Best Amp for Situation

hockeyboy

I will be pairing my existing Marantz SR8001 receiver with a good amp to drive my LSI purchase. I will eventually replace the receiver with a preamp, capable of 1080P upconversion (like the Anthem AVM 50) so want to be sure to get the most appropriate amp.

Please provide any recommendations of a good amp to buy. Keep in mind I plan on keeping it for a very long time, even as I upgrade other components. I currently run:

LSi 25's
B&W LCR60
LSi9's
PSW25
Mitsubishi HC4000 projector

I am about to pull the trigger on an Anthem Statement A5. Any other ideas?

cfrizz

Hockey you answered your own question in this thread. It's a good choice.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50825

Otherwise do a search on amplification. The list is endless.

LuSh

For some reason people have put a wattage figure on Polk Audio LSi's...anybody who insists on using over 150 and nothing less probably hasn't tried many high quality amps. Polk Audio themselves have used 60 wpc Ayre's for show's. I myself have driven LSi9's with as little as 50 quality watts from an NAD and 80 with a SimAudio. There is something to be said for synergy among components and your best bet would be Anthem if you intend to purchase the same manufacture's pre/pro.

hockeyboy

CFRIZZ I was pretty set on that Sunfire on the last thread, but man there seems to be as much bad feedback as good. I am fine with the price point, and like the idea of having a 7 channel amp (even though I am only building a 5 to start).

Is there opinions between the Anthem Statement A5 vs. the Sunfire TGA7400? I guess I started leaning toward Anthem when I read some reviews on the AVM50.

cfrizz

I don't have any experience with Anthem. As far as the negative feedback about the Sunfire is because there is a class war going on between old school designed amplifiers & new school designed amplifiers.

Only your own ears will be able to tell you which one YOU prefer. So go do some listening with an open mind. Then you will know what you want to get.

ohskigod

hockey boy,


any one of those will be fine amps for the LSi's, you cant go wrong either way. I like Anthem preamps, and I have one of there tube amps. they make great stuff for the $

I've heard sunfire, which was Bob Carver designed stuff, I have a Carver m4.0 I will never part with, so I feel safe in saying you wont go too wrong with the Sunfire either.

If I had to choose, I would go with the Sunfire, because I would assume I would like the sound characteristics since I like Carver gear as well.

Carver has fans and haters just like the sunfire, dont worry too much about it. like I said, either way, your gonna have a damn good system on your hands, so just go for it.

engtaz

200 watts a channel seams to be the want all to be all minimum. At least a good starting point.:D

engtaz

hockeyboy

All right I have been to one of the few dealers that carries Sunfire in Dallas and the place has been closed twice during open hours. Thus..Sunfire has been declared loser by default.

I am going to roll with the Anthem Statement A5 to round out my system unless someone jumps on and says I am a just crazy. That should comfortably push 265W at 4ohm's coupled with my Marantz at about 180W at 4 that should be plenty of power to rock my LSi system.

Soon I will have all of my gear in one room in boxes. I am going to have to post pics for you guys. Just not my address....:D

Next thread... SUBS!!

hockeyboy

Guess what? My etailer called me today to let me know that they cannot get an Anthem Statement A5 in stock anytime soon and thats why they had not confirmed my order.

I had never told him that I had been torn between the A5 and spending a little more on the Sunfire 7200. He suggested that they have a Sunfire that is in his opinion is a better product. I took this as a sign because I believe in that stuff.

Based on the recommendations on this thread, I will soon be the proud owner of a Sunfire 7200. So here is the final system:

Mitsubishi HC5000
Sunfire 7200
Marantz SR8001
Marantz DV7600
Polk LSi25's Fronts
B&W LCR60 Center (I love this item so we'll see how it works out)
Polk LSIFx Surrounds
PSW 1000 Sub
XBOX 360
Marantz IPOD Dock

This has been expensive so I pray it comes together before the Stanley Cup! Any comments, concerns about my planned setup? I am pretty much in on all of it now.