Adding an Amp to Reciever(multi-ch or stereo?)

[scotty11]

I want to add an amp to my reciever (Yam HTR-5250/100wx5)

I am looking for more power to drive my mains.(Axiom M60's)

I am considering both 5 ch and 2 ch versions

ROTEL RMB-1095 (200x5)

EMOTIVA MPS-1 (200x5)
(200x2)

SHERBOURN 5/1500A (200x5)
(200x2)


The 5 channel amps go for apx $1800 and the 2 channels are apx$1200


any opinions on these amps?


is it necesarry to drive the surrounds and center closer matched to the mains for HT?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I want to add an amp to my reciever (Yam HTR-5250/100wx5)
I am looking for more power to drive my mains.(Axiom M60's)
I am considering both 5 ch and 2 ch versions
ROTEL RMB-1095 (200x5)
EMOTIVA MPS-1 (200x5)
(200x2)
SHERBOURN 5/1500A (200x5)
(200x2)
The 5 channel amps go for apx $1800 and the 2 channels are apx$1200
any opinions on these amps?
is it necesarry to drive the surrounds and center closer matched to the mains for HT?

Not sure of the speaker impedance of th eM80. If 8 ohms, you may want to consider the Behringer A500 bridged, 300+ watts for $180 each. Bridged and two amps for two fronts= $360. Way less than $1200

 

[scotty11]

they are 8 ohm sp.

are the behringers good amps for HT and music?

they are not very expensive at all. i know they are well regarded for professional studio use.

 

[zumbo]

I would think at least the front-line should be equal.

3-channel 1699 @onecall http://www.adcom.com/amplifiers/gfa5503.htm

2-channel 1499 @onecall http://www.adcom.com/amplifiers/gfa5500.htm

3-channel for 1249 http://audiophileliquidator.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?cPath=35_24_54&products_id=225&osCsid=28e7b232a2bdc643a46b8da8900ab476

2-channel for 1129 http://audiophileliquidator.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?cPath=35_24_25&products_id=227&osCsid=28e7b232a2bdc643a46b8da8900ab476

Onecall also has these amps factory renewed with a 2-year warranty for much lower prices.

 

[scotty11]

thanks,


i think your right about matching the power across the front for HT.

the Adcom5503 is nice for $1250

when the price climbs to above $1500 i wonder if i should just upgrade my reciever although i still wont be near the amt of power adding an amp would give me.

I never plan on adding any more then 5 channels in my current setting so i think adding an amp is my best option.

 

[Leprkon]

i wonder if i should just upgrade my reciever although i still wont be near the amt of power adding an amp would give me.

amps are pretty much good for a very long time... it's the receivers that change (mostly due to Dolby and DTS inventing new toys)... buy an amp, then you can just keep sticking new receivers on top of it (or even a pre-processor someday)

 

[zumbo]

the Adcom5503 is nice for $1250

If you decide on Adcom, you may want to contact onecall, wildwest, and audioadvisor. They are all authorized to sell Adcom. See if they will match that price.

Also, don't forget to factor in the shipping cost for the total price.

 

[W_Harding]

3dB

What are you trying to accomplish by buying a bigger amplifier? Do you want to play louder? Going from a 100W/Channel amplifier to a 200W/Channel amplifier will buy you sound that is only 3dB louder. It may be more cost effective to buy higher sensitivity speakers.

 

[Josuah]

A higher quality amplifier will also be able to drive speakers that dip into low impedence areas (unlikely given the 8 ohm nominal rating, but may be happening), is likely to have lower IMD, perhaps have a better frequency response, and doubling the power will allow you to run at your current volume with less THD. The receiver is probably also unable to deliver 100W per channel all channels driven, while the amplifier will be able to.

But yes, the reason for looking for an amplifier is important. Just want to go louder? Or want some of the stuff I mentioned above?

Just going louder may be a reason to get an external 5-channel amp, because during movies you can get all channels driven instead of running out of power.

 

[scotty11]

I am looking for more clarity and punch at high volume.

I had been considering upgrading my reciever and decided to add an amp instead.

I think adding an amp is the best upgrade because it will be part of my system for a long time,where recievers are like computers, improving constantly and offering new features.

Good clean power is an exc. place to start allowing me to decide later on if i want to upgrade the reciever or pre/pro.
By adding an amp now i know ill get more for my money when i purchase a rec. or pre/pro in the future. power is power and 200wpc would be more than enough indefinitely.


My room is large 18x24 and I do like it loud.the room is fairly isolated from the rest of the house so reference level listening is never an issue.

 

[highfihoney]

amps are pretty much good for a very long time... it's the receivers that change (mostly due to Dolby and DTS inventing new toys)... buy an amp, then you can just keep sticking new receivers on top of it (or even a pre-processor someday)

very sound advice

 

[scotty11]

What do you think of the Outlaw 2200 mono amps?

at $921 for 3 it does seem the cheaper way to go.

 

[highfihoney]

What do you think of the Outlaw 2200 mono amps?

at $975 for 3 it does seem the cheaper way to go.

have you thought about buying used gear?

there are a ton of mint condition used amplifiers on the market that will save you a fortune.

check these out.

adcom 5503.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1144866447

acurus 200x3.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1143775063

 

[blues651]

Scotty, no doubt adding an amp should help your speakers sound , it did mine. But don't forget about the pre side it will make the biggest difference in the sound quality, I went the same route your going amp first, but when I replaced my intergrated amp with a seperate pre WOW what a difference. I will make a suggestion on the Rotel side ( what I have) don't get 1095 instead if you have the room get a rb 1080 and a rmb 1075 the 1080 will sound much better on your fronts than 1095 and that combo cost the same as the 1095!

 

[mtrycrafts]

What do you think of the Outlaw 2200 mono amps?

at $921 for 3 it does seem the cheaper way to go.

With your speakers at 8 ohms, 93 dB spl in room sensitivity, not sure why you need an external amp. But, you may want to consider the Behringer A500, bridged mode, over 300 watts at $180 for each, 3 would be $540, a better deal.

 

[mtrycrafts]

A higher quality amplifier will also be able to drive speakers that dip into low impedence areas (unlikely given the 8 ohm nominal rating, but may be happening),

Yes, that is a high probability.

is likely to have lower IMD,

Perhaps, but would not be an issue.

perhaps have a better frequency response,

Most are already plenty good.

and doubling the power will allow you to run at your current volume with less THD.

Most likely not, but again, the thd is already below threshold of detection.

[ The receiver is probably also unable to deliver 100W per channel all channels driven, while the amplifier will be able to.

Perhaps, but what software requires full power to all channels exactly at the same instant in time?

Just going louder may be a reason to get an external 5-channel amp, because during movies you can get all channels driven instead of running out of power.

Not aware of a soundtrack that energizes all channels at the same instant to anywhere near full demand.

 

[W_Harding]

It is still +3dB

I think that mtrycrafts' comments are right on target. So why spend more than $1,000 to buy a 3dB increase is sound level?

 

[Leprkon]

I think that mtrycrafts' comments are right on target. So why spend more than $1,000 to buy a 3dB increase is sound level?

it's not those last 3 dB's. sometimes, it makes the first xx number of dB's sound much better.

 

[highfihoney]

it's not those last 3 dB's. sometimes, it makes the first xx number of dB's sound much better.

i agree 100%,on top of the added volume a 3 db increase can add alot of dynamics & punch.

 

[mtrycrafts]

it's not those last 3 dB's. sometimes, it makes the first xx number of dB's sound much better.

Please explain how that is possible when you operate well within the limits?