5 Channel Amp for $200 or less (new or used)

stangjason · February 2011

I may be hunting for a snipe here. Is there a certain 5 channel amp(s) that I can find used and in working condition that can be had for under $200 or even $100?

I'm even ok with a 3 channel amp for my front and centers if not. I'd prefer a one amp fix due to space and the wife. I am aware of the Adcom 2535 and 2545s but they always seem to be out of my reach once shipping is added and it seems as though no one in the south hardly uses an amp or at least sales them.

shawn474 · February 2011

Good luck finding a 5 channel amp for $200. That is next to impossible IMO for anything worthwhile. There is a Sonance in the FM here for $325, but will be more if you can talk into shipping. Thats a pretty good deal and about as low as you'll find for a 5 channel amp. If you willing to drop down to 65W/ch or something like that, it might be a little more doable, but something I wouldn't necessarily recommend.

Here is the link: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115780

stangjason · February 2011

shawn474 wrote: »

Good luck finding a 5 channel amp for $200. That is next to impossible IMO for anything worthwhile. There is a Sonance in the FM here for $325, but will be more if you can talk into shipping. Thats a pretty good deal and about as low as you'll find for a 5 channel amp. If you willing to drop down to 65W/ch or something like that, it might be a little more doable, but something I wouldn't necessarily recommend.

Here is the link: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115780

I figured $200 would be tough and $100 was dreaming

. I feel that 65W/ch from a dedicated amp would be superior to what I currently have and I figure if it wasn't I could bridge the rears to the front speakers.

nguyendot · February 2011

It would be very very difficult to come by something like that. It's not impossible, but improbable. I got my Parasound HCA-1205A 140x5 THX amp for $200 cash on CL here...

stangjason · February 2011

shawn474 wrote: »

Good luck finding a 5 channel amp for $200. That is next to impossible IMO for anything worthwhile. There is a Sonance in the FM here for $325, but will be more if you can talk into shipping. Here is the link: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115780

I considered a road trip but my wife would kill me for spending the $325 plus the road trip. If I could sale my care I wouldn't get in trouble though...it's just that I can't bring myself to post it for sale just yet...It's been my baby for so long but I've outgrown it though and need to sale it.

stangjason · February 2011

nguyendot wrote: »

It would be very very difficult to come by something like that. It's not impossible, but improbable. I got my Parasound HCA-1205A 140x5 THX amp for $200 cash on CL here...

Well I do have time to be patient if anything and I've been searching but everything is so far away I can't justify the deals I have found just yet. I use jaxed for CL.

stangjason · February 2011

I guess my intentions are to take a list of all 5 channel amps that I may find close to my price point and search them until I get lucky enough to find one close and cheap enough for me to purchase.

shawn474 · February 2011

Here you go:http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-405-5-Channel-Amplifier-/180627724776?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0e4059e8

nguyendot · February 2011

shawn474 wrote: »

Here you go:http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-405-5-Channel-Amplifier-/180627724776?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0e4059e8

Careful, If that Carver hasn't been serviced, it will need to be soon.

shawn474 · February 2011

nguyendot wrote: »

Careful, If that Carver hasn't been serviced, it will need to be soon.

Maybe so, but it fits his price range and according to the description is working fine now. Worth a shot considering his price range and expectations.

stangjason · February 2011

shawn474 wrote: »

Here you go:http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-405-5-Channel-Amplifier-/180627724776?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0e4059e8

Thanks! I may have to do some begging with the wife :frown:

stangjason · February 2011

shawn474 wrote: »

Maybe so, but it fits his price range and according to the description is working fine now. Worth a shot considering his price range and expectations.

I'm not sure I call them expectations as much as I would call them hopes

shawn474 · February 2011

Here's some more:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-505-Five-Channel-Power-Amplifier-/160542117278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25610e4d9e

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-405-5-Channel-Amplifier-Audiophile-410-Watts-/160544545073?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2561335931

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-AV5000-SERIES-II-5-CHANNEL-STEREO-POWER-AMPLIFIER-/160547904016?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2561669a10

I have the B&K and it is has performed flawlessly (except for that time I blew a fuse and it cost me .45 cents to replace it).

ben62670 · February 2011

Adcom GFA-7300.

Oldfatdogs · February 2011

I just picked up the adcom gfa 7300 for 224 on ebay.

B Run · February 2011

I got my Adcom gfa7000 on craigslist for $260. I use a craigslist ap that searches for keywords and emails me the ads that match. It took a few months of searching for amplifiers but I found it and snagged it the same day.

stangjason · February 2011

B Run wrote: »

I got my Adcom gfa7000 on craigslist for $260. I use a craigslist ap that searches for keywords and emails me the ads that match. It took a few months of searching for amplifiers but I found it and snagged it the same day.

Yeah I use that search engine also but there is never anything in my area.

stangjason · February 2011

shawn474 wrote: »

Here's some more:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-505-Five-Channel-Power-Amplifier-/160542117278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25610e4d9e

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-AV-405-5-Channel-Amplifier-Audiophile-410-Watts-/160544545073?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2561335931

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-AV5000-SERIES-II-5-CHANNEL-STEREO-POWER-AMPLIFIER-/160547904016?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2561669a10

I have the B&K and it is has performed flawlessly (except for that time I blew a fuse and it cost me .45 cents to replace it).

Of the ones you've listed which one do you recommend? Also how about the Sonata 5 mentioned also?

Thanks all.

PSOVLSK · February 2011

Also look for an Adcom GFA-6000. I bought and sold mine for around $200 or less.

stangjason · February 2011

ben62670 wrote: »

Adcom GFA-7300.

This amp is rated 60watts per channel and I often read people saying not to pay attention to watts but I can't help myself. My Pioneer 1120k was tested to put out 47 watts through all 7 channels in HTM lab measurements. Would the Adcom GFA-7300 be a noticeable improvement still?

MADGSF · February 2011

Here are the ones I found around 200.00 on Audiogon.

From what I can tell this B&K amp was made between 1989 and 1993.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1302321476&/B-K-Components-Video-5-Sonata-

NAD, don't know anything about this one
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1302883529&/NAD-906

A couple of nice Adcoms
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1301944766&/Adcom-GFA-7300-5-channel-power

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1301088421&/Adcom-GFA-6000

stangjason · February 2011

I was thinking on this Sonata. What the chances of it needing servicing real soon? Isn't capacitor life expectancy approximately 10 years?

MADGSF wrote: »

Here are the ones I found around 200.00 on Audiogon.

From what I can tell this B&K amp was made between 1989 and 1993.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1302321476&/B-K-Components-Video-5-Sonata-

NAD, don't know anything about this one
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1302883529&/NAD-906

A couple of nice Adcoms
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1301944766&/Adcom-GFA-7300-5-channel-power

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1301088421&/Adcom-GFA-6000

MADGSF · February 2011

Don't know what the average life of capacitors are and it would nice to know how much actual time is on those amps. There is a good chance it will need servicing soon but at the 200.00 price point there are not many options. The Adcom GFA-7300 looks newer than the others but I would reach out to the sellers to get more information.

stangjason · March 2011

Well I got a money boost so now my budget for a used amp is $200-$450. If I went new I might spend a bit more say $599 as it's worth it for some extra piece of mind but if I can get a superior used amp that I can probably trust I'll stick with that. Funny thing is now that I can spend more money I'm more confused than ever.

Knucklehead · March 2011

you could still keep it around $250 and get yourself some decent cables.

stangjason · March 2011

Knucklehead wrote: »

you could still keep it around $250 and get yourself some decent cables.

I've always been under the impression that buying expensive cables was a waste. Don't get me wrong I buy larger gauge speaker wire but I don't go out of my way to buy the most expensive kind...say the 16 gauge Phillips from Wal-Mart.

Might I ask what kind/brand of cables should I buy? I'm open minded and I definitely don't want to hold my system back.

Thanks,
Jason

stangjason · March 2011

Knucklehead wrote: »

you could still keep it around $250 and get yourself some decent cables.

Oh I see you run a Rotel amp. What do you think of the Rotel RB-976 MkII in a 5 channel setup? Do you think the 60watts will hold it back?
I'm considering the Emotiva UPA-7 for its price right now and the fact it's new. Is the Rotel going to sound better despite it's lesser power rating?

I'm also strongly considering this one. Does anyone think this amp is too much of a risk or that I could do better?
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1302321476&/B-K-Components-Video-5-Sonata-

Knucklehead · March 2011

I have my Rotel bridged to 150w x 3 to my front three and couldnt be happier, I wouldnt hesitate to buy another Rotel product. All things considered, The Rotels 60w will sound much nicer than the Emo amp. As far as the cables, you just have to let your ears be the judge. Look at monoprice.com for some 14g speaker wire, works good for me. These are what Im using http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=184-202 works good for my crap.

5 Channel Amp for $200 or less (new or used)

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