Amp Questoin.

[PENG]

I've been having thoughts about getting an amp and am thinking maybe I should pick up a 3 channel amp instead. My receiver has had no problems driving my surrounds (4ohm) and they are not being changed. Why not use the amp in my receiver? Plus I have concerns about tripping the circuit breaker in my place If I run too many things. I've seen these, Parasound hca2003a, used at a decent price. They are a little more affordable and have similar specs to the 5 channel amp I was looking at.

Any thoughts?

Jack

In that case, the 3 channel Parasound should do it.

 

[PENG]

yes they are set to small, and i am running 2 subs 1 of them being BA PV1000,
why do you feel an amp is unnecessary, have you read this forum, at higher SPLs there may be a benefit and by freeing up the burden off of the receivers amps to only power the surrounds and the center you could have the external amp power the mains it may add as benefit, then again maybe not. anyway back to my original question should I run the center off external 3 way amp or just the mains w/ a 2 way Adcom? I am running Boston VR3s, which adcom do you recomend and how many watts per channel, i was thinking 125 wpc w/ adcom GFA5400 as the 5500 may be too much at 200 wpc or unnecessary any thoughts would help.

If you are going to add an amp, why bother with 125WPC. I suggest you do it right the first time and get a minimum of 200WPC. People may tell you a 125W amp is much stronger than a 125W receiver. That may be truth for an entry level ($200) receiver that claims 125W but they rate them for 1 khz 1% THD etc. For mid level amp such as a RX-V2600, a 125W Adcom is not going to give you more power for 2 channel music listening. I have the 2X200W Adcom but I do think a 3 channel amp would be better.

 

[zumbo]

If you are going to add an amp, why bother with 125WPC. I suggest you do it right the first time and get a minimum of 200WPC. People may tell you a 125W amp is much stronger than a 125W receiver. That may be truth for an entry level ($200) receiver that claims 125W but they rate them for 1 khz 1% THD etc. For mid level amp such as a RX-V2600, a 125W Adcom is not going to give you more power for 2 channel music listening. I have the 2X200W Adcom but I do think a 3 channel amp would be better.

I partially agree with this.
While it may not be audible, there is a difference between an Adcom 125w x 5 vs. a 2600. Especially @ 4ohm.
However, there would be no need to add a 125 x 5 amp to a receiver such as the 2600 running 8ohm speakers.
I do agree with the 200WPC recommendation. It can be expensive for such an amp. Running my 4ohm system, I get 175W out of my 7605.

 

[Seth=L]

I partially agree with this.
While it may not be audible, there is a difference between an Adcom 125w x 5 vs. a 2600. Especially @ 4ohm.
However, there would be no need to add a 125 x 5 amp to a receiver such as the 2600 running 8ohm speakers.
I do agree with the 200WPC recommendation. It can be expensive for such an amp. Running my 4ohm system, I get 175W out of my 7605.

Outlaw has great big powerful amplifiers in a decent price range. Yes Zumbo, I am out to support Outlaw again.

 

[Gov]

I just received my Emotiva LPA-1 today and man is it a BEAST!! I am using my Pioneer 1014 as a pre-amp. To my ears so far, the LPA-1 sound similar to the Pioneer, but I have more headroom with the LPA-1. I like to listen to music in 7-channel stereo except DVD-A and DTS material. I think for the headroom and the fact I listen to redbook material in 7 channel stereo, this may be worth it for me. Although, the 1014 can hold its own! I have 30 days to make a decision. I will say that this amp is built like a tank!

 

[Jack Hammer]

Slight change of topic...

...I just registered with Audiogon, but they say I have to wait 4-8 hours for my account to be setup. I didn't see an option to buy anything. Do I just send the seller an email and offer to buy it?

Thanks Jack

 

[Seth=L]

I just received my Emotiva LPA-1 today and man is it a BEAST!! I am using my Pioneer 1014 as a pre-amp. To my ears so far, the LPA-1 sound similar to the Pioneer, but I have more headroom with the LPA-1. I like to listen to music in 7-channel stereo except DVD-A and DTS material. I think for the headroom and the fact I listen to redbook material in 7 channel stereo, this may be worth it for me. Although, the 1014 can hold its own! I have 30 days to make a decision. I will say that this amp is built like a tank!

I have always been interested on other's take on Emotivia, I have thought about their amplifiers, not so much the pre/pros, they don't seem very nice. They seem kind of cheasy.

 

[Seth=L]

...I just registered with Audiogon, but they say I have to wait 4-8 hours for my account to be setup. I didn't see an option to buy anything. Do I just send the seller an email and offer to buy it?

Thanks Jack

I believe so, they should have their contact information on there.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I believe so, they should have their contact information on there.

All they have is an option to "send email." I've never bought off of Audiogon before and their instruction don't really say anything.

Jack

 

[Nomo]

I just received my Emotiva LPA-1 today and man is it a BEAST!! I am using my Pioneer 1014 as a pre-amp. To my ears so far, the LPA-1 sound similar to the Pioneer, but I have more headroom with the LPA-1. I like to listen to music in 7-channel stereo except DVD-A and DTS material. I think for the headroom and the fact I listen to redbook material in 7 channel stereo, this may be worth it for me. Although, the 1014 can hold its own! I have 30 days to make a decision. I will say that this amp is built like a tank!

Gov,
How do you feel about the LPA-1's handling of the 6 and 7th channels?
I've given those channels back to my Yamaha 1500. I was not impressed by the signal the Emo was sending to the rears.
I originally felt that the rated 50w would be enough. Not the case for me.

It is a beast though ain't it? 63lbs of fun.

 

[Seth=L]

All they have is an option to "send email." I've never bought off of Audiogon before and their instruction don't really say anything.

Jack

I have never purchase anything there either, best chance to find out is to just email them I guess. Maybe it will give you the email address when you click the "send mail" icon. Audiogon just isn't as advanced as Ebay.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I have never purchase anything there either, best chance to find out is to just email them I guess. Maybe it will give you the email address when you click the "send mail" icon. Audiogon just isn't as advanced as Ebay.

I appreciate you trying to help. Please don't post answers to questions when you have no experience with the question. Guessing just wastes everyones time.

Jack

 

[Gov]

Gov,
How do you feel about the LPA-1's handling of the 6 and 7th channels?
I've given those channels back to my Yamaha 1500. I was not impressed by the signal the Emo was sending to the rears.
I originally felt that the rated 50w would be enough. Not the case for me.

It is a beast though ain't it? 63lbs of fun.

In my case I only have a 5.1 set up and no plans for a 7.1 because of my room layout. So I am only using channels 1 thru 5 on the LPA-1. I do have outdoor patio speakers hooked up, but I let the 1014 handle them . I have not spent much time yet with the LPA-1, but the little time spent with it has been positive. I am going to put it through its paces in the next few days.

 

[zumbo]

I just received my Emotiva LPA-1 today and man is it a BEAST!! I am using my Pioneer 1014 as a pre-amp. To my ears so far, the LPA-1 sound similar to the Pioneer, but I have more headroom with the LPA-1. I like to listen to music in 7-channel stereo except DVD-A and DTS material. I think for the headroom and the fact I listen to redbook material in 7 channel stereo, this may be worth it for me. Although, the 1014 can hold its own! I have 30 days to make a decision. I will say that this amp is built like a tank!

7ch stereo is for background(low volume) music only. It is not meant to be cranked. Read your manual. If you like surround, I would recommend PLII music, or DTS.

 

[Gov]

7ch stereo is for background(low volume) music only. It is not meant to be cranked. Read your manual. If you like surround, I would recommend PLII music, or DTS.

I beg to differ, but thanks for the recommendation. BTW, nowhere in my manual does it say that.

 

[zumbo]

I beg to differ, but thanks for the recommendation. BTW, nowhere in my manual does it say that.

Hmmm. It does in my Yamaha. I must need a Pioneer.

It's your amp. However, it has to do alot of work running all channels max. It's just good common sense not to tax any amp like that. Don't say I didn't try to help.

 

[Gov]

Hmmm. It does in my Yamaha. I must need a Pioneer.

It's your amp. However, it has to do alot of work running all channels max. It's just good common sense not to tax any amp like that. Don't say I didn't try to help.

I hear ya! But, now I have the Emotiva LPA-1 amp, and should not have to worry about that at all, thanks for the input tho

 

[zumbo]

I hear ya! But, now I have the Emotiva LPA-1 amp, and should not have to worry about that at all, thanks for the input tho

That is the amp I am speaking of. Huge load for any m/c amp to cary.

I have an Adcom. What's the point?

 

[Seth=L]

What is the point in 7 channel stereo, wouldn't that be like wearing headphones?

 

[zumbo]

What is the point in 7 channel stereo, wouldn't that be like wearing headphones?

Nothing like having a band in all corners, I always say!