Audiophile grade 7 channel amp solution

[PaulF]

I am looking for an audiophile grade 7-channel amp for my new HT/Music setup.

I want a minimum 200W/ch. and balanced inputs. Ideally it would be a single 7-channel amp for space reasons, and a modular design with user-swappable modules. My preference is to not spend more that $4,500 but see no reason to spend this amount if there is a reasonable lower cost option. If there is a knock-your-socks-off, better than anything solution out there, I could stretch a little higher.

I have looked at all the following:

On the expensive end --

Halcro MC70, 7x200W, balanced i/p, Modular, UL and FCC, user swappable modules, low distortion
McIntosh MC207 7x200W, balanced i/p
Lexicon RX-7 7x200W, balanced i/p, internally modular

More cost effective --

Outlaw 7200 7x200W
Outlaw 7700 7x200W
Gemstone Audio Blue Diamond 7x200W, no short circuit protection
Sherbourn 7/2100, 7x200W, balanced i/p , Internally Modular
B&K Reference 200.7, 7x200W
Sunfire TGA 7200 7x200W, balanced i/p, high distortion
Earthquake Cinénova Grande 7, 7x300W (within the price range)

Combined 2ch+5ch solutions with modular, or partially modular designs --

Anthem A2/A5, 7x225W, balanced i/p, internally modular
Emotiva XPA-2/XPA-5, balanced i/p, XPA-5 internally modular -- why no MPS replacement?

I don't know if any of the manufacturers offering an internally modular design allow users to send a single module back for repair. Emotive was a little hesitant on this question. If not then there is little advantage to the user if the entire amp needs to be shipped back anyway.

Would like to hear thoughts on any 7 channel or 2+5 channel solutions you have tried.

 

[jostenmeat]

Paul, you know more about these products than I do, but how come the Outlaw 7900 is not on the list? 300w x 7, all ch driven, $1000 under stated budget.

 

[PaulF]

Jostenmeat, great question. My original list was much longer but in order to focus my request for help I narrowed it down.

The Outlaw 7900 seems to be very power hungry, requiring two power connections for full output. To be fair it's not the only one, so does the Anthem P5 (not on my list) and the Sherbourn 7100. It's funny that the Earthquake Cinenova 7 has one power input yet claims the same massive power, so either it is very efficient or I call BS on their numbers -- probably achieved with a 240V input.

I had also read some reviews of the Outlaw which kind of positioned it as average... but certainly good for the price and good on spec. I am willing to pay a little more for a audiophile grade product. Outlaw is made by ATI so I don't think it will stray far from their competence.

I can read all the reviews in the world and they won't tell me what the average person thinks of an amp, which is the next closest thing to getting my own ears on it. Also different users have different setups which provides a good cross section of feedback.

 

[Lordoftherings]

That's only my personal opinion.

On Amps >

Ok, Paul, now I'm back on track, I don't know what happened.

I believe that there was an error on my page, seems that everything is working properly now.

Sorry for the intermission, I just had to check, and it just happen that I end up here!

Please, proceed.

 

[PaulF]

I am curious about the number of output devices and their effect on distortion. Most high power amps claim parallel output transistors. I have seen as high as 24 transistors per channel on the Outlaw 7900.

Manufacturers talk about hand matching parts etc, but no two transistors can track a signal identically.

Wouldn't more output transistors smear the output signal causing more distortion?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What are you using for the preamp or pre-pros?

 

[PaulF]

I am leaning towards an Anthem D2v.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am leaning towards an Anthem D2v.

I was thinking that.

In that case, you **have** to get those Anthem Amps.

End of discussion.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Sunfire Theater Grand Amplifier - TGA-7201

The absolute best thing I've ever heard! My uncle's 14x22 basement comes alive!!

 

[cfrizz]

Where are you getting high distortion from. My Sunfire plays loud & clear all day long without a hint of distortion.

"Sunfire TGA 7200 7x200W, balanced i/p, high distortion"

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Have you considered any of the Class-D alternatives with D-sonic and Wyred4Sound. The D-sonics are a little less than the Wyred's which are supposed to be a slightly more quite amp. And you can get tons of power from these companies -- up to 500 watts a channel.

There is even aWyred4Sound MC 7 channel amp on audiogon right now:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1247292798&/Wyred4sound-Mc-Series-500x7-8o

This is a 7 x 500 watts configuration which goes for $5k new--check it out. And even if that is more than you need you could still buy brand new from either D-sonic or wyred for less...

 

[PaulF]

I was real hot on the class D amps having followed them for many years. But after reviewing all the specs, I am yet to find one whose specs indicate it's a true audiophile grade unit. I had NuForce in my sights for a while but just kept hearing about weird buzzing noises and things that would go wrong with them.

I have heard the Rotel, Pioneer SC-0x and Halcro, all of which left me wanting for a little more. The last one I heard was the Halcro in a very controlled environment. It is very clear, quiet, detailed etc. But it also sounded a little sterile and dry. The soundstage never appears as wide and deep with class D amps I have heard.

I really wish more manufacturers would step up with Class D amps, I think they are the future.

 

[PaulF]

Where are you getting high distortion from. My Sunfire plays loud & clear all day long without a hint of distortion.

"Sunfire TGA 7200 7x200W, balanced i/p, high distortion"

Check the specs tab on the TGA product page. They are rated at <0.5% THD which is quite high, and a result of the tracking down converter power supply.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I was real hot on the class D amps having followed them for many years. But after reviewing all the specs, I am yet to find one whose specs indicate it's a true audiophile grade unit. I had NuForce in my sights for a while but just kept hearing about weird buzzing noises and things that would go wrong with them.

I have heard the Rotel, Pioneer SC-0x and Halcro, all of which left me wanting for a little more. The last one I heard was the Halcro in a very controlled environment. It is very clear, quiet, detailed etc. But it also sounded a little sterile and dry. The soundstage never appears as wide and deep with class D amps I have heard.

I really wish more manufacturers would step up with Class D amps, I think they are the future.

Mmm... Where did you read that? In the business tribune mensual?

 

[ned]

Check the specs tab on the TGA product page. They are rated at <0.5% THD which is quite high, and a result of the tracking down converter power supply.

That raises the question/debate as to what level of THD is audible?

 

[cfrizz]

Who cares what the specs say. Can you actually HEAR distortion? If not the the specs don't mean anything.

As I have said, my system plays all day long sometimes at loud volumes & sounds terrific. Trust your ears not specs.

Check the specs tab on the TGA product page. They are rated at <0.5% THD which is quite high, and a result of the tracking down converter power supply.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Good point.

I think these two last posts above mine got a good valid point here. ^^^

And then, you have the people that like a bit more distortion in their sound.
It's like film with a certain amount of grain still preserved from the negative.

A good example is tube amps.

LOTR