best amp for me

[Bruce53]

I've put down the $$ to get Salk SS 9.5.
I see all this stuff about MacIntosh, but suspect that it's akin to buying Sonus Faber speakers vs other equivalent speakers that cost a reasonable amoung. I have Denon X8500H (hopefully soon to get the upgraded board for HDMI 2.1 since plan to get 8k TV in mid 2021). I know that I need a separate amp for the 9.5's, but the Denon will likely handle the remainder of the speakers, including the new SS center that he is working on now. Given this, what would be a good SS amp for me. Should I just get a 2 channel amp? If so, what would be a good choice. It doesn't have to be really inexpensive, but I want most bang for buck.
BTW, Jim recommended something around 200W.

 

[lovinthehd]

FWIW your avr is already close to 200wpc if you're talking about using the speakers in 2ch mode. If I were going to add an amp these days I'd look at something based on the Purifi or Hypex modules (see the tests at the same site for such) and I'd probably still go for an amp for all three front channels while I was at it....

 

[mazersteven]

2.5B³ – Bryston

bryston.com

Model Halo A 23+ « Parasound

 

[Movie2099]

I've put down the $$ to get Salk SS 9.5.
I see all this stuff about MacIntosh, but suspect that it's akin to buying Sonus Faber speakers vs other equivalent speakers that cost a reasonable amoung. I have Denon X8500H (hopefully soon to get the upgraded board for HDMI 2.1 since plan to get 8k TV in mid 2021). I know that I need a separate amp for the 9.5's, but the Denon will likely handle the remainder of the speakers, including the new SS center that he is working on now. Given this, what would be a good SS amp for me. Should I just get a 2 channel amp? If so, what would be a good choice. It doesn't have to be really inexpensive, but I want most bang for buck.
BTW, Jim recommended something around 200W.

I think you should get two McIntosh 1k mono's. Worth every penny!

 

[mazersteven]

McIntosh MC152 Stereo Amplifier

The McIntosh MC152 stereo amplifier delivers 150 Watts of power into two channels at 2, 4 or 8 Ohms. Our smallest current model solid state stereo amplifier in terms of power output, the MC152 is perfect for modest sized systems where higher power output levels are not needed or in home theaters...

www.mcintoshlabs.com

 

[Verdinut]

Why spend a lot of money on McIntosh, Bryston or Parasound, when you can get a Monoprice Monolith 3X for $1,250?

This amp is built by ATI, an American electronics manufacturer, and has very good specs with no audible sound difference from the McIntosh and other expensive brand products. It's at present out of stock but you can preorder from Monolith:

Monolith by Monoprice 3x200 Watts Per Channel Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs - Monoprice.com

The Monolith™ 3X is a state‑of‑the‑art, high‑performance, audiophile‑grade multichannel home theater amplifier. Rated at a full 200 watts per

www.monoprice.com

 

[Bruce53]

Thank you guys for input. I have 4-6 months until the Salks are ready. I do not only plan to use for stereo. Probably 80-85% of use is theater now, but I'm discovering more and more about streaming and broadening my field of listening.

 

[lovinthehd]

In general I'd start with just the avr....then see if an external amp is necessary.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

FWIW your avr is already close to 200wpc...

Yeah the X8500 can output 256W x 2Ch into 4 ohms.

 

[mazersteven]

Why spend a lot of money on McIntosh, Brysyon or Parasound, when you can get a Monoprice Monolith 3X for $1,250?

This amp is built by ATI, an American electronics manufacturer, and has very good specs with no audible sound difference from the McIntosh and other expensive brand products.

The Monolith amp is a great amp. Let me refrase that. A great Budget amp.
Now I'm not saying it can't do the job. But by no means did the guy buy Budget speakers. And I believe your gear should be compatible with your Speakers. JMO

My moneys on the Bryston

 

[Verdinut]

The Monolith amp is a great amp. Let me refrase that. A great Budget amp.
Now I'm not saying it can't do the job. But by no means did the guy buy Budget speakers. And I believe your gear should be compatible with your Speakers. JMO

My moneys on the Bryston

On any sound system, a higher percentage of the budget should be on speakers for an improved SQ, not on electronics!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have Denon X8500H

How many speakers?

 

[mazersteven]

On any sound system, a higher percentage of the budget should be on speakers for an improved SQ, not on electronics!

And in this case the speakers are a higher percentage

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

Hmmm, let's see now, the McIntosh MC152 (150 x 2) for $5000.00 or the Monolith 2x (ATI) (200 x 2) for $1099.99 and sometimes goes on sale.

Yup, the Monolith. (Bruce, read my signature)

 

[Verdinut]

Hmmm, let's see now, the McIntosh MC152 (150 x 2) for $5000.00 or the Monolith 2x (ATI) (200 x 2) for $1099.99 and sometimes goes on sale.

Yup, the Monolith. (Bruce, read my signature)

The MC152 is also using autotransformers at the the output stages. That's not very good because it kills the damping factor of any amplifier. This means that it's not suited to a lot of speakers, notably the ones which have a high Qts.

 

[txbonds]

I've never heard one, but this Vincent Audio SP 332 hybrid amp looks interesting:

Audio Advisor, Inc.

 

[Bruce53]

How many speakers?

Will be total 15; of course only 13 at a time.
LCR will be Salk SS. Front Height and Top Center will be MK LCR 950 and MK IW 950.
Front R/L height 17 yo M&K 800 series.
Surrounds are all MK tripoles (4 from 2003 and 4 from 2019).
Note: I jumped in and bought all of the newer MK's BEFORE I started researching, based upon what I was told about M&K in 2003....they were supposed to be great then...at I was told that. Had I waited, I would likely have purchased some different ones....too late now unless I scrap old ones. Still need new TV and the amp.
Jim reccommended SS amp since more heavily use for theater.

 

[lovinthehd]

With a full complement I'd probably go with the Monoprice 7 if not something based on the modules I mentioned.....

 

[ryanosaur]

I'd put all three Salks on either a very good 3-channel, or 3 Monoblock amps.
I run my Salk-Cousin Philharmonic 3s on Outlaw 2200s, as well as the Center BMR + 2 Surround BMRs. These Amps work well; very well: I have no complaints.

If you wanted to go for some straight up numbers and you are running a balanced system, I would send you to look at the Nord/Apollon Hypex or Purifi based Monoblock Amps. Also, the ATI NCores are supposed to be very nice, too. If you are not in a balanced system, I would still recommend Monoblocks, but the choice really widens based on what you are willing to spend. That said, I suspect the Outlaw 2200s would still be very nice wit hthose SS 9.5s and the New SS Center!

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

The MC152 is also using autotransformers at the the output stages. That's not very good because it kills the damping factor of any amplifier. This means that it's not suited to a lot of speakers, notably the ones which have a high Qts.

The poor McIntosh audiophiles who swear they can hear a difference.