Best Amp under 1K for HT

[AcuDefTechGuy]

OK... I was on the border whether to buy or not... Due to "upgraditis" going around here... I'm going to buy an AMP... I suppose this is more of a want than a need

Emotiva was high on the list to buy, but I'll start checking other AMP's including ATI.... I understand that going for a 2 channel AMP is better... but might as well and get an AMP for all 5 channels...

I don't think you can beat the Emotiva price as far as brand new amps.

Everyone is different. I know Zumbo & ParadigmDawg aren't too fond of Emotiva. I don't like their aesthetics, but I don't have anything against their quality. A lof of folks love Emotiva.

I prefer brand names like Bryston, Parasound, Mark Levinson, Lexicon, Theta, ATI, Krell, Denon, Marantz, etc.

I just think the Denon 4308 and other Denons have great amps inside of them already. I'm not too fond of going from a high quality Denon amp to something else just because it has a higher power rating.

You realize that the $7,500 Denon POA amp is "only" rated at 150 wpc? That's only 10 more wpc than your Denon 4308.

 

[spike99]

I don't think you can beat the Emotiva price as far as brand new amps.

Everyone is different. I know Zumbo & ParadigmDawg aren't too fond of Emotiva. I don't like their aesthetics, but I don't have anything against their quality. A lof of folks love Emotiva.

I prefer brand names like Bryston, Parasound, Mark Levinson, Lexicon, Theta, ATI, Krell, Denon, Marantz, etc.

I just think the Denon 4308 and other Denons have great amps inside of them already. I'm not too fond of going from a high quality Denon amp to something else just because it has a higher power rating.

You realize that the $7,500 Denon POA amp is "only" rated at 150 wpc? That's only 10 more wpc than your Denon 4308.

Yes, Emotiva is a really good price... plus I've seen some really good reviews on Emotiva... I don't think you can go wrong with this....

Yes, that Denon is way out of my league... Yes, like I said... this is more of a want than a need... and hence I should not probably spend more than 1K on the amp.

 

[jostenmeat]

If Emotiva, I vote for the XPA3.

I think 3ch amps are a great idea, but there are so few out there. Didn't Anthem used to make one? Is that it?

 

[audiofox]

There are also a lot of great used 200wpc stereo amps around for very reasonable prices-I got a used Rotel RB-1080 for around $500 and would get another in a heartbeat. Adcom also makes good reliable 2 channel power amps (GFA 5500 comes to mind, as well as the venerable GFA-555), and they also made a beast of a 3 channel amp that would work very well for you (I think it was the GFA-5503). All of these pop up on Audiogon from time to time, which IME is a more reliable place for used audio equipment than fleabay.

 

[jinjuku]

There are also a lot of great used 200wpc stereo amps around for very reasonable prices-I got a used Rotel RB-1080 for around $500 and would get another in a heartbeat. Adcom also makes good reliable 2 channel power amps (GFA 5500 comes to mind, as well as the venerable GFA-555), and they also made a beast of a 3 channel amp that would work very well for you (I think it was the GFA-5503). All of these pop up on Audiogon from time to time, which IME is a more reliable place for used audio equipment than fleabay.

Yep, the GFA-5503 is a beast in regards to Sound Quality, Specs, and unfortunately: weight.

You should be able to get the 5503 for ~$400.

 

[walter duque]

You might be able to get as used one, these http://www.cinepro.com/Specsheets/Mk5-SeGoldCellSheet300DPI.pdf
just happens to be my favorite brand. If been running these (older model) since 1986. They get abused on a daily basis and they're holding up.

 

[PENG]

If Emotiva, I vote for the XPA3.

I think 3ch amps are a great idea, but there are so few out there. Didn't Anthem used to make one? Is that it?

They still do, the MCA30. I have the MCA 20, a little less power than the Bryston 4B SST but costs less than half and sound just as good.

 

[walter duque]

Crackerballer

Again, there are too many blanket statements in your post. It makes it hard to take anything you say seriously. There is a reason Denon sells hundreds of thousands of receivers every model run, and that is because they use quality components and have great features for the cost, just like Onkyo, Yamaha, and other reputable receiver companies.

So why is the OP looking for an amp, if these are all such great powerfull AVR's.

 

[PENG]

Crackerballer


So why is the OP looking for an amp, if these are all such great powerfull AVR's.

I thought the OP wants an amp regardless. Powerful is a relative term. I have a few amps and I also have my fair shares of AVRs. The AVRs did offer me the power I needed for my system. My amps offer power that I don't need. I think no one is arguing with you about amps being more powerful than AVRs, but you might have exaggerated things a little, in trying to make your point.

 

[GranteedEV]

Crackerballer


So why is the OP looking for an amp, if these are all such great powerfull AVR's.

Because he owns some mediocre B&W speakers and wants to believe that they sound better than they do!

 

[Pyrrho]

Crackerballer


So why is the OP looking for an amp, if these are all such great powerfull AVR's.

Because he has been lied to by unscrupulous salespeople and the people they have suckered into believing that a separate amplifier will help. For most people, a separate amplifier is a complete waste of money.

In my case, I use a separate amplifier with one of my 2 channel systems, because the speakers are 3 ohms and not terribly efficient. But in my surround system, I do not (other than the amplifier driving my unpowered subwoofers), because my speakers are of normal efficiency and a normal, easy impedance to drive, and I listen at sane volumes instead of trying to quickly destroy my hearing with loud sounds.

But many people spend money on things in their systems that make no improvement, but after buying the new thing, they listen more closely and carefully than they did just before adding the new thing, and so they hear more details with the new gear than they did before. Many people are too stupid to realize that listening more closely causes one to hear more details, and imagine that it must be the new gear causing them to hear more, so they now believe their own experience proves the nonsense that they have been told.

So, the lesson one should get from this is to learn about what is really going on with equipment, and actually engaging one's brain and thinking, rather than parting with one's money for every crazy idea that one hears about.

 

[walter duque]

Because he has been lied to by unscrupulous salespeople and the people they have suckered into believing that a separate amplifier will help. For most people, a separate amplifier is a complete waste of money.

In my case, I use a separate amplifier with one of my 2 channel systems, because the speakers are 3 ohms and not terribly efficient. But in my surround system, I do not (other than the amplifier driving my unpowered subwoofers), because my speakers are of normal efficiency and a normal, easy impedance to drive, and I listen at sane volumes instead of trying to quickly destroy my hearing with loud sounds.

But many people spend money on things in their systems that make no improvement, but after buying the new thing, they listen more closely and carefully than they did just before adding the new thing, and so they hear more details with the new gear than they did before. Many people are too stupid to realize that listening more closely causes one to hear more details, and imagine that it must be the new gear causing them to hear more, so they now believe their own experience proves the nonsense that they have been told.

So, the lesson one should get from this is to learn about what is really going on with equipment, and actually engaging one's brain and thinking, rather than parting with one's money for every crazy idea that one hears about.

I am running 3000 watts in my system , that's not counting (2) 1000 watt subs and (2) 400 watts subs, and you're gona tell me there is no difference. Can you hit 130 db with out clipping, I can. Can you pop sheet rock screws or peel the paint of your walls? I can if I fell like it. So power does not mean anything. I guess I wasted my money, I should have stayed with that Denon at 140 wattsX7, because I am an idiot and wasted my money.; I am actually starting to be convinced to throw my 250 watt Threshold out the window, which I love so dearly. I have a lot of respect for you, but did you ever listen to some real power? You know what else I get a real kick out of: people spend 10k on speakers and drive them with an AVR, what a joke.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Now, now, guys, calm down.

No one here is an idiot.

Some of us are just a little crazier than others.

Some of us only listen to a max volume of 85dBA, while some of us listen to higher volumes.

Some of us have rooms that are 15' x 15' x 8', while some of us have rooms that are 30' x 30' x 15'.

Some of us have 8 ohms speakers with a sensitivity of 90dB, while some of us have 2 ohm speakers with a sensitivity of 80dB.

I don't believe in too much power either (like Pyrro).

I am one of those people who believe that B&W speakers don't sound any good to me personally just because they don't sound good, not because they didn't have ENOUGH POWER. To me, that is just an easy excuse to use. Sure, they don't sound good because 400WPC/4 ohms Classe amps isn't ENOUGH.

R--------I-----------G--------------H------------------T

But I would also rather HAVE A LOT MORE (like Walter) than just HAVE ENOUGH power.

 

[walter duque]

Now, now, guys, calm down.

No one here is an idiot.

Some of us are just a little crazier than others.

Some of us only listen to a max volume of 85dBA, while some of us listen to higher volumes.

Some of us have rooms that are 15' x 15' x 8', while some of us have rooms that are 30' x 30' x 15'.

Some of us have 8 ohms speakers with a sensitivity of 90dB, while some of us have 2 ohm speakers with a sensitivity of 80dB.

I don't believe in too much power either (like Pyrro).

I am one of those people who believe that B&W speakers don't sound any good to me personally just because they don't sound good, not because they didn't have ENOUGH POWER. To me, that is just an easy excuse to use. Sure, they don't sound good because 400WPC/4 ohms Classe amps isn't ENOUGH.

R--------I-----------G--------------H------------------T

But I would also rather HAVE A LOT MORE (like Walter) than just HAVE ENOUGH power.

I do have to apologize for that post since I had a few beers to many. Sorry guys...Sometimes I just loose it, but I don't mean anything by it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Because he owns some mediocre B&W speakers and wants to believe that they sound better than they do!

It's amazing how many times I've heard people say, "These speakers crave raw power, and they just don't sound as good and don't produce enough bass unless you give them 1,000 WPC $20,000 amps."

What I want to say is, "Man, if your speakers don't sound good, you don't need better amps, you need better speakers!"

I've listened to a pair of KEF 201/2 bookshelf speakers driven by a cheap Onkyo integrated amp (60WPC???) that sounded better than a pair of $23,000 tower speakers driven by a stereo 400WPC/4 ohms Classe amp.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think it's impossible to know every situation, so it's probably not fair or accurate to generalize and stereotype.

Some of us, including myself, do believe in power amps to a certain degree.

But I tend to believe that if your speakers sound great, it's probably because you have great speakers, not great amps.

 

[GranteedEV]

It's amazing how many times I've heard people say, "These speakers crave raw power, and they just don't sound as good and don't produce enough bass unless you give them 1,000 WPC $20,000 amps."

Yeah, um, screw that. Give me one of these:

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JA8008_DTQWT.htm

A speaker that will sound good wherever you sit (tweeter and woofer have similar directivity index + good crossover = good power response), it'll produce a 105+db of output at 10 feet with only 100 watts of power (high sensitivity of 95db, high impedance, and of course less chance of thermal compression), oh and you can probably make it look decent too (http://www.minhembio.com/bilder/hq/?pic_id=303383.jpg)

Run it off a $400 receiver and have ultra high end SQ period.

The only thing I need a high output amp for is for a subwoofer, because to get those subsonics and 115db LFE you would need a low fs, low sensitivity woofer. I want two more maelstroms each with a dedicated J-2500

 

[PENG]

I do have to apologize for that post since I had a few beers to many. Sorry guys...Sometimes I just loose it, but I don't mean anything by it.

By now, I am sure me and many others around here know but you probably could scare some newbies after a few too many. I know you only run 3 kW 'on hand' for the right moment but not continuous, right?

 

[walter duque]

By now, I am sure me and many others around here know but you probably could scare some newbies after a few too many. I know you only run 3 kW 'on hand' for the right moment but not continuous, right?

I used to run my system at max. for hours when I lived in my house. Now in the apartment it's only for a minute or two when I get the urge. I just like to have that little extra power, just in case.

 

[spike99]

Because he owns some mediocre B&W speakers and wants to believe that they sound better than they do!

LOL, Thanks for the sarcasm...

I understand that B&W may not be the best... but It was the one I liked when I was comparing other speakers...

Second, upgrading from Bose, it has been a major improvement...

Finally, I think I had established that I realized that getting a separate amp, was more of a want than a need.