Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Upgrading to separates---what's most cost effective?

WayneO · 02-13-2004, 01:30 PM

At 110W, I think you have enough power for the surrounds, so I'd just leave them alone until you decide to move to a pre/proc which would be the next step. But in doing that you'll then need an amp for the rears so that move becomes costly. I use a separate Acurus 150W amp for my mains along with my 7x110wpc Onkyo for the rest. That amp really didn't bring any noticeable sound changes except for less strain at loud volumes. You going to 125w from 110w will definately ease the Yamaha amp but whether you get a sound improvement will be hard to say since the Yamaha is still doing the processing. I tried a Rotel 120w amp before the Acurus, it didn't seem to help at all, but a 140w Parasound helped at louder volumes and spurred my interest in getting a more powerful amp for my mains. I would look at a 150-200wpc amp just for the mains, then get a something like a 3x125w amp for the center and surrounds if you move to separates. Look at Adcom, Parasound, Rotel, Acurus, Outlaw, B&K for something affordable.

02-13-2004, 01:30 PM	#4 of 8
WayneO Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Local Time: 03:33 AM Local Date: 11-23-2008 Posts: 623	At 110W, I think you have enough power for the surrounds, so I'd just leave them alone until you decide to move to a pre/proc which would be the next step. But in doing that you'll then need an amp for the rears so that move becomes costly. I use a separate Acurus 150W amp for my mains along with my 7x110wpc Onkyo for the rest. That amp really didn't bring any noticeable sound changes except for less strain at loud volumes. You going to 125w from 110w will definately ease the Yamaha amp but whether you get a sound improvement will be hard to say since the Yamaha is still doing the processing. I tried a Rotel 120w amp before the Acurus, it didn't seem to help at all, but a 140w Parasound helped at louder volumes and spurred my interest in getting a more powerful amp for my mains. I would look at a 150-200wpc amp just for the mains, then get a something like a 3x125w amp for the center and surrounds if you move to separates. Look at Adcom, Parasound, Rotel, Acurus, Outlaw, B&K for something affordable. If the best advice is "listen for yourself", then why offer your opinion?