First time buying an amp, need some serious help

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gchanjam

Enthusiast
I've never had any real serious home theater gear but I just picked up a pair of Polk LSi15's and I am also probably going to be buying another pair of Def Tech's. However, my Onkyo 705 is not really cutting it with the Polks so I am in need of a good amp to run them on. The problem is that I know very little about amps and what makes a good one from a bad one.

Most of the amps that I've looked into are either far too expensive or just not good enough. So, I am looking for a nice midrange stereo amp and I don't quite know where to start looking. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Haoleb

Haoleb

Audioholic Field Marshall
Start with a budget. Decide how loud you would like to listen, And go from there. by mid-range im guessing about the $6-700 range.

Personally in that range I would be looking at a used Odyssey Stratos, NAD C272, maybe a Parasound Halo A23.
 
C

cfrizz

Senior Audioholic
Look for a used 200wpc amp on Audiogon. Rotel, Parasound, Outlaw, Sunfire, Adcom, B & K will all get the job done.
 
G

gchanjam

Enthusiast
Haoleb said:
Start with a budget. Decide how loud you would like to listen, And go from there. by mid-range im guessing about the $6-700 range.

Personally in that range I would be looking at a used Odyssey Stratos, NAD C272, maybe a Parasound Halo A23.
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That's the thing. I don't actually know what qualifies as mid-range as far as amps go. I figured around $500-$600 but it seems that might be low-balling it a bit. I don't really need it to go all that loud but I know that my Onkyo 705 isn't letting me use my LSi's to anywhere near their full potential.
 
J

Jacksmyname

Audioholic
If you're just looking for a two channel power amp to use with your current receiver, also take a look at the Emotiva line. Emotiva, along with Outlaw, gets rave reviews.
Their RPA-1, a two channel 200 watt/channel amp, is supposed to be replaced with a new model soon.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
gchanjam said:
I don't really need it to go all that loud but I know that my Onkyo 705 isn't letting me use my LSi's to anywhere near their full potential.
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Loud is only a small part of it. The speakers love power, and they seem to open up, and just sound better. Adding an external amp to the LSi's will reveal detail, and clarity in music, and movies. :D
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
gchanjam said:
That's the thing. I don't actually know what qualifies as mid-range as far as amps go. I figured around $500-$600 but it seems that might be low-balling it a bit. I don't really need it to go all that loud but I know that my Onkyo 705 isn't letting me use my LSi's to anywhere near their full potential.
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Since you don't need it to go all that loud, I would say the NAD C272 suggested to you before can do the job.

http://207.228.230.231/info/C272_data.pdf

Only 150 WPC into 8 ohms or 4 ohms but the it has huge headroom/dynamic power. You can probably get one new for under $800.
 
highfihoney

highfihoney

Audioholic Samurai
PENG said:
Since you don't need it to go all that loud, I would say the NAD C272 suggested to you before can do the job.

http://207.228.230.231/info/C272_data.pdf

Only 150 WPC into 8 ohms or 4 ohms but the it has huge headroom/dynamic power. You can probably get one new for under $800.
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Ditto,proven build quality,proven long term performance,good resale value,high headroom.

You cant ask for more in your budget.
 
Haoleb

Haoleb

Audioholic Field Marshall
Of course you could get the used stratos for the around the same price as a 272, and its in an entirely different class in every way. ;)
 
O

ozz316

Enthusiast
I'm new to the whole high end home audio stuff, but I have seen that Carvin amps are very reliable and provide cheap power in the music industry. I personally do not own one, but plan to put together a amp/preamp bass guitar stack with one. The power seems clean from their specs and from what I have heard are reliable down to 2 ohms per channel. Just a suggestion, I don't know how wide spread these are used in home theater, but look like they might do the trick. http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/group.php?cid=15
 
bandphan

bandphan

Banned
ozz316 said:
I'm new to the whole high end home audio stuff, but I have seen that Carvin amps are very reliable and provide cheap power in the music industry. I personally do not own one, but plan to put together a amp/preamp bass guitar stack with one. The power seems clean from their specs and from what I have heard are reliable down to 2 ohms per channel. Just a suggestion, I don't know how wide spread these are used in home theater, but look like they might do the trick. http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/group.php?cid=15
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2ohm speaker in ht?:confused:? What about processing?Also 1/4 inputs and balanced only leave you with few choices for pre(price wise) oh never mind just keep reading up....im not very versed in bass stacks and i dont use one in my ht,
good luck
 
bandphan

bandphan

Banned
and as for power in the music industry,that would be live music, correct? in a engineering aspect isnt it about accuracy instead?
 
O

ozz316

Enthusiast
bandphan said:
2ohm speaker in ht?:confused:? What about processing?Also 1/4 inputs and balanced only leave you with few choices for pre(price wise) oh never mind just keep reading up....im not very versed in bass stacks and i dont use one in my ht,
good luck
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OUCHHH!!! I guess next time I try to throw something a little different out there I'll just keep my mouth shut:eek:. As far as the 2 ohms is concerned, I'll remember that statement next time I read a post on here where someone is upset because their amp is shutting down trying to drive their 4 ohm speakers that are actually 3.8 ohms.

As far as connectivity for preamp http://www.topdjgear.com/hohedu1to1ca.html this should take care of your concern for a whole $10.

Once again sorry for voicing my opinion where it is not wanted.
 
MUDSHARK

MUDSHARK

Audioholic Chief
Consider going used to stretch your budget. Amps are the best thing to buy used beacause the good ones last for eons. The Outlaws have a good reputation BTW.
 
bandphan

bandphan

Banned
ozz316 said:
OUCHHH!!! I guess next time I try to throw something a little different out there I'll just keep my mouth shut:eek:. As far as the 2 ohms is concerned, I'll remember that statement next time I read a post on here where someone is upset because their amp is shutting down trying to drive their 4 ohm speakers that are actually 3.8 ohms.

As far as connectivity for preamp http://www.topdjgear.com/hohedu1to1ca.html this should take care of your concern for a whole $10.

Once again sorry for voicing my opinion where it is not wanted.
Click to expand...

its all good, just was quick with the keys.. pointing out the obvious only, not flaming... note the good luck comment...:)

sorry for highjacking the thread guys.
 
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