New To Forum - Need Amp Guidance

[Eric Julien]

I'm finally taking the plunge into separates. I usually buy really good equipment and hang on to it for a while. My journey started at Emotiva, then Anthem, then Parasound, then Classe, then Mark Levinson....needlessly to say, I got lost along the way. I want great equipment and I'm willing to pay for it. However, I also realize there is a point of diminishing returns as well. Any insight you can shed will be greatly appreciated. Please forgive my ignorance with any of these brands. Thank you!

 

[herbu]

I want great equipment and I'm willing to pay for it.

As with all things audio, there is a huge range of price for amps. I'll ask you 2 questions to figure out where you really are...
1) How much are you willing to spend on an amp?
2) What speakers do you have?

 

[KenM10759]

And what DAC/Pre-amp are you using currently? Are you planning on buying those (or a combination one) too?

 

[Eric Julien]

As with all things audio, there is a huge range of price for amps. I'll ask you 2 questions to figure out where you really are...
1) How much are you willing to spend on an amp?
2) What speakers do you have?

My plan is to purchase a pair of monoblocks and a 5 channel. My budget is 30k. The speakers are Paradigm Signature series anchored by the S8's.

 

[Eric Julien]

And what DAC/Pre-amp are you using currently? Are you planning on buying those (or a combination one) too?

My plan is for the Acurus ACT 4 pre/pro.

 

[KenM10759]

If that's the pre-pro, why not just add the Acurus A2007 and other amps so that you have smooth integration of all components, and a single source for troubleshooting if you need it?

 

[Eric Julien]

If that's the pre-pro, why not just add the Acurus A2007 and other amps so that you have smooth integration of all components, and a single source for troubleshooting if you need it?

Thank you! That's why I come here. You think of things I miss. "A single source for troubleshooting if you need it" works for me.

 

[Eric Julien]

If that's the pre-pro, why not just add the Acurus A2007 and other amps so that you have smooth integration of all components, and a single source for troubleshooting if you need it?

Are the lack of balanced inputs an issue or is that over-rated?

 

[PENG]

Are the lack of balanced inputs an issue or is that over-rated?

Theoretically, balanced I/Os should offer better signal to noise (S/N) ratio. In practice, based on a few lab measurements I read, the differences were negligible but I suppose they used relatively short lengths of interconnects. Quite often you will find that unbalanced I/Os actually had slightly better S/N ratios in professional reviews.

So lack of balanced inputs (or both inputs and outputs for preamps) should not be an issue unless you have long runs of interconnects, but more expensive gear will typically come with both balanced and unbalanced I/Os whether you use them or not. I do think it is a good feature to have regardless.

For S8 speakers, you will easily pass the point of diminishing return with most amps/preamps such as the Anthem MCA and Parasound Halo lines. Since you have the budget, I would suggest a flag ship AVR plus a Halo A31, or 3XJC1. If you must have separates, I would recommend the AV8802A, Halo A21 (or A31) and a low cost multichannel amp for the surrounds.

 

[Eric Julien]

Theoretically, balanced I/Os should offer better signal to noise (S/N) ratio. In practice, based on a few lab measurements I read, the differences were negligible but I suppose they used relatively short lengths of interconnects. Quite often you will find that unbalanced I/Os actually had slightly better S/N ratios in professional reviews.

So lack of balanced inputs (or both inputs and outputs for preamps) should not be an issue unless you have long runs of interconnects, but more expensive gear will typically come with both balanced and unbalanced I/Os whether you use them or not. I do think it is a good feature to have regardless.

For S8 speakers, you will easily pass the point of diminishing return with most amps/preamps such as the Anthem MCA and Parasound Halo lines. Since you have the budget, I would suggest a flag ship AVR plus a Halo A31, or 3XJC1. If you must have separates, I would recommend the AV8802A, Halo A21 (or A31) and a low cost multichannel amp for the surrounds.

Thank you for the info. In your opinion, do you think I need a speaker upgrade or are the S8 speakers good?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm finally taking the plunge into separates. I usually buy really good equipment and hang on to it for a while. My journey started at Emotiva, then Anthem, then Parasound, then Classe, then Mark Levinson....needlessly to say, I got lost along the way. I want great equipment and I'm willing to pay for it. However, I also realize there is a point of diminishing returns as well. Any insight you can shed will be greatly appreciated. Please forgive my ignorance with any of these brands. Thank you!

And what exactly was the difference going from the budget Emotiva to Anthem to Parasound to Classe to the ultra high-end Mark Levinson and the $30,000 budget?

At which point and after spending how much money did you realize there was a point of diminishing returns?

 

[Eric Julien]

And what exactly was the difference going from the budget Emotiva to Anthem to Parasound to Classe to the ultra high-end Mark Levinson and the $30,000 budget?

At which point and after spending how much money did you realize there was a point of diminishing returns?

The purchase hasn't been made yet. These are just brands that I have considered. I'm merely looking for advice from those with the knowledge.

How about this? What would be the best bang for your buck equipment, not considering a budget?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The purchase hasn't been made yet. These are just brands that I have considered. I'm merely looking for advice from those with the knowledge.

How about this? What would be the best bang for your buck equipment, not considering a budget?

Oh, I see.

Best bang for the buck Separates?

For Preamp, I would say a Marantz pre-pro.

For example, here is a $2K Marantz pre-pro on sale for $1200:

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/av7702.html

http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-AV7702-Audio-Preamp-Processor/dp/B00NCUDGVU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461003633&sr=8-2&keywords=marantz+av7702mkii

For Amp, I would say Anthem, Parasound, Rotel, Outlaw, ATI. I would say a 150-300WPC amp is about all you need.

For example, an ATI AT1805 180WPC x 5Ch amp is $1800.
http://www.classicaudioparts.com/index.php/amplifiers/ati-at1805-five-channel-x-180-watt-amplifier-b-stock-120v.html

You are NOT going to notice any significant difference in Sound Quality in DIRECT/BYPASS mode (bypassing all EQ, Room EQ, DSP) when it comes to amps/preamps. Some believe there may be some slight differences, but those slight differences are not worth losing sleep over. And if anyone tells you there are some astronomical day-and-night differences among amps, do NOT believe them.

For preamp, the biggest difference will be the types of EQ software.

For example, some people think Anthem's Arc is just right. Some people think Marantz's Audyssey XT32 is just right. Some prefer Dirac, etc.

I personally don't like ANY room correction. I just like the Dynamic EQ from Audyssey that enhances the Bass in my Subwoofer Outputs.

 

[Eric Julien]

Oh, I see.

Best bang for the buck Separates?

For Preamp, I would say a Marantz pre-pro.

For example, here is a $2K Marantz pre-pro on sale for $1200:

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/av7702.html

http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-AV7702-Audio-Preamp-Processor/dp/B00NCUDGVU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461003633&sr=8-2&keywords=marantz+av7702mkii

For Amp, I would say Anthem, Parasound, Rotel, Outlaw, ATI.

You are NOT going to notice any significant difference in Sound Quality in DIRECT/BYPASS mode (bypassing all EQ, Room EQ, DSP) when it comes to amps/preamps. Some believe there may be some slight differences, but those slight differences are not worth losing sleep over.

For amp, I would say a 200-300WPC amp is about all you need.

For preamp, the biggest difference will be the types of EQ software.

For example, some people think Anthem's Arc is just right. Some people think Marantz's Audyssey XT32 is just right. Some prefer Dirac, etc.

I personally don't like ANY room correction. I just like the Dynamic EQ from Audyssey that enhances the Bass in my Subwoofer Outputs.

This is great information. Thank you!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm finally taking the plunge into separates. I usually buy really good equipment and hang on to it for a while. My journey started at Emotiva, then Anthem, then Parasound, then Classe, then Mark Levinson....needlessly to say, I got lost along the way. I want great equipment and I'm willing to pay for it. However, I also realize there is a point of diminishing returns as well. Any insight you can shed will be greatly appreciated. Please forgive my ignorance with any of these brands. Thank you!

I presume you have those Paradigm speakers already?
What else do you have right now?

What are your goals?
What are the issues besides an itch to get into upgrading?

 

[PENG]

Thank you for the info. In your opinion, do you think I need a speaker upgrade or are the S8 speakers good?

S8s are fine speakers and unless you prefer something else in their price range there is no need to upgrade. They weren't my choice mainly because I preferred floor standers that focus more on the mid and high range and let the subs play the bass but we all have our own preference.

 

[PENG]

The purchase hasn't been made yet. These are just brands that I have considered. I'm merely looking for advice from those with the knowledge.

How about this? What would be the best bang for your buck equipment, not considering a budget?

I consider the Parasound Halo and Anthem MCA series and ATIs bang for the buck type of amps. For higher quality, I would recommed Bryston and Classe that are more expensive but still within your budget.

If your main goal is top notch HT enjoyment, and must have separates, then any Marantz prepro will do. If you want the system to double for serious two channel and/or multichannel music enjoyment and you can imagine better sound base on price, specs and good reviews, then stick with the AV-8802A that I recommended before.

 

[KenM10759]

The Anthem AVM60 is also quite a good quality, feature packed pre-pro, and more compact than the Marantz offerings. They did something with it over their own previous models that you don't often see: Made it better and lowered the price significantly.

Worthy of consideration. AVM60

Pair that with some ATI amps and you have a killer setup with probably the best room correction in the game as far as ease-of-use to capability ratio.

 

[Eric Julien]

I presume you have those Paradigm speakers already?
What else do you have right now?

What are your goals?
What are the issues besides an itch to get into upgrading?

I have an old Denon receiver, Denon cd burner, and an early APC av power conditioner.
My goal is to get some great separates and replace the cd burner with the Oppo BDP 105. I may want to get into vinyl again.
The issue is probably the same as many on this site. To get the highest quality listening environment possible.

 

[Eric Julien]

The Anthem AVM60 is also quite a good quality, feature packed pre-pro, and more compact than the Marantz offerings. They did something with it over their own previous models that you don't often see: Made it better and lowered the price significantly.

Worthy of consideration. AVM60

Pair that with some ATI amps and you have a killer setup with probably the best room correction in the game as far as ease-of-use to capability ratio.

The AVM60 is one that I had considered. I'll take a loom at the ATI amps. Thank you!