Amp or upgrade Receiver ??

[arcastro]

I am finally in the market to either upgrade my receiver or add a spearate amp to my HT setup. I have read numerous threads about how the RTi150s need around 200 - 300 watts to make them sing. Will I get more bang for my buck upgrading my receiver to something similar to the Denon 3808/Onkyo 805or adding a separate amp (probably used Adcom, outlaw, etc). I will probably be adding a blu-ray player to the system as well.

Fronts - RTi150
Center - CSi40
Rears - FXi50
Sub - Velyodyne CHT 10
Receiver - Denon 3801
DVD - Denon 2910
TV - Samsung DLP HLT5687S

Thanks for the help.

[pearsall001]

If you're happy with the receiver as a pre-pro then by all means adding an amp is the way to go. The more juice the better.

[tcrossma]

I'd say get the amp because that'll give you the big first step towards separates, which in the end seems to be the way to go IMO. Get an amp that will last you a long time, and then your next upgrade can be to the pre/pro.

[hockeyboy]

I 100% agree with tcrossa. Get the amp. The next upgrade after that will be your receiver.

[wingnut4772]

I am gonna go with amp as well.

[venomclan]

Amp.

[vonnie123]

I like adding the amp as well. If you looking for ADCOM, onecall.com is a factory authorized internet dealer and has great prices on refurbs which come with a manufacturers warranty. Just picked up a multichannel ADCOM GFA-7607 from them earlier this month - ONECALL provided prompt service.

Note some of the larger multichannel amps require a 20 amp electrical breaker. When the Adcom is fired up, it draws a lot of current, but settles down after the initial start up.

[jdhdiggs]

If your current receiver does all the video and audio processing that you want, then this is a really stupid question: Get the amp.

If, however, you are into upconverting on the HDMI stream and the new HD audio/video formats, that gives more weight to changing the receiver that has those features

Then there's the important question: Are you happy with what you have? If so, don't worry about it and save your cash.

If it is lacking in the audio realm, add the amp, if it is lacking in the video realm or missing key features, get the receiver.... In the end, only you can decide what's the most important.

One last point: Amps ARE future proof, receivers are not. Unless an amp gives up the magic smoke, if it works today, it will work 30 years from now just as well.