Getting Started

[Rennrig]

Hello,

I am trying to put together a system for a large room (30X20 Timberframe/vaulted ceiling). I currently have a "discreet" system with some Mirage Nanosats, Infinity Sub, powered by a Yamaha 497 Receiver. I like this platform because I mainly run XM and my Ipod off the 497.

I am looking at a Yamaha 797 and a pair of RTi A7's, AND preamp out to the 497 to run the Nanosats. Plan B is to run the A7's off an amp (I have been looking at the B&K 125.2 and 200.2 units) for more snot as I hear these speakers crave power. If I am not satisfied in 60 days I will upgrade to the A9's, at which point the amp will come in even more handy. I will use the 797 as a preamp/source type unit.

I have three questions.

1. are there any good pre-amps/integrated amps out there with XM support and/or Ipod support.

2. are these B&K Reference series amps overkill for the Polk speakers.

3. Should I go straight to the A9's (do not pass go!)

Any advice is welcome on filling up this room with some new, and big, sound.

Cheers,

Rennrig

[concealer404]

1) Don't know, honestly

2) Nope.

3) ABSOLUTELY!!!! That's a huge room, go big or go home, plus most people seem to like the A9s better than the A7s. :)


Welcome! :)

[Rennrig]

Sweet,

I like your enthusiasm for the A9's, do you think this 200.2 running out of the Yamaha 797 is an OK config? I know it is not exactly a pre-amp, but it does support my two main sources (XM - Ipod)

Thanks

[RuSsMaN]

I will stand behind one statement, if nothing else regarding Polk speakers. They respond VERY well to GOOD back end components. The word overkill really need not apply to amp selection, the Polks will just keep getting better and better. (and I apply this to ALL Polk, beit vintage, reference floorstander, or entry bookies - ALL Polk)

Example, at one of the Lonestar Bottlehead meets at my house, I had some T90e (Monitor 60) running on a vintage Nakamichi separates setup. Good stuff, a little long in the tooth for solid state, but still good. There ended up being an 'extra' pair of Cary 300b monoblocks at the meet - so we went ahead and put the $5000 amps on the $500 speakers. It ended up being the favorite rig of the day, literally shocking.

Give your Polks the best you can afford to do, and reap the results.

Cheers,
Russ

EDIT - I actually prefer the larger, single midbass in the A7, vs the dual smaller midbass in the A9 - the lower mids have a more natural sound to me, especially in male vocals. That, and if you are running a decent subwoofer, the A7 is plenty 'full range' for the task, the extra driver and cabinet volume of the A9 aren't needed for most rooms (again - moreso if a sub is involved).

[tonyb]

Good advice Russ,nuthin' like quality gear to see what your speakers are capable of.

[bsoko2]

Rennrig - when you can afford it, go with SDA's. I have a room 18 X 28 with cathedral ceilings and my SDA SRS 2.3TL's sound fantastic. With a room as large as yours, it is the way to go. I use them for 2 ch music as well as 7.1 system for movies.

Bill

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

First welcome to CP! :)

Second: being an owner of both the RTiA 9 & RTiA 7 i would say that you would be better suited with the A9's due to room size and preffered 2ch listening. I find the A9's to be more "musical" :o

Don't get me wrong they are both GOOD sounding speaker's and being fed from my AVR provided me with a rather enjoyable playback experience in both 2ch and multi channel :) But man o man did they ever wake up when i added a separate amp! :D

I don't have anything as fancy as a B & K (just a "lowly" Emotiva) but separate amplification is DEFINATELY the way to go with either of these babies! 200w/ch would be my starting point :)

Also when you get hold of them make shure to remove the factory jumper bar on the binding post's and replace them with a small section of speaker wire ;) Made a VERY noticeable improvement in SQ on both model's and my CSiA 6 as well :cool:

Of course this is just my $0.02

[WesKParker]

I have no experience with this, but did see it the other day.
It's made by a reputable company.

Shanling MC 3000

http://www.musichallaudio.com/detail.php?p=58

http://www.musichallaudio.com/product_images/mc_3000/MC-3000.jpg

[Rennrig]

That is a sweet looking unit. Thanks for getting that to me.

I found a pair of B & K 200.1 Mono Block amps I am going to bid on, this unit could front end those amps and drive some A9's.

I just wish the A9's did not have such a large foot print. It is one reason I was leaning to the A7's. I don't want the "significant other" to freak out to much about the cabinet size.

All of this information is very helpful, as it is a lot to sort out, and expensive!!

Rennrig

[Rennrig]

OK, so I have some clarity on this system. My plan is to go with:

a pair of A7's (size was the issue with other people in the house)

a pair of B & K Reference 200.1 Mono Amps (good deal, and lots of possibilities down the road)

a Yamaha 797 Receiver on the front end running mainly Ipod and XM Radio source.

Straight up Two Channel Deal.

Thanks for the input, from everyone.

Cheers,

[cfrizz]

Congrats & welcome to Club Polk!