Multi-channel amps for music only??

[Bevan]

i'm looking to go multichannel without sacrificing stereo performance. i'm looking for a affordable, striped down amplification, and want to spend all of my budget of $1-2000 on sound quality only.

looking for some recomendations. need only be 4.1. also dont want to waste money on video processing as i'll hook my denon 2200 universals scart direct to t.v. also, i dont need any dacs or anything as i want to keep it analogue(the idea of wasting money on redundant chips upsets me).

i would prefere integrated as i think it offers better value for money in this price range. if it werent for the problem of volume matching i would simply get another 2-channel integrated to hook up to the denons rear outs. if only the dvd player had volume controll on it it would be problem solved

sometimes i feel like i'm the only one on these forums thats not interested in video quality and centre channels and the like?

at the moment i'm using a nad 352 with dynaudio 52's. still to get some rear speakers.

one recomendation i've had is for a mapletree 5-channel tube pre-amp for about $1000. i could then use the nads power stage to power the rears and get a nad 270 or the like for the fronts? any other suggestions??

many thanks

bevan

 

[jaxvon]

While I don't claim to have a godly amount of audio product knowledge, from what I do know, the only all-analog multi-channel preamp that I know of is the RE Designs SCPA 1. Audioholics has a nice review of it here. I don't know of an integrated that would do what you want (world isn't perfect ). As far as an amp goes, I'm not sure what you're looking for. If you're into the tube thing, then perhaps that amp your friend suggested would be great. You might want to look into the used market, like at Audiogon or something. Rotel, B&K, Bryston, all good options. Outlaw Audio is another option. I believe ATI makes some of Outlaw's amps (I know they make the monster 7-channel one).

The problem is, most of the time when people go into surround sound, they do it for movies. Also, they often want to take advantage of some processing to set up their multi-channel system. Good luck.

 

[Bevan]

thanks jaxvon. the scpa review was an interesting read. maybe a bit out of my price range though.

came upon another option in my search today, an arcam integrated with a 7.1 board as an optional upgrade.

my search continues...

cheers

bevan

 

[jaxvon]

Oops, sorry about that. I didn't look at the price again and I thought it was cheaper. Good luck with your search though...

 

[mtrycrafts]

i'm looking to go multichannel without sacrificing stereo performance.
many thanks bevan

Why would you think, if that is what you are thinking, that you may sacrifice stereo performance if you go multi channel without some special amp?
You will not, even though some may think this
So, just look for a multi channel component that meets your needs for flexibility to support the software you want to reproduce. Your 2 ch will not suffer.

 

[Bevan]

to be honest, my opinion is only based on heresay freom reading online forums.

but even if video circuitry doesnt impair performance, surely it and all the redundant audio processing chips adds to cost, which means, for my set budget, i would be sacrificing performance?

please tell me if you disagree, i'm here to learn.

thanks for the imput

bevan

 

[Nomo]

I think one misconception you may have is that because some thing has alot of extras that you feel you don't need makes it cost more. Not true. Part of the reason the multichannel stuff is reasonably priced in comparision to the dedicated 2 channel stuff is because the MC is more in demand and is being mass produced.
Take a CD player for example; They cost just as much as a mid priced DVD player. The reason is they've become almost a specialty product. The price isn't higher because they play music better. Rather because not as many people want them.

 

[mtrycrafts]

to be honest, my opinion is only based on heresay freom reading online forums.

OK, Thanks, that would make sense why

but even if video circuitry doesnt impair performance, surely it and all the redundant audio processing chips adds to cost, which means, for my set budget, i would be sacrificing performance?

No, not at all. It is the overall receiver performance you are interested in. If a multi channel will neeet that, able to drive your speakers, your speakers are satifactory to you, the 2 channel performance will not suffer, if I understand what you are driving at.