Mixing amps for LCR - bad idea?

[thebrieze]

My usage is 70-80 HT, 20-30% music. I’m looking to get an external 2 (maybe 3) channel amp for the LCR. Given that stereo amps are far more plentiful. I’m wondering if it would be a good/bad idea to get a stereo amp for the the LR, and leave the center and surrounds driven my the AVR - Denon x4200W, speakers are Salk BeAT, SCST center.

 

[lovinthehd]

Or get three of the Outlaw 2200s....$799 delivered.

 

[ukietryzub]

You mention the Outlaws regularly. Honest curiosity... Do you work there or benefit from people buying them?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

You mention the Outlaws regularly. Honest curiosity... Do you work there or benefit from people buying them?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

It's just a good three channel amp solution that's available lately at this price. I've mentioned it a few times, yes. I also mention Crown XLS amps, which are even more cost effective. I'm retired, never sold audio/video gear and no financial benefit from mentioning them.

Do you benefit from broadcasting the stupid tapatalk ad while using your SM-N960U?

 

[thebrieze]

Unfortunately I don’t have room for monoblocks - need a one box solution.

 

[2channel lover]

You mention the Outlaws regularly. Honest curiosity... Do you work there or benefit from people buying them?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Or you can buy an Anthem MCA 325 3 channel amp...for $2500

As power amps go...with a separate power supply for each amp 200 wpc…$800 that's a great value if you want external power amps.

I should've bought 5.

 

[ryanosaur]

I should've bought 5.

I have 5 and love them!

 

[Verdinut]

Unfortunately I don’t have room for monoblocks - need a one box solution.

Apart from the Outlaw monoblocks, I think the only reasonably priced solution would be to get the Monolith 5X for $1299.99. You would have two additional amps to drive the L and R Surround channels and a very competent product:

Monolith by Monoprice 5x200 Watts Per Channel Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs - Monoprice.com

The Monolith™ 5X is a state‑of‑the‑art, high‑performance, audiophile‑grade multichannel home theater amplifier. Rated at a full 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms an

www.monoprice.com

Unfortunately, that amp probably takes as much space as 3 monoblocks stacked one on top of the other.

 

[lovinthehd]

Unfortunately I don’t have room for monoblocks - need a one box solution.

Have you compared actual sizes? They're only 2" high say vs the Outlaw 5000 at 6" high. A Monolith 3 ch amp is 7" high. The three power cords I think is a bigger "issue" than their size on the 2200s.....what did you have in mind size-wise?

 

[thebrieze]

I’ve been looking at Class D amps, and eying this Purifi based stereo amp from Nord, which seems to offer remarkable specs/performance at a very reasonable price. All in a chassis not much larger than a single Outlaw monoblock.

The 4 (or 3) channel version is doable, but significantly adds to the cost. Hence was curious it was worth it for the center.

Nord Three 1ET400A Mono Block | nordacoustics

Our base Purifi mono block with Hypex SMPS1200A400 and Cut down Nord Rev D buffer with OPA1612 Op Amp.

www.nordacoustics.co.uk

 

[lovinthehd]

That Nord amp looks interesting, been seeing nice things said about the Purifi module; hopefully that input sensitivity is okay. Perhaps another along those lines of small form factor is the XTZ Edge A2-300. As to powering center channel, if you want it to have same capabilities as L/R....

 

[PENG]

I’ve been looking at Class D amps, and eying this Purifi based stereo amp from Nord, which seems to offer remarkable specs/performance at a very reasonable price. All in a chassis not much larger than a single Outlaw monoblock.

The 4 (or 3) channel version is doable, but significantly adds to the cost. Hence was curious it was worth it for the center.

Nord Three 1ET400A Mono Block | nordacoustics

Our base Purifi mono block with Hypex SMPS1200A400 and Cut down Nord Rev D buffer with OPA1612 Op Amp.

www.nordacoustics.co.uk

Bite the bullet and get those then.. You will be happier in the long term.

 

[ryanosaur]

I’ve been looking at Class D amps, and eying this Purifi based stereo amp from Nord, which seems to offer remarkable specs/performance at a very reasonable price. All in a chassis not much larger than a single Outlaw monoblock.

The 4 (or 3) channel version is doable, but significantly adds to the cost. Hence was curious it was worth it for the center.

Nord Three 1ET400A Mono Block | nordacoustics

Our base Purifi mono block with Hypex SMPS1200A400 and Cut down Nord Rev D buffer with OPA1612 Op Amp.

www.nordacoustics.co.uk

If you are going to consider any product like that, I would say go straight to the options based on the Hypex NC400. There are chassis options available at Ghent Audio that would allow for 3 modules and their power supplies IIRC. The NC400 measures better than the NC500 according to ASR, and seems to be well worth the cost if such a thing is really your desire. But the NC500 is still no slouch (consider ATI released their Class D amps based on those modules).

 

[thebrieze]

If you are going to consider any product like that, .

Should I be concerned? Or are you referring to those audiophiles who consider all class D as harsh and sterile?

 

[ryanosaur]

No, you misunderstand completely. The hypex nc400 seems like the gold standard for class d. I’ve already scouted building my own and am in the planning stages of going there when the time is right. But even the NC500 options are decent... and available as a retail unit.

 

[everettT]

No, you misunderstand completely. The hypex nc400 seems like the gold standard for class d. I’ve already scouted building my own and am in the planning stages of going there when the time is right. But even the NC500 options are decent... and available as a retail unit.

And surpasses a majority of class AB amps. I'd have no problem driving my Salks with them.

 

[ryanosaur]

And surpasses a majority of class AB amps. I'd have no problem driving my Salks with them.

I would really like to see Amir/ASR do the ICEPower amp modules available through PE to see how they compare. But for now... eyes are on Hypex!

 

[lovinthehd]

I would really like to see Amir/ASR do the ICEPower amp modules available through PE to see how they compare. But for now... eyes are on Hypex!

What, no Purifi in the mix?

 

[thebrieze]

No, you misunderstand completely. The hypex nc400 seems like the gold standard for class d. I’ve already scouted building my own and am in the planning stages of going there when the time is right. But even the NC500 options are decent... and available as a retail unit.

Ah I see, thanks for clarifying..

NC400/NC500 is certainly on my list as well. I did look at a Ghent Audio and stereo NC500 (I think) module that was in a nice small chassis, and quite affordable.

I started reading about Purifi as essentially the successor to NCore modules (Bruno left Hypex to found Purifi), and have been intrigued. It’s possible though that the improvements are not really audible, and NC400/500 is the optimal sweet spot

 

[everettT]

I would really like to see Amir/ASR do the ICEPower amp modules available through PE to see how they compare. But for now... eyes are on Hypex!

If the ICE modules were as good, ATI and others would have went with them. The NCORE measures so good, not that the gen 2 and above ICE aren't good, but I'd know which of the 2 I prefer. Asterisk.. implementation is important.