Looking for amp that has small form factor...to replace Klipsch 5.1 amp

[Wekiva]

I've posted a question or two about replacing my Klipsch Pro Media Ultras that were struck by lightning. I was leaning towards the Logitech Z5500 but now I am leaning toward not buying another package set of speakers.

My current Klipsch system is buzzing and it's either the control pod or the amp. I'm considering buying a separate amp and possibly a new sub and then continue to use the satellites from the Klipsch for a while. In the future I'll upgrade the satellites.

To my question...I'm now looking for an amp that could drive my 5.1 speakers and want something relatively small. I really don't think I need a full blown receiver since I don't need to do any switching or care to receive radio signals. Don't I just need an amp? I will only use this amp to drive the sound from one signal...my computer. I don't have any gaming consoles or anything else that I'd be plugging into this. I've put a lot of money into my home theater in the living room and all my video viewing happens there. My computer's sound system is mainly used for gaming and music in my office.

I'm looking to spend around $2 to $300 for the amp and another $300 for the sub.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Beanie46]

For your amp, what you're describing is an integrated amp......amp and pre-amp integrated into one unit.

But, honestly, given what a multichannel receiver is selling for these days, it'd almost be pointless to discount getting one, despite the fact you don't need the tuner.

Just as a quick example, here's a Denon 7.1 receiver...... http://www.jr.com/denon/pe/DNN_AVR1609/

From J&R, $199 and free shipping. Just an example, but I don't know how you're going to do a lot better for the same or less.

 

[Wekiva]

Well you have a point there. It's just that most receivers are very large. I was hoping for something smaller and thought a simple amp would do it.

This just may be the opportunity to move the home theater amp into the office and upgrade it.

 

[brblx]

smaller amps like t amps or plate amps just aren't going to have enough channels. unless you can get a new OEM amp from klipsch, HT reciever is about the only option.

 

[macrosszero]

Here is a recommendation for you...

JVC RSD411-S

 

[MichaelD]

Another vote for a separate amp (HT receiver works great) and a real set of bookshelf speakers. The improvement in sound quality is tremendous. Any modern HT receiver w/around 100WPC and a decent set of bookshelves will make you very happy indeed.

I have had the original Klipsch 4.1 set, the 2.1 set and about half a dozen other speaker, sat/sub combos over the years. Nothing compares to a real amp and real speakers. All of the big, powerful Klipsch and Logitech sets out there get very, very loud. But the sound QUALITY is lacking b/c the satellites on your desk can only put out sound above roughly 200Hz or so. That puts the lower midrange and bass under your desk, down by your feet. So much info doesn't make it to your ears correctly.

Or you could go whole-hog and get a set of powered monitors. Something with a 6" woofer or larger would blow you away.

I have these and they beat every other system I've had. I used to have a pro power amp powering two bookshelves that had 5.25" woofs. I used a HT 10" powered sub to augment the bass. It got loud as heck but the sound quality wasn't there due to the fact that the bookshelves had crappy bass response.

The monitors I linked to are not that expensive when you consider each speaker has two internal amplifiers (bi-amped). To have full-spectrum frequency response right in front of you (as opposed to sats on desk, bass under your desk) is like having a curtain b/t the speakers and your ears open for the first time.

Admittedly, those monitors are huge; I have them on stands in front of my desk. I was going to get the smaller model with the 6" woofs, but I'm glad I didn't.

 

[Eureka]

While on this topic, how would you connect a multi-channel receiver into your PC? For example, my receiver only has RCA jacks, how would you set that up?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Just to make sure - are you certain it's the speakers that are buzzing and not the source going to it? (have you determined that it's a speaker problem and not a soundcard problem for example)

There are some good options for electronics replacement for the promedias. Here are a couple threads that recently involved the 5.1 Promedias
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=klipsch
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=klipsch

For a new system, getting a new receiver is unlikely to be a significant improvement over the Klipsch's amplification given the speakers being used, so the benefit you'd get in the system upgrade would be mainly in the performance of a the new subwoofer. A receiver would be nice since it would give you more options for connecting upgraded speakers later, but if that's not part of the plan, then it's not going to be a big sound benefit with the Klipsch speakers. So it would basically be $500-$600 to get better bass performance. If you plan on eventually upgrading the speakers too, then it's definitely a good move.

Note that it can be a bit tougher to get the best results connecting to a receiver vs. a PC speaker set. Depending on your soundcard / integrated sound, you may have some issues getting surround sound from games and such.
If your soundcard can encoded DD / DTS, then you can just connect digitally and be in good shape. Otherwise, you'd have to connect to the multichannel analog input on the receiver which may bypass the receiver's bass management. You'd then need to adjust the crossover frequency in the soundcard's controls if it even has that capability.

 

[0roo0roo]

given your budget, buy reciever/amp. decent bookshelf speakers... and amp
if you have to get these part by part, get the reciever and front sats first. bookshelfs have some bass because they are much larger than the weedy sats. then when you can afford it get the sub and the surrounds.