3 AudioSource Amp One/A's in my system

[gcmarshall]

Seems like someone just posted about adding a couple Behringer 500A's to his system. I thought I would add my two cents about this level of economical amps. I just added 3 (for my three front channels) AudioSource Amp One/A's to my system. http://www.audiosource.net/amponea.html

I am using a Yamaha RX-V2500 as my preamp and the Yamaha also drives my two surround speakers, leaving the Audiosource amps to drive the front three speakers.

I paid $199/amp and got free shipping and no tax. I run them bridged for 200 wpc for each of my three front speakers. MY mains are rated to handle up to 250 watts and my center is rated to handle up to 200 watts.

I listened to several CD's and DVD concert videos that my ears know by heart forward and backwards. I can say that these amps have made an improvement and solved a concern I had about the performance coming out of my center channel.

Overall, my music has more clarity and definition. Additionally, bass is a tad bit more defined, solid, and more present. Vocals and highs are much clearer and more evident.

For my center speaker, I had previously complained that vocals and general signals coming out of my center just did not have enough ooomph. Now, with the dedicated amps, the center has truly come to life. Vocals are much more evident and clear. I guess my amps are allowing the center to display what it is made of more so than my Yamaha was able to do by itself with 5 channels drawing power out of the Yamaha.

With dedicated monoblocks, the front three speakers are, quite simply, more alive, better defined, crisper, a little "bassier", and I am that much happier.

I have never had the experience to listen in depth to major brand name dedicated amps. However, I do know how much the popular names sell for. For me, $600 for three 200 wpc separate amps seems to have been a wise decision. There is law of diminishing returns in audio/theater purchases. I feel this low-cost strategy, and the resulting apparently very good performance, was a wise decision. When we move next year, I will probably go ahead and add 2 more for the rears, but it's not as critical for the rear speakers. I bought a $19 wal-mart tv stand with 3 shelves, one for each amp so I don't have to stack them.

Of course, reliability is still an unknown with Audiosource. Time will tell. They seem to have good cust. support and for $199 each, at least I didn't pay for a McIntosh or something of that price range. If an Audiosource dies, it's not going to impact me financially.

So, if you're looking for an economical separate amp solution, give this a look. I'll post again if anything else develops (for example, if these thinge die on my, etc.)

My system is as follows:
- Receiver/Preamp: Yamaha RX-V2500
- Amps: Audiosource Amp One/A (times 3)
- Main Speakers: Boston Acoustics VR3
- Center: Polk CSi5
- Surrounds: Polk FXi5
- Sub Polk PSW505
- Other various items (DVD, CD players, etc.)

As I am probably starting to head down that road of law of diminishing returns, I plan to quit adding to my system (at least for a few days).

 

[edwelly]

Congrats!!! Where did you get these?

 

[mulester7]

I listened to several CD's and DVD concert videos that my ears know by heart forward and backwards. I can say that these amps have made an improvement and solved a concern I had about the performance coming out of my center channel.

Overall, my music has more clarity and definition. Additionally, bass is a tad bit more defined, solid, and more present. Vocals and highs are much clearer and more evident.

For my center speaker, I had previously complained that vocals and general signals coming out of my center just did not have enough ooomph. Now, with the dedicated amps, the center has truly come to life. Vocals are much more evident and clear. I guess my amps are allowing the center to display what it is made of more so than my Yamaha was able to do by itself with 5 channels drawing power out of the Yamaha.

With dedicated monoblocks, the front three speakers are, quite simply, more alive, better defined, crisper, a little "bassier", and I am that much happier.

I have never had the experience to listen in depth to major brand name dedicated amps. However, I do know how much the popular names sell for. For me, $600 for three 200 wpc separate amps seems to have been a wise decision. There is law of diminishing returns in audio/theater purchases. I feel this low-cost strategy, and the resulting apparently very good performance, was a wise decision. When we move next year, I will probably go ahead and add 2 more for the rears, but it's not as critical for the rear speakers. I bought a $19 wal-mart tv stand with 3 shelves, one for each amp so I don't have to stack them.

Of course, reliability is still an unknown with Audiosource. Time will tell. They seem to have good cust. support and for $199 each, at least I didn't pay for a McIntosh or something of that price range. If an Audiosource dies, it's not going to impact me financially.

So, if you're looking for an economical separate amp solution, give this a look. I'll post again if anything else develops (for example, if these thinge die on my, etc.)

.....definitely for second reading.....

 

[gcmarshall]

here the link where i bought my amps:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006HO3D/ref=pd_cmp_rvi_2_i/002-1732659-2884018?n=172282

 

[pearsall001]

gcmarshall

Way to go!!!! I'm the guy that posted about using 2 Behringer A500 amps in my system. I am extremely pleased w/ their performance the same way you are with your 3 AudioSource amps. I couldn't agree w/ you more on the point of diminishing returns. Maybe we'll get more folks to get off the high priced audio gear roller coaster. There definetely are great buys out there w/ out spending a small fortune. Hell, we're proof of that!!! If it will make folks feel better just keep repeating to yourself - I paid 2 grand for these amps, I paid 2 grand for these amps, I paid 2 grand for these amps, there now don't we feel better because we think we paid 2 grand for these amps!!!! They sound soooooo much better because we paid 2 grand for these amps!!!!!!!!! The last laugh's on us.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Glad to hear you like it

I bought an Amp One/A off Ubid about two weeks ago. I'm very happy with the performance. I'm only using it as a zone 2 amp to power some old crappy speakers in a relatively small area, but the sound is noticeably improved and it puts out plenty of volume for what I use it for. The one I picked up was a factory refurbished unit sold by Audiosource through Ubid. The price was only $64+sh, for a total delivered of $80 . The main difference I could tell between the new one and this was that the new comes with a one year warranty, whereas I only get a 3 month. And the level knobs are pretty loose, almost falling off. I can live with that for the price difference and have enough left over to buy some glue if need be .

They show up every month or two on Ubid, so you may want to check there every now and then if you decide to add more. After reading how much of a difference you noticed, I may experiment and try it with a few different channels to hear how noticeable it is for me versus using the recievers amp.

Jeff

 

[gcmarshall]

i love a good value. you did well on Ubid. these amps certainly are not "drastically" better than my Yamaha alone, but the difference is enough to have made it a worthwhile experiment and enjoyable to listen to.