Logically, you are going to need a power amp and a preamp. You can purchase a HT receiver, which combines the power amp and preamp or you can purchase separates or a combination of the two approaches (for example, use a HT receiver as a preamp with a power amp).
If the Infinity Kappas are power hungry (and I am taking your word here), then whatever you do, you will need a power amp that delivers a good deal of power. Since so much of the power used is consumed reproducing the lower (bass) frequencies, you can also purchase a powered sub-woofer which is nothing more than a speaker designed to reproduce the lower frequencies combined with its own amplifier, so it takes some of the load off of the HT receiver or power amps.
With me so far?
The situation with many lower cost HT receivers is that their power specs are misleading. The power specs are quoted only running one channel or
at one frequency point (i.e. 1000hz). So you will need to find a receiver that is rated for high power across the frequency range, with all channels running.
I will leave it to others to recommend brands of receivers. It is more than just the watts though ... size of your room, how loud you like to listen, how much you have to spend, etc all comes into play.
Good luck,
Rich
If the Infinity Kappas are power hungry (and I am taking your word here), then whatever you do, you will need a power amp that delivers a good deal of power. Since so much of the power used is consumed reproducing the lower (bass) frequencies, you can also purchase a powered sub-woofer which is nothing more than a speaker designed to reproduce the lower frequencies combined with its own amplifier, so it takes some of the load off of the HT receiver or power amps.
With me so far?
The situation with many lower cost HT receivers is that their power specs are misleading. The power specs are quoted only running one channel or
at one frequency point (i.e. 1000hz). So you will need to find a receiver that is rated for high power across the frequency range, with all channels running.
I will leave it to others to recommend brands of receivers. It is more than just the watts though ... size of your room, how loud you like to listen, how much you have to spend, etc all comes into play.
Good luck,
Rich