Recommendation for a 2 channel amp please..

[CaptainAudio]

I'm seriosuly considering adding a 2 channel amp to my setup. There is just so many choices and i'm kinda way outta the loop with audio stuff these days. If some of you don't mind please post what you would pick for a 2 channel amp in conjuction with the rest of my gear and why??

My setup is as follows

Receiver:
Denon AVR-2807
Speakers:
PSB Image T55 (fronts); PSB Image C60 (center); PSB CW260(surrounds); PSB CW26 (rears)
Subwoofer:
PSB Subseries 6i

Thanks in advance!

 

[mike c]

first off, you need at least 200wpc to even begin to call it an upgrade ... (from your 2807)

my first choice in that department is the Parasound NC2250 (normally it'd be Rotel, but I don't want to recommend the 200wpc Rotel because it has fuse issues)
it's got 12v triggers, is easily bridged for future use, reknowned brand ...

my next option would be the Emotiva amps, but it doesn't have the same brand name recognition as the above

my last option is the ultra cheap behringer amps, they have lots of power, but don't have 12v triggers, so you'd have to manually turn them on and off.

 

[CaptainAudio]

Thanks alot for the responce Mike..

Your responce did make me think "am I just being silly?", "do I even need an amp?".

I guess that's my next question..

But that Parasound NC2250 would be the ticket but @ $900.00+ the little lady might put me to work "OVERTIME".

 

[Thunder18]

Personally, I'd get a couple Emotive BPS-1's, bridge them and power the left and right front speakers with one a piece.

 

[OttoMatic]

Hi CaptainAudio,

I have an Audio Alchemy OM-150 that's just a sweet little amp. It's 150 WPC and very fine. There's one here on AudiogoN for $525, but I bet it will go for less. I bought mine used circa 1999 for $400 (though I don't have the dual power supply thing). Reviews at AudioReview seem to indicate that other people like it as well.

If I didn't already have more than enough "stuff," I'd certainly grab this amp. And, no, I'm not the guy selling it. Just a satisfied owner!

If you want to get into separates, this is an excellent choice.

Good luck either way.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Emotiva RPA-1
Reference Power Amplifier

2x200 watts

$699.00

Do most people need an amp...probably not. Do you need one...maybe...

The T-55's have a Nominal 6 Ohms rating and a sensitivity of 91 dB; they would actually probably like more power.

 

[jostenmeat]

In addition to this list, NAD. I use one with PSB Images, and I think it sounds just great. It was a huge step up from my old Onkyo anyways. I got it refurbished to save a lot, I don't know if you are ok with that. However, as mentioned, make sure its powerful enough to be considered an upgrade. Ive heard Images with weaker/entry-level/50w NAD amps, and it did appear to be less open and much quicker to distort (and this was from a closer distance) than with my (iirc) 140w/ch amp. (and, no, fmw, it was not a double-blind test scoring 100 points out of 100 points, so take it with all the salt you need please, thanks, it was at my dealer's when I did a 4 bookshelf shootout, searching for gifts...).

Another rec could be Outlaw, perhaps their monoblocks x2 for $650 total. I see on Audiogon the older generation of their monoblocks going for $175 used or $225 new. I do not know how they compare to the newer version.

Good Luck!

 

[cfrizz]

+1 on this recommendation! But I do understand the money situation. So if you don't mind buying used, Check out Audiogon for one of these.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1198618686

I had one, and it will wake your speakers up like you wouldn't believe.

first off, you need at least 200wpc to even begin to call it an upgrade ... (from your 2807)

my first choice in that department is the Parasound NC2250 (normally it'd be Rotel, but I don't want to recommend the 200wpc Rotel because it has fuse issues)
it's got 12v triggers, is easily bridged for future use, reknowned brand ...

my next option would be the Emotiva amps, but it doesn't have the same brand name recognition as the above

my last option is the ultra cheap behringer amps, they have lots of power, but don't have 12v triggers, so you'd have to manually turn them on and off.

 

[wire]

Emotiva RPA-1
Reference Power Amplifier

2x200 watts

$699.00

Do most people need an amp...probably not. Do you need one...maybe...

The T-55's have a Nominal 6 Ohms rating and a sensitivity of 91 dB; they would actually probably like more power.

Yeh , they would love the power . Ive got 6 ohm speakers and they dont sound as full without a Power amp ( I run 250X2 RMS , they need the power ) . Like Frizz said , "your speakers will wake up" ( still enjoying that Sunfire i see ) .
Oh Yeh .
Make sure if you ever start to Bridge a 2 channel power amp , in most cases your speakers need tobe 8 ohm load .

 

[mike c]

the parasound I recommended has a switch for it to be safe for a bridged 4 ohm load or 2 ohm stereo. albeit at the same wattage as the bridged 8 ohm and stereo 4 ohms

 

[Haoleb]

I might consider the NAD C272. NAD and PSB are supposed to be a good match for eachother. The 272 is also a solid amp for a reasonable price. Especially if you pick one up used.

 

[CaptainAudio]

Thank you to everyone for their suggestions.

 

[CaptainAudio]

my first choice in that department is the Parasound NC2250

Being located in Canada i'm having a hard time finding a Parasound dealer. Any suggestion as to where to buy an NC2250 from online?

my next option would be the Emotiva amps, but it doesn't have the same brand name recognition as the above

Checked out there webiste and they seem to be sold out. I am really leaning toward the Parasound though.

 

[cfrizz]

Here ya go!

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2PAC2250

I got my B-Stock Parasound from them. Looked brand new & works beautifully in my Brothers system.

Being located in Canada i'm having a hard time finding a Parasound dealer. Any suggestion as to where to buy an NC2250 from online?

 

[cfrizz]

That I am Wire! My Sunfire prepro & amp are going NOWHERE! Actually I'm pretty much done with upgrading now. Unless my main speakers take a powder (17yrs old) I'm happy with my system.

Yeh , they would love the power . Ive got 6 ohm speakers and they dont sound as full without a Power amp ( I run 250X2 RMS , they need the power ) . Like Frizz said , "your speakers will wake up" ( still enjoying that Sunfire i see )

 

[CaptainAudio]

Anyone ever dealt with these guys?

http://www.garrett-smarthome.com/proddetail.php?prod=nc2250

 

[HTLover1]

Hi CaptainAudio,

According to Parasound, Garretts is not an authorized dealer for them.

Here is their only authorized mail order / internet dealer.
Audio Advisor


The Parasound ditributor in Canada can put you in touch with a dealer.

Precor 905-660-6234