the best 5 Channel amps around $700 or less

timlitton

I'm a little obsessive when it comes to finding a good deal. I recently spent two months researching prices on LSi15's. I had Google searches set to tell me whenever they went up on any craigslist in the country. I had search agents set up to notify me within an hour of any listing on ebay. I spent hours and hours looking on forums and searching for recent "FS" threads. I finally snagged a pair for $615 (hee hee).

Now I must venture into the world of separates. I know a lot of AVR owners swear their receiver does a good job of pushing these 4 ohm speakers... but mine doesn't. I have a Sony STR-DA555ES that has a 4 ohm switch on the back. Unfortunately, instead of doubling the power, it appears to limit the current and drops me from 125Wpc to 100Wpc. SQ sounds pretty good at mid to low volumes, but becomes harsh at higher volumes. I'm also afraid to damage the Lsi's from clipping, so I rarely turn it up.

I've read an ample amount of posts from this forum about amps. Some swear by 200Wpc. Some don't. Most everyone likes Adcom, NAD, Rotel, Sunfire, and Emotiva for value amps. I'm heavily leaning towards a used Rotel RMB-1075 - for the price and things I've read. They have 5 channels and they seem to be readily available used. I'd love an EMO XPA-5 or a Sunfire but I'm cheap. I'm also considering a used Adcom GFA 7500. I know some of you change your setups constantly so I'm hoping for aome first-hand experience comparing my picks. I know that any of these amps will probably make me happy. So what's your favorite 5 channel amp for around $700 or less?

leroyjr1

Rotel RMB-1075 is a great five channel amp and pushes the LSI series speakers very well. I've had mine on LSI 9's and 7's and it did a great job and it pushes out 200watts @4 ohms. I think you'll like the SQ a little better with the RMB-1075 over Adcom 7500

There's one on here for sale very cheap.

haimoc

Yes.. I have Rotel 1075 for sale.. Let me know if you are interested.

rayslifecycle

Are you planning to use your sony as a pre-amp?
I am thinking a new center channel and amp are this years HT purchases.

timlitton

Haimoc, actually I was thinking about your amp, but it seemed Willow had spoken for it. I'm fairly new here and figured since I see them on a regular basis didn't want to ruffle any feathers.

clarknova_666, yes, I'll be using the Sony as a preamp until I get a dedicated pre. I was also planning on a new center and sub too. But those will have to wait until I get the amp.

ben62670

Tim you listed them in your list, and the Rotel;)

BigMac

Here are a couple.

B & K Reference 7250 Series II 5 Channel Amplifier: http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-B-K-Reference-7250-Series-II-5-Channel-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ300285802273QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item300285802273&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Outlaw 750: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1236270802&/Outlaw-750-Five-channel-amp

Outlaw 755: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1235515399&/Outlaw-755-

timlitton

I know this may sound strange, but I disqualified the Outlaw gear because I can't stand that GREEN BUTTON. I know they are supposed to sound great, and I totally believe it. But I can't get past the button!:o

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mjjjhjemj

timlitton wrote: »

I'm a little obsessive when it comes to finding a good deal. I recently spent two months researching prices on LSi15's. I had Google searches set to tell me whenever they went up on any craigslist in the country. I had search agents set up to notify me within an hour of any listing on ebay. I spent hours and hours looking on forums and searching for recent "FS" threads. I finally snagged a pair for $615 (hee hee).

Now I must venture into the world of separates. I know a lot of AVR owners swear their receiver does a good job of pushing these 4 ohm speakers... but mine doesn't. I have a Sony STR-DA555ES that has a 4 ohm switch on the back. Unfortunately, instead of doubling the power, it appears to limit the current and drops me from 125Wpc to 100Wpc. SQ sounds pretty good at mid to low volumes, but becomes harsh at higher volumes. I'm also afraid to damage the Lsi's from clipping, so I rarely turn it up.

I've read an ample amount of posts from this forum about amps. Some swear by 200Wpc. Some don't. Most everyone likes Adcom, NAD, Rotel, Sunfire, and Emotiva for value amps. I'm heavily leaning towards a used Rotel RMB-1075 - for the price and things I've read. They have 5 channels and they seem to be readily available used. I'd love an EMO XPA-5 or a Sunfire but I'm cheap. I'm also considering a used Adcom GFA 7500. I know some of you change your setups constantly so I'm hoping for aome first-hand experience comparing my picks. I know that any of these amps will probably make me happy. So what's your favorite 5 channel amp for around $700 or less?

I have had Parasound amps and have really liked them. I am presently using a Parasound HCA-1206 that I like a lot. I can be bridged to run 4/5/6 channels. These can be had for ~$500 - $600. One just sold on Ebay for $500 buy it now. I am thinking of selling mine, but not quite yet. I am using it with the Polk SRT system and until I sell that I can get sell the Parasound. If you get a chance to pick one up they are great.

timlitton

mjjjhjemj wrote: »

I am presently using a Parasound HCA-1206 that I like a lot. I can be bridged to run 4/5/6 channels. These can be had for ~$500 - $600.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've looked at a couple of Parasound amps that seemed pretty interesting. Although, I thought that when an amp was bridged it's no longer 4ohm stable. But then again, I wouldn't really need to with 6 channels of 200wpc @ 4ohms. I'll keep it in mind.

Do you have any experience with the Rotel RMB-1075 in relation to the Parasound?

mjjjhjemj

timlitton wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion. I've looked at a couple of Parasound amps that seemed pretty interesting. Although, I thought that when an amp was bridged it's no longer 4ohm stable. But then again, I wouldn't really need to with 6 channels of 200wpc @ 4ohms. I'll keep it in mind.

Do you have any experience with the Rotel RMB-1075 in relation to the Parasound?

Here are the specs on the Parasound HCA-1206 from their site. You are correct in that the bridged sections should be used with 8ohm loads.
# Continuous Power Output
> 135 watts RMS x 6, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω, all channels driven
> 200 watts RMS x 6, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 4 Ω, all channels driven
# Continuous Power Output - Bridged
> 350 watts RMS, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω, each bridged channel, 3+4, 5+6

mjjjhjemj

timlitton wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion. I've looked at a couple of Parasound amps that seemed pretty interesting. Although, I thought that when an amp was bridged it's no longer 4ohm stable. But then again, I wouldn't really need to with 6 channels of 200wpc @ 4ohms. I'll keep it in mind.

Do you have any experience with the Rotel RMB-1075 in relation to the Parasound?

I have had a Rotel RMB-985 which was a five channel model as well. I really did like it. I wasn't using with the same set of speakers as the Parasound. Frankly either would be a good choice for Home Theater. If you are going to be doing a lot of two channel listening off of the same system then all the supporting components to the speakers become more critical. Home theater is more about impact and two channel listening is more about subtleties. Not that both categories don't share both these qualities, but they emphasize one more than the other. Another less costly choice is to purchase a nice stereo amp and use the L/R preouts to drive your front L/R speakers.

Sami

Add Sherbourn 5/1500 to your search list as well, you might find one for around that price if you're lucky. I settled for one after going through several amps, from 2 to 5 channels, with my LSi's. It's not the best I tried with them but certainly an amp to consider and a bargain for what they go for at used market. 200W@8, 300W@4, monoblock design.

Unknown

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Sami

Kex wrote: »

Well, that obviously begs the question: which one did you like the best, even if it wasn't $700 or less?!

Aragon 2004, a 2ch 100W@8 amplifier has been, IMHO, the best amplifier driving the LSi15's in my systems. It is now driving a pair of SDA 1C's in the family room. I haven't done a throughout A/B listening session with the amps as those days are pretty much over, just don't have the time anymore. Swapped the Aragon to B&K when I got the SDA's, then went to the Sherbourn which I got dirt cheap locally, and been there ever since. Sounds great, looks even better and there is more than enough of juice on that amp.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/sherbourn-5-1500A/power-supply-and-features

There are quite a few used multichannel amps in that price range that one would be happy with, just adding one option to the list.

timlitton

Sami wrote: »

... then went to the Sherbourn which I got dirt cheap locally, and been there ever since. Sounds great, looks even better and there is more than enough of juice on that amp.

Why don't you give ME the Sherbourn for dirt cheap and we can call it a day on this thread?:D

Sami

timlitton wrote: »

Why don't you give ME the Sherbourn for dirt cheap and we can call it a day on this thread?:D

I don't think so. I fixed the "blown" channel by switching channels 4&5 back from bridged mode to normal. I thought I was buying an amp with 4 working channels and discovered at home everything was working fine...I think that at least doubled its value.

haimoc

timlitton wrote: »

Haimoc, actually I was thinking about your amp, but it seemed Willow had spoken for it. I'm fairly new here and figured since I see them on a regular basis didn't want to ruffle any feathers.

clarknova_666, yes, I'll be using the Sony as a preamp until I get a dedicated pre. I was also planning on a new center and sub too. But those will have to wait until I get the amp.

Willow did not get back to me as he mentioned... The amp is still available if you want it. Thanks.

timlitton

Well, this has been a strange turn of events. I started to buy an amp, then deferred the deal to another member so he wouldn't feel like I snaked him, was bummed, went to drown my sorrows on *-bay, and ended up with the amp I wanted for less than $500.

I am now waiting on a Rotel RMB-1075!!!! I guess it's true that everything happens for a reason.:)

Now everyone tell me how much I'll like the amp so I can wallow in my feel-goodiness.

Willow

So you bought one ?

FWIW no feathers would have been ruffled, first come first served...and it would boil down to the seller I guess. Looks like we both won!
This is my first go at a 5ch amp and Rotel. I've been using 3 monos for a couple years now.