Which Amp would you recommend?

Nimonie

I am looking for a 2 or 3 channel amp for my front left right and maybe center channel's I would like to stay in the 500-1000$ range as I am just starting out. I have been looking at the Emotiva xpa-3 (3 channel) or the Emotiva UPA-200 (2channel). I was originally going to go with the xpa-3. As far as the reciever I am going to use Yamaha RX-A1020 or possibly the Denon AVR-3313cl as my reciever. I am going to be pushing 2 Polk Audio RTi A9's and a CSi A6 for the center.

chumlie

2 channel. Parasound HCA1500a. 3 channel is gonna be considerably more exspensive. Go 2 channel first, then look into the third. IMO.

tophatjohnny

chumlie wrote: »

2 channel. Parasound HCA1500a. 3 channel is gonna be considerably more exspensive. Go 2 channel first, then look into the third. IMO.

Interesting.... If one only buys a 2 channel amp to power the fronts, (talking bout me for a second, and not trying to steal thunder from the original thread) is that difference going to make a noticeable enough difference as to not wanting to add power to a couple of surrounds and a center?? I am in that boat right now/ sorry Nimonie!!

chumlie

Once you take the main L&R out of the system, you have alot more headroom to play with. You can always add a mono or 2 channel amp in the future. And YES its a huge differance with just a 2 channel amp.

lanchile

With $1000 you can get very good two channel amp like:
Adcom, B&K, Acurus, Hafler etc and still have some money left. Some of these amps will outperform most of today (toys) amps.
With a little more you can get a second hand Bryston or Krell amp.

cfrizz

tophatjohnny wrote: »

Interesting.... If one only buys a 2 channel amp to power the fronts, (talking bout me for a second, and not trying to steal thunder from the original thread) is that difference going to make a noticeable enough difference as to not wanting to add power to a couple of surrounds and a center?? I am in that boat right now/ sorry Nimonie!!

I went this route with a two channel Parasound 1500A, then I got an Outlaw monoblock until I finally got my five channel Sunfire. Once you hear how good the front two speakers sound you can't help but want to hear how much more improved the remaining speakers are going to sound. If I had to do it all over again I would just go straight for a 5 channel and be done with it.

mantis

I'd say save up a bit more and find a used B&K Ref200.7. By far the best overall sounding amp at it's price point. Very clean , neutral and powerful. I also like the Rotel RMB1095 but it's only 5 channels so if you go 7 in the future , you'll have to buy another amp like the RMB1080 which is a perfect match.

You could also go with a B&K ref200.5 if you never see yourself using the extra 2 channels. I don't see a reason not to add the same amps to the surround channel speakers if you have them now or plan them in the future as it seems you might be only running L C R.

Nimonie

Thanks for all the info you guys gave me alot to think about.

zingo

Class D Audio and Polk speakers sound great together. Plus you can get then in multiple channel configurations and save a little coin for another upgrade....

Tankman

+1,I 2nd this statement!.Go for the 5 channel amp.Be it Emo or just about any Good 140+watt amp will open up your sound stage.

MADGSF

B&K fanboy alert.

If you are not afraid of used there are a couple of Ref 7250ii on Audiogon in the 800.00 range. I have loved mine for seven trouble free years.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/b-k-refernce-7250-series-ii-5-channel-thx-amplifier

Willow

I also say buy a 5 ch amp and be done with it. I went from 3 monos to a 5ch Rotel and I am very happy, I do wish I would have gone with 200wpc or more. can I tell the difference....NO it's just one of those things.