Advice on 2 channel upgrade path

[Shizelbs]

I had a similar post in the off topic section, but I will do it here as well. I admit, I love my R series setup for HT, but I can't really get into surround for music. I really find it annoying to be surrounded by all parts of the drum set in music. DVD-A is pretty cool, but I am not there yet. Anyways, I just can't seem to get into PL2 or anything surround for my music. I really enjoy it all more on my R40's in two channel.

So, my question to you all is, what would you do? Would investing in an amp help me out in my overall enjoyment of two channel sound or should I go with a nice pair of headphones and a headphone amp? Any specific suggestions for amp or headphones? Nothing too extreme, but I don't want to be too cheap either. Thanks for your help.

[dcarlson]

I'm interested in this one too.

Mantis gave me some good advice on what to do with my system. I think I may do away with my HT and focus on 2 channel. Probably Rotel preamp and poweramp to replace my receiver.

Derick.

[rscamer]

why not just tell your receiver you have no rear or center speaker.
I do this all the time depending on what I am listening to.
some stuff sounds better with the center off other stuff is better
with the rears off. It all depends on the mix that was put on the disk. what kind of setup do you have? I have a Denon with a carver runing my mains.

[F1nut]

The better the power, the better the sound and nothing beats 2 channel hi-fi.

[Shizelbs]

Rscamer,

I do switch to 2 channel for music now. My receiver is nice and all I have to do is press a button on the remote to get only my two front mains. Just wondering if an amp or headphones would be the better upgrade for trying to get to two channel heaven.

[F1nut]

Get the amp.

Check out Rotel, Sony ES, Parasound, PS Audio, Arcam, Belles Hot Rod, B&K and Musical Fidelity. They all make decent amps or integrated amps. If you can demo any of the above and like one of them, but find the price for a new one is too much, then shop around for a used one on Audiogon or eBay.

[phuz]

Originally posted by F1nut
Get the amp.

Check out Rotel, Sony ES, Parasound, PS Audio, Arcam, Belles Hot Rod, B&K and Musical Fidelity. They all make decent amps or integrated amps. If you can demo any of the above and like one of them, but find the price for a new one is too much, then shop around for a used one on Audiogon or eBay.

I second that. That will be one of the greatest improvements at this point. Then you will be ready for some RTi or LSi speakers in the future when/if you decide to upgrade. (amps are timeless for the most part, buy one and keep it forever as long as it works)

[Shizelbs]

And you all think that a nice amp will help my R40's open up?

[phuz]

A little bit, yes. It won't be a huge difference, but it will help.

I was in the exact situation last year. I had a pair of R40's and a receiver. I was planning on upgrading speakers down the line, and I happened to find a good deal on an amp so I bought it.

There was an improvement, nothing really dramatic but it is a great start to an overall upgrade path.

[Shizelbs]

What amp did you go with Phuz?

[phuz]

Rotel RB-990BX :D

The ones mentioned by F1nut above are really good choices.

I'd ad NAD, Marantz, and Adcom to the list though. Just try to get at least 100 wpc @ 8 ohms, and get an amp that can handle 4 ohms so that you will not have to upgrade for a long... long time (if ever).

www.audiogon.com and ebay will have tons of choices.

[F1nut]

I concur with phuz's additions and there are even more, but one of those will get you closer to 2 channel heaven. I also agree that you should get one that will handle 4 ohm loads, it's one sign of a well designed amp and will open up any future speaker upgrades.

[gidrah]

Please tell us your current receiver situation. There has already been atleast one member that bought an amp for an expected upgrade only to find out that he couldn't hook it up.

If you own a 5.1 receiver that has pre-outs for the front, try to buy an amp from the same company at least. If not, when you go back to 5.1 it'll sound less than optimal. If that's not a big issue, I'd look for power. I've never seen a 200w/ch@8Ohm amp driving a 4Ohm load, but I've heard of less powered amps that are rated for 4Ohms go tits up when expected to do otherwise.

My receiver has a 2nd zone with pre-outs. I've used this succesfully with a number of amps for a 2-ch rig. The speakers I used were seperate from (or in addition to) my HT rig. The different amps and speakers added sort of blend to the front.

BTW: Someday my center and rears MIGHT match my fronts as far as make/model go. Then again I'd have to build those too if I can find the drivers.

[phuz]

Good points Gidrah. I think he has an Onkyo TX-SR600, and I thought that receiver had preamp outs, but I was wrong.

It'll be tough if not impossible to ad an amp with that reciever.

[gidrah]

Once upon a time I was all into manufacturer specs and options. I've since decided to lapse.

Onkyo generally makes good stuff! If he can't upgrade the amps, I'd look for better wire/cables and try to trim the sub/main speaker relation to what is best for his room. Try to get a good blend while putting the lower end on any applicable subwoofer amp.

[Shizelbs]

Well, I guess that answers that

[gidrah]

I win again!

Well, I'm sorry to hear about your predicament, but glad it was caught it early on. There are a few amps out there (nOrh and a few others) that can be added to your speaker line but they cost money.

Gidrah69@yahoo.com is always open.

[TroyD]

If it were me, I would look at some used 2ch gear that can be had on the cheap to see if 2ch is REALLY the way you wanted to go.

I'd think about perhaps, an older NAD (say 3020) integrated or something of like that. I think that there is a lot of merit to a good integrated amp.

OR, I would look at the Marantz monoblocks, the MA500's (I think that's the model#) are 125wpc or so (I'm doing this from memory) and can be found pretty reasonable. The added bonus of the monoblocks is that they can be easily incorporated back into HT if you were to decide that you wanted to stick with HT. You could just pick up a third and have the monos for L,R anc C channels.

Your options are nearly limitless....

Just my .02.....

BDT

[madmax]

I would look for an EL-34 tube based amp :)
madmax