Need help on amp basics

[Mr Peabody]

You really do have several ways to go and many brands to choose from. Doing some listening is a good idea.

If you want the best of both worlds, music and HT, there are a couple of basic configurations you can use though.

1. Get a preamp processor and separate power amp

2. Set up a 2 channel system but make sure the preamp, or integrated, has a "bypass" feature. This feature will allow you to connect the front/main preamp outs of a HT receiver or preamp to it, an passing it through to the power amp. So both 2-channel and HT fronts will use the same amplification and speakers.

3. You could still buy a receiver but buy one built by a higher quality manufacturer who would put more emphasis on good sound for 2-channel, like Arcam, Rotel, possibly NAD.

Did your $4k budget include electronics and speakers? If so, you should either start with 2-channel and build from there, or think about #3. High quality separates will cost, at least $4k for processor/power amp, if you are lucky.

I've got a Krell integrated with the bypass feature I was talking about and a Krell cdp I'd be willing to sell. Some day I need to get serious and post it on Audiogon. Just email if interested.

[wchek]

You really do have several ways to go and many brands to choose from. Doing some listening is a good idea.

If you want the best of both worlds, music and HT, there are a couple of basic configurations you can use though.

1. Get a preamp processor and separate power amp

2. Set up a 2 channel system but make sure the preamp, or integrated, has a "bypass" feature. This feature will allow you to connect the front/main preamp outs of a HT receiver or preamp to it, an passing it through to the power amp. So both 2-channel and HT fronts will use the same amplification and speakers.

3. You could still buy a receiver but buy one built by a higher quality manufacturer who would put more emphasis on good sound for 2-channel, like Arcam, Rotel, possibly NAD.

Did your $4k budget include electronics and speakers? If so, you should either start with 2-channel and build from there, or think about #3. High quality separates will cost, at least $4k for processor/power amp, if you are lucky.

I've got a Krell integrated with the bypass feature I was talking about and a Krell cdp I'd be willing to sell. Some day I need to get serious and post it on Audiogon. Just email if interested.

#1, is Yamaha RX-V861 a pre-amp processor?

#2, Do you mean the following configuration

Source --> Preamp --> HT Receiver --> Power Amp --> Speaker

Bypass : Preamp to Power Amp (skip Receiver)

#3, I had a discussion with the audio shop today about going separates or receiver, and apparently he thinks that with my budget, it is best to get a high quality receiver for both music and HT. Optional upgrade would be a power amp if I can up the budget. I want a system that will last me long enough without frequent upgrading, so i think getting good quality equipment one at a time is a good idea.

They recommended the high end receiver of Yamaha RX-Z9 (demo unit available at $2200), RX-V3800 or RX-V1800. I haven't auditioned any of them except the lower end RX-V861.

Any comments anyone?

[GMichael]

The RX-V861 is an A/V receiver. It includes a processor, tuner and amps all rolled into one unit. It doesn't do a bad job, but having separates would sound better if you have the cash. It can also be used as just a processor if you add external amps. You would not need a processor and a receiver. If you get a processor you will need amps. (but not a receiver)

Receiver = tuner, processor & amps
Integrated amp = processor & amps (no tuner)
A processor takes the signal from your source (CD, turntable, DVD player etc) and sends it to the amps. It controls volume, balance, type of decoding etc.
The amps amplify the signal and sends it to your speakers.

What speakers you pick out will dictate whether or not separates will make a big difference or not.



Source-processor-amp-speakers

[GMichael]

#3, I had a discussion with the audio shop today about going separates or receiver, and apparently he thinks that with my budget, it is best to get a high quality receiver for both music and HT. Optional upgrade would be a power amp if I can up the budget. I want a system that will last me long enough without frequent upgrading, so i think getting good quality equipment one at a time is a good idea.

They recommended the high end receiver of Yamaha RX-Z9 (demo unit available at $2200), RX-V3800 or RX-V1800. I haven't auditioned any of them except the lower end RX-V861.

Any comments anyone?

Pick out your speakers first. Then you'll know how much power you will need. The RX-VZ9 is an older model. It's very nice but doesn't have HDMI wich you may want if you go 1080p HD down the road. The RX-V1800 is very nice and would drive most speakers well. You could always add a 2 channel amp later if need be (as they said) The 3800 isn't much different than the 1800. The 10 more watts won't mean much in real life. Save the 3 or 4 hundred $ difference.