I need you guy's expert advice

smalltownheel · May 2005

I'm looking for some suggestions on which amp (new or used) would be the best fit for my system. I'm new here and to the HT world, so any advice would be appreciated. I have a Denon 2803 with LSi15s, and am planning on buying a LSiC and something from the Lsi series for the surrounds. I'll set my budget for the amp at around $1,500 but would like to pay less than that since I still have speakers, cables, etc. to buy also. I don't know if Denon makes amps, but the place I work at sales their products so I could probably get one at a decent price. I've already received some great advice here on several different topics and because of this great community of folks I now visit this site on a daily basis. Thanks again for all the help!:)

Frank Z · May 2005

Pick your poison, 1, 5, or 7, or a big 7 channel amp.
Here ya go...

doug lang · May 2005

Hay Frank what do you think about the 755 outlaw amp. Can it power lsi speakers. You can't go wrong for the price

McLoki · May 2005

I really like my Cinepro and wholeheartedly recommend it if you can find a used one.

If Not you can try an acurus like this I bet it would power your front stage great. (you could run the rears off the AVR or get a really nice 2 channel amp for your fronts and switch this to center and rear duty.

Michael

Frank Z · May 2005

Originally posted by doug lang
...what do you think about the 755 outlaw amp. Can it power lsi speakers.

Sure can! I'm using a 7100 that's rated at 165WPC with all channels driven. The 755 is much bigger and is rated at 300WPC with all channels driven.

simm · May 2005

Smalltown: I grew up in Rocky Mount. It's weird to see someone from that part of the state on the board.

Airplay355 · May 2005

Isn't Sunfire in the $1500 price range?

Frank Z · May 2005

2 channel possibly, but not for a multichannel amp.

Airplay355 · May 2005

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1121177625

theres a sunfire amp 200x5 for $1200

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1121389337

and heres one thats 400x5 for $1099

Frank Z · May 2005

Nice find.

aaharvel · May 2005

New- for the money i would pick the Outlaw 7100, 770, or 755 models with nods going to the 7100.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_2/outlaw-audio-7100-power-amplifier-6-2003.html

If you're looking for used then For the $ I would go with Adcoms but I might be a bit biased here

fronts- rti4
center- csi3
sides- f/x300i
rears- f/x300i
sub- Velo CHT-10

pre/pro- H/K 235
Adcom 5300, 7300

smalltownheel · May 2005

Hey thanks for the quick replies. I'm leaning toward a 5 channel I think. And I like the 5 channel from outlaw. Ever since I started visiting here, I've seen a lot of Outlaw recomendations. What makes outlaw such a favorite around here? I also liked the sunfires Airplay found, but as for the second amp, isn't 400 watts per channel overkill? I've never even dreamed of having 400 per channel. I'm also scared that if I go 7 channel, I'll end up buying the 7700, which is definitely more than I should be spending. Thanks again for all the help!

smalltownheel · May 2005

If I go with the 7100, is that gonna be plenty of power? I didn't think 100 per channel was all that much power? But I'm new to the amplifier world, so this might be a stupid question. Thanks.

aaharvel · May 2005

"If I go with the 7100, is that gonna be plenty of power?"

100x7 in 8ohms.
The 7100 will put out 165x7 for your 4ohm LSI's. And yes, that's more than enough power, even for a larger size room.

The only reason i didn't buy this one was because I was able to get a 2ch. 5300 and 5ch. 7300 Adcom for a mere $400- that was just too good to pass up.

The Outlaw amp i'm thinking would be noticably better than my two adcoms.

marker · May 2005

NAD S250 from Saturday Audio, new in box from a factory authorized dealer with full warranty for $999. You will NOT find a better new multi-channel amp anywhere for anywhere close to that kind of money.

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/

Frank Z · May 2005

Originally posted by smalltownheel
If I go with the 7100, is that gonna be plenty of power? I didn't think 100 per channel was all that much power?

Keep in mind that the rating is with all channels driven, that is a lot of power.

wingnut4772 · May 2005

I have an Outlaw 770 and I love it. I used to have the 7100 with my LSIs and , although it sounded good, I prefer the 770. It really lets the LSis shine.

aaharvel · May 2005

"NAD S250 from Saturday Audio, new in box from a factory authorized dealer with full warranty for $999. You will NOT find a better new multi-channel amp anywhere for anywhere close to that kind of money."

Marker's got it right. That NADs250 is nice as hell!!! That's the first time i've seen it and it's beautiful- and from what many say on these threads- NAD is one of the best.

now if only it was a 7channel amp...

Airplay355 · May 2005

Don't be scared of 400 watts. Why would you be scared of it? It isn't going to make your speakers insanely loud, or make it easy for you to damage them. 100 watts will be fine, but if 400 watts is still a few hundred under your budget, why settle for less? Go for the big amp and don't look back.

If you are afraid that it's only a 5 channel amp, it's very easy to add another 2 channel amp and have a 7 channel system. You could use the money you have in your budget to get a very respectable amp for surround speakers.

I think both of the Sunfire amps are 400 watts/channel, but the one from Moon audio seems to be rated wrong in the description. They have it rated at 200 @ 8 ohms and 200 @ 4 ohms. The only reason the second amp is 400 watts is because Lsi are 4 ohm speakers. I could be wrong though. I never actually looked up the specifications to either amp. Either way, they will have tons of power for your speakers.

smalltownheel · May 2005

Oh, I hate make decisions like this. So if it was your money which one would you get? The NAD 250, the outlaw 755, one of the sunfires Airplay found, or an amp not mentioned here?

McLoki · May 2005

I would go for the one of the sunfires. After that the NAD then the outlaw. I just like having something a little different than what everyone else has. Not that the outlaws aren't great or a good deal, but their just seem to be more of them than the other amps mentioned.

Plus with the sunfire, you will almost never have to worry about power again or wonder if you have enough amp for x speakers.

Michael

smalltownheel · May 2005

Hey thanks Michael, I appreciate the advice! I think I'm gonna do some more reading tonight, and the next couple of days, then combine that with the opinions I receive here and hopefully make a purchase by Friday.

Airplay355 · May 2005

Yea, you won't have to upgrade the sunfires no matter what speakers you get.

Lsi9 · May 2005

Do what I did & get a lot of Great sound for less on ebay
I just received the Rotel RB-985 MKII and I am very pleased with the sound to say the least
heres a listing that is going on now, not stated if is the MK I or II, mine had the same picture in the listing and when i received the amp it was the MKII

Rotel Listing

smalltownheel · June 2005

If it was your money, your system, which amp would you buy?

1. This Sunfire

2. This NAD

3. Or one of these Outlaws

4. Or another amp not listed

cfrizz · June 2005

I see that Sunfire 1 has been sold. I hope you were the buyer.

Otherwise, I would get the Outlaw 755.

mrmusicman · June 2005

Outlaw 755:D

Airplay355 · June 2005

Sunfire is still available, still $1099

hamzahsh · June 2005

I've an ADCOM GFA-7605

125w x 5 @ 8 ohms all channels driven.
175w x 5 @ 4 ohms all channels driven.

Solid, powerful amp and built like tank!

Powerhouse!

marker · June 2005

IMO, that NAD is a much more refined amp than the Outlaw.

smalltownheel · June 2005

What do you ya'll think about a new Adcom GFA-7805 for $1,000 plus about $200 shipping?

I need you guy's expert advice

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