Looking for 2 channel amp

jhracer3
jhracer3 Posts: 87
edited February 2012 in Wanted (WTB) Classifieds
I recently acquired a set of LSi15s, and I'm looking for a decent 2 channel amp to drive them. Currently using my 709, but I know thats suboptimal, and I'm probably going to be adding an LSiC soon. Looking for something <$500, UPA2, Adcom 555, etc.

Thanks
Post edited by jhracer3 on
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited January 2012
    you can get good used one like: Adcom, Acurus, Hafler, Marantz on ebay.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited January 2012
    Reported user iubatvut. ^^^
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited January 2012
    I'm watching a couple of adcoms on ebay at the moment, just wanted to check here first. I'm located in Philly and I'd be more than happy to pick up.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited January 2012
    jhracer3 wrote: »
    I'm watching a couple of adcoms on ebay at the moment, just wanted to check here first. I'm located in Philly and I'd be more than happy to pick up.
    Adcom is good! some were designed by Nelson Pass.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • Loud &amp; Clear
    Loud &amp; Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited January 2012
    If you're doing the LSiC then won't you be wanting a 3-channel amp?

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited January 2012
    I wasn't planning on a three channel amp; I was thinking that I would put my money towards a 2 channel amp first and run the center off my Onkyo 709. I can add a mono amp later, and I figured I could get a better 2 channel amp that way (vs a 3 channel amp for the same money).
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  • Loud &amp; Clear
    Loud &amp; Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited January 2012
    Plenty of ways to skin the cat, but if it were me I'd go with a three channel amp and avoid some potential hassles.

    First, the Onkyo might not like trying to power the LSiC. I had the NR-708 and I know that the user can select 6 or 8 ohm outputs in the setup menu, but there's no 4 ohm setting. I guess you could set it for 6 ohms and see what happens.

    Secondly there will be an issue of possibly having very different sounding amps powering your front three speakers. Not just the voicing, and gain, but they may have different dynamic peaks as well. Might be a problem. Maybe not.

    And of course you'll have two different looking amps, and two amps instead of one, sacrificing space.

    Just some things to think about if you haven't already. Good luck.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited January 2012
    Thanks for the advice, I hadn't considered the problem of different sounding amps. If (for example), I was to get an Adcom 555, and then add a 565 later for the center, would they "match" due to being in the same model line, or would I still get a significantly different sound?
    Loud & Clear wrote: »
    Plenty of ways to skin the cat, but if it were me I'd go with a three channel amp and avoid some potential hassles.

    First, the Onkyo might not like trying to power the LSiC. I had the NR-708 and I know that the user can select 6 or 8 ohm outputs in the setup menu, but there's no 4 ohm setting. I guess you could set it for 6 ohms and see what happens.

    Secondly there will be an issue of possibly having very different sounding amps powering your front three speakers. Not just the voicing, and gain, but they may have different dynamic peaks as well. Might be a problem. Maybe not.

    And of course you'll have two different looking amps, and two amps instead of one, sacrificing space.

    Just some things to think about if you haven't already. Good luck.
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  • cwsmith68
    cwsmith68 Posts: 434
    edited January 2012
    Couple good deals from a stand up guy.

    http://www.vintagehifipgh.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40_41&products_id=449

    http://www.vintagehifipgh.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40_41&products_id=36
    Main system:
    Denon PRA-1500, Denon POA-2400, Denon TU-660, Denon DCD-2560, Denon DVD-2910, Denon DRS-640, Denon DP-30L II w/DL-301 mc cart, BSR EQ-3000, DCM Timeframe 600's
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  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited January 2012
    To the OP:

    Lsi are 4 ohm speakers, which your receiver is not designed to handle and can and most likely will be damaged if you run them this way. You NEED at least a 3 ch amp if you get an lsic, it's not an option if you want your equipment to live.
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
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  • niente
    niente Posts: 68
    edited January 2012
    I would agree - go 3 channel - the Onk 709 is a really nice AVR to be sure but won't drive your LSI's to near what they can do

    and if 5 or 7 chan is in your dreams well.......

    My Onkyo 804 was, I thought, capable enough - but after much listening I added amp ....Huge improvement
    Onkyo TX-SR804 receiver
    Parasound 5250
    LSI 15's
    LSI C
    LSI FX's
    PSW1000 Sub
    OPPO 93
    Sony CDP-C315 CD
    Monster AC line cond
    Audioquest, Blue Jeans & Monster wires/connects
    40" Sony Bravia XBR6
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  • PetleDror
    PetleDror Posts: 5
    edited January 2012
    This is a very old thing im looking for

    About 10 - 15 years ago, there used to be a young 10-12 yrs old scottish boy that used to sing english songs with a bagpiper playing the music for him...
    I forgot his name, and the titles of his songs....
    But I am trying to find some of his songs on , but i cannot if i duno his name...

    Please help?
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2012
    PetleDror wrote: »
    This is a very old thing im looking for

    About 10 - 15 years ago, there used to be a young 10-12 yrs old scottish boy that used to sing english songs with a bagpiper playing the music for him...
    I forgot his name, and the titles of his songs....
    But I am trying to find some of his songs on , but i cannot if i duno his name...

    Please help?

    SPAM?

    Email sent to OP.
    Jake
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited January 2012
    So I'm looking hard for 3+ channel amps at the moment; almost had a Parasound HCA-855 on ebay but it blew past $400 in the last minute. Its looking like I will not be able to find a multichannel amp for a reasonable price, so I'm leaning towards buying either an Adcom GFA-545 II or GFA-4500, and then buying a second of the same soon.
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited January 2012
    (double post deleted)
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  • Twowheeldemon
    Twowheeldemon Posts: 22
    edited January 2012
    I have a adcom 5802 pm me if interested.
    Infinity kappa 8
    ps audio 4.6
    yamaha cdx 1100rs
    yamaha pc2002m
    Home built class d amp putting out 120/channel
    sony gx90es
    jolida jd302b
    Klipsch forte
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,526
    edited February 2012
    Is $400 your limit? Take a look at Acurus. You can definately get an A100x3 for less than that. Might be able to find an A200x3 if you're lucky. I've owned the A200x3 in the past. Solid amp & will drive the 4 ohm Lsi's with ease. Parasound & B&K made a few 3 channel amps as well. Don't forget the Adcom 5503, though that would be hard to find for $400.
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,526
    edited February 2012
    Did a quick scan of Agon.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/461521
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/455981
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/459514
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited February 2012
    Twowheeldemon, just googled that one, looks very nice but I can't give you a fair price for it. I really only need 100 wpc or so, so I don't think I can justify spending that much unless its on something multichannel. Thanks for the post though.
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited February 2012
    DaveHo, thanks for the suggestions, that Acurus A200x3 looks very nice. This is the first I've heard of this brand (pretty new to hifi, mostly been reading this forum and a couple others), I'll have to take a closer look.
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,526
    edited February 2012
    Keep in mind that you'll be going more by the 4ohm rating of the amp. If you're looking for around 100WPC, I beleive the A100x3 is rated for 150 WPC into 4 ohms. The A200x3 is rated for 350 & I believe actually delivered significantly more than that in some magazine test review.

    BTW, Acurus was made by Mondial Designs who also had the higher end Aragon line.
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited February 2012
    What do you guys think of the Rotel RB976? Its 60wpc x 6, either bridgeable to 125 wpc x 3 or "linkable" to biamp 120 wpc x 2 or triamp 180 wpc x 2. But, I can't find any published information saying its good for 4 ohm speakers in either bridged or linked configuration. Anyone have any experience with it?
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,526
    edited February 2012
    Should be OK into 4 ohms if you don't bridge it. With it bridged, it'd see the Lsi's as a 2 ohm load. Personally, I'd keep looking...
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  • jhracer3
    jhracer3 Posts: 87
    edited February 2012
    So I just bought a Parasound 806 on audiogon for $430, should be here in a few days.

    Now I need to buy interconnects, and I have a couple of questions about hook up.

    The parasound is a 4/5/6 channel amp, so it supports two sets of bridgeable channels. However, it will then see the LSis as a 2ohm load, as DaveHo mentioned above. My question is, if I only drive the speakers at moderate levels, can I safely run the amp in bridged configuration?

    If not, I can either buy two of these http://www.musicdirect.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=276&SEName=audioquest-hard-y-adapter-rca-splitter-1x-male-to-2x-female
    and four interconnects to run to the four amp channels, or two Y cables. Frank at signal cable offered to make me y versions of his analog-2 interconnects for around $100 (for the pair of y cables). Obviously I'd prefer to just bridge the amp and save $50-80 on cables, but if thats not a choice, which of the biamp configurations would you go with?
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited February 2012
    I would not run that amp in bridged mode with those speakers, I would bi-amp all 3 speakers. You'll get a better sound and put much less strain on the amp. If you were buying one of the larger Parasound amps I would advise otherwise, but that's one of their smaller models and with only 30 amperes of current capacity per channel I wouldn't risk it.
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,526
    edited February 2012
    Agreed. That amp will not do well in bridged mode with 4 ohm speakers. If you're going to run at moderate levels, then why bother bridging. More often than not, bridging results in poorer sound quality. Since you've already bought that amp, bi-amping is your best bet.

    To be perfectly honest, you missed the boat on the right amp for your application. The Acurus A100x3 amp would have been perfect...
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