Need an Amplifier recommendation

[gonzalc3]

Hi,

I have a M&K 7.1 S150 speaker system (with the M350 SFX subwoofer) currently driven by a Denon 3808 receiver. I have the feeling that my speakers are not at driven their potential and that the receiver runs
quite hot. I am thinking on adding a 5 channel power amplifier and have the receiver just power the surround back channels.
The speaker specifications are as follows: Sensitivity 89.5db, power recommended 50-400 watts, rms, 4ohm...
I have been reading about the parasound a51.. Is there another good amplifier that I should be considering for these speakers?

Thanks

Christian

 

[rnatalli]

Take a look at Emotiva's offerings. The MPS-2 or mixing and matching several of their XPA amps. The X series come in 2, 3, and 5 channel configurations and offer loads of power at a reasonable price.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I second Emotiva.

http://www.emotiva.com/xpa5.html

This amp runs a true 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and even more into 4 ohms:

# 200 watts RMS/channel into 8 ohms, all channels driven

* 5 channels - 8 ohm = 200 watts per channel
* 4 channels - 8 ohm = 230 watts per channel
* 3 channels - 8 ohm = 250 watts per channel
* 2 channels - 8 ohm = 275 watts per channel
* 1 channel - 8 ohm = 300 watts per channel

# 4 ohm rating:

* 5 channels - 4 ohm = 350 watts per channel
* 4 channels - 4 ohm = 375 watts per channel
* 3 channels - 4 ohm = 400 watts per channel
* 2 channels - 4 ohm = 450 watts per channel
* 1 channel - 4 ohms = 500 watts per channel

And at $799.00 its a bargain in my book.

Ric

 

[fmw]

Hi,

I have a M&K 7.1 S150 speaker system (with the M350 SFX subwoofer) currently driven by a Denon 3808 receiver. I have the feeling that my speakers are not at driven their potential and that the receiver runs
quite hot.Christian

Is it just a feeling or is there something concrete that leads to the opinion? The heat generated by the receiver results mostly from the efficiency of the design.

 

[gonzalc3]

Is it just a feeling or is there something concrete that leads to the opinion? The heat generated by the receiver results mostly from the efficiency of the design.

Actually the receiver was running pretty hot. Also, the dynamics were not that great.
Recently, I got a Rotel 1075 and there was a huge improvement.. First, the dynamics, then depth and also a wider sound stage...The only thing that I would like to improve is the air around performers.. I have been thinking on getting a parasound A52, but my hunch is that the amplifier tends to be in the bright side and I would like to have one more in the warmer sound side...

 

[3db]

Hi,

I have a M&K 7.1 S150 speaker system (with the M350 SFX subwoofer) currently driven by a Denon 3808 receiver. I have the feeling that my speakers are not at driven their potential and that the receiver runs
quite hot. I am thinking on adding a 5 channel power amplifier and have the receiver just power the surround back channels.
The speaker specifications are as follows: Sensitivity 89.5db, power recommended 50-400 watts, rms, 4ohm...
I have been reading about the parasound a51.. Is there another good amplifier that I should be considering for these speakers?

Thanks

Christian

Whats your budget like?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Actually the receiver was running pretty hot. Also, the dynamics were not that great.
Recently, I got a Rotel 1075 and there was a huge improvement.. First, the dynamics, then depth and also a wider sound stage...The only thing that I would like to improve is the air around performers.. I have been thinking on getting a parasound A52, but my hunch is that the amplifier tends to be in the bright side and I would like to have one more in the warmer sound side...

Are you sure the Rotel amp wasn't just LOUDER?

What happens if you just increase the volume on the Denon 3808?

Some people tend to think that Denon amps are on the "warmer-sounding" side.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

A lot of people will tell you that amps dont have their own sound(warm, bright...) but I have to tell you, as I set here and listen to my EMO at a decent volume, I get this smooth, sweet, chocolate taste in my mouth....

Scratch that... I just realized I am eating M&M'S as I am listening to music....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

A lot of people will tell you that amps dont have their own sound(warm, bright...) but I have to tell you, as I set here and listen to my EMO at a decent volume, I get this smooth, sweet, chocolate taste in my mouth....

Scratch that... I just realized I am eating M&M'S as I am listening to music....

***LMAO***

 

[Midcow2]

Just power amp front Towers!

Hi,

I have a M&K 7.1 S150 speaker system (with the M350 SFX subwoofer) currently driven by a Denon 3808 receiver. I have the feeling that my speakers are not at driven their potential and that the receiver runs
quite hot. I am thinking on adding a 5 channel power amplifier and have the receiver just power the surround back channels.
The speaker specifications are as follows: Sensitivity 89.5db, power recommended 50-400 watts, rms, 4ohm...
I have been reading about the parasound a51.. Is there another good amplifier that I should be considering for these speakers?

Thanks

Christian

Try this idea first, just think about power your front towers! That is where most of your power is needed. Take your front pre-outs and hook up to Behringer A500 Reference Studio Power Amplifier $199.95
Provides 2 channel 230 watts into 4 ohms or 500watts into ohms bridged.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHA500

 

[gonzalc3]

In terms of budget, I guess that I could go up to two grand.

The denon to my ears is in the neutral/bright side.
By adding the Rotel it didn't simply increase the volume, it improve dynamics, depth and made a sound stage wider.
The sort of bad thing that I noticed yesterday after experimenting a bit, is that the Rotel seems to be applying some sort of THX post processing, therefore rolling off the highs.. This is a good thing for some material, but I rather have that option by switching it in the PRe/PRo. Since the Denon 3808 does have that option, I am leaning to get another amplifier that is on the warm side but that doesn't roll off any frequencies...

For this reason I am open to suggestions...
So far, here is what I have learned, the emotiva tends to be neutral, the rotel warm but rolls off upper frequencies... The parasound I heard good things about it, but I haven't been able to determine whether is warm or neutral sound...

 

[rnatalli]

So far, here is what I have learned, the emotiva tends to be neutral, the rotel warm but rolls off upper frequencies... The parasound I heard good things about it, but I haven't been able to determine whether is warm or neutral sound...

What you've learned is that human beings are subject to the placebo effect. Buy an Emotiva and save your money.

 

[fmw]

For this reason I am open to suggestions...
So far, here is what I have learned, the emotiva tends to be neutral, the rotel warm but rolls off upper frequencies... The parasound I heard good things about it, but I haven't been able to determine whether is warm or neutral sound...

We've already explained that modern solid state power amplifers don't have a sound. Any perceived sound comes from the biases of the listeners and not from the equipment itself. Since you don't want to believe that, then I would suggest you just buy whatever appeals to you and stop worrying about it. Continuing to ask the same question will only get the same answers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am leaning to get another amplifier that is on the warm side but that doesn't roll off any frequencies...

A "warm" sounding amp to someone else may not be "warm" sounding to you.

It all depends on a lot of things, like room acoustics + speakers.

Just try out some amps from a local store so that you can return easily if you need to.

 

[Midcow2]

Onkyos are warm sounding to everyone

A "warm" sounding amp to someone else may not be "warm" sounding to you.

It all depends on a lot of things, like room acoustics + speakers.

Just try out some amps from a local store so that you can return easily if you need to.

Onkyos are warm sounding to everyone


Watch out for the "Group Think" pheomena! But that is better than the Stockholm Syndrome I encountered with some of Dr. Amar's products

 

[3db]

Onkyos are warm sounding to everyone


Watch out for the "Group Think" pheomena! But that is better than the Stockholm Syndrome I encountered with some of Dr. Amar's products

Brystons, Classe, Anthem sound cold because they come from the great white north, eh??

 

[Midcow2]

WOW everyone missed my subtle joke!

Onkyos are warm sounding to everyone


Watch out for the "Group Think" pheomena! But that is better than the Stockholm Syndrome I encountered with some of Dr. Amar's products

WOW everyone missed my subtle joke! Onkyos are "hot to the touch" temperature-wise during normal operations! JOKE

 

[Midcow2]

Brystons, Classe, Anthem sound cold because they come from the great white north, eh??

3db - Good One !