What to get for my first power amp?

[lancer360]

Lightning took out my old receiver so I just purchased a RX-A3080 for my DIY 7.1 setup. I would like to go ahead and expand to a 7.1.4 system so I need a power amp as the receiver only powers 9. Plan is to pick a three channel to power the LCR. Was leaning towards the Monolith, but everything is out of stock. There is no love on here for Emotiva so those are out. Was then looking at three Outlaw 2220, but some of the posts on here say they are made in China and not made by ATI. Turns out I live less than an hour from D-Sonic so I could pick it up and save on shipping, but a M3a would cost more than my receiver did. I'm in analysis paralysis. I have the funds for a D-Sonic, but is it wasteful overkill? Would you consider a non-ATI built Outlaw? Is there something else I should consider instead?

For reference my DIY LR (6 ohm) are MTM's with dual 6.5" (60w RMS/85w max) and a 1" tweeter (60w RMS/90w max). Center (6 ohm) is dual 6.5" (60w RMS/85w max), single 5.25" (40w RMS/60w max), and a single 1" tweeter (60w RMS/90w max).

 

[lovinthehd]

@ryanosaur has several 2200s and is building a hypex module based amp.....

The three-fer deal on the 2220s is attractive and that they're not ATI builds wouldn't bother me (and fwiw believe @M Code has indicated they're made in the same factory as Parasound).....D-Sonic I've never paid much attention to (but sounds too expensive).

 

[mazersteven]

Was then looking at three Outlaw 2220, but some of the posts on here say they are made in China and not made by ATI.

This would be my choice. The Outlaw 2220 are rock solid amps.

 

[M Code]

The 2220 is built in Nanjing, China in the same factory that builds a lot of NAD, Russound and Cambridge products. Also they build for many brands including Klipsch, Bose, JBL for BT, wireless products...
The factory is very modern and well equipped with automation assembly where applicable..

Just my $0.02..

 

[ryanosaur]

Only 2yrs into my Outlaw Amps, but the 2200s have been great. Zero complaints. Strong recommend.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would like to go ahead and expand to a 7.1.4 system so I need a power amp as the receiver only powers 9. Plan is to pick a three channel to power the LCR.

Congrats on the Yamaha RX-A3080. Awesome AVR.

You could also just get a 2Ch amp, instead of 3.

Outlaw, ATI, Parasound would be good.

 

[PENG]

I love my Outlaw M2200. That's a hard one to beat.

 

[JRiggs]

I have a Parasound 275v2 that I’m not using. It’s only a few months old. Message me if your interested.

 

[Kleinst]

I love my Outlaw M2200. That's a hard one to beat.

Hi Peng, do you have an ATI made 200x or similar that you could compare vs your 2200? My AMPs are 5,7 channel 200x and curious if you can tell any difference? My guess no with quality vs quality

 

[mazersteven]

Hi Peng, do you have an ATI made 200x or similar that you could compare vs your 2200? My AMPs are 5,7 channel 200x and curious if you can tell any difference? My guess no with quality vs quality

Are you asking if you can "hear" a difference in amps?

 

[PENG]

Hi Peng, do you have an ATI made 200x or similar that you could compare vs your 2200? My AMPs are 5,7 channel 200x and curious if you can tell any difference? My guess no with quality vs quality

No ATI amps, but compared to my Anthem, Bryston, and Parasound Halo amps, the M2200 sounded the same, but then even my AVR-X4400H sounded the same. SQ in any of my systems depends practically only on one thing, that is, the recording/mastering quality of the media contents played!! I could easily tell the difference between a nicely recorded/mastered piece (Flac, wave, PCM, DSD, whatever) and a not so well recorded/mastered one. Also, my best CD sounded much better than my not so well recorded/mastered PCM 192/24, DSD128, 256, or SACDs. It's not the amp when you get to the higher mid range AVRs or amps like Outlaw's, but I know it is hard to convince people.. Its easy to grab an amp, difficult to source the nice recorded/mastered media contents right?

 

[VMPS-TIII]

@PENG - can the Outlaw 2220 amps be stacked or do they need a minimum breathing room above them?

 

[ryanosaur]

@PENG - can the Outlaw 2220 amps be stacked or do they need a minimum breathing room above them?

Outlaw is cool for stacking 3.

 

[pcosmic]

Good choice on the RX-A3080...Try this Yammy badboi instead and quit fkin around with the mediocrity elsewhere (monoprice, emotiva, whatever). 2k on this piece with manufacturer warranty is a good deal man (Otherwise feel free to pay full price elsewhere).
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yammxa5200bl/yamaha-mx-a5200-11-ch-x-150-watts-power-amplifier/1.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwuD7BRDBARIsAK_5YhWjzoK-u89c8zhS3hnJdWKVnDQIt_ftriJApYjyJICm-7Wx3xoE-IgaAt4mEALw_wcB

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Good choice on the RX-A3080...Try this Yammy badboi instead and quit fkin around with the mediocrity elsewhere (monoprice, emotiva, whatever). 2k on this piece with manufacturer warranty is a good deal man (Otherwise feel free to pay full price elsewhere).
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yammxa5200bl/yamaha-mx-a5200-11-ch-x-150-watts-power-amplifier/1.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwuD7BRDBARIsAK_5YhWjzoK-u89c8zhS3hnJdWKVnDQIt_ftriJApYjyJICm-7Wx3xoE-IgaAt4mEALw_wcB

I looked at the Yamaha 5200. Whoever designed the rear connectors was smoking dope. Who makes Channel 1 the Center and why are there two channel 2's. Who labels channel 2 as surround back? You have to be on drugs to agree this is a well thought out layout or be controlled by Yamaha mind control (distortion field).

Not only that, but I'm not sure I want to buy a complicated used power amp for $2,000 from A4L. This is a refurb. If it was new you might overlook the whacky plug in layouts? I would rather have a new unit than something this complicated that was returned and could easily have something wrong with it when it lands on my doorstep.

I bought from A4L previously and my receiver is still in for repair waiting on parts at Denon's repair facility PanurgyOEM. If you want to buy something simple from A4L you are probably good but a complicated receiver or an expensive amp is Russian roulette. For several of us, that's when what was suppose to be a deal becomes a nightmare!

 

[mazersteven]

@PENG - can the Outlaw 2220 amps be stacked or do they need a minimum breathing room above them?

 

[pcosmic]

View attachment 40399

I looked at the Yamaha 5200. Whoever designed the rear connectors was smoking dope. Who makes Channel 1 the Center and why are there two channel 2's. Who labels channel 2 as surround back? You have to be on drugs to agree this is a well thought out layout or be controlled by Yamaha mind control (distortion field).

Not only that, but I'm not sure I want to buy a complicated used power amp for $2,000 from A4L. This is a refurb. If it was new you might overlook the whacky plug in layouts? I would rather have a new unit than something this complicated that was returned and could easily have something wrong with it when it lands on my doorstep.

I bought from A4L previously and my receiver is still in for repair waiting on parts at Denon's repair facility PanurgyOEM. If you want to buy something simple from A4L you are probably good but a complicated receiver or an expensive amp is Russian roulette. For several of us, that's when what was suppose to be a deal becomes a nightmare!

Here you go man....try some Class A chifi. You couldn't even build this sht elsewhere in the world for this price.
https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-psd-350-power-amplifier-stereo-full-balanced-class-a-20w-class-ab-350w-2-p-1292

https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/jungson-audio-amplifier-cd-player-c-27/jungson-ja-99c-class-a-power-amp-full-balanced-deluxe-edition-20th-anniversary-p-2104

But, if you are a richer guy with 30k to spare, let me know and we can send you a different route. I don't wanna get there yet.

Eitherway, yes, you should definitely "drug test" the guys who build your amps before you buy em! I guess i should have thought of that before. Good luck.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

View attachment 40399

I looked at the Yamaha 5200. Whoever designed the rear connectors was smoking dope. Who makes Channel 1 the Center and why are there two channel 2's. Who labels channel 2 as surround back? You have to be on drugs to agree this is a well thought out layout or be controlled by Yamaha mind control (distortion field).

Not only that, but I'm not sure I want to buy a complicated used power amp for $2,000 from A4L. This is a refurb. If it was new you might overlook the whacky plug in layouts? I would rather have a new unit than something this complicated that was returned and could easily have something wrong with it when it lands on my doorstep.

I bought from A4L previously and my receiver is still in for repair waiting on parts at Denon's repair facility PanurgyOEM. If you want to buy something simple from A4L you are probably good but a complicated receiver or an expensive amp is Russian roulette. For several of us, that's when what was suppose to be a deal becomes a nightmare!

I love my Yamaha MX-A5000 amp. But I have to admit the rear panel is a bit complex with 11CH amps. So if anyone is hooking up their pre-pro (even the CX-A5200), they should NOT be on dope or booze.

 

[panteragstk]

View attachment 40399

I looked at the Yamaha 5200. Whoever designed the rear connectors was smoking dope. Who makes Channel 1 the Center and why are there two channel 2's. Who labels channel 2 as surround back? You have to be on drugs to agree this is a well thought out layout or be controlled by Yamaha mind control (distortion field).

Not only that, but I'm not sure I want to buy a complicated used power amp for $2,000 from A4L. This is a refurb. If it was new you might overlook the whacky plug in layouts? I would rather have a new unit than something this complicated that was returned and could easily have something wrong with it when it lands on my doorstep.

I bought from A4L previously and my receiver is still in for repair waiting on parts at Denon's repair facility PanurgyOEM. If you want to buy something simple from A4L you are probably good but a complicated receiver or an expensive amp is Russian roulette. For several of us, that's when what was suppose to be a deal becomes a nightmare!

That image makes my brain hurt. That is not a logical layout. Why are there duplicates of every channel?

 

[Kleinst]

No ATI amps, but compared to my Anthem, Bryston, and Parasound Halo amps, the M2200 sounded the same, but then even my AVR-X4400H sounded the same. SQ in any of my systems depends practically only on one thing, that is, the recording/mastering quality of the media contents played!! I could easily tell the difference between a nicely recorded/mastered piece (Flac, wave, PCM, DSD, whatever) and a not so well recorded/mastered one. Also, my best CD sounded much better than my not so well recorded/mastered PCM 192/24, DSD128, 256, or SACDs. It's not the amp when you get to the higher mid range AVRs or amps like Outlaw's, but I know it is hard to convince people.. Its easy to grab an amp, difficult to source the nice recorded/mastered media contents right?

Thanks, I know everyone says you can’t hear AMPs and I guess I believe that assuming a certain level of quality. I mean I can’t help but think a super cheap crap AMP wouldn’t sound the same as your Halo or why would anyone ever buy the Halo? Maybe longevity. But assuming good quality then I guess it’s a bit of a commodity then. been curious to pick up some 2200s but no need to replace a comparable amp with those until they are needed.

And I do agree that quality of source content makes all the difference