Inexpensive 2-channel amps... suggestions?

prstrings

I'd like to get more power to my RTi12s. I'm currently powering them, along with my CSi5 and FXi3s, with my Onkyo 805 (no sub at the moment--my basement neighbor would burn me alive). It's better than what I had before, but I'm thinking of buying a rather inexpensive two-channel amp to power the RTi12s.

I have two questions:

1) What are the downsides to powering my towers with a 2-channel amp, leaving my center and surrounds to be powered by my Onkyo 805? Would that setup work? Be an improvement over my current setup? (Note: obviously getting a 5-channel amp would be best, but I just can't do it right now, although the Emotiva XPA-5 makes me wish I could.)

2) Assuming a 2-channel amp is a good way to go, what options do I have for two-channel amps under $400? I'll obviously be going the used route. I've heard recommendations for the Adcom GFA-545 and GFA-555 (I'm keeping an eye out for one, leaning toward the 555). Are there other options?

Thanks.

organ

Going used is a good idea. Adcom is a brand to look at. You can also add NAD, Rotel, Parasound, etc. There are A LOT of used, good 2ch amps in your price range. Keep an eye on the flea market forum and check ebay and audiogon. It's not hard to find them.

prstrings

Thanks organ--any specific models you suggest/recommend (in addition to the Adcom 545 and 555)?

organ

I have a NAD C270 and it sounds pretty good. Used ones can be had for around 250 and up. I don't want to comment on other models that I didn't hear in my own set up. But I have heard others like Adcom in other people's homes and they sound damn good.
My experience with 2ch SS amps are limited. Let's see what other suggestions you get. So far, you can't go wrong with the ones you listed.

RuSsMaN

Find an Aragon 2004 or 4004 and be done with it.

Thank me later.

bigred7078

Emotiva XPA-2 right now for $699

EDIT: whoops you said under $400 my bad.

nm4710

Here's a very affordable and reasonable alternative:
I used an onkyo M-282 amp to drive the woofer portion of my RTi10s and my receiver to drive the treble for a little while. The M-282 really really improved the sound of the RTi10s. I'd imagine it would do similarly well for the 12s. Only cost $200. Numbers aren't that impressive (125wpc) but still better power than a receiver will give you...plus it's new and comes with a warranty. Also it's so affordable you can start saving up for a nice 5 channel.

Just an alternative in case you're not comfortable with buying used (I never have been).

Cheers and good luck.

broncsrule21@

Emotiva UPA-2. coming out soon $299.00

prstrings

broncsrule21@ wrote: »

Emotiva UPA-2. coming out soon $299.00

I see that the UPA-2 is going to be 125 watts x 2 (8 ohms). Any idea (broncsrule21@ and others) whether that will that be enough of a step up to make it worth spending $300? Or would I be better off trying to find a used Adcom/Carver/Rotel amp that pushes something closer to 200 watts per channel?

(Thanks broncsrule21@ for tipping me off to the UPA-2--I wasn't aware that was coming out soon.)

comfortablycurt

I've never heard it before personally, but the Onkyo M-282 has really good reviews for the most part.

Put's out 100 wpc @8 ohms, and it can be had for about 300 dollars new, and about 200 for a refurb through Onkyo's online shop.

Are you going to be bi-amping them with your receiver and an amp, or are you just looking to power them with a seperate amp? If you want a stand alone amp to power them, this one wouldn't really be the way to go. IIRC the 805 puts out like 130 wpc... If you're bi-amping them though this might be a good amp to look into.

prstrings

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Are you going to be bi-amping them with your receiver and an amp, or are you just looking to power them with a seperate amp? If you want a stand alone amp to power them, this one wouldn't really be the way to go. IIRC the 805 puts out like 130 wpc... If you're bi-amping them though this might be a good amp to look into.

I would probably prefer a standalone amp right now, just so I can dedicate the power from my Onkyo 805 to the CSi5 and FXi3s. I believe that bi-amping with an Onkyo two-channel amp will be an improvement over what I'm currently doing, but then it will give less power to my center and surrounds. I figure if I'm going to spend $200-300, I might as well throw in an extra hundred bucks to do it "right" (although actually doing it "right" would likely mean actually getting a 5-channel amp, such as the Emotiva XPA-5, I just don't have the money for that right now). I will consider the Onkyo amp, though, as an option. Thanks.

Sherardp

Put Outlaw Monoblocks on the 12s and you'll be fine. I went all out for a Stereo amp from D-Sonic, the Magnum 1000S for my 12s.

nm4710

Prstrings you said it yourself...doing it right would be a 5 channel amp. If you're convinced that's what you want I'd either try to get one used or just stick with the 805 (which ain't shabby) until you can get a new one. I wouldn't buy a 2ch amp b/c you will want to upgrade very quickly and that amp will be wasted...trust me..I know. Good luck

tcrossma

nm4710 wrote: »

Prstrings you said it yourself...doing it right would be a 5 channel amp. If you're convinced that's what you want I'd either try to get one used or just stick with the 805 (which ain't shabby) until you can get a new one. I wouldn't buy a 2ch amp b/c you will want to upgrade very quickly and that amp will be wasted...trust me..I know. Good luck

I went the other way. I initially was using my AVR, then bought a good B&K 200wpc 5-channel amp, and then downsized to a better 2-channel amp. For me, music was a priority over movies so I now let my AVR handle the surrounds and let the amp handle just the fronts, and I'm very happy with the results.

prstrings

Sherardp wrote: »

Put Outlaw Monoblocks on the 12s and you'll be fine.

Are two monoblocks better than using a 2-channel amp?

mmadden28

Probably depends on the amps you'd be comparing, but generically speaking, the mono blocks will each have their own power supply (transformer), where the 2 channel amp will share one.

cfrizz

This would be precisely the right way to do it. Your gear isn't going anywhere, slow down, build up your cash and do it RIGHT the first time around!

"(although actually doing it "right" would likely mean actually getting a 5-channel amp, such as the Emotiva XPA-5, I just don't have the money for that right now)."

But whether or not you can actually hear a difference is always debatable.

It is just assumed because they are separate it sounds better.

mmadden28 wrote: »

Probably depends on the amps you'd be comparing, but generically speaking, the mono blocks will each have their own power supply (transformer), where the 2 channel amp will share one.

Sherardp

If he just wants to power the 12s right now, the Outlaws would do him just fine until he can drop the cash for a 3 channel amp. Plenty of manufacturers offer 3 channel setup no problem there or he can buy 2 Outlaw Monos now, save up and buy 1 more for the center. The 805 should drive the rears no problem with such a small load. So he will end up with 3 Outlaw Monos x 200 watts per. The monos run very cool, plus you can stack them with no problem.

Heres some on A'gon
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1231690385&/1-Or-2-Outlaw-Model-2200-mono-

Adcom for under 1k, 5 channel @ 300w per, now this is a good deal, someone should really jump on this one.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1234163092&/Adcom-7805-300-watt-5-channel

prstrings

Thanks Sherardp, cfrizz, mmadden28 for the input.

If I go the three- or five-channel amp route, are there any other low-cost amps aside from the Emotiva XPA-5 and XPA-3? The more info you guys can offer, the better.

Also, it seems that since my rears (FXi3) are so easy to drive, it would be a bit unnecessary to get a five-channel amp. It seems like a three-channel amp would work just as well as a five channel, since my Onkyo 805 could dedicate all its power to the rears. Is this a correct assumption?

ohskigod

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I've never heard it before personally, but the Onkyo M-282 has really good reviews for the most part.

Put's out 100 wpc @8 ohms, and it can be had for about 300 dollars new, and about 200 for a refurb through Onkyo's online shop.

Are you going to be bi-amping them with your receiver and an amp, or are you just looking to power them with a seperate amp? If you want a stand alone amp to power them, this one wouldn't really be the way to go. IIRC the 805 puts out like 130 wpc... If you're bi-amping them though this might be a good amp to look into.

not a bad amp (I had one for a while), problem is its basically the amp section of an Integra reciever. 6 ohm stable is the lowest it will go. good aurround amp on the cheap used, but if beefy amplification is what you want, might wanna look elsewhere.

I'll add Hafler to the mix, I have 2 DH500's and there some of the nicest sounding amps I've ever had hooked up. warm, but not too warm....will drive pretty much whatever you ask of it, and can be had for under 400 if you look hard enough

Sherardp

prstrings wrote: »

It seems like a three-channel amp would work just as well as a five channel, since my Onkyo 805 could dedicate all its power to the rears. Is this a correct assumption?

Yes, the Onkyo will have more power to drive the rears since it wont be under a full load and be just fine IMHO. In my setup thats actually what I do, I have my D-Sonic on my fronts, the Outlaw Monos on my center and side surrounds and my Elite 07 picks up the rears. So you could go with the Emotiva XPA3 and be fine. Looks to be a nice amp for the price.

Edit: After seeing the Emotiva and prices, the XPA-5 may be a nice Christmas present to myself. Interesting prices for sure.

cfrizz

All speakers benefit from more power. My FXi3's showed a very nice boost when I finally hooked them up to separate amplification.

There is also Outlaw Audio for affordable amplification. But the price on an XPA-5 right now can't be beat.

prstrings wrote: »

Thanks Sherardp, cfrizz, mmadden28 for the input.

If I go the three- or five-channel amp route, are there any other low-cost amps aside from the Emotiva XPA-5 and XPA-3? The more info you guys can offer, the better.

Also, it seems that since my rears (FXi3) are so easy to drive, it would be a bit unnecessary to get a five-channel amp. It seems like a three-channel amp would work just as well as a five channel, since my Onkyo 805 could dedicate all its power to the rears. Is this a correct assumption?

Sherardp

cfrizz wrote: »

All speakers benefit from more power. My FXi3's showed a very nice boost when I finally hooked them up to separate amplification.

There is also Outlaw Audio for affordable amplification. But the price on an XPA-5 right now can't be beat.

Youre right about that, I put an email into Emotiva, for that price I'll jump too. Move the Monos to the flea market if they can ship me an XPA-5.

stubby

Just to throw another name in the hat...Acurus A-250 or A-200. Great amps and can be had for just under $400 on A'gon. Very powerful, very neutral. Made in USA for those that care. I have read their 250 watt rating is a bit on the low side.

stubby

markmarc

Emotiva, and AV123's new x-amp. Also, check out Monarchy, terrific sound with all the power of Adcom without the noise and harshness.

mmadden28

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