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Recommended Amps and preamps for Polk RTI A7s HELP!!!

Hey guys I’m pretty much a newbie to the audio hifi world, it all started a few weeks ago when I received a Denon 2801 amplifier that he wasn’t using. So I decided to get some speakers I got a really good deal on a pair of Polk Audio RTI A7s upon research they are rated from 20 - 300 Watts. I have done a lot of reading from other users and forums that they really need a lot of power to drive to enable to listen to them properly and perform well. Which is also what the seller told me to invest into a good amp and pre amp. I am currently using the Denon 2801 my dad gave me which is only 90 Watts at 8 ohms, I used the amp to test the speakers when I picked them up and the seller was telling me that the amp I’m using is just not cutting it with the A7s probably only performing at 30% performance wise. I’m really new to the audio world guys once again. I just want to get some advice and tips on how amps and pre amps properly work together and are they hard to hook up to one another I notice on the back of my Denon there is a section that’s says pre out and a white and red connector that says left and right im assuming that’s where I would hook up my pre amp? Also another query I have is should I keep my current Denon amp and just get a pre amp with it? What amps or preamps would you guys recommend that would make the pair of A7s perform well? Also if the speakers got the power that they needed would there be a huge difference in sound and quality and where ? I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars but possibly up to $1000 or less just to begin with as I’m fairly new I will probably want to change a few things but I just want to drive these speakers to perform well to truly get the experience of what there capable of. Sorry guys for all the newbie questions and queries . Any help or advice is much appreciated. Thankyou all


Tony
daoki
audiothesis
168 posts
 
Hello daoki,

B&K amps have been used with great results with the RTiA as well as the Parasound HCA series. I would suggest checking out the Polk Audio forum to get more input as many there have experience with the speakers. 
daoki OP
26 posts
 
Hey guys thank you all for your input so far. I’m thinking of getting an amp that is from 150-180 Watts or 200 Watts if possible and maybe later getting a pre amp to go with it later is that worth doing I had a look Luxman LV112 integrated amp it’s only 55 Watts per channel into 8 ohms isn’t that less then thr Denon 2801 receiver I am using which is 90 Watts per channel. So wouldn’t the luxman drive my speakers less then the Denon?
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Only a 3db difference in maximum SPL between the Luxman and Denon. For sound quality the LV112 is the winner here! It was the best I could find with a quick search! I will always choose an amp for SQ rather than maximum SPL! 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
How about the Schiit Freya tube preamp with the Crown XLS 1502 Drive Core amp. 300 + watts for $399 and free shipping from a number of sites (Crutchfield, Sam Ash ...). This combination would be well-within your budget! Plus being brand-new and under warranty! This would be my own personal choice!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
And you can then add a Schiit transport and DAC later! 
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