Snake Doctor
Active Member
I have a ATI505 amp and the left speaker connection has gone out, I checked to see if it was a fuse, no such luck. This is the 3rd or 4th time I have had to take the amp in for repair. However, I am not so sure it is worth the cost of evaluation, parts and labor. So this is going to be a multi-question thread.
All of you most likely know I am an amateur at the lowest level in knowledge, however I know what I like in audio when I hear it and video when I see it. So please be patient with me...
The way I understand it is an amplifier runs wide open, meaning there isn't a way to control the volume on the amp so it is the prepro's job to contol how much signal gets to the amp and how the sound is translated so the speakers deliver DTS/Dolby Digital and now ATMOS (which I do not understand. I thought Atmos was audio only until I was at Costco and saw OLED with and without Atmos.)
So if that is true, it doesn't matter what amp I buy, but I need to know how many speakers it will support at what amps and where they are located....front left, center, front right, left effect, right effect, left surround, right surround, and perhaps way in the back speakers. I am not sure where Atmos comes in (ceiling?) or how it will improve the sound.
Let's say I get an amp that is 11 channels plus Atmos and want to run it on 5 or 7 channels until I get a new prepro, is that a problem? Is there a preference between new and rebuilt (refurbished)? Then I wait a couple of years and decide to get an OLED TV and want to upgrade my prepro to distribute sound to all of the channels that my amp can handle, is there a problem of any kind?
I have had separates for years. They cost more then than an AVR, is the cost of buying an amp and a preamp vs a AVR worth the difference in cost? According to Sound & Vision I can get one hella'va AVR for $2,500. If you read the October 2017 issue a ONKYO PR-RZ5100 Surround reference processor is $2,399. ( I am sure it can be purchased on line for less). Plus I need to get an amp. (What do you guys have against ONKYO?)
So here I am at a crossroads and I need to decide which way to go. As I have told you before I do not get new (to me) equipment often, but when I do I want to make sure I get the very best product for the $$ even if I have to wait several years between purchases.
Which direction is the better for sound & vision?
Or should I just have the ATI repaired?
All of you most likely know I am an amateur at the lowest level in knowledge, however I know what I like in audio when I hear it and video when I see it. So please be patient with me...
The way I understand it is an amplifier runs wide open, meaning there isn't a way to control the volume on the amp so it is the prepro's job to contol how much signal gets to the amp and how the sound is translated so the speakers deliver DTS/Dolby Digital and now ATMOS (which I do not understand. I thought Atmos was audio only until I was at Costco and saw OLED with and without Atmos.)
So if that is true, it doesn't matter what amp I buy, but I need to know how many speakers it will support at what amps and where they are located....front left, center, front right, left effect, right effect, left surround, right surround, and perhaps way in the back speakers. I am not sure where Atmos comes in (ceiling?) or how it will improve the sound.
Let's say I get an amp that is 11 channels plus Atmos and want to run it on 5 or 7 channels until I get a new prepro, is that a problem? Is there a preference between new and rebuilt (refurbished)? Then I wait a couple of years and decide to get an OLED TV and want to upgrade my prepro to distribute sound to all of the channels that my amp can handle, is there a problem of any kind?
I have had separates for years. They cost more then than an AVR, is the cost of buying an amp and a preamp vs a AVR worth the difference in cost? According to Sound & Vision I can get one hella'va AVR for $2,500. If you read the October 2017 issue a ONKYO PR-RZ5100 Surround reference processor is $2,399. ( I am sure it can be purchased on line for less). Plus I need to get an amp. (What do you guys have against ONKYO?)
So here I am at a crossroads and I need to decide which way to go. As I have told you before I do not get new (to me) equipment often, but when I do I want to make sure I get the very best product for the $$ even if I have to wait several years between purchases.
Which direction is the better for sound & vision?
Or should I just have the ATI repaired?
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