Noob, need help please


Hi there,

I have a pair of Klipsch RP-8000F floorstanding speakers. 
I am a little unclear about what I need to complete my setup. 
I want to use these as home theatre speakers when watching off Netflix or Satellite TV, and also as music speakers when playing off Spotify through the TV. 

Do I need a pre-amp and an amp, or just an amp? What does a receiver do?
Do I need a separate DAC too or an amp with built in DAC?

I am a newbie to all of this so willing to learn, please forgive my lack of knowledge.

My budget is max 1k but then I don’t really know what I need to bring out the best in these speakers. When watching movies I like a little warmth but also like some detail. When listening to music I like a lot of bass. 
I need channels to add in a sub (I have Klipsch R-12SW) and a center speaker (yet to buy but probably will get the Klipsch RP-504C) at a later stage. 
If you need more information please let me know. 
Many thanks in advance!
laher
Thanks mesch and rocknss!

Wouldn’t this approach be more expensive though? Or are you saying that with a 1k-ish budget I can get AVR and an integrated? 
It’s been mentioned that for 1k I can get a high end AVR.
What kind of integrated does 1k get?

Also, would this approach be worth it if I only add a center and not rears? 
How does this setup differ from a pre/pro and amp?


You can get a higher end AV receiver for less than $1,000 US on sale, or refurbished. My Yamaha was $900+/- retail, but found a refurbished one with warranty for about $425 US. I then found and bought a used respected dedicated 2 channel amp for about $385 (a great deal) which I use to run my fronts when listening to stereo (and also power the fronts when running in 5.1, which takes the load off the rears, center, and sub receiver amp). My AV receiver is actually capable of 7.2, but I don’t need that. Be careful of paying more for a receiver with bells and whistles you don’t need, and will only compromise its overall performance (which it already is).

Thus, I spent about $800 for both an AV receiver and a well respected 2 channel amp that sounds much better than the receiver in 2 channel. In other words, you can spend less than $1,000 and get better 2 channel sound than any receiver is capable of alone for that budget, and still a have home theater setup where the overall sound is not as critical compared to listening to music in stereo. You simply must get an AV receiver with separate pre-outs available, and the lower end receivers do not have that capability.

I run Vandersteen 2CE Sigs as my fronts, Vandersteen 1C’s as my rears, a nice ELAC center and a sub. The Vandersteen’s are not nearly as efficient as your Klipsch. My dedicated 2 channel 140 wpc amp drives the 2CE’s easily, and the receiver drives the others easily in HT mode. I don’t think your Klipsch need much power to drive vs my set-up. But power isn’t the most critical factor, sound quality is for me when listening to music, so I like the option of driving my fronts with a separate amp that satisfy the quality I want, and can upgrade that amp again if I desire. The sound quality of HT via the AV receiver isn’t as important to me, but it does sound pretty good.
Since you only will be using the AV receiver for the center and surrounds you can purchase one at lower cost. Use most of the $1000 for the 2-channel integrated.  Look for a used 5.1 receiver. You will need the remote with the receiver.

I use a AV receiver to augment TV/movie watching in my living room. Only use the L, R, and center outputs. Don,t feel the need for surrounds at all. 

You might find that the 2-channel integrated used in 2-channel mode for video suffices. 
Not sure why he would need an integrated if he can pre-out to a dedicated amp, using the AV receiver as the pre. That is what I do, and over time have attempted to take my Yamaha out of equation completely, only really using it as a pass-thru and ‘switcher’ between modes.

The reviver will already have what an integrated provides. A separate amp will help obtain better sound in 2 channel.