Need help with picking out an amp

[metal6669]

Hi there, I am new here and would appreciate some advise. Right now i own 2 Energy C9 speakers, 2 Energy C3 speakers, and a energy s10.3 sub. I am looking for so help on an amp. I am not looking to use this as a hometheatre system But to use it for music. I have heard some recievers really hurt the sound quality of a cd with all of the surround sound stuff, so that is why I would like an amp or pre amp. I would like something to handle all of these speakers, sound very clean and warm, but have eq adjustments. I was thinking about using a Yamaha AX 596 would this work well or does anyone have a better suggestion? PLease help! Thanks so much

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi there, I am new here and would appreciate some advise. Right now i own 2 Energy C9 speakers, 2 Energy C3 speakers, and a energy s10.3 sub. I am looking for so help on an amp. I am not looking to use this as a hometheatre system But to use it for music. I have heard some recievers really hurt the sound quality of a cd with all of the surround sound stuff, so that is why I would like an amp or pre amp. I would like something to handle all of these speakers, sound very clean and warm, but have eq adjustments. I was thinking about using a Yamaha AX 596 would this work well or does anyone have a better suggestion? PLease help! Thanks so much

Firstly, what you heard about receivers is inaccurate.

What you need is an amp that will drive that speaker load to the level you want to listen to. Speaker impedance, speaker sensitivity, distance from the speakers. Any other needs you want an amp to do, sound processing, EQ, etc. If the Yam has the capability, then go for it.

 

[AVRat]

No Sub pre-out and no EQ adjustment. Do you have a budget in mind? Any desire for SACD/DVD-Audio capability? The Energy speakers are pretty efficient so a good receiver should work fine.

 

[metal6669]

well my budget is around $1000.00. Ya i need a sub-output and a eq. But I really am not looking fo a reciever. I don't need all of the Dolby, DTS and stuff like that. I am using this just for music and I have heard music through a reciever with all of that surround sound stuff and it really hurt the music. But again I don't know all that much about recievers. I am just looking for something that will work great with what I have, sound great, and have all of the output, eq's etc that I need.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

well my budget is around $1000.00. Ya i need a sub-output and a eq. But I really am not looking fo a reciever. I don't need all of the Dolby, DTS and stuff like that. I am using this just for music and I have heard music through a reciever with all of that surround sound stuff and it really hurt the music. But again I don't know all that much about recievers. I am just looking for something that will work great with what I have, sound great, and have all of the output, eq's etc that I need.

If you don't need a tuner, then the Yamaha should work out. Don't be afraid to pick up a graphic eq to tailor your sound even more. The older 10 band eq's go for a song and a dance anymore, and are nice to remove some of that muddy sound, or tone down the highs. Here's the specs on your Yamaha, which look fine for your speakers.

Power, Min. RMS Output power/ch., 8 ohms 20 to 20 kHz, 0.015% THD = 100W Dimensions Width = 17-1/8 in.Height = 6 in.Depth = 15-5/8 in. Weight 24.2 lbs.

 

[j_garcia]

It sounds like what you might be looking for is an integrated amp, although most integrated amps do not have a sub pre-out (you'll have to use speaker level outs and dial it in manually) Check out the Arcam DiVa A-80 or A-65 Plus.

Next would be something like what you listed, a stereo receiver. Most manufacturers have those, so you'll basically have to go give them a listen.

You say "it really hurt the music", I'd have to say you may not have listened on a well setup system then, so don't rule it out. A GOOD receiver, with a proper setup, will not hurt music. I designed my system around music listening - home theater is just a bonus

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am using this just for music and I have heard music through a reciever with all of that surround sound stuff and it really hurt the music.

If you used a processing mode you didn't like, you should have listened with it off. Then the sound should have been unprocessed and just fine. Not sure what you are referring to though.

 

[buckyg4]

There is no reason you would need an EQ. If you need an EQ there is something seriously wrong with the master of the CD or your system. The Arcam intergrated amps above are good. If you are willing to buy used equipment take a look on audiogon. If I had a $1000 and wanted to improve my 2-channel sound I would go with a used Krell 300i integrated amp. If you wanted to upgrade in the future it has a home theater pass through mode where you can turn it into a preamp.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

There is no reason you would need an EQ. If you need an EQ there is something seriously wrong with the master of the CD or your system.

Not necessarily. EQ's can balance a difficult room if room treatments don't correct all the issues.

 

[buckyg4]

Not necessarily. EQ's can balance a difficult room if room treatments don't correct all the issues.

My system is in a room with high ceelings opening to a room with cathedral ceelings, 2 1/2 walls with a half of a wall being a sliding glass door, wood floors and no additional room treatments. This is a difficult room, but I would never alter a recording. You need to match the proper equipment to the room and have proper speaker placement. You don't see anyone making EQs anymore for audiophile applications

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

You don't see anyone making EQs anymore for audiophile applications

Audiophile's have known about pink noise generators and the benefits they provide when used properly. I believe most systems can benefit from a good balancing act. Unless you live in an anechoic chamber, you're not going to reproduce the sound in a recording studio - before or after it's mixed.

There's still a few companies making external eq's that work wonders for home systems. Behringer and Audio Control are two that come to mind.

Manufacturers build in graphic (and sometimes parametric) eq's in a majority of mid to high end receivers. Most of those receivers have built in mics for auto eq and room setup. The McIntosh MA6900 has a 5 band graphic eq. Denon wouldn't have spent all the R/D on the Audyssey MultEqxt Room Eq if it didn't work.

I won't push eq's on anyone, but I will say don't knock them unless you've actually tried one. If you're thrilled with the sound of your system, there's no need. If you think you're missing out somewhere, sometimes an eq is all it takes.

 

[MacManNM]

My system is in a room with high ceelings opening to a room with cathedral ceelings, 2 1/2 walls with a half of a wall being a sliding glass door, wood floors and no additional room treatments. This is a difficult room, but I would never alter a recording. You need to match the proper equipment to the room and have proper speaker placement. You don't see anyone making EQs anymore for audiophile applications

There is no perfect room. Yours is a good example of that, but to think that you can buy equipment that is going to compensate for that is wrong. A parametric Eq is the least that I recomend for almost every system.

On to the original question. I guess I am not clear on what you want to do here. Are you looking to run 4 mains? Or are you looking to run 2 mains with 2 presence speakers? Are you looking for new or used equipment? How much power do you feel you need?

 

[metal6669]

Well what I would like to do is Use my C-9 speakers as my mains and yes use the C-3 speakers for presence. For power I would like something that will power these speakers without having to turn it up to high volumes and risking hitting some distortion, but at the same time have a clean warm sound through out the volume range. And I don't mind using used equipment at all.

 

[jaxvon]

You might want to check out the new Outlaw 1070. They're all about sound quality first, goodies later. It has a lot of nifty features, but it has a beefy amp section. I know a member here recently got one and loves it. It's $899.

I'm also a fan of B&K. They have a characteristically warm sound and are built like tanks. And their customer service is awesome. Look for some of their stuff on AudiogoN.

 

[MacManNM]

Well what I would like to do is Use my C-9 speakers as my mains and yes use the C-3 speakers for presence. For power I would like something that will power these speakers without having to turn it up to high volumes and risking hitting some distortion, but at the same time have a clean warm sound through out the volume range. And I don't mind using used equipment at all.

I would go with a couple high end pieces from the 70's like:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-SPEC-1-PREAMP_W0QQitemZ5810130263QQcategoryZ14974QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-SPEC-2-power-amplifier-working_W0QQitemZ5811972783QQcategoryZ94900QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These pieces are going to give you a nice clean sound, and will last you many years. I would even look into some older Marantz units, like a 2245 that you could use as a preamp tuner, and add an amp. I have used these in many of my 2ch systems. All of these older units are built like tanks. When today's amps are laying in a scrap heap somewhere, these will still be working fine.

 

[droeses58]

You might want to check out the new Outlaw 1070. They're all about sound quality first, goodies later. It has a lot of nifty features, but it has a beefy amp section. I know a member here recently got one and loves it. It's $899.

I think you mean me, Yes?

And yes the Outlaw is the best receiver I've heard for music, in my opinion, and I've had 2 H/K's , 3 Pioneers , Sony and a Denon.

I'm still not sure of it for HT though.

They do offer a 30day no questions asked return policy and they'll even pay for the shipping, also might want to consider some of their other products though if you just don't want a receiver.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/