Amp advice for RTi A9's

[jdustinb]

Recenlty acquired some RTi A9's for a 7.1 setup (Polk RTi A9, CSi A6, FXi A6 and some old RT3000p monitors in the back) on a Denon AVR-3312ci. I can already tell the A9's are power hungry, much more than the receiver is capable of providing. HT Labs measurements for the receiver:

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 79.5 watts
1% distortion at 96.8 watts

Yet A9's are rated for 50 - 500w. The question is, where do I begin for amplification. I've got the preouts and I've read a lot about Emotiva Amps. The XPA-2 seems like a nice choice to power the fronts and I've read enough where I'd prefer to go that route for the fronts over the XPA-3 or XPA-5 (plan to add additional amplification for the rest down the line anyway). On the flip side, I've also read that Emotiva is generally considered good entry level, but that there are higher quality used amps out there to do the job for the same price or less.

I found a pair of local used Rotel RB-980BX amps, which when bridged can be 360w mono for about half the entry price of an XPA-2. I know there are more specs to be looking at than just pure wattage, but some insight on some good used amps, either mono or multi-channel, would be much appreciated.

To throw another idea out there entirely, I'm also interested on thoughts about using a tube amp to power these. My listening habits are pretty evenly dispersed between movies/gaming/music.

[Drenis]

I have a Carver TFM-42 that would power them loud enough to make you deaf if you wanted that much.

[jdustinb]

I have a Carver TFM-42 that would power them loud enough to make you deaf if you wanted that much.

Tempting. If only in-home auditions were easier to make happen.

[nhhiep]

HK citation 5.1 with 300 WPC x2 for around $300 shipped. there is one on ebay now.

[MADGSF]

I would think the right tubes would sound great on those speakers but price could be a factor. Good suggestions here also B&K and Parasound. Don't be afraid of used and check Audiogon for good deals.

[jkg123]

No experience here, however from researching that very issue myself, it seems that Emotiva has been a popular choice

[jkg123]

and affordable one too

[F1nut]

Popular and affordable fits the bill for the first time entry level folks. Those that know better look elsewhere.

[jkg123]

But is it not true that everyone has their own tastes of what sounds good?

[jkg123]

I mean, the OP's system is a very nice one (I own many of the same speakers), however where do you draw the line in terms of cost? I think everyone has their own point. If I had $2000 - $3000 to spend on an amp, I would probably be looking at even higher end
speakers.

[Inspector 24]

VERY happy with my Parasound HCA-2003. They've previously been powered by Yamaha HTR-5990 140wpc (crap, no power), Parasound HCA-1206 135wpc (warmer sound, more depth, not enough punch). The 2003 was a huge upgrade, depth, size, punch everything. I get the feeling I'd have to hear them with a much better, much more expensive amp to justify an upgrade. Perhaps a HCA-3500, or something out of the Halo series, but at 4-5x the cost?? Could probably get more for my money by upgrading speakers.

[rukawakaide1721]

same here bro....searching for a Power to power my RTI A9 also and CSI A6...

my target is to get emotiva xpa 3 to power the left centre and right, or emotiva xpa 2 to power the fronts and the centre will run through my AVR...or emotiva xpa 5...to bi-amp the fronts...

[tonyb]

I mean, the OP's system is a very nice one (I own many of the same speakers), however where do you draw the line in terms of cost? I think everyone has their own point. If I had $2000 - $3000 to spend on an amp, I would probably be looking at even higher end
speakers.

You don't need to spend 2-3 g's on a good amp. Plenty under 1000 bucks ,even 600 for good quality used amps. There's plenty of room between Emotiva and other amps without breaking the bank.

Aside from that, I wouldn't be looking to get an underpowered amp and trying to run it bridged in mono. Most amps in that configuration don't like impedance swings. If mono is your thing, buy a mono amp for that purpose.

Also, let me suggest to the OP that he may be better served with regular bi-pole surround speakers than the top portion of old 3000p's. Something to think about.

[Ginn]

same here bro....searching for a Power to power my RTI A9 also and CSI A6...

my target is to get emotiva xpa 3 to power the left centre and right, or emotiva xpa 2 to power the fronts and the centre will run through my AVR...or emotiva xpa 5...to bi-amp the fronts...

Did you get the XPA-5? I've got one on order and I have almost the same set up as you.
I have rtia9 with a csia6, fxi03 surrounds and a psw505.
I've got the Onkyo tx-nr3008 but I felt I could get better sound even though I bi-amped the onkyo.
I plan on bi-amping the xpa-5 and send 400w to each of the rtia9 and 200 to the centre. I just don't know how I'm going to wire up the amp to the avr. Any suggestions?

[F1nut]

I've got the Onkyo tx-nr3008 but I felt I could get better sound even though I bi-amped the onkyo.

You're not bi-amping squat with your AVR.

I plan on bi-amping the xpa-5 and send 400w to each of the rtia9 and 200 to the centre.

Bi-amping without using active crossovers is a complete waste of time and money.

[tonyb]

Polly want a cracker Jess ?

Guys....the more speakers you run with an avr the less power all channels deliver. The Onkyo is a very capable receiver btw. Also, the top portion of the speaker doesn't use that much power, if you send 200 watts to just the top, and it may use 50 of those, the other 150 watts is lost and not available to the rest of the speaker to use. Make sense ?

If they are not sounding up to snuff, look at your source and cabling too.....along with placement within your room.

[Tankman]

You're not bi-amping squat with your AVR.



Bi-amping without using active crossovers is a complete waste of time and money.

+1..what he said.

[Ginn]

You're not bi-amping squat with your AVR.



Bi-amping without using active crossovers is a complete waste of time and money.

Ok so with what I have what is the best way of setting up my system?
Front rtia9
centre csia6
surround fxi03
sub psw505
avr onkyo 3008
amp emotiva xpa-5

The rtia9's have 2 set's of terminals so should I send 200w to each terminal or send 400w to the whole speaker and let the power go where it want's to go?
Should I somehow mod the speakers or do I need something else to make it work better?
Cheers,

[tonyb]

Hook up one channel for each of your 5 speakers and be done. The 9's are an 8 ohm speaker and don't require gobbs of power. More power, yes but not a truckload.

What are you using as a source for music ? Cables ? Crossover set at ? Placement ? Everything plays a role in the end result, don't sell anything short on importance.

[B Run]

I'd replace your stock jumpers after you hook them all up, +1 don't waste your time "bi-amping"

[zane77]

+1 Replace the stock jumpers, don't bother with bi-amping as F1 says, but unlike hime I enjoy the XPA-2 ont the fronts. See sig

[snake1]

Not trying to hijack, but what are y'alls thoughts about outlaw amps?? Monos from them come very reasonable.

[Sherardp]

Not trying to hijack, but what are y'alls thoughts about outlaw amps?? Monos from them come very reasonable.

I started out with the Outlaw M2200 on my RTi12s, and they performed flawlessly. Great amp, they sound very good, and they ran rather cool to the touch. If the funds allow I would just do it once and buy a multi-channel amp. If not the Outlaw is a great choice to get started with. I would also suggest Sunfire multi-channels also, since they can be had for good prices.

[dbryant]

I think your receiver has enough power. Upgrade the subwoofer and you will receive greater impact

[dbryant]

I think your receiver has enough power. Upgrade the subwoofer and you will receive greater impact

[Toolfan66]

I have tried many amps with the A9's and for music my ears get fatigued after awhile, yes I have even tried tubes and even though they mellow them a little I still get fatigued. My 5802 sounded best with them and really brought them to life.

I have tried the XPA2 and the XPA3 and for music they are just not there, very harsh IMO. I still have the XPA3 with my SC-07 the only reason I still have it is for HT they are a bang for for the buck and its paid for so what the hell, and I only use that rig for movies and sports. Also I have no desire to upgrade or tweak it any more then what's there.

My two channel rig is my hobby and well I would rather put money there then anymore in my HT..

SDA's, Wyred4Sound, Technics 1210 TT, kw SACD PLayer, Adcom, Dared, Tubes, MIT Shotguns, Power Cables, Room Treatments is where it's at for me and the world I choose to live in... Someday I want to live in a world of Horns..


Good luck in what you choose and you have a good foundation to work with. There are a lot of people that just want good sound and not looking at this being a hobby and wanting to tweak everything to the degree some of us do around here let alone being able to afford to do so. Be happy with what you have, and just do your homework..

[Ginn]

So my XPA-5 showed up yesterday and I set it up. Here's what happened.
I have an Onkyo tx-nr3008 which is pushing out 145w x 9 channel. Yes I know that when more than 2 speakers are running it's not pushing that much power out. I had them straight wired and bi-amped and you could not get the speakers to perform. There was very little bass and the top end was lacking with lacking treble. Even when I ran stereo with just the 2 rtia9's on, the sound was good but nothing to brag about.
Here comes the good part. I set the xpa-5 up to my 3 front speakers. I have 200w going to the centre with 400w going to each tower. Since the rtia9's have 2 sets of post's I sent 200w to the top mid's and highs and 200w to the 3 x7" woofers.
The clarity out of the mid's and high's are clear and crisp with amazing contrast between the music and voices. The bass out of the bottom half is tight and loud. I actually had to turn my bass down on the speakers cause the wife was complaining. I have a psw505 which doesn't need to be turned on at all unless you're looking for the low bass in some movies.
I love the look of the rtia9's, and the sound quality was good but never really impressed me..... until now. These speakers do need a lot of power to sing and the Emotiva xpa-5 is doing an amazing job. I've only had it for 24hours but I had Dire straights, ozzy, jimmy H, G&R, and some r&b cranked, and i've never heard that kind of sound out of the RTI's.
I was in Fry's Electronics a couple weeks ago and they had a set of LSI25's for sale at $450 each. I was so close to buying them but decided to amp the RTI's. I have to say the LSI's really impressed me when it came to music. They had them set up in a theatre room with a jazz dvd playing and the speakers sounded amazing. I think for HT they wouldn't have been as good as the RTI's, but if I had the money and the rooms I would have the RTI's as a theatre set up and LSI's for strictly music.
That's just my opinion.
Cheers,

[cfrizz]

Congrats, now you know what adding real power can do for your speakers. You also might want to try just connecting all of your speakers to your amp, the surrounds enjoy getting power as well. Enjoy.

[tonyb]

Gotta love it. Once you add an amp to your system and see what it does, you'll never do without one again. Congrats on the amp, the rabbit hole awaits you.

[austingsmith]

I just want to say thanks to all that posted - I am looking at pretty much the same thing... these forums have been a godsend to give me ideas for improvement and NOT waste cash time and effort................. THANKS ALL!