Amp/ Receiver for Klipsch RF-7 System (1 Viewer)

[Jimmy_zdc]

Hello everyone,

Im new to this forum, but it seems like a lot of you know a lot about home theater setups. I have a Klipsch RF-7 System. (RF7 fronts, RC7 center, 2 sets of RS7 for the surrounds and rear centers, and I have 2 RSW10 subs. I have yet to decide what amp/preamp or receiver I should use for this setup. Any suggestions and reasons why I should choose a certain amp, would greatly help in my decision. Some choices I have for receivers are Denon AVR-4802, AVR-5803, or Yamaha RXZ-1. For amps/preamps I was thinking Aragon 2007 and the Aragon Preamp/processor. Any thoughts/suggestions on these or any other suggestions I havent listed? Please help! haha.

Thanks,
Jaime

 

[Yogi]

For Klipsch you would be better of going with something that has a warmer sound like, B&K, Parasound or Rotel. Klipsch being a bright speaker wouldn't mate well with a neutral amp/preamp like Aragon, Bryston or Anthem. In receivers I would go with a Denon or Marantz rather than a Yamaha to go with Klipsch.

 

[Jimmy_zdc]

Yogi,

If I went with parasound, should I wait until there Halo series 5 channel amp comes out? I know the old models have already gone clearence. Also I have heard that parasound is having production problems with there 5 channel halo stuff, and its been delayed until late next year. Yet, I do have access to their 2 channel halo amps, should I just get serveral of these and use them with a reciever for the processing? If so how many of these should I get and what config, should I put them in (ex: brige the fronts and use them as monoblocks, or jus use them as 2-channel amps) If I were to go with the Denon, should I go with the 120 watt AVR 4802 or the 170 watt per channel AVR 5803?

Thanks,
Jaime

 

[Yogi]

Jimmy,
You can get the older series of Parasound amps at a closeout price. There are several of these 220W x 5 on sale every now and then on ebay and audiogon. They are excellent for the price. Also Rotel and B&K are another option as far as amplification goes. My personal favourite is B&K. Their amps have a very warm signature, almost tube like and they should be an excellent match to Klipsch. In fact our local Tweeter has the B&K separates system mated with Klipsch in their reference theater system and it sounds awesome. Right now closeout B&K gear (Ref 30 + 7270) can be had for a little over the cost of a 5803 (I think). Ofcourse you would be lacking DTS-ES and PLII. So thats something to keep in the back of your mind.
Rotel 1066+ 1095+1080 would also make a sweet sounding system with Klipsch for a little over the 5803 price. I would have suggested the Outlaw combo (950+770) but it might come out sounding a little too lean and forward on your system. AVM 20 is a good option if you can mate it with a warmer sounding B&K or Rotel amp.
If you have to go receiver route then go with the 4802 as the nominal 1 db gain in power can be more than offset with the savings that would allow you to add a separate 5 channel amp for even better performance than the 5803. In fact I suggest you wait to audition the 3803 that sounds like a it would make a sweet prepro for less than 1K. That would give you plenty of options to add a beefy multi channel amp for rock solid performance as you upgrade along the way. In fact had I not purchased the 3802 last year I would have purchased the 3803:frowning: and hooked it up to my Proceed+B&K amplification and had a killer system, IMHO.
Hope it helps.

 

[Chris Tabor]

I have the start of a RF7 system paired with the denon 4802. You won't be dissapointed. Just flip on the Lobby scene in the matrix, crank it up to about -5 db and be amazed. You won't believe how good it sounds.

 

[Jimmy_zdc]

Chris,

What does your RF-7 system consist of now?

Jaime

 

[DanielSmi]

Jimmy if I were you I'd get some rb-5's for the rear surrounds. I think most people recommend getting monopoles for the rear channels. THX recommends it, and you can search for posts in regards to this. I know there have been some posts. Do you plan to do any multi-channel audio if so then it'd definitely be in your interest to get some monopoles.

I have a similiar setup I have the rf-5's, rc-7, rs-7's side surrounds, and some JBL N24's for rears, my sub is a Velodyne HGS-10 (awesome), and I use the 49tx. The Rf-7's cost to much , were to big, and had to much bass for my very small room.

Daniel Smith

 

[Chris Tabor]

Jimmy, I have the rf7 towers and the rc7 center. But I still have my polk rt55's for rears and nothing for left and right surround. So basically just the front but it still sounds awesome. I think I could knock windows out of my house if I wanted too. I'm wanting to get some rf5's or rf3's to replace my rears and some rs7's for my right and left surrounds.

 

[Ted Ross]

i have Klipsch RB5 II mains, RC3 II center & RS3 II surrounds & found they sound best hooked up to a Yamaha(rx-v1 or rx-z1)

 

[Chris Tabor]

Yeah, a friend of mine has the klispch rf7 setup too and it sounds pretty awesome on his yamaha. Not sure on the model number but he's had if for about a year and a half now.

 

[DanaA]

My Klipsch RB5ii's sound fantastic with my Parasound amp, when compared with the Onkyo I used before. The Parasound is much warmer, while presenting a significantly better sound stage and positioning of the instruments.

 

[Jimmy_zdc]

hey guys,

I just tested out the RF5 at my local stores with the yamaha rxz1 and the avr 5803. It seemed to me that the denon was warmer , than the yamaha. It seemed as though with the yamaha the highs were too harsh. With my current setup I have yamaha hooked up with some Energy Audisseys and they sound great, but that could be due to the energy speakers being much more mellow than the horn on a klipsch. I also heard the energy veritas 2.4 on a monoblocked parasound stereo setup. Each speaker using an a23 amp bridged. What do you guys think about the veritas 2.4 for theater use? I think I like the klipsch better for theater and the veritas better for music. So far I think I would either go with the parasound setup or denon for my amplification for my rf7 setup. Gotta check out the B&K still.

Jaime

 

[Kevin McCurdy]

Jimmy_zdc,

Along with the other suggestions above you may want to look at the Harman Kardon receivers also.

 

[Frank Carter]

Read my suggestion here. I think it's your best option:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...65#post1070965
I use Parasound amps with my R*-3II system and find it superior to any receiver's I've tested, but I've never tested any flagships.