Newby needs some guidance for an amp

[thejknight]

Hi there an thanks in advance for any input you can give me. I'm currently in need of 1 amp for one of the following scenarios:

Music room: strictly stereo listening have an Adcom preamp run to 2 Final Sound subs (using the sub crossover), output to an oldskool Onkyo TXSV909PRO to act as an amp for a set of Final Sound 700 panels. The receiver shuts off pretty consistently at a reasonable volume so I need to get it out of the picture and replace with a descent amp for the job.

If I steel the Adcom gfa-555 from my living room for the music room I would need something to drive a set of DefTech BP2000TL speakers in there.

So I would like to find an amp most suited for the Final Sound speakers ideally but if the Adcom is the way to go, then I would like to get a bit more power behind the DT's in the LR. I prefer to buy used gear and have little fear of buying on Craigslist or Ebay. Can anyone recommend a solid amp for +/-$400 used?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi, and Welcome to Audioholics.

About a brand new of those:

@ http://www.emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

* I know, I know, it's twice your budget, but it's more than twice everything else.
Besides, you'll be able to make any future use of it to your heart content.

Or this one then, also brand new:

@ http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtm
-> Now, that's $100 less than your budget.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[oppman99]

Bob is definately correct about Emotiva. I own a pair of the monoblocks as well as the XPA-2. From personal experience, Emotiva amps will give you excellent dynamics and great control over your bass. You will be hard pressed to find a better value for your money. If you find a used model, the 5 year warranty is also transferrable. I'm debating selling my XPA-2 and getting an XPA-5 for my theater setup. I'd really like to keep the 2 and add a 3, but space issues are a concern. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about Emotiva. Good luck!

 

[lsiberian]

Hi there an thanks in advance for any input you can give me. I'm currently in need of 1 amp for one of the following scenarios:

Music room: strictly stereo listening have an Adcom preamp run to 2 Final Sound subs (using the sub crossover), output to an oldskool Onkyo TXSV909PRO to act as an amp for a set of Final Sound 700 panels. The receiver shuts off pretty consistently at a reasonable volume so I need to get it out of the picture and replace with a descent amp for the job.

If I steel the Adcom gfa-555 from my living room for the music room I would need something to drive a set of DefTech BP2000TL speakers in there.

So I would like to find an amp most suited for the Final Sound speakers ideally but if the Adcom is the way to go, then I would like to get a bit more power behind the DT's in the LR. I prefer to buy used gear and have little fear of buying on Craigslist or Ebay. Can anyone recommend a solid amp for +/-$400 used?

For subs you should be using a pro audio amp like the Behringer EP2500.

It costs around 250 from zzounds.com new.

Why anyone would suggest an emotiva amp for a subwoofer is baffling?

fYI the ep2500 is capable of using all the power your power oulet can send. So you won't find a more powerful or better amp for your needs.

 

[AVRat]

The amp is for the speakers, not the subs.

 

[thejknight]

For subs you should be using a pro audio amp like the Behringer EP2500.

It costs around 250 from zzounds.com new.

Why anyone would suggest an emotiva amp for a subwoofer is baffling?

fYI the ep2500 is capable of using all the power your power oulet can send. So you won't find a more powerful or better amp for your needs.

Sorry, I should have been more descriptive. The subs are powered thus why they are being driven only by a preamp. The subs have a crossover setting designed to work with the matched panels so I need an amp to go between the subs and the panels to power the panels only. Its a shame I cant find much from Emotiva used.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Sorry, I should have been more descriptive. The subs are powered thus why they are being driven only by a preamp. The subs have a crossover setting designed to work with the matched panels so I need an amp to go between the subs and the panels to power the panels only. Its a shame I cant find much from Emotiva used.

That's because they are that good.
They are worth their full weight of gold.

* But the UPA-2 is only $299, and when on sale, it's $269. It's an excellent amp.

And if you go to Audiogon, you'll find excellent deals on all type of amps, for all various power ranges, and for all different prices, even in your target area.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[chris357]

b&k, lexicon, classe are all good and there are probably many various deals used on audiogon all the time alot for under 500 although that emotiva looks liek a heck of a value I have to admit I do like power !!!!!!!

 

[Lordoftherings]

b&k, lexicon, classe are all good and there are probably many various deals used on audiogon all the time alot for under 500 although that emotiva looks liek a heck of a value I have to admit I do like power !!!!!!!

Hmmm... You forgot mentioning Bryston.

 

[TLS Guy]

Those Final electrostatic panels are highly regarded. However electrostatic speakers present a complex load to amps,which cause all sorts of stabaility problems and ringing.

To get the best out of them they deserve a Quad 909, which was deigned to work flawlessly to all loads, especially electrostatics. I would not be driving those speakers with an Emotiva.

There are two 909s for sale on Audiogon now.

I regard them as the ultimate domestic amplifier. You can see two of them here, they are the two lower amps. The ones above are Quad 405-2s

 

[Lordoftherings]

Those Final electrostatic panels are highly regarded. However electrostatic speakers present a complex load to amps,which cause all sorts of stabaility problems and ringing.

To get the best out of them they deserve a Quad 909, which was deigned to work flawlessly to all loads, especially electrostatics. I would not be driving those speakers with an Emotiva.

There are two 909s for sale on Audiogon now.

I regard them as the ultimate domestic amplifier. You can see two of them here, they are the two lower amps. The ones above are Quad 405-2s

Thanks TLS Guy for that link on those Quad amps.
A buddy of mine is already in touch with the seller.

Have a great day sir,
Bob

 

[thejknight]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, unfortunately most were well out of my price range. I ended up with a used Onkyo M504 from ebay. If one day I can splurge for the Quad Ill move the M504 into the game room system. I need a ridiculous amount of power there for some subs.. But thats another topic.

Here is the somewhat finished room:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58425