Amplifier upgrade

[stumpgc]

I was looking to upgrade my amplification. And was torn between two amps either the Harmon Kardon signature 2.1 or the B&k av5000 series 2. I'm running Martin Logan Montages for fronts and ML encores for the center and surrounds. However I would like to upgrade the fronts to either the Motion 10's or 12's soon. And then possibly add some bi/dipole surrounds for the back. I have a old velodyne sub-woofer. So the fronts would be crossed over for bass duties. And then I would just run the surrounds with the receiver. Thanks Greg

 

[fuzz092888]

Why those two amps? Price range? Two channel or three channel? What other brands have you looked at?

 

[stumpgc]

found one on CL and a friend has the other. I'm on a budget would like to keep it under $500. Would like to get at least a 4-6 channel amp for that.

 

[fuzz092888]

I just reread your original post, you're running two bookshelves as your center?

 

[stumpgc]

no one encore speaker for center and 2 others for surrounds.

 

[fuzz092888]

no one encore speaker for center and 2 others for surrounds.

Ok, so you want an amp for the front 3 only?

 

[stumpgc]

no I was going to upgrade to 7.1. Eventually anyway. I'm looking for a decent 5-7 channel amp in the $500 range. The would improve upon my Onkyo's receivers performance. Like I said I would like to purchase some bi/dipole surrounds soon. Our living room is odd shaped and so I would like a little more power. 20' across the front with the tv and fronts and 18' wide and then on the back wall it has a open hall way that 9' x 9'.

 

[fuzz092888]

A good 5 channel amp that will meaningfully improve upon the average receiver for $500 is tough. I don't think you've said, but what receiver do you have?

EDIT: I see you said Onkyo, but not the model number.

 

[fuzz092888]

If you're dead set on an amp at or close to you're budget, I would advise for the Emo, 3 channel on sale for $600 and then add a 5 channel amp later on. You could also buy a Rotel RMB 1075 for about $700.

XPA-3 | 200W x 3 | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifier

Rotel RMB-1075 5-Channel THX Amplifier | Multi ch | Sandia Park, New Mexico 87047 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

You could also go with an emo UPA-700, but the benefits might be negligible depending on your listening habits.

UPA-700 Seven-Channel Power Amplifier | Emotiva Audio | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stere

 

[stumpgc]

An onkyo 807. Just doesn't seem to drive the Montages very well, so maybe I'll just get a stereo amp.

 

[fuzz092888]

An onkyo 807. Just doesn't seem to drive the Montages very well, so maybe I'll just get a stereo amp.

If that's the case, there are a plethora of stereo amps out there. What would be your budget for the stereo amp?