[MikeHokie]

Hey all,


I'm in college and I need advice on the best stereo receiver to power two BIC America RtR EV-15's. (Just a disclaimer I'm not an expert at all so I apologize in advance)


Speakers here: http://www.amazon.com/BIC-RTR-EV15-E.../dp/B003H3L76I


The room we're putting the speakers in is a large living room, approximately 25 x 35.


I purchased an Onkyo TX-8555 refurbished on Amazon for $189.00, but the unit failed after a few hours of use. It also didn't push the bass very loud and I was disappointed from the sound quality especially since owners of the RtR's were glowing about the deep bass and excellent sound quality.


We'll be having parties with potentially as many as 100 to 150 people, and our neighbor's father is the chief of police so in terms of noise level we don't have to worry about that (it's the typical college party neighborhood).


I need a receiver that can pump these speakers to their full potential and then some. I went to my local A/V store and the owner told me they had a Yamaha AX-497 for $399.00, but when I said I would come back the next day and let him know he said he'd do it for $355.00 (the unit is new).


Here are the receivers:


Yamaha AX-497: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115148


Onkyo TX-8555: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8555B...3538285&sr=8-1


For anyone out there with knowledge of A/V receivers could you give me a good receiver to look at? My budget is $400.


Thanks!

 

[MichaelJHuman]

If it was me, I would get a cheap, less than $100 receiver with a working input and volume control, and output so it can be connected to an amp. Then get a used pro amp that can do 200x2 watts (Maybe you can find one for $250 or less.)

 

[MikeHokie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman If it was me, I would get a cheap, less than $100 receiver with a working input and volume control, and output so it can be connected to an amp. Then get a used pro amp that can do 200x2 watts (Maybe you can find one for $250 or less.)

What amp would you suggest how exactly would that work?


Also I was looking at the HK-3490 linked here: http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-...3540546&sr=8-1


Any thoughts on that?

 

[skally]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman If it was me, I would get a cheap, less than $100 receiver with a working input and volume control, and output so it can be connected to an amp. Then get a used pro amp that can do 200x2 watts.

+1


Since its only going to be used for college I would spend the least I could. I would look into Craigs list or somewhere on the lines of that. Sounds like you need any "features" of such... so maybe an external amp may be a good route as well.


Unless you want to spend up to $400 and would use the features of the newer systems then I would suggest maybe something like...
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR609...3540079&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-10...3540079&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-92...540250&sr=1-32
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-PIONEE...540365&sr=1-68


... or even the 497 you listed. Anyhow... that would be your choice to "if" you want to save and go used or maybe look into something that has more features you can use more of.

 

[mjpearce023]

I agree with Michael. Something like this would work for the pre amp.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....Marantz-AV550-

Then just add a used amp or pro-amp and you're good to go.

 

[MikeHokie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman If it was me, I would get a cheap, less than $100 receiver with a working input and volume control, and output so it can be connected to an amp. Then get a used pro amp that can do 200x2 watts (Maybe you can find one for $250 or less.)

What preamp and amplifier setup would you suggest in that price range?


Any particular brands I should be looking at?

 

[MichaelJHuman]

If you are feeding it with a laptop, iPod etc., almost anything works as a pre amp. It's just a volume control. In fact, you can drive an amp directly from a laptop or iPod. I don't suggest this, because people will instinctively set the volume of a receiver or pre amp to something low - they may forget to do this with an iPod or laptop, and the results will be...loud (perhaps painfully slow.)


So anyone's cast off receiver will work as long as the volume control works along with any input, and the receiver has a record output or pre out. You can buy a cheap mixer from Sweetwater.com or Zzounds for $50 too.


As for an amp, look around or ask around. Crown, QSC, Mackie, Peavy and Yamaha are all well respected. Pyle, maybe not so much (Pyle inflate their power ratings a lot - beware.)


I found some decent deals on Crown amps on ebay. Just one example...

http://cgi.ebay.com/CROWN-XLS-602-12...item2a13316cdb

 

[MikeHokie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman /forum/post/20830909


If you are feeding it with a laptop, iPod etc., almost anything works as a pre amp. It's just a volume control. In fact, you can drive an amp directly from a laptop or iPod. I don't suggest this, because people will instinctively set the volume of a receiver or pre amp to something low - they may forget to do this with an iPod or laptop, and the results will be...loud (perhaps painfully slow.)


So anyone's cast off receiver will work as long as the volume control works along with any input, and the receiver has a record output or pre out. You can buy a cheap mixer from Sweetwater.com or Zzounds for $50 too.


As for an amp, look around or ask around. Crown, QSC, Mackie, Peavy and Yamaha are all well respected. Pyle, maybe not so much (Pyle inflate their power ratings a lot - beware.)


I found some decent deals on Crown amps on ebay. Just one example...

http://cgi.ebay.com/CROWN-XLS-602-12...item2a13316cdb

Thanks for the input.


How about this Crown amp:

http://www.amazon.com/Crown-XLS1000-...3544693&sr=8-1



With this preamp:

http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-PR2500...3544961&sr=1-3


Then I've got the speakers (already bought):

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-RTR-EV15-E...3545099&sr=1-1


Also got 14-gauge speaker wire, and a Y-cable to connect an iPod/laptop. What kind of wire do I need to connect the amplifier to the preamp?


Thanks Michael, you've been a HUGE help.

 

[kikkenit2]

The QSC GX3 is a good stereo party amp. Same $300 new and more power than the crown 1000.

 

[MikeHokie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kikkenit2 /forum/post/20831285


The QSC GX3 is a good stereo party amp. Same $300 new and more power than the crown 1000.

Sounds like a good deal, what preamp would be best and what wire would I need to connect the power amplifier to the preamp?

 

[kikkenit2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeHokie /forum/post/20831435


Sounds like a good deal, what preamp would be best and what wire would I need to connect the power amplifier to the preamp?

Any regular rca pair cable will work. Monoprice.com is decent for low price. Something like this.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2


Follow others on preamps.

 

[MikeHokie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kikkenit2 /forum/post/20831543


Any regular rca pair cable will work. Monoprice.com is decent for low price. Something like this.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2


Follow others on preamps.

Like I said I'm not an expert so really not sure what preamp to get.


The goal here is to power two BIC America RtR EV-15's to their full potential. I want it loud (there will be 50+ people in our townhouse potentially). If I'm using one amplifier for both channels, would that not be overload on the power?

 

[MikeHokie]

Bump

 

[kikkenit2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeHokie /forum/post/20831566


Like I said I'm not an expert so really not sure what preamp to get.


The goal here is to power two BIC America RtR EV-15's to their full potential. I want it loud (there will be 50+ people in our townhouse potentially). If I'm using one amplifier for both channels, would that not be overload on the power?

Some amps are mono or single channel but most amps are 2 channels or stereo including the qsc gx3. It does about 300 watts 8ohm and 450 watts 4ohm each of 2 channels both driven same time. A pro amp can handle the bass loads that large drivers demand. For $100 more step up to the gx5 that has enough power to melt those speakers or your ears. It has a noisy fan and doesn't output audiophile quality clean sound but will easily outdo any receiver for true amp power and high volume without clipping distortion.

 

[mtnsound]

yeah, neither of those receivers will give you the power you'll need. Look for a used amp and can use a pre or a cheaper receiver.