Search for Power Amplifier Begins

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olly42

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Hi Friends,

Started my search for a power amplifier

Looking to add a power amp to my current Audio/Video set up - AVR Denon 3312 and Polk RTI A9 towers

Visited Hjgh End Audio

Audition I - Rotel RB 1582 Power Amp (Class AB/200 Watts @ 8 Ohms) with RC 1580 and B&W 684 set up Found the highs and mids excellent but a tad low on bass

Audition II - Rotel Ref 9 Mono blocks (Class D/190 Watts @ 8 Ohms) with RC 1580 and B&W 684 set up. Observed considerable improvement in SQ. Improved bass as compared to Rotel 1582

Auditon III - Rotel RA- 06 Integrated amp rated at 70 watts RMS @ 8 Ohms driving Magneplanar Speakers 4 ohms 200 watts . The integrated amp drove them with ease and SQ was good. The question was would it drive the RTi A9's. Was asked to get the Polks to the show room for further audition as they do not provide any home auditions

Brothers in Arms, Diana Krell, Jazz and Sufi renditions by Abida were used for auditions

Price quoted 1.47k, 1.5K and 74K

Any idea if Rotel would work with Polk RTI A9's - Suggestions to audition other power amps welcome
 
I will be keeping a close watch on this thread. I too have the Polk RtiA9 as the front speakers. I am currently using Yamaha 667 avr to drive these along with CSiA4 as center channel, FXiA4 (dipole, bipole) speakers as surround, DSW Pro 555 Subwoofer connected through DSW Pro Wi wireless. I plan to use the pre-out from the avr and connect it to an external Power AMP.

I am eyeing NAD amps and have to find break from my work schedule to speak with dealers in Pune and ask for an home audition. I have found folks suggesting Emotiva XPA-2. Not sure how to order this online.

The RTiA9 with 40kg as weight, Dimensions (HxWxD) : 1215x220x543mm, are too heavy and big to be carried with you in any car for any auditions. It does not fit even in my scorpio.

908polk.1.jpg
 
Last edited:
olly42 said:
Hi Friends,

Started my search for a power amplifier

Audition I - Rotel RB 1582 Power Amp
Audition II - Rotel Ref 9 Mono blocks
Audition III - Rotel RA- 06

Any idea if Rotel would work with Polk RTI A9's - Suggestions to audition other power amps welcome
Click to expand...

Do you intend to use the amp as a Power amp only with all sources connected to the AVR? If this is true get a power amp.

Why only Rotel? I would audition at least 3 brands before settling on one. NAD would be another brand I would try.
 
@olly - where are you based . i could probably lend you a 70watt Rotel PA and a 180 watt Rotel ( Bridged ) to see if it can drive the RTI A9

However considering you have a decent budget
Look at other brands as well .. Arcam, NAD, Emotiva, etc

Be on the lookout for preowned equipment as well
 
Last edited:
navin advani said:
Do you intend to use the amp as a Power amp only with all sources connected to the AVR? If this is true get a power amp.

Why only Rotel? I would audition at least 3 brands before settling on one. NAD would be another brand I would try.
Click to expand...

Hi Navin,

That is the intention but keeping my options open :)
 
Flash said:
@olly - where are you based . i could probably lend you a 70watt Rotel PA and a 180 watt Rotel ( Bridged ) to see if it can drive the RTI A9

However considering you have a decent budget
Look at other brands as well .. Arcam, NAD, Emotiva, etc

Be on the lookout for preowned equipment as well
Click to expand...

Flash,

I am on the look out for pre owned equipment as my first choice as a matter of fact will be auditioning Acurus A250 today :) Its a pre/power combo and if I like the sound and am getting a good deal will close it today. I wont look any further as there is no end. You have to draw the line some where :) Appreciate your inputs
 
mbhangui said:
I will be keeping a close watch on this thread. I too have the Polk RtiA9 as the front speakers. I am currently using Yamaha 667 avr to drive these along with CSiA4 as center channel, FXiA4 (dipole, bipole) speakers as surround, DSW Pro 555 Subwoofer connected through DSW Pro Wi wireless. I plan to use the pre-out from the avr and connect it to an external Power AMP.

I am eyeing NAD amps and have to find break from my work schedule to speak with dealers in Pune and ask for an home audition. I have found folks suggesting Emotiva XPA-2. Not sure how to order this online.

The RTiA9 with 40kg as weight, Dimensions (HxWxD) : 1215x220x543mm, are too heavy and big to be carried with you in any car for any auditions. It does not fit even in my scorpio.

908polk.1.jpg
Click to expand...

mbhangui,

I dont think there are many dealers who offer home auditions. So you may have to take a call based on inputs, suggesstions from forum members or then go the Used equipment way. There is a thread started by Spidey on how to order from Emotiva which is a online through it. I have heard Emotiva amps are on the bright side so keep then in mind before you take the plunge

Cheers
 
any dealer in NCR who offers home demos? Bass and Treble refused even though I offered pick up and drop in my own car.
 
anm said:
any dealer in NCR who offers home demos? Bass and Treble refused even though I offered pick up and drop in my own car.
Click to expand...

anm,

Its quite frustrating at times when you think about the fact that you are investing so much money and the dealer wont oblige with a home audition. I wouldnt mind paying a nominal charge for that obviously free would be fantastic. Is this a buyers market???? :rolleyes:
 
olly42 said:
Hi Navin,
That is the intention but keeping my options open :)
Click to expand...

One option you could consider if you settle for an integrated amplifier is to connect the audio sources to the integrated amplifier and the video/5.1 sources to the AVR. The AVR pre out would be connected to the main/power in of the Integrated. I intend to do just this using a Yamaha A-S2000 and A1020 AVR.

olly42 said:
mbhangui,
I dont think there are many dealers who offer home auditions.
Click to expand...

yes it is indeed sad. India still has a long way to go to reach the level of service you get in the US. Funnily in the early 70s companies like ENBEE, NOVA, COSMIC, SONODYNE, ARPHI etc or their dealers would often come over to your apartment and set up their components and give home auditions.
 
stumbled upon three adverts for power amps. links below

ALESIS RA300 Power Amplifier

ALESIS RA300 Power Amplifier USA - Mumbai: Music Systems - Home Theatre in Mumbai at Quikr Mumbai

Heatkit Power Amp AA 1600

Heatkit Pre AP1800 + Power Amp AA 1600 + Sansui tuner + Deck + Pioneer DVL 919 DVD / LD player + Arphi speakers - Mumbai: Music Systems - Home Theatre in Mumbai at Quikr Mumbai

Proton Audio (NX Audio) power amp

Selling A 2month old amplifier - Mumbai: Musical Instruments in Mumbai at Quikr Mumbai


Ive heard a lot about the heatkit! tremendous gear. dunno abt the others.

from what i know, professional/studio/pa amps don't match up to a home(audiophile) grade amp in terms of sonic reproduction!

it would be interesting to get members inputs...
 
Auditioned the Acqurus A250 Power Pre combo extensively with all possible types of music except for Heavy Metal and trance . The amp is vey well built, a simple model with extremely detailed and uncolored sound. Bass was tight and I am wondering do I really need the Velodyne Impact 12 sub? :) The audition was conducted with a Denon CDP which I think was made like a tank when you see the ones avaialble these days. One thing is for sure all components need to be in complete synergy to get that wow effect. When I moved over to the DVD player which I currently have I could feel the difference. Looks like this is gonna find place in my set up. And fits neatly in my rack

When we played Yaad Piya ki aye - a sufi song I was spell bound. Simply Unbelievable.
Looks like my search for a power amp is gonna end real soon. And the bonus is that I got a pre so i can now have a dedicated stereo set up. Just need to get a switcher which will enable me to use the same speakers for HT as well as Music. Can look at adding couple of speakers for a 7.1 HT set up in the future. Next stop would be a good CDP without burning a hole in my pocket. Also picking up interconnets from Atlas and V Guard Stabilizer

Tomorrow is the D Day :) Thanks for all your support and inputs. This is highly appreciated
 
Finally settled for the Acurus A250 power and Acurus l10 preamp and I am really happy with the set up. Was disappointed with the SQ when I connected the DVD player as source as I dont have a CDP. But the Sony BDP S370 has made all the difference. IMHO I think this BDP is real value for money. Excellent in both video and audio.

Thanks to FM Ramesh for the pre power set up. Was happy dealing and getting to know him
I welcome FM's who want to listen to this set up on week ends with prior intimation
 
Last edited:
Hi Olly

Was rummaging through the site for pre-power threads and bumped into yours.

How's the Acurus combo going so far? I searched around and it's quite hard to find a Acurus pair anywhere. Must say you've done well to find one.

Will be very keen to understand how it's been peforming so far.

thanks

G
 
Goose,

I am blessed to find both the power and pre combo. The sound is very transparent, clean and uncolored. Bass is tight and there is absolutely no booming effect. You are welcome to check it out if you happen to be in Bangalore. More importantly not sure what the deal is but i have not paid any attention to the room accoustics, area is small - 200 SQ ft but seems like the right equipment in the right place at the right time.

I really liked the Rotel power amp and also the mono blocks but shelling out 1.5 lacks in the present situation didnt seem like a right decision to me. I am extremely pleased with this purchase and on the look out for a good new/used CD player which wont burn a hole in my pocket :) and then I guess I will sit back, relax and just enjoy the equipment I have.

Cheers
Olly
 
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