Opinions on 2 or 3 channel power amps wanted

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Jer.War
Jer.War Posts: 180
edited April 2008 in Electronics
I have an LSI system on the go right now (still waiting for some funds for the lsic), but I am forced to run them on a Yahamah rxv1800 for the time being. However, I AM sure that my LSI15 will benefit from separate power amp and will add it my setup as soon as the cash flows (why is there always so much ebb???). There are a lot of different manufacterers I have considered (Rotel, NAD, Parasound, Adcom, etc).
If anybody could share their experiences with their amps (overall sound characteristics, price, performance, etc) and give a price range that would be quite helpful in giving my constant ebay scouring some guidance for that killer deal. I would like to drive my LSI15 with his amp if it is two channel, but have toyed with a 3 channel (are their many 3 channel amps out there?)
I am young and bound by my shrinking bank account, and ever-swelling credit card, but I am hoping some of you more experienced audio nuts can save me a few steps in the trial and error, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade process that many experience.....
Any comments would help, first thread so be kind...
Thanks
[The Ever-Evolving System

LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.
Post edited by Jer.War on
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2008
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    Bang for the buck I like Adcom's. Don't get too hung on watts. LSI's are 4ohms so even a good 100wpc amp will put out more like 150wpc. I'm nuts so I like to go big on amps. Three channels are hard to find, but can be had. I would suggest getting either a nice 2 channel, or a nice 5 channel.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
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    The answers usually depend on how you listen. For instance, if your system is primarily for home theater and/or multichannel music, then buy a 5-channel amp. If you listen more to music than HT in 2-channel mode, then buy a 2-channel amp. For a used amp, budget $500 minimum for either option.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2008
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    I would suggest something different. Your funds are limited and a swelling credit card is not healthy to someone going back to school as I think you posted elsewhere.

    Save your money and pay cash for audio equipment. While you are saving, you can audition many amps, listen and find the "sound" you are looking for. And it is free!! Once you have several hundred dollars saved, you can walk into a place confidently and buy some gear and make a decision based on what you hear not what you read. This audio addiction can be an expensive hobby and if you buy an amp you find you don't like, you sell it and get pennies back for your dollars. Yet still have the credit card debt.

    I'm not anti credit card at all. Using it to finance a hobby can be dangerous. Trust me, I've been down that road as I'm sure others have been.

    Hawkeye
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • Jer.War
    Jer.War Posts: 180
    edited April 2008
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    After treating myself to the LSI15's, and LSI'7, plus my receiver, and CSI center, even I am unable to justify any more big expenses right now. I am hoping to dupe somebody into buying me a LSIc for a birthday gift, but even my charm has its limits:D
    I listen to alot of music, and alot of movies, probably a hair more on movies and games. Right now I am happy with how my receiver is handling the rears and center (Though I am sure there would be a substantial improvement running a power amp to them). I am leaning towards a 2 channel amp, but my main problem is a live in a podunk town when it comes to mid to high end electronics (very limited in selection) so it makes it very hard to audtion stuff. My boss swears by bryston amps and the do sound amazing (though I am listen to it on Martin Logans w/ some of the nicest inter connects and cables money can by. I like a warmer sound, with nice full bass. Right now I am a little unhappy with how the LSI15's handle the low end; not very punchy and lacks control. I will be biamping them shortly (not expecting much maybe a bit more control in demanding passages). Any Rotel fans out there, or are they just so, so??
    Thanks for the advice so far
    [The Ever-Evolving System

    LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,081
    edited April 2008
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    A week ago, I was in the same situation trying to decide on an amp. I don't have any place local I can go to audition amps (especially since my Polks are an older model). There's really no way I could hear how an amp would sound in my system. I looked at the same manufacturers you have and read reviews. It seems that most reviews on all of the amps I looked at are positive with a few scattered negatives. I came to the conclusion that the only way to really find out if I liked an amp was to try it in MY system. Buying used has been recommended by others on this forum because if you don't like what you bought, you can usually resell it and not take a big hit in the wallet. I went for a used Adcom 5-channel for my first entry into separates. Watch audiogon.com as well. There are real bargains that pop up from time to time. Good luck!
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, McIntosh C2300, Marantz AV7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Sim Audio Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited April 2008
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    ben62670 wrote: »
    Bang for the buck I like Adcom's. Don't get too hung on watts. LSI's are 4ohms so even a good 100wpc amp will put out more like 150wpc. I'm nuts so I like to go big on amps. Three channels are hard to find, but can be had. I would suggest getting either a nice 2 channel, or a nice 5 channel.

    I agree tough to beat the Adcoms for the money. There are beter amps out there like Bryston, but usully at 3-5x the price.
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  • Jer.War
    Jer.War Posts: 180
    edited April 2008
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    dpowell, how is that adcom working out for ya? Big change from a receiver?
    [The Ever-Evolving System

    LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.
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  • Jer.War
    Jer.War Posts: 180
    edited April 2008
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    Sorry, realized your amp is en route..... Let me know if she sings for ya
    [The Ever-Evolving System

    LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited April 2008
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    ML/Bryston setup would be hard to beat with any LSi/amp combo. You will notice more bass control with a nice amp, but biamping is a waste IMO.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,081
    edited April 2008
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    Jer.War wrote: »
    Sorry, realized your amp is en route..... Let me know if she sings for ya

    Will do. I'm certainly expecting a difference (not sure what that translates into quite yet). :D
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, McIntosh C2300, Marantz AV7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Sim Audio Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,675
    edited April 2008
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    I am pretty sure you will fall in Love with that amp when you get it.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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