Amp advice..thanks in advance

mdk5068
mdk5068 Posts: 204
edited June 2009 in Speakers
Hello all,

I have recently posted a thread that asked for speaker advice, and have used that to put into stone what my next upgrade will be for a 5.1 system. It will be used 50/50 ht/music. I am a student at Penn State's honors college, and like everything loud. My old system was for my dorm room, and was an RM95 set with a DSWPRO 400 subwoofer. My receiver is a Yamaha RX-V659. It filled the space well. I am moving into an apartment next year, with a room about 15w/20L. 13 feet of the right side is open to a eating space and a kitchen. The system I have settled on is:

Fronts: RTi A7's
Surrounds: FXi A6's
Center: CSi A6
Subwoofer: SVS PB-12 Ultra
Receiver: The same Yamaha RX-V659
Amplifier: ???

My question now is one of a completely ignorant college student, who wants enough power in an external amplifier to not have to buy another one anytime soon. I am open to any and all suggestions, although I have settled on a budget of under 800. My first recommendation that I had was the Emotiva xpa-5. I liked the looks of this, but did not know whether it would be the most power/value for the money. A 5 channel amp intrigues me, but again, any other mix and match combos of 2 channel amplifiers are possible if they keep within the budget. I guess what I am looking for is exact models of amplifiers, from people who have experience with them, that will work with my setup. The brands people like are relatively clear, but direct models and experience with them is what would really help me make the decision. Also, if anyone happenes to be selling, let me know, I will definitely entertain the option!

Thank you,

Mark
Bulls make money.
Bears make money.
Pigs get slaughtered.
...
You, my friend, are the bacon.
Post edited by mdk5068 on

Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,484
    edited June 2009
    this one is sold, but I would look for one of these. I run my yami as a pre/pro as you will be doing. I run the signature series of this amp in my rig and I love the way it performs.
    If you have questions shoot me a pm...


    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1246731630&/Sunfire-Cinema-Grand-200w-x-5-
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2009
    Hello Mark, welcome to Club Polk.

    That Emotiva is definately a good bang for the buck amp & you will keep it through all other upgrades you make to the system.

    Or as Nooshinjohn pointed out you can keep your eyes open for a good deal on Audiogon for another 5 channel Sunfire, Rotel, Parasound, B & K, Nad, Adcom.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited June 2009
    Emotiva came to mind first. I really want to try one.

    That being said... i'm completely in love with my Onkyo in my sig. 3 of those would be interesting, and they can be had for pennies.

    3 Adcom two channels of the same model would probably be good as well.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited June 2009
    this one is sold, but I would look for one of these. I run my yami as a pre/pro as you will be doing. I run the signature series of this amp in my rig and I love the way it performs.
    If you have questions shoot me a pm...


    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1246731630&/Sunfire-Cinema-Grand-200w-x-5-


    +1 for Sunfire!
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
  • mdk5068
    mdk5068 Posts: 204
    edited June 2009
    Emotiva came to mind first. I really want to try one.

    That being said... i'm completely in love with my Onkyo in my sig. 3 of those would be interesting, and they can be had for pennies.

    3 Adcom two channels of the same model would probably be good as well.


    Which onkyo model are you referring to that can be had for so little money? Also where, ha, I would love to take a look at it!

    --Mark
    Bulls make money.
    Bears make money.
    Pigs get slaughtered.
    ...
    You, my friend, are the bacon.
  • mdk5068
    mdk5068 Posts: 204
    edited June 2009
    Hey guys, just wanted to know if any of these deals on audiogon were any good? I would most likely be comparing everything to an emotiva xpa-5 at this point, as it seems to have good reviews, an expensive, but doable price, and what seems to be enough power.



    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1249281847&/Rotel-RB-980BX

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1249111162&/NAD-925-thx

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1249099651&/Rotel-RMB-1095--5-x-200w


    Thanks,

    Mark
    Bulls make money.
    Bears make money.
    Pigs get slaughtered.
    ...
    You, my friend, are the bacon.
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2009
    Out of all of them I would go for the Rotel 1095. You would pretty much be set for life for power.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,366
    edited June 2009
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Out of all of them I would go for the Rotel 1095. You would pretty much be set for life for power.


    +1 for the Rotel, I want a 1090 and a 1095.
  • mdk5068
    mdk5068 Posts: 204
    edited June 2009
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Out of all of them I would go for the Rotel 1095. You would pretty much be set for life for power.



    Does the rotel have 5 channels? Is it better than getting a brand new emotiva xpa-5? I have always been weary of getting anything used, especially when for 200 cheaper I could get the emotiva brand new. Would there be that much of a difference? Not trying to sound stringent upon the emotiva, just playing devils advocate : )
    Bulls make money.
    Bears make money.
    Pigs get slaughtered.
    ...
    You, my friend, are the bacon.
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2009
    Hi Mark. Yes the Rotel is 200wpc x 5. Both will get the job done in spades. A good many people including me, now accept getting used gear from Audiogon.

    Amplifiers can last for years. I had a 50wpc Rotel amp that lasted for 18 years with daily use!

    But since you would feel more comfortable buying new, then get the Emo & enjoy.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2