Amp Advice

[RON808]

hi guys,

I need your advice. Outlaw 5000x (120w x 5ch) $749+ shipping or Emotiva XPA-5 (200W X 5CH @8 ohm, $1200 + shipping). Specs wise, the xpa-5 is a no-brainer but the price is a bit high. Ebay has a refurb unit for $900 + $428! shipping to Hawaii. I'm a little cautious regarding the refurb unit.

What is the best amp to drive my center channel Paradigm 8ohm?

It is currently driven by an Outlaw 7100 (100w x 7ch @ 8 ohm). Not happy with SQ to say the least. L/R channels are Elac Uni-Fi floor standing driven by Emotiva XPA-2 (300W X 2 @ 8OHM). Preamp is Marantz AV8802A. The 7100 is also driving 6 other channels - SL, SR, SBL, SBR and Front wide L/R.

I know...a mixed bag. I also have 4 height channels driven by Emotiva BASX A-150 and a class D stereo amp @50wpc.

Summary:
Preamp: Marantz AV8802A
Cabling: XLR pair TO fl/fr, rest are RCA
Amps: XPA-2 GEN 2, Outlaw 7100, BASX aA-150, class D 50wpc
Spekaers:
Fronts - Elac Uni-Fi Floor 4ohm
Center : Paradigm Studio CC 8ohm
Surround L/R: Elac Debut Bookshelf 4ohm
Surround Back L/R : Infinity bookshelf, 8ohm
Height: 2 pairs Sony ATMOS speakers 8 ohm
Wide pair : Paradigm ADP 370 Dipole
Subs: 12" Velodyne ported 200w, SVS 12" Acoustic Suspension 500w
DACS: Audioquest Red, Audioquest Black, Schiit Audio Bifrost
Music Source: AmazonEcho Dot, iPhone 11 streaming Amazon Music HD upto 24bit/192KHz
Video Source: Panasonic BD Player, Apple TV 4K

Appreciate any opinion. Thanks much!

Ron

 

[txbonds]

If you just want to drive that one channel, what about the outlaw 2220? https://outlawaudio.com/shop/index.php?id_product=45&rewrite=model-2220&controller=product

Or to match your front L/R, an emotiva XPA HC-1 monoblock: https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/hc-1

 

[NINaudio]

What is the best amp to drive my center channel Paradigm 8ohm?

It is currently driven by an Outlaw 7100 (100w x 7ch @ 8 ohm). Not happy with SQ to say the least. L/R channels are Elac Uni-Fi floor standing driven by Emotiva XPA-2 (300W X 2 @ 8OHM). Preamp is Marantz AV8802A. The 7100 is also driving 6 other channels - SL, SR, SBL, SBR and Front wide L/R.

Bold added for emphasis. SQ has a lot more to do with the speaker and it's placement than the amplifier. Any quality amp should reproduce the signal it's given without coloration. Outlaw is generally known for making quality amps. So this begs the following questions:

1) How is the speaker setup? (in a cubby, close to a wall, etc)

2) What exactly do you find to be lacking with it?

3) Which exact Paradigm CC model are we talking about? (google gives a couple results)

 

[lovinthehd]

How do you figure the amp is the issue rather than speaker or acoustics?

 

[PENG]

You seem to have a well matched system as it is now, but if you really want to use a separated power amp for the center channel then I would say for $299 (on sale price) the Outlaw monoblock is hard to beat.

 

[NINaudio]

You seem to have a well matched system as it is now, but if you really want to use a separated power amp for the center channel then I would say for $299 (on sale price) the Outlaw monoblock is hard to beat.

It's already being driven by an Outlaw multichannel amp.

 

[mazersteven]

Why are you looking for a New Amp???

 

[Gmoney]

Ummm... Yeah why are you looking at a new amp?? as Mazersteven, stated. and why just a amp your looking at? Have You considered Others?

Why a Emotiva amp?

Sorry guys couldn't help myself. Emo good service after the sale warranty runs out.

 

[Gmoney]

Monolith amps seem to be a better value

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If I felt that amps have a sound signature of their own and that amps could improve the sound quality of my speakers, I would be looking at the big name amps like ATI (and all amps made by ATI), Parasound, Bryston, Anthem, not Emotiva.

But as everyone says, what exactly is WRONG with your current sound quality? Lack of bass? Lack of Clarify? What kind of SOURCE are you using?

Are you using Audyssey Room EQ?

Most of the time, it's related to your setup - not just setup with speakers, but also settings in my Pre-pro.

 

[NINaudio]

With all the amp suggestions on here:

 

[KEW]

If I felt that amps have a sound signature of their own and that amps could improve the sound quality of my speakers, I would be looking at the big name amps like ATI (and all amps made by ATI), Parasound, Bryston, Anthem, not Emotiva.

I don't know for a fact, but pretty sure the Outlaw amp he is currently using is made by ATI!
I say this because it says:

The Model 7100 is built in the USA to our design and specifications.

Outlaw Audio

Maybe someone else in the USA is outsourcing amps?

But I agree with others, look to the setup or the speaker for SQ problems. Unless you are in a huge room and/or like to crank it "to infinity and beyond" you should have enough power for typical applications!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't know for a fact, but pretty sure the Outlaw amp he is currently using is made by ATI!

If that is the case, which it does seem to be (I don't know of another USA amp company who makes amps for other companies), then he definitely does not need to be switching from an ATI-made amp to an Emotiva or probably any other amp.

Both Irvrobinson and I have used the ATI 80WPC amp to power our Revel Salon2. A walk in the park on a nice sunny day for the ATI.

 

[RON808]

(thanks for the response. my first time here.)

I forgot to mention, I also am looking to upgrade my BASX A-150 and the class D amp which are driving the height speakers. By getting a multi channel amp, I can upgrade the center and let the 7100 take care of the heights.

I guess it's the audio upgrade bug not covid-19.

I've also been considering 3 outlaw 2220 ($399 each) that I can get for $999 + $205 shipping, tempting price coz I get $200 discount.

*****

Paradigm Studio/CC: 8 Ohms nominal. (bought new in 2004)
Design Center Channel: 3 driver, 2-way, video shielded
High-Frequency Driver: 25mm PALâ„¢ pure - aluminum dome, diecast heatsink chassis, ferro - fluid cooled
Bass / Midrange Driver(s): Two 165mm, MLPâ„¢ mica - polymer cone, AVSâ„¢ diecast heatsink chassis, 25mm voice-coil
Sensitivity -- Room / Anechoic: 90dB / 87dB
Suitable Amplifier Power Range: 15 - 175 watts
Height x Width x Depth: 21 x 56 x 30cm, 8-1/16 x 22 x 11-5/8in.

CC is driven by the Outlaw 7100. It sits on an entertainment table with the rest of the gears, flushed to the front wall. Couch is 10 feet away in front. Room is 20'x12' with 3 doors and a window.

I think the fronts (driven by the XPA-2, 300w) are overpowering the CC (driven by 7100, 100w).

****
With the mixed bag that I have, 300w fronts, 100w for cc,surrounds and back, wide, 75w front height, 50w rear height, something about the sound doesn't seem right in home theater mode. But that's very subjective, I don't use any metering devices, just my 2 ears. I confess I'm in audio nirvana when I listen to high res audio through my fronts in stereo mode.


****
I like the review by Gene and Hugo of the Outlaw 5000. That's how it got into my radar.

****

I'm open to any brand. Actually, I also checked out Monolith, Parasound, Rotel, etc. whatever gives better value, bang for the buck... How good is the Crown XLS 1502? Class D amp but gobs of power.

 

[mazersteven]

I've also been considering 3 outlaw 2220 ($399 each) that I can get for $999 + $205 shipping, tempting price coz I get $200 discount.

It doesn't get much if any better then this

 

[NINaudio]

Unless you're really cranking it and you don't have everything volume compensated, which the Audyssey in the Marantz is quite capable of doing for you, the fronts should not be overpowering the center channel. If you're not happy with the sound quality of your center channel then you most likely need a new center channel.

I'm guessing this is the paradigm studio center channel you have.

http://www.audioreview.com/product/speakers/center-channels/paradigm-reference/studio-cc.html

Sitting at 10 feet, with 100 watts of power and a sensitivity of 87 db, you can still expect levels of 100 dB at the seating position. Going to 200 watts will get you to 103 dB. There's not a ton of difference there.

 

[NINaudio]

Also, why not just let the Marantz handle the amplification for the height speakers?

How loud do you listen?

 

[lovinthehd]

Also, why not just let the Marantz handle the amplification for the height speakers?

How loud do you listen?

Marantz is a pre-pro....

Consolidation of amp seems more the issue. Hard to beat the Monolith 7 for value. Crowns could well work, too.

 

[RON808]

The heart of the system is a Marantz av8802a - a pre/pro, no amplifier section. Based on the responses, I think it is telling me to redo the audissey speaker calibration. I still have my trusted radioshack dB calibration device.
if that doesn't live up to my satisfaction, then I'll take the next move.
thanks. to everyone who responded.

 

[NINaudio]

The heart of the system is a Marantz av8802a - a pre/pro, no amplifier section. Based on the responses, I think it is telling me to redo the audissey speaker calibration. I still have my trusted radioshack dB calibration device.
if that doesn't live up to my satisfaction, then I'll take the next move.
thanks. to everyone who responded.

To be clear, I don't think that anyone here is suggesting a new amp as the next move. Your current amp should be fine.

Marantz is a pre-pro....
Consolidation of amp seems more the issue. Hard to beat the Monolith 7 for value. Crowns could well work, too.

Ahh, thanks. I'm not that familiar with the Marantz line up.