Let's say you had a $1000 for an amp....

[edwelly]

Hello all... Let's say I have this friend, yeah that's the ticket, this friend who wanted to spend $1000 on a new/used amp because that's all his wife would let him spend.
He mentioned a used Rotel 1075 even thought it is only a 5 channel amp or possibly 3 CROWN XLS402B amps?
Any other suggestions I could give my friend? He would be using a Sony AVR as the preamp and only has a 5.1 system setup. No future plans of 6.1 or 7.1

My friend thanks you...

 

[jlindsey86]

These will probably stay under 1 grand. I heard these before and I thought they were impressive, especially for the $$$.

 

[edwelly]

jlindsey86 - which ones? Thanks!

 

[3db]

I'd give Outlaw a serious try out

Hello all... Let's say I have this friend, yeah that's the ticket, this friend who wanted to spend $1000 on a new/used amp because that's all his wife would let him spend.
He mentioned a used Rotel 1075 even thought it is only a 5 channel amp or possibly 3 CROWN XLS402B amps?
Any other suggestions I could give my friend? He would be using a Sony AVR as the preamp and only has a 5.1 system setup. No future plans of 6.1 or 7.1

My friend thanks you...

Never read one really negative remark from all ther eviews I've read about Outlaw.

 

[jcPanny]

What receiver? What speakers?

The money might be better spent on a speaker or receiver upgrade.

 

[edwelly]

The money might be better spent on a speaker or receiver upgrade.

It's for me...
The wife thinks I don't need to do anything but she said I could do something soon if I wanted to and I was looking into the most bang for the buck...

 

[j_garcia]

The 4ES has a pretty decent amp section. I'd put that money towards speakers.

 

[rolyasm]

I don't think we have quite enough information, but for a great amp at $1,000 I would get a 7 channel Sherwood Newcastle http://sherwoodusa.com/prod_a965.html
Or
5 channel Adcom GFA-7605
http://www.adcom.com/newproducts/gfa7605.htm

Both would be great options and are very nice products.

 

[edwelly]

The 4ES has a pretty decent amp section. I'd put that money towards speakers.

That's what I was orignally going to do, but after this thread - http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16247 - I decided on a new amp. ARGGGGHHHH - I just need to take out a 2nd mortage and by all new stuff
Honestly, I am still in shock over that thread - the Sony sure seemed liked a power house to me. Has a lot of features that I like/use and weighs 45lbs...

 

[Doug917]

Outlaw has some great budget amps with great performance. You can also look at av123.com. They will soon have a nice looking 7-channel (5 x 100, 2 x 50) amp for $599.

 

[edwelly]

I don't think we have quite enough information, but for a great amp at $1,000 I would get a 7 channel Sherwood Newcastle http://sherwoodusa.com/prod_a965.html
Or
5 channel Adcom GFA-7605
http://www.adcom.com/newproducts/gfa7605.htm

Both would be great options and are very nice products.

ooooo, that Sherwood looks nice...

 

[edwelly]

Outlaw has some great budget amps with great performance. You can also look at av123.com. They will soon have a nice looking 7-channel (5 x 100, 2 x 50) amp for $599.

Got any more info on the AV123 amp as that sounds PERFECT for what I am looking for... Thanks...
Doug, sell me one of your 18 amps

 

[j_garcia]

That's what I was orignally going to do, but after this thread - http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16247 - I decided on a new amp. ARGGGGHHHH - I just need to take out a 2nd mortage and by all new stuff
Honestly, I am still in shock over that thread - the Sony sure seemed liked a power house to me. Has a lot of features that I like/use and weighs 45lbs...

A buddy has a 3ES, which has basically the same amp section as the 4ES and it's pretty stout. He has a VERY large room and after I calibrated it, it had no problem handling it (with a mish-mosh of speakers, none particularly sensitive, dual subs). S&V also tested that receiver as capable of an actual 100w with all channels driven I believe, and regardless of their testing method, that's respectable (my receiver tested as 92w all channels driven).

What exactly is the issue with your sound? Me personally, when I had the Monitors I had upgraditis too. An amp is going to bring out both the best and the worst in your speakers. When I did some aduitioning and once I got my SACD player, I quickly realized it was the speakers that were holding my system back. I'd say go listen to some speakers and at least get some ideas as to whether other speakers will suit your needs. I would also maybe recommend looking for a used amp and at least save yourself a little cash if you decide to go with an amp. Maybe you can find a used Marantz MM9000 or a used Rotel, Adcom, Parasound, etc... Outlaw amps are great too.

Have you thought about maybe just a 2ch amp for the 7s? The 4ES also has probably the most flexible bass management I've seen - how do you have your x-overs set?

 

[jaxvon]

Edwelly has an Outlaw ICBM, so he already has great bass management.

 

[j_garcia]

Using it for everything or just SACD?

 

[edwelly]

A buddy has a 3ES, which has basically the same amp section as the 4ES and it's pretty stout. He has a VERY large room and after I calibrated it, it had no problem handling it (with a mish-mosh of speakers, none particularly sensitive, dual subs). S&V also tested that receiver as capable of an actual 100w with all channels driven I believe, and regardless of their testing method, that's respectable (my receiver tested as 92w all channels driven).

What exactly is the issue with your sound? Me personally, when I had the Monitors I had upgraditis too. An amp is going to bring out both the best and the worst in your speakers. When I did some aduitioning and once I got my SACD player, I quickly realized it was the speakers that were holding my system back. I'd say go listen to some speakers and at least get some ideas as to whether other speakers will suit your needs. I would also maybe recommend looking for a used amp and at least save yourself a little cash if you decide to go with an amp. Maybe you can find a used Marantz MM9000 or a used Rotel, Adcom, Parasound, etc... Outlaw amps are great too.

Have you thought about maybe just a 2ch amp for the 7s? The 4ES also has probably the most flexible bass management I've seen - how do you have your x-overs set?

I am almost in the SAME boat as you were. I feel that the weakest link in system right now is the speakers, but I feel that others here have mosre knowledge so that's why I was looking into the amp route.
My x-over is set to:
Fronts 60, center 80, rears 80, sub 60
Also, the ICBM can work with anything I put into the DVD player. Outlaw told me it would only work with SACDs, not true.

 

[j_garcia]

My x-over is set to:
Fronts 60, center 80, rears 80, sub 60
Also, the ICBM can work with anything I put into the DVD player. Outlaw told me it would only work with SACDs, not true.

x-over scheme sounds good. Outlaw may have told you that because they probably expect you to use a digital connection for DVDs, but when using analog connections, the ICBM doesn't care what is passing through it. Also, they probably expect that that's how most people will use it (hires only).

 

[Doug917]

More info on the LPA-1 from AV123:

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=29.1

It is actually (6 x 125W) or (5 x 125W and 2 x 50W). It has been a long time coming and I imagine is probably ready and waiting on completion of the LMC-1.

 

[Nick250]

I am almost in the SAME boat as you were. I feel that the weakest link in system right now is the speakers, but I feel that others here have mosre knowledge so that's why I was looking into the amp route.

You first thought that your speakers are you weakest link is correct. I have said this before and I will say it again, 90% of what you hear is speakers and room acoustics. Regardless of what Mule says the reciever/amp has very small role in how your system sounds in your listening room. I get that expensive reveivers, amps, pre amps etc have great cool factor and great toy factor. I feel that pull too and may someday buy an amp for that very reason. I think it would be really cool to tinker with amps pre pros etc. And there is nothing wrong in buying them as long as you understand what the small (if any) impact on they have on your sound. If your want a really noticeable improvement in your sound however, stick to speakers and room treatments.

Edited 8 PM 12/2

Nick

IMHO, YMMV yadda, yadda

 

[PENG]

I hate to repeat my response in your other thread, but I really think you will like your 4ES better if you upgrade the monitors to Studios. It is unlikely $1,000 will get you an amp that could sound better than the mightly 4ES through the monitor 7's.