Arcam PA720 or Anthem MCA 325?

[supraman408]

I have a pair of BW 702 S2, BW HTM71 S2 center and REL T-9I subs and looking for a power amp. Im between the Arcam PA720 and the Anthem MCA 325. What I like about the Arcam PA720 is that it is 7-channel, class G power amp and I get a nice discount on them ($1,800) but the Anthem MCA 325 is rated at 225 watts per channel (compared to 100 watts per channel on the Arcam) which I feel will power my BW 702s better. Should I go with the Arcam PA 720 and sacrifice the difference in wattage but get a more efficient amp at a nice price or pay a little more for the Anthem MCA 325 for the extra wattage and sacrifice on efficiency (Class AB amp) and limit my ability to add more to my system down the road because it is a 3-channel amp? Kinda new to all this and would appreciate any insight.

Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

Why is the efficiency of the design a consideration particularly? I'd go for higher power than 100wpc (and probably want a 2 ohm rating) if I'm going to buy an amp personally. Why would one limit your choice of another amp later? Why just these two amps particularly?

 

[supraman408]

I read that class g amps are more efficient and that's important to me. I don't want something that's gonna give off a lot of heat or drive my electric bill up. How significant in terms of efficiency between class g and class ab is something I'm not entirely familiar with. If the efficiency between the two classes of amps are minimal, then I don't mind going with the class ab amp for higher power.
Why these two particular amps? I get a discount on the Arcam amp and can get it for $1800 and the Anthem was a recommendation.

 

[Movie2099]

I read that class g amps are more efficient and that's important to me. I don't want something that's gonna give off a lot of heat or drive my electric bill up. How significant in terms of efficiency between class g and class ab is something I'm not entirely familiar with. If the efficiency between the two classes of amps are minimal, then I don't mind going with the class ab amp for higher power.
Why these two particular amps? I get a discount on the Arcam amp and can get it for $1800 and the Anthem was a recommendation.

It won’t matter which one you go with. Both are efficient. Amps today are all very efficient and won’t be used to heat rooms. At least the amps for 95% of the audioholic population. I wouldn’t limit yourself to just those two. Many great affordable amps out there. Monoprice, Emotiva, ATI, Outlaw. Speaking of outlaw, you can pick 3 of their mono’s for around $1000 and they put out 200w/8ohm, 300w/4ohm. That’s an amazing deal.

 

[lovinthehd]

Class A are the amps to worry about for heat. Power consumption as a cost I've never considered really, doubt its a meaningful difference. Class D is very efficient, more so than G IIRC, plus some good amps to choose from as well. For a 7ch 100wpc amp I sure wouldn't pay $1800, tho....the Outlaw 7000 would be more my choice for something somewhat similar but would rather have the Monolith 7 from among consumer amps. My last several amp purchases have been Crown XLS, an even better deal when it comes to power and impedance capabilities (but more boxes, they're 2ch, and not everyone's aesthetic if you like to gaze fondly upon the amp).