Suggestions for Amp Demo?

mufsoman

I'm getting closer to buying an amp for my set up. I've been lurking here, Audiogon and Craigslist, etc, but have not pulled the trigger yet. My hesitation has been that although I have read a zillion posts here about the advantages and sound quality improvements, just want to hear if for myself on my rig before plunking down the cash. I'm looking for minimum 200 wpc for at least the front three speakers, but also loooking at 5 and 7 channel amps too. Maybe separate higher wpc amp for the RTi12's and separate amp for the rest(?). Always looking at options.

I'm not planning on buying new, so its a "have faith in what your buying" in the used market situation, especially if the item your looking to buy is not local.

Is it appropriate to ask for some one in the NW Chicago suburbs to come by with their amp just for an afternoon of sound demo's? I know thats asking alot to bring an expensive piece of your rig somewhere else and plug it into a foreign setup. Pics are in the "System Showcase". Beer in the kegerator is always cold.......Any other suggestions?

ben62670

Yippie another 200wpc fan:rolleyes:
You deserve an EMO for that comment.
Oops I forgot. What is your budjet?

mufsoman

Budget is up to approx. a grand. I'm not considering Emo just because I've read they're not a good match with the Rti's. I've looked at Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, Carver, B&K. Almost pulled the trigger on a Sunfire 5x200 not long ago.

ben62670

The list you have is a sums up what to get pretty well. It looks like HT is your main thing. Don't leave out the Adcom GFA-7500 because it "only" has 150wpc, and you should be able to find one for around $500. Stay away from the newer Adcom's. Not a big fan of the sunfires, or carvers.

leroyjr1

Rotel 1095 (200 watts x5) est.$1000
Rotel 1080 (200 watts x2) est.$500-600

Also look at Parasound. They'll match great with yor rti's. I've ran the Rotel 1095 & 1080 on my rti's with great results. I currently have a 1090 sitting in the closet unused. You can have a listen at it if you like. It's out your $1000 budget but it'll give you an idea what more power will do to your RTI 12's. It's 390 watts x2 @8 ohms.

tonyb

I'm thinking a B&K 5 channel amp would be up your alley. Never heard anyone say they didn't like them. I'm in Algonquin, where are you located ?

erniejade

Hey another IL person what are you running for a preamp in your HT?

If wattage was not a huge concern Adcom GFA 6000 5 channel Surround amplifier = $300

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/2150173354.html

Actually the person has a set of SDA1's also... The deal they have for 1000 is good also.



have a pair of SDA 1 for sale. These are in great looking and working condition. I am the original owner and have never abused them. I have original boxes for speakers and items below except Yamaha tuner
You can hear prior to purchasing...

Also for sale.... Buy all for $1000 (including speakers)

Adcom GFA 555 400 watt amplifer = $300
Adcom GFA 6000 5 channel Surround amplifier = $300
Adcom Tuner GTP 400 = $65.00
Yamaha RX-V2090 Surround Sound Tuner = $200

Tour2ma

tonyb wrote: »

I'm thinking a B&K 5 channel amp would be up your alley. Never heard anyone say they didn't like them. I'm in Algonquin, where are you located ?

+3?

... or 3-ch. Very sweet amps... current capabilities well beyond their rating (as/ more important than wpc, mufsoman)...

Gotta be some brick and mortar you and other locals can rally at... Happy hunting...

mufsoman

Leroy, are the Rotels you have listed equipment you have for sale or or those just market estimates?

Tonyb, I'm located in Grayslake, not too far from Algonquin.....

nooshinjohn

mufsoman wrote: »

Budget is up to approx. a grand. I'm not considering Emo just because I've read they're not a good match with the Rti's. I've looked at Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, Carver, B&K. Almost pulled the trigger on a Sunfire 5x200 not long ago.

I was not that impressed with the Sunfire 5~200 I had running my mains. The Signature series 400/5 is a vastly superior amp, and can be found at the higher end of your price range. I would be more inclined to grab the Parasound if you don't want to go abouve your budget a bit.

leroyjr1

Here you go Rotel rmb-1095 near you at a great price.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/2163291960.html

larry777

If that was a new purchase 2 Yrs ago it should still have Warranty left. Good price also.

ben62670

If I were you I would seriously entertain the thought of getting a 2 channel amp for the front's. Your SC-07 could easily handle the center and rears with a big load taken off for the fronts. It certainly would open up many more options to you. I ran my system like that for a while before switching to 2 channel. I would also recommend getting an SPL meter to help calibrate it. I am not a huge fan of auto calibration.
Ben

dbaldus

ben62670 wrote: »

If I were you I would seriously entertain the thought of getting a 2 channel amp for the front's. Your SC-07 could easily handle the center and rears with a big load taken off for the fronts. It certainly would open up many more options to you. I ran my system like that for a while before switching to 2 channel. I would also recommend getting an SPL meter to help calibrate it. I am not a huge fan of auto calibration.
Ben

+1 to this.

You would likely notice a big difference with more amplification using those 12s, but the 07's internal amps should be able to take care of the center and surrounds on its own.

danz1906

Saturday Audio Exchange has an Odyssey 2ch amp for sale:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1298755390&/Odyssey-Stratos-Power-amplifie

mufsoman

Leroy - Thanks for the heads up on the Rotel amp.

mufsoman

I understand the opportunity to improve the Rti 12 sound quality with more wpc, but I thought the SC07 with the ICE amps provides a dedicated 140 wpc across all seven channels, unlike other AVR's where the wpc gets watered down as more channels are driven. If so, then would the other channels really benefit by having the 12's on a separate amp? They should still be getting 140 wpc whether the 12's are being pushed by the SC07 or a separate amp. Am I missing something???

Another question - is 200 wpc from a separate amp enough to hear a difference with the Rti12's vs. the SC07 with 140 wpc? Is it worth it or should I be looking for more, like 300 wpc, 400, etc?

Thanks

jayman_1975

There are more to amps than WPC. I guarantee that a decent dedicated 2 channel amp will lay a handy whipping on your SC07 for stereo reproduction. In fact i have had multichannel power amps that boast 200wpc that don't hold a candle to my measly 100wpc Arcam P38 stereo amp for 2 channel.