Looking for an amp or 2

[Gobuya]

Hey guys,

I am looking for some ideas for adding an amp to my system. This is what I have:
Yamaha RX-V663
Paradigm Monitor 11v4's
Paradigm CC300 (modified with a tweeter to match the fronts)
Yamaha surrounds
Dual MFW15's

I want to add a Behringer DCX2496, or DEQ2496 (see my post in the subs section if you want to help me out on that question) to flatten out the subs and front L/C/R speakers and then add a house curve. Hope I am on the right track here. So I need an amp for my front 3 speakers. Should I be looking for a 3 channel amp or two seperate amps and do you have any suggestions. I dont want to spend more than $300 or so if that is possible. Thanks again everyone for all your help.

GOB

 

[Knucklehead90]

Pro amps are the only thing (new) that will fit that budget. The Behringer EP1500 at $199 shipped is a whale of a deal. The A500 might be more appealing though as it doesn't have a cooling fan. I have the EP1500 and found it to be too noisy so I installed a slower 24v fan - it can hardly be heard now and its only 10' from my sitting position. I use it to drive 2 DIY subs. It has more power than most speakers can use. Price for the quieter fan was $15 shipped and well worth it. The EP1500 never gets warm much less hot.

The cheapest 3 channel amp I know of is the Emotiva XPA-3 but for $50 less I'd buy the UPA-5.

 

[Gobuya]

Thanks Knucklehead. The Behringer amps are very appealing, they get great reviews. Is the EP1500 a little too much power? What about an A500 and another single amp for the center? Any recommendation for a cheap but decent quality single channel amp for my CC300?

GOB

 

[highfigh]

Thanks Knucklehead. The Behringer amps are very appealing, they get great reviews. Is the EP1500 a little too much power? What about an A500 and another single amp for the center? Any recommendation for a cheap but decent quality single channel amp for my CC300?

GOB

Here you go:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812

 

[Knucklehead90]

Thanks Knucklehead. The Behringer amps are very appealing, they get great reviews. Is the EP1500 a little too much power? What about an A500 and another single amp for the center? Any recommendation for a cheap but decent quality single channel amp for my CC300?

GOB

Too much power? Never! I had my EP1500 hooked up to my Emotiva ERTs when I first got it. The ERTs can take gobs of power and the EP1500 could melt them down if I let them.

The A500 is a more tame beast - and is bridgeable - you could get a pair of them and bridge one A500 for the center speaker (if it's 8ohms). Strictly for resale value I'd get a pair of EP1500s and put in a quiet fan in each one. Trust me - you won't like how loud the stock fans are. The EP1500 is only $10 more than the A500 - plus $15 shipped for the fan. It puts out much more power.

The down side of pro amps is the noisy fans - no trigger on - and sometimes are rather noisy. I use my EP1500 to power a pair of subs so line noise isn't a problem. It seemed to be quiet hooked to my ERTs - I guess I got lucky in getting one with a quiet floor.

The upside is more power than you can use or need - but just like autos - its better to have more than you need than not enough to get the job done.

If the EP1500 isn't enough power look at the EP2500.

 

[GlocksRock]

The EP2500 has been discontinued, but you can still find some here and there.

 

[njedpx3]

EP2500 much better

Pro amps are the only thing (new) that will fit that budget. The Behringer EP1500 at $199 shipped is a whale of a deal. The A500 might be more appealing though as it doesn't have a cooling fan. I have the EP1500 and found it to be too noisy so I installed a slower 24v fan - it can hardly be heard now and its only 10' from my sitting position. I use it to drive 2 DIY subs. It has more power than most speakers can use. Price for the quieter fan was $15 shipped and well worth it. The EP1500 never gets warm much less hot.

The cheapest 3 channel amp I know of is the Emotiva XPA-3 but for $50 less I'd buy the UPA-5.

EP2500 much better amplifier, more head room as low as $269

http://www.audiolines.com/Pro-Audio/Amplifiers/Professional-Amps/Behringer-EP-2500

You only need a 2-channel, you don't need a power amp for you center speaker!.

 

[Josuah]

The EP4000 is the replacement for the EP2500. They're the exact same spec-wise as far as I can tell. I think they changed it to EP4000 for marketing purposes because 4000W is the peak bridged output into 4 ohms or something like that.