Matching amp.... Does it matter?

dalylaleahthor

A very nice deal of an amp came up a short distance of a drive for me. I want to go buy it but I have a few question. I'm planning in the future to hopefully run a 11.2 system for my HT. The amp in question is a 5 channel. Would mismatch amp cause any issue with the imaging of sound? It'll also be a mismatch in power also but I was thinking of running my rears of the weaker of the two amp. What do you guys think?

Dennis Gardner

You can run different amps within your multi channel system just fine. Just make sure to balance each channel to get proper levels. The rears running off from lower power should be okay too as long as peak volume levels are avoided.

dalylaleahthor

Thanks. Dennis. The amp I will be picking up shortly here is the Earthquake Cinenova Grande 5. The owner was a dealer. I don't want to put a price tag on it but how much do you think this amp is worth in today's market? Ebay still has it around 1600. He is willing to sell it to me for far lesser than that. The amp has balance input if that makes any difference. Any thoughts? Should I avoid this amp? Save for something better?

Nightfall

300 watts x 5 @ 8 ohm and 600 watts x 5 @ 4 ohm... that amp is a beast, 140 pounds. Looks like it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 years old, the power caps might need replacing now or soon. MSRP was $4,000, far less than $800 is a good deal. Sounds like you're mostly into home theater, I say go for it as long as the power circuit you'll have it on isn't already over loaded.

dalylaleahthor

Thanks for the input Nightfall. I am into home theater but it's actually a split between HT and 2 channel listening. I was also debating on a new sherbourn pa 7-350 on ebay for a buy it now price of 1800 plus 160 for shipping but $1960 is something the wife won't be too happy about If she should ever find out. If you had to pick which on would you rather pick? I know the Sherbourn could be had for as low as 1000 when they had their fire sale but unlucky me missed it.

Nightfall

...or this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-Reference-7250-II-200x5-Amplifier-/262533852488?hash=item3d203cad48:g:rdoAAOSwbsBXjjKo

mikeyb128

Nightfall wrote: »

...or this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-Reference-7250-II-200x5-Amplifier-/262533852488?hash=item3d203cad48:g:rdoAAOSwbsBXjjKo

Those b&k's are a very musical amp. Not to
Mention bullet proof reliability, and tons of power.

dalylaleahthor

Alright guys picking up a b&k 7250 on Sunday hopefully for 800 plus the 30 preamp. I'll let you guys know once it's all hooked up.

mikeyb128

Nice! I use b&k mono blocks in my 2 channel system. Hopefully you won't be disappointed. Not too many documented failures, and even less unhappy customer in regards to their sound.

tonyb

dalylaleahthor wrote: »

Alright guys picking up a b&k 7250 on Sunday hopefully for 800 plus the 30 preamp. I'll let you guys know once it's all hooked up.

Cool man, good gear you picked up there. Read the manual if you have it for the pre/pro. It has so many levels of adjustments your head will spin.

dalylaleahthor

Alright guys just got done with the amp installation.

First off the condition of the amp and preamp is in great condition. One small nick to the corner of the face plate of the amp. Preamp in like new condition.

Now for the initial impression. Remember that I am coming from a Adcom GFA7000. I love the way it sounds. I can't express how much of a audible difference there is just base on my first initial listening.

Bass: More define. Smooth. Now I wouldn't call the Adcom lacking in this department but for me the b&k bass sounds more refine.

Midrange: More pronounce. Not to the point of exaggeration but from the Adcom to the b&k The midrange is a lot better. That's all I can say about it.

Highs: This is where I can really tell the difference. I can now tell what shrills is. Its gone with the b&k. I would say it's recessed from the Adcom levels in a good way.

Really enjoying the amp after an hour of listening to it. Going to run it through some bluray in a bit and see how it does with the HT portion. Overall for 2 channel great improvement.

And guys I'm not a audiophile so if my choice of words to describe what I hear is not the proper "audiophile" vocab, please excuse my language. I just love listening to music and watching movies.

tonyb

You did good in your description, and probably what most of us would say might be the improvement one might get from those two brands.

I think your starting to understand what we call synergy between pieces. Matching up gear that compliments each other in a way that also plays to your preferences. Congrats man....and btw, are you using that Ref 30 pre amp ? If not, and you want to sell it, give me a shout.

dalylaleahthor

Thanks to everyone for the suggestion. I'll keep you in mind when and if I do decide to sell it. First to go Will be my Adcom 545 and gfa7000 with the Adcom preamp.