Question regarding use of older components (1 Viewer)

[KevinVM]

Hi,

I have some older seperate components that I am curious if they could be used in a HT setup. I have a :

RotelRTC-940AX Tuner/preamp

Rotel RB980BX power amp- stereo or bridged mono

I dont have any HT components at this time and am wondering if this stuff can be used or if its not worth it. I dont have an extensive budget so I dont know if I can continue with rotel. Thanks for any info or suggestions.

Kevin

 

[Robert Woods]

The pre-amp could be used for its tuner and/or RIAA (LP) input to a multi-channel pre-pro or a receiver (without an RIAA pre-amp)

The power amp can always be used for 1-2 channels of a multi-channel system - soon they'll be up to 15.1 so you've got 1-2 channels of that ready.

 

[KevinVM]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. Your answer kind of went over my head. If you could give me some suggestions as to models(not too pricey) that I might look at to make use of these, or I might just forget them and buy a HT receiver(denon 1802 for example) I have 2 NHT 1.1 speakers and a mirage bp150 powered sub..put yourself in my shoes, what would you do?

 

[Sihan Goi]

Looks like you're a beginner, and it might get confusing when you're starting...

I wouldn't be too ambitious, but rather, I'd start with a modest, basic 5.1 system first, perhaps consisting of either a cheap but capable receiver(Denon 3802 for example), or if you have the budget, a decent prepro/power amp setup(outlaw 950+outlaw 750 or rotel rsp-1066 + rotel rmb-1075). basically, a prepro(short for preamp/processor) and power amp setup consists of 2 separate components that delivers the same functionalities of a receiver, but in 2 separate components rather than a single package. the advantages are normally higher sound quality. the disadvantages are normally higher price, size, and features.

If you choose the receiver, then the rotel tuner you have would be useless, since most, if not all recent receivers come with built in tuners. the outlaw 950 prepro also comes with a tuner, but not the rotel rsp-1066.

The Rotel RB90BX amp that you have is 120Wpc@8ohms, which is pretty impressive for any starter/budget HT system. You might want to use it to power your 2 main speakers should you go the receiver route. If you go the separates route, the multi-channel amp might perform better.

You might wanna get another pair of NHT 1.1 speakers to match with yours, so you can go with 4 NHT 1.1s for your front and rear speakers, and then get another matching NHT center speaker, together with your Mirage sub, for a full 5.1 system.

Hope that helps...

 

[KevinVM]

Thanks for the reply,

So your saying I could use the amp somehow If I buy the receiver? Im leaning toward discarding the preamp/tuner(I hate the idea of idle components lying about) but I dont think I can afford to go with the seperate components.

 

[Sihan Goi]

Yup, most recent, decent receivers will have a set of 5 pre-out's, for bypassing the receiver's internal amps and using an external amp. External amps are almost always better than a receiver's internal amps, unless the amp is really crap. A decent receiver such as the 3802, together with your Rotel stereo amp, would be a good system.

 

[Selden Ball]

Kevin,

Low cost receivers usually can't drive all of the speaker channels at full power simultaneously. They're likely to start clipping when you try to crank up the volume. Their power supplies simply aren't up to it. Better recievers include "preamp outputs". The Denon 1802 is an example. They let you connect external amplifiers, like your Rotel stereo amp, to drive some of the speakers instead of using the receiver's amplifiers.

If you connect your stereo amp to the right and left front preamp outputs, so the amp is driving your main speakers, it leaves that much more power available for the receiver to drive the center and surround speakers. In other words, you are starting to use the receiver as you would a pre/pro.

Does this clarify things at all?

p.s. If you listen to records, you should seriously consider keeping your preamp. Most inexpensive receivers no longer include a phono input. You can use the preamp in combination with the receiver by connecting the receiver's front left and right preamp outputs to one of the AUX inputs on your stereo preamp.

 

[KevinVM]

Ok guys,

The water is beginning to clear a little. SO...If I were to buy say..A denon 1802-$500, or even a 2802-$600, or is it not worth going with the 2802..I see it gives you a little more power and supports a few more choices as far a encoding goes, but do I really need it? Also, as far as speakers go, I have a pair of NHT 1.1, dont recall any name at all, but I purchased those in 94 I believe. Should I stick with NHT or use those 2 as rears and get 3 new ones for front and center? Thanks for the help...MUCH appreciated!

 

[Sihan Goi]

Kevin, again that depends on your budget...if you have a figure, then its easier to recommend what you should, or could do.

 

[PaulG]

I started out simular to you with a preamp and power amp stereo. I ended up with a new receiver, and used my existing power amp with a passive subwoofer I purchased. After a while I put my PA amp on the sub, and used the power amp for the rear surrounds on a 7.1 setup. My old preamp is retired.

 

[KevinVM]

I would say that maybe 500-600 for a receiver and another 500 or so for speakers(3). Hows that?

 

[Sihan Goi]

That makes about 1000-1100 for the entire project? Hmmn...you could probably get a Denon 2802 or 3802, with 2 bookshelf speakers and a center channel, and then use your NHT's for the rear.

 

[KevinVM]

Im not looking to compete with the local theater, but I would like something that will make me happy for a while. Any front/center suggestions?