Total newb! Why do I need a preamp? (1 Viewer)

[Tubby]

I am thinking about getting some Polk RTi10's. They handle 300 watts and I don't think my Onkyo TX-SR606 has enough power to run them. So if i run this amp:
Buy Behringer A500 500W Reference-Class Studio Power Amplifier online

to them do i need a preamp and what does a preamp do exactly?

 

[Ed Moxley]

300 watts isn't what it takes to run them, but the max they can handle. I'd bet your TX-SR606 can handle them just fine, unless you're trying to fill a huge auditorium with sound. The only Polks I'm familiar with are the LSi series, which is a step up from the RTi series.

 

[Tubby]

Most reviews i read say i need more power. I guess i could try it with just the receiver. Thank you for the reply.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

That depends on the size of your room as well as how loudly you want to crank it (on top of speaker efficiency). If you have a large size room and want to crank it to the same level as a THX certified movie theater, then you may indeed need more/better power. Also, if you have speakers w/ difficult current demands (and I doubt those Polks would be that way), then too you might need better power.

Most people probably won't crank it loud enough (nor use difficult enough speakers) to require more than what the Onkyo 606 delivers.

And most reviews that would say you "need more power" probably are not done w/ "most people" in mind...

_Man_

 

[Tubby]

Thanks for the info.