Sony STR-DE197 power Polk Audio RTi A3's?

[nimowns]

I currently own a Sony STR-DE197 receiver. Would this be sufficient to power the Polk Audio RTi A3's? I had them powering a pair of Klipsch Synergy B2's and they sounded fine, but after about 2 years both tweeters have blown.

[nguyendot]

It should power it fine. According to crutchfield its 100w/channel 20-20khz. I've always seen sony's as underpowered, especially since this is their lowest receiver.

I would recommend something high current or separates if you're doing only 2 channels. Just don't crank it or you'll blow these speakers from underpowering them.

[nimowns]

Thanks! I just bought some factory refurbished RTi A3's off Polk's Ebay store for $235. I'm not sure what you mean by "high current on seperates"? Sorry, I'm a newb (but learning) when it comes to home audio. It will be running in 2.1 with a Polk Audio PSW10 that I've owned for years.

[cnh]

Non ES series Sonys are not High Current designs....Among popular manufacturers, Onkyo, Harman Kardon, Denon, and Yamaha are! Such a design can provide more power for source PEAKS on demand.

What this means is that these amps have cleaner power are harder to clip and are less likely to blow your tweeters.

A separate set up divides your two channel system into a pre-amp that controls volume and or bass/treble, a POWER amp that merely amplifies and is controlled by the pre-amp, and possibly an AM/FM tuner for radio. The idea is that each UNIT is dedicated to ONE part of the AUDIO chain. Thus better construction, power, etc. than an AVR which has all of those in ONE BOX!

cnh

[nimowns]

Thanks for the explanation, cnh. I'm too poor for a new receiver currently, but understand the need for one. The Sony will have to do for now. Maybe an investment in the near future.. Any you (or anyone) can recommend?

[nguyendot]

Don't crank it! You'll blow those speakers with that receiver.

[nimowns]

I rarely play anything at ear shattering volumes. I get quite loud sometimes..but its not loud enough to hear it 2 stories above me in the same house. Dunno how else to explain how loud it is, but I assume this ok? :| They powered my Kllipsch B2 Synergy speakers fine at volumes I llistened to it on..are these much more demanding?

[nguyendot]

Most speakers are more demanding than Klipsch. Klipsch are very efficient speakers because they use horns. These speakers will probably require twice, if not four times the power to achieve the same volume. This can spell disaster if your receiver cannot provide enough power.

[apphd]

Klipsch B2 -92 dB sensitivity Polk A3 -89dB sensitivity = 3db difference.....so yeh about twice the power input to the A3's will be needed for = output.
A 3dB gain is considered noticeable or audible for most. But I think this is also dependent on frequency.

A little test for your hearing ability to hear differences in dB gain. http://www.audiocheck.net/blindtests_level.php?lvl=3

[nguyendot]

If you keep it moderateley low it will be OK. I would look for a cheap high current receiver however. Used is a great way to go, I just got a Nakamichi AV-2 which I hear is awesome for 2 channel yesterday for $30....

:)