2. amps-preamps
  3. 181038-178321

Basic Questions

I’m a long-time middle tier/value home theater consumer.   Recently I’ve moved toward trying to get more out of my 2 channel listening (vinyl, streaming, Hi-rez, etc).  I moved from my DefTech towers to Paradigm Persona 3F. Big 2 channel improvement, but not the level I heard while auditioning them (with a separate amp).    

My media room is 18’ wide x 24’ deep.   I listen at moderate volumes, only occasionally cranking it up.  Unfortunately, live about 4 hours from closest hi-end sound shop, so not easy to audition equipment.

Some basic questions:

1. Do I need a pre-amp and why?  I’m fairly happy with my AVR’s sound programs.

2. Will additional amp work solely with 2 front mains, or power to entire HT system?

3. Is it simple interconnect from AVR to Amp, then speaker cable to front speakers?

3. I have seen  strong recommendations for Anthem STR and Parasound A21.   Any affirmations or other recommendations (looking to keep things under $10K with interconnects.)

 

My Equipment:

7 speaker Home theater

- Paradigm Persona 3F mains (“suitable amp power range = 15-400 watts; “max input power 200 watts). Morrow Audio SP6 speaker cables

- Definitive Tech UIW RSS II sides (10-200 watts per channel)

- Definitive Tech UIW RLS III rears (10-325 watts per channel)

- Definitive Tech CS-9080 center (300w internal amp; “recommended input power” = 50-300 watts per channel). Morrow Audio Sp4 reference speaker cable. 

 

Yamaha RX-A3080 9.2 Channel AV Receiver

- Rated  output power 2-channel driven 20Hz-20kHz = 150 watts

-  Dynamic power = 175 watts

 

Marantz  turntable with Budgie pre-amp.  Morrow Audio PH5 interconnects

Oppo BDP-105

 

Thanks and be kind!

javaruke
big_greg
6,632 posts
 

Home Theater Bypass is your friend. Use the AVR (or better yet separate processor and amps) for home theater and use an integrated as suggested or separate amps and preamp for two channel. HTBP allows you to divert the two mains to HT use and offers much better sound quality for two channel listening. There's a lot of electronics stuffed into an AVR and a lot of compromises to get all that stuff in one box. 

javaruke OP
5 posts
 

Thank you all for sharing your considerable knowledge and experience.

Having playing around with speaker placement, AVR sound programs, and having to take the AVR to 90% volume to start to get a little life from my new Personas, I know I need to start building a (relatively) separate 2ch system.

I’m going to start with the Anthem STR integrated and build my knowledge and system from there.

Gratitude to all for your help! 🙏

 

 

soix
9,456 posts
 

Congrats!  I’m sure you’re gonna hear significant improvements with the stereo integrated.  By all means, please report back once the Anthem is burned in. 

fisher_400
71 posts
 

AV equipment normally does not have the audio quality of a 2 channel stereo system and many AV receivers do not have a phono amp. The Rega Brio R would outperform the best AV receivers and the Rega Elex R is the minimum quality SS amp I would use, Adcom.also makes great SS amps.

fisher_400
71 posts
 

BTW- the Anthem STR outperforms the Rega products I mentioned. My post is for everyone to read.

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