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Need a good amp, input is mainly from computer

post #1 of 14
6/6/12 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hey everybody. I'm a bit uneducated when it comes to any recent audio equipment and need some help on an upgrade. Currently I have a 2.1 system with 2 BA A150's and a JBL PB12 I got free and rebuilt with a BASH 300w amp. They are driven by a Sony STR-DE595 which is fed by my computer. I'm still in college so this setup is and will be in a small square apartment room for at least a couple years. I feel that a new amp would create a noticably better sound but am very lost in what to buy. I've been looking at Denon and Onkyo, but seeing as how most of the features they advertise are more connectors and networking support, which benefit me in 0 ways (since this is fed my pc which has access to all these features, and the pc in my opinion is the universal media player on 1 HDMI), I am a little lost at what features merit my money. I have $2,000 which I am only willing to spend all of if the upgrade is something that will last me many many years, that said I'd prefer to keep it under $1000. It would be nice if I could just plug up different components in my system to test before I bought them, but sadly that doesn't seem to be the way the world works. Help me out guys, and feel free to comment on my current speaker setup as well.
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post #2 of 14
6/7/12 at 6:37am
As you only have a 2.1 system you don't really need an AVR. I have no knowledge of the A 150s or the Sony, except I have owned a Sony AVR two decades ago. What I do know is the PB12 is not a great music sub, better for LFE duty in a HT. Generally speaking, its the speakers that make or break a system.

But that said, getting an HK 3390 or 3490 stereo receiver would be an upgrade, compared to the Sony, imo. As you have a small room, no need to get a power amp. There is also the HK 990 integrated amp, but that would eat all of your $2K.
There is also the Outlaw RR2150 stereo receiver.
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post #3 of 14
6/7/12 at 8:23am
Thread Starter 
The Outlaw is out of the picture since it doesn't appear to have digital inputs. I'm currently using an optical output from my pc, but I can also use HDMI if I wanted. How do these HK's compare to the Denon AVR's? They carry a pretty similar price tag.
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post #4 of 14
6/7/12 at 8:27am
honestly, save your money...
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post #5 of 14
6/7/12 at 10:21am
Yah, I don't see any reason to upgrade. Any hypothetical improvement in audio quality is going to drowned out by even a relatively quiet PC. If you really must spend some money, I'd say put the money into making your PC as silent as possible.
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post #6 of 14
6/7/12 at 1:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross Ridge View Post

Yah, I don't see any reason to upgrade. Any hypothetical improvement in audio quality is going to drowned out by even a relatively quiet PC. If you really must spend some money, I'd say put the money into making your PC as silent as possible.

I made the pc pretty quiet and listen to the music pretty loud :/ I actually build custom pc's for people as a side job.
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post #7 of 14
6/10/12 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
Well I guess I wont get anything then. Between the feedback of being recommended something with no backing, saving my money, and a person that thinks a computer is louder than a speaker I think it would be smartest if I keep my money as far away from this forum as possible tongue.gif
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post #8 of 14
6/10/12 at 6:37pm
Try looking at a DAC and an AMP. Also, your speakers aren't really the greatest... speakers is where you hear the biggest difference.

For example you could try the Emotiva XDA-1 if you have other components besides your PC or the FIIO D3 if it's single into the Emotiva XPA-2. That would only cost around $900. Then I would sink the rest into some better speakers. Maybe some Ascend Sierra-1's? I think that setup would sound a lot better than what you have. The XPA-2 has a pass-through RCA so you can hook up your current sub. I won't touch on your sub for now.... smile.gif
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post #9 of 14
6/10/12 at 7:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rindoze View Post

Well I guess I wont get anything then. Between the feedback of being recommended something with no backing, saving my money, and a person that thinks a computer is louder than a speaker I think it would be smartest if I keep my money as far away from this forum as possible tongue.gif

If you can't understand what people are telling you, then yes, you're better off staying away from here.
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post #10 of 14
6/11/12 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross Ridge View Post

If you can't understand what people are telling you, then yes, you're better off staying away from here.

I'm not sure anyone would understand what your saying
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post #11 of 14
6/11/12 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

honestly, save your money...

+1

@rindoze

You would be much better served putting the money into a better quality pair of speakers and sub and saving the rest for when you can afford a full 5.1 setup. Check the Speakers forum for suggestions on how best to spend given your environment.
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post #12 of 14
6/11/12 at 11:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rindoze View Post

I'm not sure anyone would understand what your saying

You don't seem to understand what anyone is trying to tell you.

Maybe you should try Best Buy. They must get a lot of people like you there, and I'm sure your money couldn't be in safer hands.
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post #13 of 14
6/13/12 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross Ridge View Post

You don't seem to understand what anyone is trying to tell you.
Maybe you should try Best Buy. They must get a lot of people like you there, and I'm sure your money couldn't be in safer hands.

You trying to make me sound ignorant does not cover the fact that your previous comment does not in any sort of way make any sort of sense. As I stated before I am going to listen to everyone's advice and just hold out.
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post #14 of 14
6/14/12 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rindoze View Post

You trying to make me sound ignorant does not cover the fact that your previous comment does not in any sort of way make any sort of sense. As I stated before I am going to listen to everyone's advice and just hold out.

No, what you said before was that you were going keep you money "as far away from this forum as possible". I guess you have since changed your mind and decided that the advice here isn't that bad, even if you didn't really understand what anyone was telling you.
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