Home theater AV Amp / pre amp /amp- Help!

[admin_exported]

Ok, I am a newbie to Home cinema.... I got a great deal on a set (4) B&W XT4 speakers in a clearance sale (40% off) but having purchased them I now have to get them powered up, I will be buying the XTC & PV1 sub later to make up the full system.

The salesman said that I would need a seperate amp to power the front speakers and another amp to power the rear and that is before I get 5.1 or 7.1 AV amp... and then he talked about cross wiring things too???? and a Pre amp??? Frankly I am lost... and I think he was on commission.

I know the XT's are power hungry so I expect to have to invest in a decent AV amp... but can somebody advise what the best solution is? I am interested in the new Rotel RSX-1560 .... would this be sufficient to drive the speakers(7x100w into 8 Ohms) or would I need to add an amp / pre amp??? What about Denon? or Yamaha??? Perhaps a second hand amp? I have a budget around £2,500...ish for this.

I love the B&W XT's but havent a clue about the real important
bit...sorry!!!

Yes, I am ashamed to have let down the male species...and admit I don't know!!! There... I've said it....

thanks

James

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The Xts will take a bit of power but any av amp at your price point will easily drive them. You could buy a pre amp and seperate power amps if you want, but a Yamaha DSP-Z7 would be my choice , it will sound great with the XT's. If you opt for a pre/power seriously consider the Marantz AV/MM8003, it has plenty of juice 200w / ch although just beyond your initial budget.

The best thing is to try and listen before you buy so you hear the differences that you are paying for.

Nick

 

[Anonymous]

You don't need a power amp unless you really need to drive the fronts more or want to use your fronts for AV and Hi Fi duty. I would go for the Yamaha RXV1900 or RXV 3900. Both these amps are more than capable of driving your speakers. If money ain't an issue the Yamaha DSP Z7 would also do the job.