Help on Amp purchase

[malcolmp6]

I need some advise on purchasing a amp.
Here is my set up- Rti8s (front), Csi3, fxi3 (side surrounds) and Rti4(rear surrounds) powered by a yamaha HTR 5990 receiver. I am looking to add a 7 channel amp. My fear is that if I go for a 7x200 w amp- could this damage my center and surround speakers given that they are rated below 200w. Or just amp the fronts and use the receiver for the surrounds. Would this be a good option?
Lastly any suggestions on what amplifiers would sound great given my setup?

[Bill Ayotte]

The 7x200 won't harm your speakers, distortion is what will blow your stuff up. If you buy a quality amp, you won't need to worry about it. Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, Nad.......There are a lot of quality amps out there man, go listem to a few before you choose....I think you will be happy with any of the above...

[F1nut]

The 7x200 won't harm your amp

He means, won't harm your speakers. 99% of the time you're only using a few watts a channel.

[Bill Ayotte]

Oops, beer taking it's toll...Edited.

[zingo]

Beer pays a toll? :confused: Where is it going? This truly is a strange place...

I've toasted a tweeter before by giving the speaker too much power, but it was a 70's Sears speakers being driven by a PA amp that was clipping. Not a good combo. Your speakers will not only be fine, they will sound great! However, if you like it loud, just watch the clipping.

[cfrizz]

Well since PA amps don't belong on home stereo equipment anyway, it was just as well.

[cfrizz]

Welcome Malcolm!

A 7/200wpc amp will make all of your speakers sound great & won't hurt them in the least. Your ears will give out before the speakers do.

Check out Audiogon for good used amps. You will get more bang for the buck that way.

[G-2]

Welcome Malcolm! You've got some great options suggested above! Try to listen to as much different gear as you can.

We look forward to hearing what you come up with!

[skipf]

I'm pushing 250 watts into my LSi-9's that are rated for a max 120 watt. No problems at all. As others have posted, if the amp is a clean one and you don't push it to clipping, you won't have a problem. I've toasted 100 watt rated speakers with a 40 watt amp that clipped at half volumn (dang Yamaha stuff).

[engtaz]

A 7/200wpc amp will make all of your speakers sound great & won't hurt them in the least. Your ears will give out before the speakers do.

I agree. I run 200watts a channel.

[JimBRICK]

that new outlaw amp is wild and their giving $500 off if you preorder right now

[McLoki]

I am running LSi15's (max 250watts), LSi7's (max 150watts) and LSiC (max 200 watts) all on an amp rated at 500wpc (at 4 ohms).

When I purchased it, I called Polk customer service and they told me they have only had a few customers ever blow speakers with to much power. They get people blowing speakers every week from not enough power.

Long story short - dont worry about it. Your ears will tell you when you hit the limits of the speakers. (sound starts to distort and the soundstage completly collapses.)

Michael

BTW - welcome to club polk.

[Monster Jam]

Allow me to throw my two cents in here. If your lucky with a good build quality amp, you'll never replace it if you buy in excess of your needs today.

Example: You buy your 7 channel 200wpc amp. Next year you have the amperage to step up to a different set of speakers that might need the additional power. I guess what I'm saying is don't be afraid to spend a lot of money on a) the amp or b) your speakers.

If only I could take my own advise! :o

[malcolmp6]

Thanks everyone for their inputs. I have shortlisted some amps -the Outlaw 7200, Outlaw 7700 or the AtI 2007. Hard to find any reviews on the ATI 2007 amp. So i am not sure about it.
Can some one tell me the difference between the Outlaw 7200 and the 7700 amps? The outlaw web site says both are balanced. I am not sure if the 7200 is balanced. Also my receiver doesn't have XLR pre-outs for the balanced inputs on the 7700 amp. So if I connect the pre-outs of my receiver to the 7700 RCA inputs - will the 7700 function as a 7200 ?
Thanks.

[cfrizz]

the 7200 is NOT balanced. Since you don't have balanced preouts yourself you should get the 7200. Unless you intend to get a balanced preamp down the road.

[malcolmp6]

I got the new Outlaw 7700 amp and hooked it up yesterday. I was expecting a difference in audio quality but to my dissapointment it sounded the same as before. I guess maybe the effect is visible only when I play it loud. I still have to try it on HT. But bottomline is I am a little dissapointed.

[del44]

Hi Malcolm. Good choices. I thought I had read that ATI manufactures the Outlaw amps. Maybe I'm crazy. Anyone know for sure?

[McLoki]

Congrats on the purchase. Keep it for a week or two, if after that time, you do not feel\hear any benefit to the amp - don't be afraid to send it back. Much more respect for trying something out and deciding its not for you than spending that much and keeping it because someone else thinks you should hear a difference.

I noticed a difference in subtle details with mine, (not just a loud volumes) but that was with my system and my ears.

throw as much testing as you can at it for a few weeks and then if your skirt isn't blown up, send it back. At least you will know.

Michael