Best budget amp for two Infinity primus p162

[DRA]

hey i just bought a pair of infinity 162's and unfortunately the amp i was going to use is no longer an option. I was wondering what budget amps would be a good choice for these speakers. I rather spend money on quality rather than perks, I don't need multiple inputs or sound processing or whatever, I just need one input and the ability to power these speakers, stereo is ok. my budget is around 200-300 max, cheaper would be better... thanks

 

[sholling]

If you're in the US a refurbished Onkyo TX-8555 for $190 plus S&H might be a good choice.

 

[Matt34]

hey i just bought a pair of infinity 162's and unfortunately the amp i was going to use is no longer an option. I was wondering what budget amps would be a good choice for these speakers. I rather spend money on quality rather than perks, I don't need multiple inputs or sound processing or whatever, I just need one input and the ability to power these speakers, stereo is ok. my budget is around 200-300 max, cheaper would be better... thanks

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-601

 

[AJinFLA]

AMC 2100 around $210-220

 

[Knucklehead90]

Is it an 'amp' or a 'receiver' that you are looking for? If you have a preamp then all you need is an amp - otherwise you'll be needing a receiver - or an integrated amp. Look to spend more for the lack of a tuner - thats about all the difference there is between a receiver and integrated.

The Onkyo 8555 was already mentioned - the 8255 should have more than enough power if you want to save a few bucks. Another option is to get a Harman Kardon 3390 - or find an older 2 channel receiver on ebay. Amazon has a decent collection of 2 channel receivers.

 

[lsiberian]

For an amp on that budget look for a pro amp QSC is a good low cost brand. If you can swing a yamaha p2500 then grab that up.

 

[DRA]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Right now I do not have anything other than the speakers. So no preamp or anything. I was just saying that I would prefer quality or lower price to extra features that some receivers have...
I assumed that an amp would be cheaper than a receiver since I thought an amp is just a receiver without the frills?
I do have one question. How much power should the receiver/amp have? Like I said I have a pair of infinity 162's and they are rated for 150w each and the receiver I was going to get (possibly maybe still be able to get but probbably not...) was an older Harman Kardon 3480 that was rated for 240w. This is the only measuring stick I have... Is 100w enough? I intend to use this for music (hip hop, rock, classical, everything) and movies (including action movies) in my bedroom (about 12 by 12) and in the living room (considerably bigger) for parties etc. I would rather spend a BIT extra for something that can be loud rather than save a bit and wanting more power after buying them...
Thanks for all the input and sorry for all the parentheses.

 

[sholling]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Right now I do not have anything other than the speakers. So no preamp or anything. I was just saying that I would prefer quality or lower price to extra features that some receivers have...

Generally you save money buying a receivers because of economies of scale - the big manufacturers sell a heck of a lot more receivers than they do separates.

I do have one question. How much power should the receiver/amp have? Like I said I have a pair of infinity 162's and they are rated for 150w each and the receiver I was going to get (possibly maybe still be able to get but probbably not...) was an older Harman Kardon 3480 that was rated for 240w.

The HK is 120w per channel. The Onkyo TX-8555 is 100w per channel. The difference is negligible.

http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/harman-kardon-hk-3480/4505-6466_7-30920363-2.html

 

[ahblaza]

Primus 162

I have these speakers and they are easy to drive, they may be rated at 150 watts but they can be driven hard and loud with a lot less. The amp I have for the 162's is Emotiva UPA-2 @ 125 watts, this amp has all the power you will ever need for the 162's, right now it's available for $269.00 and free shipping. You will still need a preamp, I would take the suggestions of the others here and look for a decent receiver, amp and preamp on the same chassis. Hope this helps, there are quite a few receivers in your price range that would be more than adequate for these speakers.
Best regards, Jeff

 

[ahblaza]

Primus 162

Sholling is spot on with his suggestions, either one of those receivers is more than adequate.
Jeff

 

[DRA]

yea it seems that the onkyo tx8555 is the leader right now. how about the tx2555? is it worth spending the extra money on the 8555 or is 50w/channel on the 8255 enough? (I have another thread asking about receiver power) I will be using it for music (hip hop, rock, classical, reggae, everything) and movies. I do like it loud at times esp if we're going to have a party or something but for the most part its going to be in a 12x12 bedroom. how do the 50w measure up?

 

[sholling]

I'd spend the money on the 8555.

 

[DRA]

So it looks like the cheapest I can get a TX8555 for is around $220ish. or $190 for a refurb. And if I can I'd like to spend less.
I was wondering what people thought about the Harman Kardon 3490. Its essentially the updated version of the receiver that I was going to get. It looks like you can pick one up from ebay for cheaper (depending on how the bidding goes of course) than the onkyo.
Anyone know how they match up? thanks

 

[Edmonton]

i have both the 3490 and the Primus P162 speakers. i really like the HK-3490 and it gets great reviews.

while mine works perfectly, some people have issues with quality with Harman Kardon.

if you got one and had no problems with it, it will power your speakers no problem, add a sub down the line and you are set

 

[Knucklehead90]

I have a 3390 in the bedroom 2 channel setup - works perfectly. And the 3480 I let a friend talk me out of is still going strong. He drives a pair of Paradigm Monitor 7s easily.
HK has had some severe problems in the recent past - but its all been with multi-channel receivers. Their 2 channel receivers seem to work just fine.

Ebay would be an excellent place to buy the 3490.

 

[j_garcia]

The audiosource Amp100 posted by Matt34 doesn't require a preamp. I own one and you can hook two sources directly to it. The only thing is, you have no remote control - you have to walk over to it to adjust volume. You can pick them up used for $50-75.

There's this guy as well: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812, but at $150 that is close to what the Onkyos and H/K stereo receivers go for used. Note that the refurbs come with a warranty as well.

 

[DRA]

So is it possible to just hook up the audiosource amp 100 to my computer and the speakers and everything is working? nothing else is needed? any other down sides other than not having a remote?

 

[j_garcia]

What type of output from your PC? Does it have RCA out or would you need an adapter? As long as you have sufficient preamp voltage to drive the amp, you will be OK. I have hooked cd and dvd players directly to this thing, which is one of the reasons why I chose it also. It won't be quite as powerful as the top Onkyo or H/K, but it should be sufficient to fill a medium size room with those speakers. It is smaller than most components also, so if this is for an office/desk system, that might be a plus. Not to mention it is $20 off right now.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=626284&postcount=1

 

[DRA]

I'd be hooking it up to my computer which is driven just by the onboard audio, no separate audio card. its a 3.5mm jack but i already have rca adapters. but to clarify the audiosource doesn't have a preamp then? its just an amp and as long as the signal coming from my comp is sufficient i don't need a preamp?