the driver puts out more the amp puts out more.. and if the driver output is lowered it works in reverse..

so you see, its no where related to home audio :D

derail over :)

[AndyGwis]

Fine, the 635 is an "able" pre-amp. If you're on a budget 2 channel, get the amp first; the 635 will get you by just fine for the time being.

[ruffjustice]

nothing .. just a comparisom in audio quality .. doe's everything i post has to be pick .. like a turkey after thanksgiving day ,lighting up and you will live longer...

[ruffjustice]

nothing.. for comparison relax have a martini or 2..3 dude

[cfrizz]

No offense Ruff, but you took this so far off into...whatever field that you confused the blazes out of everybody!

No one asked for comparisons between tube amps & cb amps?:confused: So no one could figure out what you were talking about!:eek: :D

But I guess as long as you know what you are talking about the rest of us can just stumble around in the dark totally confused!:p ;) :D

[zombie boy 2000]

I fail to see how "lighting up" will help me live longer.:confused:

Wouldn't that just lead to my early demise, or do I have it all wrong:p

[PolkThug]

Ok, who has the decoder ring???

It translates to : "All your base are belong to us."

[jdhdiggs]

HK + LSi = Dark and Veiled. HK amps and LSi's really don't mate well together. My 7's didn't do well with the 5800 and others have reported similar issues. I would recommend a change to an amp ASAP.

If you are serious about the ~$500 for an amp, there are some GREAT amps from brands no one has listed. $350 is about the primo entry point but $500 is were stuff starts getting interesting.