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Amp recommendation and setup advice please

Hello,

I love music and I adore quality sound - I cannot listen to music on ordinary speakers/devices.

I have been trying to do my research on sound systems/speakers/amps etc.. and learn/understand the whole shebang, but I'm not that much of a tech head. 

I want to buy the Klipsch RF-7 II tower speakers (I think they are passive, hence requiring an amp). 

I want them for both my new TV and also the vinyl/turntable setup I am going for, which is as follows:

Turntable - ProJect Debut Carbon Premium with Ortofon 2M RED (cartridge)
Phono (pre-amp) - ProJect Phono Box DS
Speakers - as above
Subwoofer - thinking either Klipsch R-12SW or R112SW
Amp - ??

I have a few questions:

1. Am I on the right tracks for having all the essentials?
2. Can someone recommend a good amp to power my speakers and sub please, and does the sub need powering or does it have it's own amp? 
3. Do I need a DAC for TV and connection to laptop? If so can you recommend a good one please? I was thinking of Audioengine D1 Premium 24 bit DAC Interface Connector.
4. Please suggest any alternative products if any of the stuff I mentioned are no good or don't fit together that well.
5. How would I set all of this up? Do I need anything else?
6. Do I need more speakers? I'm worried that the sub may be too much bass and drown out the tower speakers. 

I apologise for my lack of knowledge - I've just signed up here because I read that I could get advice and guidance from enthusiasts and experts. I know that my questions and post may frustrate some of you as I may have made some rookie mistakes, and perhaps this type of post has been done a 100 or so times but wasn't sure how to get answers/help. 

Many kind thanks in advance!

Mo
laher

Showing 8 responses by mesch

mesch
1,679 posts
 
Once again you have received great advice from auxinput.

With cables I would encourage you to start out taking a basic (budget) approach throughout.  Many quality used (or discontinued new) digital coax, RCA or XLR interconnects, speaker cables can be purchased on E-bay for reasonable cost.

As an example I have purchased Audioquest cables this way for several applications:
     VDM-3 digital coax
     Diamondback and King Cobra ICs both RCA and XLR
     Type 4 and Rocket 33 bi-wire speaker 

Other brands may be more available in the UK. 

Another approach for a good starter speaker cable is to purchase Canare 4S11 by the foot and terminate amp end single and speaker end bi-wire. A great starter cable on a budget.





mesch
1,679 posts
 
Given your amp only has XLR inputs, I would purchase the model that has XLR outputs. Given that the DACs are also preamps, I would try them in my system directly into the amp prior to considering the purchase of a separate pre. Otherwise I would purchase a DAC with fixed output. It may be that the Pre/DACs you are considering cn be switch to fixed output.
mesch
1,679 posts
 
You should be able to run video from satellite box to the TV via HDMI, and audio from the satellite box to the DAC via coax, then DAC to the powered speakers. Is this the way you are set up? 

You have volume control on the DAC and the speakers. Try setting the DAC at fixed output and controlling volume on the speaker. 

Do the powered speakers have tone controls? Might play with these.

Achieve the sonics you desire from the system prior to considering augmenting the bass via use of a subwoofer. 


mesch
1,679 posts
 
What is your budget?

How did you come to make your speaker choice? There are so many in that price range.

if music was the priority, I would purchase a quality (within budget) integrated amplifier (preamp + amp). Many come with an internal phonostage with pre or sub outs. Some have HT pass through to allow use of a video processor for your TV. 

If support for video is a priority then the suggestion for searching out a used high end HT processor is another route. 
mesch
1,679 posts
 
I believe you are on the right track keeping the TV and music systems separate.  One option, check out the Yamaha 801 integrated amp. It has phonostage and DAC, has subwoofer output, at 100wpc will drive most an speaker in your price range. Retail is under $1000. 

As auxinput posted, speaker choice is very subjective. You need to audition a few and make your own decision.  
mesch
1,679 posts
 
Auxinput has been very generous in his provision of extensive and excellent advice. Most certainly the Parasound Halo is better built than the Yamaha at 2.5 times the price. 

My recommendations were to pertain to the music system as I would prefer to spend most of my dollars there. I don't believe in spending to much to augment the TV experience. For that I would purchase a used AVR and set up a LRC 3 channel system.

I recommended the Yamaha as it is a quality product that, was within budget (as I understood it), and it made for a simpler system, having a DAC, phonostage likely as good as the Project that was proposed, and has the possibility of adding a subwoofer. 

Laher, could you please provide a better read on your budget for the two systems? 
mesch
1,679 posts
 
Your budget is greater than I anticipated.

Though I certainly understand the interest in powered speakers, I prefer ownership of a separate amplifier and speakers. This allows one greater flexibility to change out speakers. Given this preference, for the TV system I would consider the purchase of an integrated amplifier w/DAC and a set of speakers. I also am more inclined to use a subwoofer with video than with audio. As a FYI, there is a Yamaha A-801S amplifier being offered here on AG. Not trying to push you in that direction, just believe it to be one quality full service integrated for your budget. There are others.

Regarding a vinyl/digital based system with emphasis toward vinyl, within a $5000 budget, it might serve you to start a separate thread asking for advice for the turntable/arm/cartridge for such a system. One could easily be justified in placing the same budget towards the TT as the speakers in such a system.

I would strongly consider searching the used market for speakers as well as an integrated amp, DAC, and phonostage however packaged. Your speaker choice will establish the need for amplification power. Stay away from speakers that are hard to drive. Seek out quality over quantity power.  
mesch
1,679 posts
 
As auxinput stated, use of a  subwoofer is not a necessity. Depends on type of main speakers and desires regarding movie augmentation. No way I believe the Yamaha to be better than the Hegel. I do believe it would serve well in your TV system and for anyone considering a $2000-$3000 budget one. The A-xxxS series represent great value for full function integrateds IMO.

Wishing you the best on your quest!  Looking forward to hearing of the results. 


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