3 Channel amp or Monoblocks

Rodeo0530

I would like to buy a decent starter 3 channel amp, or 3 monoblocks for mainly HT use. I would like to have an imporvement in 2 channel as well though. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Less than $800 is where I'm shooting for budget-wise. Thank you in advance!

Rodeo0530

Bump. Anyone have any advice on what to buy, or wanting to sell something?

mantis

If your going the amp route why not go with a 5 channel amp or 7 channel? Monoblocks are great but require plugs for all those amps ,whats nice about a multichannel amp is most of the time there is only 1 powercord to worry about.

If 800.00 is your budget then look into a used Rotel RMB1075. It's a good solid clean clear dynamic amp that can run just about any speakers well.

Emotiva is the craze online but I have no experience with them. They have a 5 channel for like 599.99 . I believe you get what you pay for. I would go with the Rotel.

Rodeo0530

I guess I see what you're saying about the monoblocks and the power cords. I didn't really think about that before posting this I guess. I've got a HK354 as my receiver that I was planning on using for the surrounds, so would I need the 5 or 7 channel amp? I know that Rotel would be more powerful than my receiver without question, but I just wasn't sure if it was necessary. Mantis, I will trust your input because you seem to know a lot around this forum. Thank you for your input so far.

concealer404

Hey Rodney:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100261

Would be easy to find a matching 2 channel later on if you feel the urge.

Avalon

Rodeo,

This is exactly what you're looking for. This six channel amp is bridgeable to three. I have no affiliation with the seller, but I used the same amp to power my three fronts and my Yamaha receiver to power the rears. It works swimmingly. Nice price to boot. I'd jump on it quickly.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100548

Cheers!

Rodeo0530

I still don't know what to do here guys. I know that these are good deals, but I would like to spend a little more $$$ now for a more powerful 3 channel/5 channel amp, so I might not get the upgrade bug quite so quickly. Should I just get one of these now for the price and upgrade later? I could probably spend up to $1000 for a nice 3,5,7 channel amp. I could spend more, but I just don't want to at this point.

TouchOfEvil

For $1000 you can get a heck of an amp. I'd look around audiogon IMO and see what you like.

Rodeo0530

I know what you're saying about seeing what I like, but I'm still very much a newbie here. I know a lot of people here would say to let your ears decide, but I don't think my wallet is ready to let my ears decide...over and over and over again.

Avalon

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

I still don't know what to do here guys. I know that these are good deals, but I would like to spend a little more $$$ now for a more powerful 3 channel/5 channel amp, so I might not get the upgrade bug quite so quickly. Should I just get one of these now for the price and upgrade later? I could probably spend up to $1000 for a nice 3,5,7 channel amp. I could spend more, but I just don't want to at this point.

If you ask me I think the upgrade bugs never goes away. It bit me about eight years ago when I got to the point where my Yamaha receiver paired with JBL LX-44s were fatiguingly bright. I went out and bought a set of Paradigm Studio 60s v2 and I thought I'd have them forever. Then I realized my newly purchased Yammy RX-V2200 receiver didn't have enough umph to make it happen and the journey never ends...

Anyhow, outside of the HK receiver you don't indicate what you speakers you are using. In my case, just adding an external amp made a huge difference with the Studio 60s. They drink power. I think you'll find that adding an amp will take your listening experience to a new level. The watts that reciever manufacture's claim are suspect in my opinion. In most cases, a stand alone amp provides cleaner watts with larger caps to dig a little deeper when needed. The beauty is, if you decide down the road you're ready for another upgrade you can sell the amp for little if any loss and chaulk it up as a listening experience that cost you next to nothing. Go for it .

P.S. If you're ever in Columbus, let me know. I can have you over for a listening session...

Rodeo0530

Avalon wrote: »

If you ask me I think the upgrade bugs never goes away. It bit me about eight years ago when I got to the point where my Yamaha receiver paired with JBL LX-44s were fatiguingly bright. I went out and bought a set of Paradigm Studio 60s v2 and I thought I'd have them forever. Then I realized my newly purchased Yammy RX-V2200 receiver didn't have enough umph to make it happen and the journey never ends...

Anyhow, outside of the HK receiver you don't indicate what you speakers you are using. In my case, just adding an external amp made a huge difference with the Studio 60s. They drink power. I think you'll find that adding an amp will take your listening experience to a new level. The watts that reciever manufacture's claim are suspect in my opinion. In most cases, a stand alone amp provides cleaner watts with larger caps to dig a little deeper when needed. The beauty is, if you decide down the road you're ready for another upgrade you can sell the amp for little if any loss and chaulk it up as a listening experience that cost you next to nothing. Go for it .

P.S. If you're ever in Columbus, let me know. I can have you over for a listening session...

Hmmm....you do make a very good point about being able to upgrade/change things up a bit for little to no cost I guess. My speakers aren't anywhere near the quality of yours yet as I just have Monitor 70's and the CS2 up front for my HT. I would like to get them some good power for the time being, so I can enjoy them a bit more yet in both HT and 2 channel.

I might have to take you up on the listening session if I'm in Columbus sometime. When I visited Ben(concealer404) I started to get a little bit by that damn 2 channel bug. Thanks for the input.

concealer404

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

Hmmm....you do make a very good point about being able to upgrade/change things up a bit for little to no cost I guess. My speakers aren't anywhere near the quality of yours yet as I just have Monitor 70's and the CS2 up front for my HT. I would like to get them some good power for the time being, so I can enjoy them a bit more yet in both HT and 2 channel.

I might have to take you up on the listening session if I'm in Columbus sometime. When I visited Ben(concealer404) I started to get a little bit by that damn 2 channel bug. Thanks for the input.

If you come back again, i don't think "bitten" would be the correct term. Think "mauled."

Avalon

I'm sure you've seen the Rotel 3-channel amp sold quickly. You'll find something. BTW I came across Emotiva recently and thought of you. Check them out. A great bang for the buck. This three channel 200 wpc sells for only $600 and a five channel can be had for $800. The 125W 5-channel version sells for only $550.

http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

Do a search on the Audiogon forum for Emotiva and you'll get a slew of info and opinions.

Cheers!

Rodeo0530

concealer404 wrote: »

If you come back again, i don't think "bitten" would be the correct term. Think "mauled."

I know!

Rodeo0530

Avalon wrote: »

I'm sure you've seen the Rotel 3-channel amp sold quickly. You'll find something. BTW I came across Emotiva recently and thought of you. Check them out. A great bang for the buck. This three channel 200 wpc sells for only $600 and a five channel can be had for $800. The 125W 5-channel version sells for only $550.

http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

Do a search on the Audiogon forum for Emotiva and you'll get a slew of info and opinions.

Cheers!

I've thought about the XPA-5, but I know there's a lot of negativity around here about them. I think I would be ok with it for HT, but a nice used amp would be a better option I think. I might give the Emo a try because they have the 30 day try it and return it option. Thanks for the continuing input.

Rodeo0530

What about this 3 channel amp?

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1278637364&/Parasound-2003-/-3-Channel-hig


It's about 20-25 minutes away from me.

Rodeo0530

bump?

reberly

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

What about this 3 channel amp?

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1278637364&/Parasound-2003-/-3-Channel-hig


It's about 20-25 minutes away from me.

I have 2 parasound amps, not the one in your link but they are a great amp company you wouldn't be dissapointed by the brand. I didn't look at the specs on it but just make sure it has the watts you are looking for

reberly

Ok I lied I went and looked at the specs. At 300watts for 4ohm if that is your speaker type you'll have plenty of good sounding power. I have 315watts from my parasound going into my Lsi's and they sound great. If you search for Parasound in the forums you'll hear a lot of good comments.