2. amps-preamps
  3. 181038-178321

Basic Questions

I’m a long-time middle tier/value home theater consumer.   Recently I’ve moved toward trying to get more out of my 2 channel listening (vinyl, streaming, Hi-rez, etc).  I moved from my DefTech towers to Paradigm Persona 3F. Big 2 channel improvement, but not the level I heard while auditioning them (with a separate amp).    

My media room is 18’ wide x 24’ deep.   I listen at moderate volumes, only occasionally cranking it up.  Unfortunately, live about 4 hours from closest hi-end sound shop, so not easy to audition equipment.

Some basic questions:

1. Do I need a pre-amp and why?  I’m fairly happy with my AVR’s sound programs.

2. Will additional amp work solely with 2 front mains, or power to entire HT system?

3. Is it simple interconnect from AVR to Amp, then speaker cable to front speakers?

3. I have seen  strong recommendations for Anthem STR and Parasound A21.   Any affirmations or other recommendations (looking to keep things under $10K with interconnects.)

 

My Equipment:

7 speaker Home theater

- Paradigm Persona 3F mains (“suitable amp power range = 15-400 watts; “max input power 200 watts). Morrow Audio SP6 speaker cables

- Definitive Tech UIW RSS II sides (10-200 watts per channel)

- Definitive Tech UIW RLS III rears (10-325 watts per channel)

- Definitive Tech CS-9080 center (300w internal amp; “recommended input power” = 50-300 watts per channel). Morrow Audio Sp4 reference speaker cable. 

 

Yamaha RX-A3080 9.2 Channel AV Receiver

- Rated  output power 2-channel driven 20Hz-20kHz = 150 watts

-  Dynamic power = 175 watts

 

Marantz  turntable with Budgie pre-amp.  Morrow Audio PH5 interconnects

Oppo BDP-105

 

Thanks and be kind!

javaruke

Showing 1 response by jonwolfpell

jonwolfpell
431 posts
 

Soix nailed it! Very easy to have 2 channel sound separated out from your home theater using the same pair of main speakers w/ that scenario. I suggest you get a good integrated amp w/ a good phono amp & home theater bypass. You can connect your CD player, streamer /,DAC, turntable etc directly to the new amp & play music with your receiver & TV off & not in the signal path at all.  When you want to watch movies both the receiver & the new integrated are on. 
 

I do exactly this in a pretty high end system but chose to go with a tube integrated so to save tube life, I don’t bother turning on the integrated if just watching basic TV & not movies & just utilize the receiver w/ the center channel, 2 surrounds & sub on  . Works great. Then if I  want to watch a movie or show where sound matters, turn on the integrated & get the full effect. My turntable/ phono amp & my DAC ( w/ both my streamer & CD transport) are both directly connected to my integrated amp. Effectively, two systems in one. 

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