What are you RTiA9 owners using to drive your speakers?

[Gulfstrings]

Considering trading out my A7s for a set of A9s. Huge power range spec on these 9s. What are you all using to drive your 9s?

Thanks.

[Ronman79]

Well, I have one of the higher-end Onkyo receivers from a few years back - the TX-SR876 (2nd from top of the line). Those big Onkyos are pretty heavy duty on the amp sections. They seem to be doing fine, but I'm wanting to go with a seperate amp from the pre-outs on my receiver, just for the A9s. I'm considering the Emotiva XPA-2 at 300x2

RM

[62caddy]

I have both A7 & A9.

McIntosh MC 2155 150 watt rated (200 watt actual) with the 9s.

[bklynNupe]

External amp is a must for the a9's.
I use a XPA-2, it's a great deal new with a warranty. Plenty of used amps talked about here as well, just do a search. I'm not a big fan of the a9's for music.

[zane77]

I use the XPA-2 also, works very well, I use the system below for mostly home theater but I do occasionally listen to some music on it in two channel and it sounds pretty good.

[xcapri79]

The XPA-2 is fine, but get yourself a pair of XPA-1's and you can really crank them up. My RTi12's sound so good with them for music and HT!

[jbooker82]

What ever you decide on I would get that first. That way you can properly drive the A7's and at least here them to their full potential before swapping them out.

[Inspector 24]

Parasound HCA-2003A rated 220wpc. 60 amps current/Channel

http://www.parasound.com/vintage/hca2003a.php

It rocks. Far superior to running them off an AVR, or the Hca-1206 I had before it.

[B Run]

Pioneer SC-35 for now, i've been happy with its performance.

[Geoff4rfc]

Also using an XPA-2, also love 'em for music. Plan on getting an XPR-2

[zane77]

Come on Geoff get the new amp and let's see a review!

[Geoff4rfc]

Come on Geoff get the new amp and let's see a review!

Zane, if you only knew how close I was to actually snaggin' the XPR-2, money in the account, finger on the trigger, thank God it wasn't a hair trigger or all would be dead right now!!!!!!

Tax return came back, wife said, "here ya go, get what you want"...................I WANT the xpr, I NEED a new computer. So, that's what I ended up getting instead, don't think I didn't try talking myself into just keeping the POS I have right now. It was an epic battle, the worst I've ever been though with the angel/devil on the shoulders routine, I was....so......close....

I've got a list of stuff on CL right now trying to get myself in postion to put my finger back on the trigger.

But the PC I've got coming, let me put it to you this way, it's like going from the smallest entry level AVR driving my set up to going to a pair of XPR-1's driving my set up.

[Gulfstrings]

Good stuff, thanks. Appears to be quite a range of power being supplied to those big beauties!

I'm asking because I've recently changed out my NAD amp for a Marantz MM7055 (sig below) and thought with the extra power I might trade my A7s for the A9s. Marantz says the MM 7055 puts out 145 W/Ch with all 5 driven which is about the midpoint for the A7s (50-300) but below the midpoint for the A9s (50-500).

Believe the UPS guy may be making a delivery in the future ...

[mu1166]

I have been driving mine with a SC-35 and just upgraded to the SC-67. I have been very pleased so far but I am sure an amp will be in the future.

[jaygax]

is the XPR-2 better than just getting two XPA-1 monoblocks?

[michael1947]

Hi guys, nice to hear this is the thread Not bashing Emo gear. I'm using my XPA-5 to bi-amp my big SDA's on my fronts but will be changing it out. I have my A-9's moved in and sitting next to the SDA's and ready to make the switch and the A-9's look so tiny next to the big boys. So my A-9's will have 2 of the XPA-5's amps each and total of 400 watts...should light them up. I did pick up a Parasound 5, HCA-5250, channel for this system but I think I will hold off, as that XPA is really doing the job. I may move the SDA's and HCA-5250 to my workout room when time permits...probably next fall.

[F1nut]

Marantz says the MM 7055 puts out 145 W/Ch with all 5 driven which is about the midpoint for the A7s (50-300) but below the midpoint for the A9s (50-500).

Strange way to figure things.

What do you expect to gain from the A9's that you don't have already?

[F1nut]

Hi guys, nice to hear this is the thread Not bashing Emo gear.

I'm more than happy to change that, emo sucks!

[txcoastal1]

I'm more than happy to change that, emo sucks!

Thanks Jesse...just blew my tea and sandwich on my desk

[Thorton]

I went from A7's to A9's. IMO - big improvement in 2 channel with the A9's. HT is excellent with either. Powering with Parasound 2250. After starting with the A7's, I probably will never power again with an AVR.

[Gulfstrings]

Strange way to figure things.

What do you expect to gain from the A9's that you don't have already?

Not sure my figuring is so strange in that both speakers have a published range of power-acceptance with th 9s exceeding the 7s by more than 60% at the top end. I've added about 40% more output when changing from the NAD to the Marantz amp. If I knew that the 9s would perform well with this increased input - and that they are indeed superior to the 7s (with the additional drivers), I would consider/am considering a change.

Maybe the question goes to the assumed superiority of the 9s vs. the 7s?

[snake1]

Using a Parasound 2250 with 250wpc @ 45 amps. Sound is coming from an Onkyo 809 and I'm very pleased at how these two items blend together! When the settings are made correctly, the Para can shake the entire house with minimal effort. I tried running my 12s strictly on AVR power, but their potential just can't be tapped with that, nor can the bass they are capable of even be approached. I definatey recommend a Parasound! I've never heard other amps so I can't express an opinion but you can't go wrong this way!

[Geoff4rfc]

is the XPR-2 better than just getting two XPA-1 monoblocks?

IMO, mo power, mo better.

I tried running my 12s strictly on AVR power, but their potential just can't be tapped with that, nor can the bass they are capable of even be approached!

Hey Gulfstrings, have you taken the plunge yet? The A9's boast a better midrange over the 7's, not sure how important that is for H.T. but for 2ch, that's got to be a plus.

And like snake mentioned, the bass in the 9's, when fed with other than AVR power, can be felt in the floor and in your chest. Impressive bass with these babies.

I ran my A9's initially with the XPA-3, once the 1st impression of detail in sound over the Monitor 70's they replaced had worn off, I wasn't that impressed with the relationship of my gear. After installing the XPA-2, the fit was right for me. 2ch listening with this set up has increased my CD collection.

Right now, I'm enjoying, okay, I'm JAM'N to some Stevie Ray Vaughn's greatest hits and weather they want to or not, my neighbors are jam'n with me

[Gulfstrings]

"Hey Gulfstrings, have you taken the plunge yet?"

Not yet, Geoff4rfc We're having wood flooring put in the house so waiting until that's all done. Appreciate your comments - I am more of a music guy too, though we enjoy our movies as well. This whole thread was a product of my curiosity re what's powerin those 9s out there. I think with my new Marantz at 145w/ I've got the horsepower, but that number is still well below their capacity of up to 500watts! Have really enjoyed the 7s but suffer from chronic bigger is better syndrome like most others around here ...

[Geoff4rfc]

Congrats on the floor. I hear you about bigger and better. I've always gone for the top of the line in a series, never wanting to experience the what if factor.