Recommended 7 channel x200w Amp

snake1

ICE amps sound very interesting! Hmmm. Have to do some googling!

Face

Another vote for Wyred 4 Sound. This is what I use in my HT: http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/339145

jumpindick

EndersShadow wrote: »

Here is my question: Why do you need an amp for those speakers?

Honestly just pick up a Pioneer SC-68 and call it a day. You dont need nearly the wattage you think you do for the LSiM's to drive them to ear bleeding levels. Also factor in you need to double the wattage per 3db you add. So for example if your AVR puts out say 125 x 7 (actual wattage rather than spec wattage) and gives you 100 db, to get to 103 db you need to have 250 x 7 (actual wattage), to get to 106db you need to have 500 x 7 (actual wattage, and more than your speakers can take per spec's). Its hard to tell the difference between db's the higher up you go as well, so you might not even be able to tell the difference sound wise, even though you may pay 2 or 3x more for an amp with those specs.

If you just had to have an amp get a 2 channel one for your front 2, and drive the rest with a really good AVR (again with the Pioneer SC series).

One of the nice things about the redesign of the LSi series into the LSiM series is the move from 4 ohm speakers to 8 ohm ones. Allows you to use an AVR to power them (assuming its a good quality one).

I wouldnt go out and buy a cheapy AVR by any means, but anything in the 1.5k range up should work fine, and then you save yourself the cost of the AVR + an amp + interconnects. Allows for a simpler hookup and cleaner source to speaker connection.

+1.. I agree. I would do the exact thing. Infact that is what I have done. From the beginning of my adventure in hi end HT, I went by Marantz for saving some money and did not get pio elite. Recently I upgraded to elite and I owe a big thank you to all here on the forum who strongly recommend it. I have SC-65 driving three speakers and Parasound Halo driving RIi A9. Man, the system sound great. Just my 2 cents...

Face

EndersShadow wrote: »

One of the nice things about the redesign of the LSi series into the LSiM series is the move from 4 ohm speakers to 8 ohm ones. Allows you to use an AVR to power them (assuming its a good quality one).

I haven't seen any impedance measurements of the 703, but the 707 dips below 3ohms and the 706 dips below 4ohms. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-polk-audio-lsim-speaker-system?page=0,2

I would go with a high quality 3 channel amp for up front, then a good receiver to power the rears.

There's nothing wrong with having extra power, headroom is better than clipping.

pearsall001

Face wrote: »

I haven't seen any impedance measurements of the 703, but the 707 dips below 3ohms and the 706 dips below 4ohms. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-polk-audio-lsim-speaker-system?page=0,2

I would go with a high quality 3 channel amp for up front, then a good receiver to power the rears.

There's nothing wrong with having extra power, headroom is better than clipping.

Amen to that! And you would also be surprised at how easy it is to put an amp into clipping conditions. That's one of the reasons guys say they like the sound of tube amps...they spend a lot of their time under clipping conditions but pull it off better than SS amps. Having an amp with plenty of power & headroom is key. There is no such thing as having too much power!

EndersShadow

Face wrote: »

I haven't seen any impedance measurements of the 703, but the 707 dips below 3ohms and the 706 dips below 4ohms. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-polk-audio-lsim-speaker-system?page=0,2

I would go with a high quality 3 channel amp for up front, then a good receiver to power the rears.

There's nothing wrong with having extra power, headroom is better than clipping.

Wow, thats interesting to note. I thought they all dipped to at max maybe 6 ohms.

pearsall001 wrote: »

Amen to that! And you would also be surprised at how easy it is to put an amp into clipping conditions. That's one of the reasons guys say they like the sound of tube amps...they spend a lot of their time under clipping conditions but pull it off better than SS amps. Having an amp with plenty of power & headroom is key. There is no such thing as having too much power!

I dont disagree with you guys here, however the second the OP said "I need a 7 channel amp" everyone was throwing out suggestions for massive amps that honestly he may not need. A 3 channel amp would make sense for the front three, or just a 2 channel as well. But 7 channels of 200 watts? Yeah, surrounds dont need that kinda headroom IMHO.

squeeb

Sunfire TGA-7401, $3000. Unfortunately it is not 200 watts/channel - it's 400.
http://www.independentaudiovideo.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1010220

Sunfire TGR-401, $3200 http://www.independentaudiovideo.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1010218

B Run

I agree with EndersShadow, i'd get an SC-68 with a 2 or 3 channel amp and let it run the surrounds. 7x200 is definitely overkill unless you're running 7 full range speakers blasting concert volume levels, not that the extra power would hurt anything.

sarvic

So if I were to get a 3-channel amp then for the fronts and center, then maybe something like this?

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa3

B Run

I'd rather get 3 of these :cheesygrin:

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

Face

3x250w @ 8ohm, 430 @ 4ohm: http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/339144
3x570w @ 8ohm, 1140 @ 4ohm: http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/332918

EndersShadow

sarvic wrote: »

So if I were to get a 3-channel amp then for the fronts and center, then maybe something like this?

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa3

You will find that brand in particular tends to either have folks love or hate it on this forum.

Personally I am a bigger fan of used amps as you can normally find a deal on a good used amp for less than the Emo run's new. If still wanting to go new, I would suggest the Outlaws and Wyred4Sound amps over the Emotiva as well.

Its not that Emotiva is horrible, its that most of us see a better price to performance ratio in used gear as its already depreciated in value since its used. That and unlike AVR's which change all the time tech wise, amp's pretty much haven't changed tons in how they work so you can get a 3 year old amp that performs very well for 50% of what it might have cost new.

Heck I have a 15+ year old amp that works great for my 5 channels of LSi's and cost me 250 total.

rdb2001

EndersShadow wrote: »

Wow, thats interesting to note. I thought they all dipped to at max maybe 6 ohms.



I dont disagree with you guys here, however the second the OP said "I need a 7 channel amp" everyone was throwing out suggestions for massive amps that honestly he may not need. A 3 channel amp would make sense for the front three, or just a 2 channel as well. But 7 channels of 200 watts? Yeah, surrounds dont need that kinda headroom IMHO.

I think that statement is not quit accurate. I think that is all dependant on what you are using for surrounds. My monitor audio GXFX has an 87 db sensitivty rating and drop into the 3ohm territory impedence wise. Not an easy surround to drive. With soundtracks becoming more and more dynamic and having alot of transit peaks, I dont see why amping the surrounds would hurt one bit. My surrounds are less efficient than the towers and they both dip into the 3 ohm territory.

eclypse

Where were all you people at yesterday for my thread?

I guess I should of asked if i'd hear better sound going separate amps over my Denon AVR-3313CI for LSiM 5 channel sound.

sarvic

I reckon i'll be on the lookout for something used then. Too bad Outlaw doesn't make a 3-channel amp. Oh well.

zeppage2

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-outlaw-audio-2200-m-solid-state-power-amplifiers-2013-04-20-amplifiers-17225

cfrizz

rdb2001 wrote: »

I think that statement is not quit accurate. I think that is all dependant on what you are using for surrounds. My monitor audio GXFX has an 87 db sensitivty rating and drop into the 3ohm territory impedence wise. Not an easy surround to drive. With soundtracks becoming more and more dynamic and having alot of transit peaks, I dont see why amping the surrounds would hurt one bit. My surrounds are less efficient than the towers and they both dip into the 3 ohm territory.

+1. Everyone wants to save money so they convince themselves that the surrounds don't need it. But I can tell you that they improve with having the extra power as well as the fronts. It doesn't hurt them, will definately help them, and there is NO such thing as overkill. Do it once and do it right, amp all your speakers then sit back and enjoy because if you don't, once you amp the fronts you are going to start wondering just how good the surrounds can sound with more power then have to buy another 2 channel amp to find out, if you have a plug to spare. One amp for all your speakers and one plug to power it. That works for me.

pearsall001

cfrizz wrote: »

+1. Everyone wants to save money so they convince themselves that the surrounds don't need it. But I can tell you that they improve with having the extra power as well as the fronts. It doesn't hurt them, will definately help them, and there is NO such thing as overkill. Do it once and do it right, amp all your speakers then sit back and enjoy because if you don't, once you amp the fronts you are going to start wondering just how good the surrounds can sound with more power then have to buy another 2 channel amp to find out, if you have a plug to spare. One amp for all your speakers and one plug to power it. That works for me.

+1 & then some...do not skimp on power. You'd be surprised how much better everything sounds when properly fed. Don't underestimate what the surrounds need. Hell, I'm not even done yet, I'm looking at a 4 channel amp for my front & rear presence speakers.

sarvic

hmmm, that Outlaw 7700 is sounding better and better now...lol

Goldenboy72206

I would get a Emotiva amp. i think alot of the other amps you are just paying for the name on them. Not say the better performance.

falconcry72

Goldenboy72206 wrote: »

I would get a Emotiva amp. i think alot of the other amps you are just paying for the name on them. Not say the better performance.

You "think", or you've tried other brands and A/B'd against the Emotiva?

A lot of Emotiva fans "think" the way you think, though they've never tried the other brands that are so "over-priced"...

Face

Goldenboy72206 wrote: »

I would get a Emotiva amp. i think alot of the other amps you are just paying for the name on them. Not say the better performance.

Unlike yours, my recommendations are based on experience. Besides the use of better parts, the rest of the added expense are due to them being designed and made in the US.

eclypse

Face the negative would be no transferable warranty. That would kill the resale on it if one didn't like the match with there gear.

Face

eclypse wrote: »

Face the negative would be no transferable warranty. That would kill the resale on it if one didn't like the match with there gear.

If you follow their gear on Agon, they generally have a very high resale value.

eclypse

I doubt that close to retail. No doubt still stand to loose a couple hundred.

Just looked and they have a trial plan where you can try it out for 14 days. If you choose to return it you loose shipping (of course) + 5%. Not bad. Though Emotiva has a 30 day Full Return no questions asked. You just loose shipping costs.

falconcry72

eclypse wrote: »

...No doubt still stand to loose a couple hundred.

Just looked and they have a trial plan where you can try it out for 14 days. If you choose to return it you loose shipping (of course) + 5%. Not bad. Though Emotiva has a 30 day Full Return no questions asked. You just loose shipping costs.

That's why you buy used... try something out for a while, then sell it and MAKE money.:biggrin:

Hey look, a brand new Honda Accord will have a better warranty than a ten year old used Corvette... but if performance is the name of the game, then that warranty doesn't mean a whole lot.

Are you buying an amp so that you can brag about the cheap cost and great warranty, or are you buying an amp to get the most out of your speakers?

ZLTFUL

falconcry72 wrote: »

Are you buying an amp so that you can brag about the cheap cost and great warranty, or are you buying an amp to get the most out of your speakers?

Sig material right there.

When I was shopping for my new car, the choice was between a new Hyundai or Kia or a 3 year old Acura. I took the 3 year old Acura.

rdb2001

ZLTFUL wrote: »

Sig material right there.

When I was shopping for my new car, the choice was between a new Hyundai or Kia or a 3 year old Acura. I took the 3 year old Acura.

I am curious how Hyundai or Kia were even on your radar if you were looking at Acura. Would think you would be looking at lexus, infiniti, audi, bmw etc. :cheesygrin: Those cars are not even in the same class as the Acura.

falconcry72

rdb2001 wrote: »

...Those cars are not even in the same class as the Acura.

The same could be said about some of the amps in question here. The similarity of the used price of one vs. the new price of the other is what puts them in the same "class" of consideration.

I got my 5 channel Rotel RMB-1095 for 750 bucks. Same "price class" as a new XPA-5. The Emotiva has a warranty; the Rotel does not. The Rotel sounds better. Easy decision for me.

rdb2001

falconcry72 wrote: »

The same could be said about some of the amps in question here. The similarity of the used price of one vs. the new price of the other is what puts them in the same "class" of consideration.

I got my 5 channel Rotel RMB-1095 for 750 bucks. Same "price class" as a new XPA-5. The Emotiva has a warranty; the Rotel does not. The Rotel sounds better. Easy decision for me.

It is not a comparison. Reliability of a car is not subjective like this hobby. I dont care how you spin it, it is not the same. Hyndai and Kia have for the most part been at the bottom when it comes to reliability and Acura is always at the top. Acura is an all around better product and has proved it for many years. That is a no brainer. Comparing what is a better car to which amp subjective sounds better is not a comparison.

The rotel sounds better to you. subjective. My experience with emotiva is alot different than most here. I didnt have the xpa5 but I owned the xpr5 and xpr2 and I demoed the xpa1s in my home. In my opinion, which once again is subjective, they stood toe to toe with all the amps in my house. But I am not going to get into a Emo conversation.

To the op, demo all that you can. You have nothing to lose but return shipping. find what sounds best to your ears and go with that. You can get opinions all day because everyone has one but the only one matters is yours. In this hobby it is best to try things out for yourself in your system. What someone else might like might sound like garbadge to you and vice versa.