Replacing receiver with amp

[Howard]

No point getting a that D-Sonic unit, all the ICEPower 500/1000 ASP integrated kits run at ~1.87V input sensitivity. That Onkyo receiver probably won't even be able to hit 50% of the rated power of the power amp before the pre-amp starts clipping, as very few receivers even in the $1000+ class can hit above 1 Vrms cleanly. You need a separates pre-pro to push those inefficient D-Sonic units to full power.

Emotiva power amps run at between 850mV to 1.1 Vrms which most commercial receivers can run to full power.

I guess if you don't mind voiding the warranty you can probably swap some resistors inside to adjust the gain.

 

[Paul98]

I would suggest going with a new receiver with high quality room correction. That will give you the biggest improvement in sound and may get rid of the problem you are having. Along with a SPL meter you can test out what problems you are having.

 

[ericlp]

you could ebay your onkyo ... buy a really nice 7.1 pre amp and get some mono blocks from say outlaw audio. That is what I would do if I were having your problem.

Good Luck!

1) Model 975 7.1 HDMI AV Surround Processor
2) 7-channel Balanced Amplifier or mono blocks

 

[alkemyst]

Emotiva xpa-5? Or just get an xpa-2 for the mains or xp-3 for the front 3. The other channels don't draw nearly as much power as the mains. Even in hd music, most of the sound come from the front 3.

seconded, excellent bang for buck from an up and coming company.

For most folks though just a decent reciever is even overkill. Amps make sense when your current reciever is still overkill on features but limited on power.

 

[Billb2]

What I'm aiming for - optical from my computer to Onkyo TX-NR609, line out to (INSERT AMP HERE) to towers, preout from amp to sub.


NAD C 326BEE - ~$550
NAD C 356BEE - ~$800
NAD C 356BEE w/DAC- ~$900

Am i missing something here?
You want to connect the Onkyo's preamp output to the preamp input in the NAD?

Isn't that running the signal through two preamps?

 

[yh125d]

Am i missing something here?
You want to connect the Onkyo's preamp output to the preamp input in the NAD?

Isn't that running the signal through two preamps?

Original plan was digital from PC to receiver, line out from receiver to main in of amp, so receiver being DAC/preamp in that setup

-------------

Got the NAD, my dad just told me that it's been sitting in his closet the last year not even being used. Bastard! If I knew that I would have gotten it months ago. Therefore, if it performs as expected I won't need to buy anything (except maybe better speakers), though I am now committed to testing different layouts. Will do this weekend

I'll get it hooked up tomorrow evening and see how it works. I remember it would occasionally overheat before, but I doubt I'd be able to get that loud. That was driving PSB Image T5's, anyone know how those would compare to my CF-70s? It's been so long since I've heard them


Also, he sent this old RCA equalizer he found in a pawn shop for $20 a few years ago, says its pretty good. We'll see

 

[Number1]

Original plan was digital from PC to receiver, line out from receiver to main in of amp, so receiver being DAC/preamp in that setup

-------------

Got the NAD, my dad just told me that it's been sitting in his closet the last year not even being used. Bastard! If I knew that I would have gotten it months ago. Therefore, if it performs as expected I won't need to buy anything (except maybe better speakers), though I am now committed to testing different layouts. Will do this weekend

I'll get it hooked up tomorrow evening and see how it works. I remember it would occasionally overheat before, but I doubt I'd be able to get that loud. That was driving PSB Image T5's, anyone know how those would compare to my CF-70s? It's been so long since I've heard them


Also, he sent this old RCA equalizer he found in a pawn shop for $20 a few years ago, says its pretty good. We'll see

That's a picture of a stereo receiver.

Unless you have test equipment to properly adjust that equaliser it's just going to be a crap shoot. I't's also a mater of taste and you might get it to sound just the way you want with it.
By the way you should be able to achieve the same or better results with the built in equalizer in your Onkyo receiver. it is much more sophisticated than this antique.

 

[s44]

That's a picture of a stereo receiver.

It's actually just a tuner, LOL. The receiver is also stereo, though.

Basically, OP has no idea what he's doing and is likely to make things worse. He may enjoy it more, though, thanks to placebo.

 

[yh125d]

It's actually just a tuner, LOL. The receiver is also stereo, though.

Basically, OP has no idea what he's doing and is likely to make things worse. He may enjoy it more, though, thanks to placebo.

Yes I know that's a tuner. Amp not pictured. I may not know a whole lot about audio but if it sounds the same, I'll know. I'm not stupid, just uninformed.

 

[yh125d]

Ok, due to a serious lack of proper cabling, I had to cannibalize my sub cord, and having to use a 3.5mm to RCA to get the signal from my computer, so not quite as intended. I'll get the proper cables before I start messing with my layout. It does sound a bit better running off my Cowon MP3 than my computer's on-board though.


Sounds pretty close to before so far (except the missing sub at least). Which means I'll probably look at upgrading my towers sometime soonish (~6-18mos.)


So I guess that brings out a few new questions

1. Assuming I keep my Onkyo, around what area (dollar-wise), would it become the weak-link, where I'd get a noticeable gain by moving to an amp like the NAD 326 or 356? Maybe even moving to the bigger 10x13 room will still be too small for the receiver to be the weak link?

2. If I can just keep my dad's C370, what sort of speakers would you recommend would be a good pairing (again, dollar wise)

3. Right now I can definitely see being willing to drop 2-3k on a pair of towers, but depending on how things go at work maybe more. Where might be a good place to start looking? What review sites/magazines/resources do you guys trust?

 

[Howard]

Measure the feckin room already.

 

[Billb2]

Amphion Argon, twos or threes.
Read the reviews.

 

[yh125d]

Measure the feckin room already.

Physically or audyssey? I've done both

 

[sdifox]

Ok, due to a serious lack of proper cabling, I had to cannibalize my sub cord, and having to use a 3.5mm to RCA to get the signal from my computer, so not quite as intended. I'll get the proper cables before I start messing with my layout. It does sound a bit better running off my Cowon MP3 than my computer's on-board though.


Sounds pretty close to before so far (except the missing sub at least). Which means I'll probably look at upgrading my towers sometime soonish (~6-18mos.)


So I guess that brings out a few new questions

1. Assuming I keep my Onkyo, around what area (dollar-wise), would it become the weak-link, where I'd get a noticeable gain by moving to an amp like the NAD 326 or 356? Maybe even moving to the bigger 10x13 room will still be too small for the receiver to be the weak link?

2. If I can just keep my dad's C370, what sort of speakers would you recommend would be a good pairing (again, dollar wise)

3. Right now I can definitely see being willing to drop 2-3k on a pair of towers, but depending on how things go at work maybe more. Where might be a good place to start looking? What review sites/magazines/resources do you guys trust?

I take it you haven't tried reconfiguring the room?

Realistically, your problem is not the hardware. It's the room/setup. The CF 70 you have need a bigger, better dimensioned room. Going to the 10x13 is a start.

I had my speakers in a 200 sqft space and my 50wpc Carver was doing fine.

If you really want to replace speakers and like the energy sound, try auditioning Veritas 6.3.

 

[alcoholbob]

3. Right now I can definitely see being willing to drop 2-3k on a pair of towers, but depending on how things go at work maybe more. Where might be a good place to start looking? What review sites/magazines/resources do you guys trust?

I would start at AVSforum. Link here: http://www.avsforum.com/f/89/speakers

And from the results of speaker shootouts, the kings of the 3k and under price range right now appear to be the Salk Songtower and Ascend Sierra Tower, both with the RAAL 70-20XR ribbon tweeter upgrade...the so-called best tweeter in the world (I assume non-plasma is implied in that claim).

 

[sdifox]

I would start at AVSforum. Link here: http://www.avsforum.com/f/89/speakers

And from the results of speaker shootouts, the kings of the 3k and under price range right now appear to be the Salk Songtower and Ascend Sierra Tower, both with the RAAL 70-20XR ribbon tweeter upgrade...the so-called best tweeter in the world (I assume non-plasma is implied in that claim).

90 sq ft...

 

[yh125d]

I take it you haven't tried reconfiguring the room?

Realistically, your problem is not the hardware. It's the room/setup. The CF 70 you have need a bigger, better dimensioned room. Going to the 10x13 is a start.

I had my speakers in a 200 sqft space and my 50wpc was doing fine.

If you really want to replace speakers and like the energy sound, try auditioning Veritas 6.3.

Not yet. I don't have time during the week but I will try a couple configurations this weekend, including the larger room


I guess I should have gotten a bigger house

 

[sdifox]

Not yet. I don't have time during the week but I will try a couple configurations this weekend, including the larger room


I guess I should have gotten a bigger house

Or smaller speakers :biggrin:

 

[alcoholbob]

90 sq ft...

? They are both small towers with 5" drivers

Also ribbon tweeters have very narrow vertical dispersion. They'd be even better suited than dome tweeters as they'd generate less reflections.

 

[Howard]

Physically or audyssey? I've done both

A third way.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=390-792