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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
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
The Crown XLS 1502 is indeed a killer amp competitive with the real expensive stuff! If I didn't already have too many amps I would buy one myself! Use the Denon as a preamp from the pre-out jacks. With the money saved get a cheap DVD player (to use as a CD transport) and a Schiit DAC. Truly excellent sound for not much cost! Shipping to Australia could be arranged.
daoki OP
26 posts
 
Sorry for the newbie questions and to frustrate you lol but what is the Schiit dac? And how do I look out for how much current an amplifier draws? Because I read some where else where someone said when it comes to looking for an amp and pre amp never look at the Watts because I think the crown xls is only 55 Watts where as the Denon I’m using is 90 Watts but apparently the crown would draw more current which would drive I’m Polk rti a7s bettter then the Denon. I’m just really confused then what do the figures mean then I always thought more Watts was better ? And how do I read current used or pushed out from the specs menu of a ad for amps ?

thanks once again for your help and advice really appreciate you taking the time out to deal with my amateurness lol 
daoki OP
26 posts
 

Hi guys I found a Denon poa 2800 my only concern is I don’t think it supports optical cable because I could not see any optical ports. But considering thr specs would this be a good amp to drive my speakers Polk rti a7s?


these are the specs.

High End Denon power amplifier
High End Denon Power amplifier model POA-2800 Made in Japan
Very good condition and Amazing sound(warm open sound and strong power out put)
This unit build in very big transformer and 4 big caps 18.000Mf each caps
200 watts pre channel for 8 ohm or 350 per channel for 4 ohm
Dimension W- 430 D- 410 H-190 18Kg
Everything working in good condition slight scratches




captbeaver's avatar
captbeaver
167 posts
 
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XLI1500--crown-xli-1500-power-amplifier?mrkgcl=28&mrkgad...
mrdecibel
3,061 posts
 
daoki, the POA 2800, as a power amp, would get it’s signal from the pre outs of your receiver, using a pair of single ended ( rca to rca ) cables. The optical connection you speak of ( and all of your sources ) are connected to the receiver. Your main speakers, the Polks, would now connect to the power amp. The Crown would connect the same way. However, the Crown has a pair of fans within its chassis to help with cooling, and depending on the amp placement and your listening position, the fans might be audible, particularly during low level listening or quiet musical passages. Hope this helps. Enjoy ! MrD.
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