What are good external amp brands?

integ3
integ3 Posts: 22
edited June 2010 in Electronics
I'm thinking (just like in car audio) the brand of the amp will determin the quality of sound, actual power, and overall quality of amp. So what brand names should I stick with.

Through the little bit of research i've done i'm hearing good things about Carver, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom and Emotiva. Is there any brands I should add or subtract from that list? I'll be looking for a three channel amp for my fronts and center, and won't be ready to buy for a few months. But, i'm also looking for a good "quality to dollar" ratio. I don't need some super expensive amp...and i'm sure there is a point to where you are paying for a brand name and bragging rights over just a good performing amp.

This will mainly be for home theater and games, in a 5.1 set-up...i'll power my surround speakers with my AVR (Onkyo 606).

Also, is this a good thing to buy used? Will an external amp "wear out" over time, like a set of speakers would?

Thanks for any advice.
Post edited by integ3 on
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited June 2010
    In keeping with the spirit of your current list I would add B&K to it.

    And yes, I would buy used in a heartbeat
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,961
    edited June 2010
    I only buy used! FYI, I believe the Onkyo 606 does NOT have preouts, so are you planning on upgrading?

    I've owned Carver and Parasound, and have loved every second.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • integ3
    integ3 Posts: 22
    edited June 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    I only buy used! FYI, I believe the Onkyo 606 does NOT have preouts, so are you planning on upgrading?

    I have pre-outs on my AVR, they took them out on the 607 and 608.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2010
    integ3 wrote: »
    I have pre-outs on my AVR, they took them out on the 607 and 608.

    onkyo606.jpg

    Where?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited June 2010
    Interesting, I didn't think any of the 6 series had pre outs.

    Beat me too it Face....lots of in's...no outs.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2010
    tonyb wrote: »
    Interesting, I didn't think any of the 6 series had pre outs.
    The 674 did.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited June 2010
    Learn somethin' new every day around here. Thanks for the info.

    As far as amps wearing out like speakers, they don't wear anymore or less than your AVR,at least the solid state ones,tubes is a whole nutha story.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • integ3
    integ3 Posts: 22
    edited June 2010
    On the features tab for my AVR on Onkyo's web site it says " analog pre-outs...sub". I thought that's what the front, surr, center and surr back was there in the DVD section???

    http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR606&class=Receiver&p=f
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2010
    Yes, you have a sub out.

    The front, surr, etc... is a multi-channel input.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • integ3
    integ3 Posts: 22
    edited June 2010
    Ahhhh, never mind...that must mean I ONLY have analog pre-out(singular) for me subwoofer. Well I guess so much for getting an external amp...i'll just get a bigger AVR since i'd have buy a different one to get analog pre-outs anyway. CRAP!!
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited June 2010
    Thats a pre out for the subwoofer only. Whats in the dvd section is to hook up a dvd player with analog cables. You need front left and right,surrounds,center preouts which I don't see.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • buccidiego
    buccidiego Posts: 75
    edited June 2010
    I'm getting a Parasound 2205AT 200wpc. I got the recommendation here in this forum...

    Other brands that were recommended here were: Rotel, NAD, Adcom, B&K, Sunfire, Emotiva.

    Some don't like the Emotiva though. But you could buy one new for less $$$...
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited June 2010
    if you just want two channel I guess you could always use the zone two but if you want all five channels you're going to have to step up the AVR for preouts....
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • integ3
    integ3 Posts: 22
    edited June 2010
    coolsax wrote: »
    if you just want two channel I guess you could always use the zone two but if you want all five channels you're going to have to step up the AVR for preouts....

    Could I use that "zone 2 out" for an external amp for my fronts...and the AVR's internal amps for the center, and surround channels? Or does it not work like that?
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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,230
    edited June 2010
    integ3 wrote: »
    I'm thinking (just like in car audio) the brand of the amp will determin the quality of sound, actual power, and overall quality of amp. So what brand names should I stick with.

    Through the little bit of research i've done i'm hearing good things about Carver, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom and Emotiva. Is there any brands I should add or subtract from that list? I'll be looking for a three channel amp for my fronts and center, and won't be ready to buy for a few months. But, i'm also looking for a good "quality to dollar" ratio. I don't need some super expensive amp...and i'm sure there is a point to where you are paying for a brand name and bragging rights over just a good performing amp.

    This will mainly be for home theater and games, in a 5.1 set-up...i'll power my surround speakers with my AVR (Onkyo 606).

    Also, is this a good thing to buy used? Will an external amp "wear out" over time, like a set of speakers would?

    Thanks for any advice.
    In your original post you mentioned a 3 channel amp for the fronts and center. I looked for a Carver A-753X for quite a while, but had no luck. The only one I saw that looked fairly good sold on ebay for a lot more than I could see investing in it. I then decided rather than go that way, I'd get a 5 channel amp instead. I have ended up with a Sunfire which is of course IMHO the best bang for the buck. There are several 200X5 sunfire amps on Audiogon right now. Of course everything depends on your budget.
    Sunfire Theater Grand IV
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature
    SRS 2.1TL
    SDA 2BTL's
    CSiA6
    FXiA4
    FXiA6
    SDA 2A's
    Monitor 10A's
    http://www.douglasconnection.com
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2010
    integ3 wrote: »
    Could I use that "zone 2 out" for an external amp for my fronts...and the AVR's internal amps for the center, and surround channels? Or does it not work like that?

    Just get the beefier receiver for right now, you'll love yourself in the end. It doesn't have to be the most costly type, just one with preouts for those future upgrades should you go seperates.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • integ3
    integ3 Posts: 22
    edited June 2010
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Just get the beefier receiver for right now, you'll love yourself in the end. It doesn't have to be the most costly type, just one with preouts for those future upgrades should you go seperates.

    Yeah, I was thinking about it and that's probibly the best way to go. I'll try to get into a seven series Onkyo this year and mabye get the external amp next year.
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  • integ3
    integ3 Posts: 22
    edited June 2010
    I decided to get a seven series Onyko so now I have all the pre-outs i'll ever need. Down the road, mabye Christmas or tax return time i'll get a good used five channel amp.

    Now i'm just trying to decide how much power I should run with my set-up? I've got Polk RTi8 fronts, CSi5 center and OWM3 surrounds...in a 12'X11' room that opens up to a dining room of the same size. I don't have a large room to fill, but I want plenty of power to make my speakers operate to their full potential. Should I get something that's around 100w per channel?? Or get something that is closer to 200 watts by five channels? I know it's probibly better to have too much, then not enough...but I don't want to buy more amp then i'll need for my room set-up.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited June 2010
    I'd just listen to the AVR for abit. An 11X12 room should be an easy load for it. If your going to be there for awhile, you could upgrade other things before an amp.

    If you do go the amp route, buy as much power as you can afford. You control it, and it is always better to have more than just enough.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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