opinions on amp for Monitor Audio Golds

[todd hilliard]

First post to this site. Thinking of a power amp to run my system. Currently have a Denon 3803(will use as a pre-for now), Monitor Audio Gr20's L & R, GrC center, and SFX for SL & SR, & Velodyne dd-12. Pioneer 45a universal DVD player.
Room is rather large at 15' x 24' x 12'H with a few openings. As is, system lacks clarity and definition. I'm not needing any more db, just better quality. The speakers are rather polite on the top end with a slightly fuller mid range. Need an amp that will be synergenic with system. The dealer that I bought them with was bought out by Tweeter and no longer carries this brand. Cannot find any local dealers that stock amps to take home and try.
Budget is to stay under $3000.00. Looking for a revealing, detailed amp.
Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Privateer]

You could look at the rotel RMB-1095.
http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1095.htm

 

[j_garcia]

Might look at the Outlaw 770 too.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products-amps.html

At the higher end, you might look at the B&K 200.7 $2980 MSRP, but you should be able to get it for a little less online (though still have to pay shipping and it isn't light).

 

[todd hilliard]

Thanks for the reply. I have read reviews of just about eveything in my price range. Most don't give a good description of the sonic character of the amp. I hear of matching an amp to your speakers and other components, but it seems more and more that retailers don't stock equipment for actual evaluation. I would even be happy to take my speakers to a store to demo (even though that wouldn't be as good as at my home). As a small business owner, I an sympathetic to the inventory issue, but it seems that the manufacture should be making it easer for the retailer to display merchandise.

I guess I am looking for some specific brands that people are actually using, and happy with, in a set up similar to mine.

 

[j_garcia]

Amps do have an effect, but the processor and DACs have a bigger effect on the end result of the sound. As long as the amp provides enough power to drive the speakers adequately at the most extreme levels you might be listening at, you don't necessarily need to choose one based on sonic characteristics alone. Which DACs are you going to be using? Your receiver's or your players?

I recently picked up my PM-7200 integrated, and I immediately noticed additional detail in my bedroom setup when running it in class A mode, in which it only produces 25w/ch (compared to 95x2 in AB mode). The sonic character is much the same, but the same cannot be said about the amount of current that appears to be flowing to the speakers, and it clearly made a difference, even though my speakers aren't tough to drive at all. In other words, look for the right amount of power and quality of that power for your needs, not just for how the amp "sounds".

 

[todd hilliard]

i typically use the denons for most things, but for dvd-a & sacd i have to use the pioneers. can't tell much difference between the two on standard cd's.
again, thanks for taking time to respond, all comments help more than any of my local dealers.

 

[VS540]

Have a look at Gemstone Blue Diamond http://www.gemstoneaudio.com/?in=d

Emotiva MPS-1 http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=18.1

Rotel RMB-1095 http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1095.htm

Sherbourn 7/2100A http://www.sherbourn.com/products/7_2100.php

B&K Reference 200.7 S2 http://www.bkcomp.com/ref200_57.asp

Parasound Halo A51 (if you look around can find it under $3k)
http://www.parasound.com/halonew/A51front.php

There are lots of amps to choose from for under $3k search around on this site and other sites for more ideas.

 

[todd hilliard]

I have read up on the amps in your list. The Gemstones sound interesting, but not much info out on them yet. Of the others I think I would opt for the Parasound A-51 (b-stock, +/- $2600.00). Many great reviews, 10 year warranty, and better resale value. Any ideas how these would "match up" with my system?

 

[KrisJ]

I fell in love with the MA Golds. When I heard them they were driven by Parasound Halo's. I heard them driven by a 3805 and they still sounded good but nowehere near how they sounded with the Parasound gear

 

[mtrycrafts]

First post to this site. Thinking of a power amp to run my system. Currently have a Denon 3803(will use as a pre-for now), Monitor Audio Gr20's L & R, GrC center, and SFX for SL & SR, & Velodyne dd-12. Pioneer 45a universal DVD player.
Room is rather large at 15' x 24' x 12'H with a few openings. As is, system lacks clarity and definition. I'm not needing any more db, just better quality. The speakers are rather polite on the top end with a slightly fuller mid range. Need an amp that will be synergenic with system. The dealer that I bought them with was bought out by Tweeter and no longer carries this brand. Cannot find any local dealers that stock amps to take home and try.
Budget is to stay under $3000.00. Looking for a revealing, detailed amp.
Any opinions would be appreciated.

Have you considered your problem being the room acoustics? Or, your speakers inadequate for that large space? Clarity and definition as you describe it and my understanding what you mean by this, it sounds more like speakers or room acoustics, or both, not an issue of an amp.

 

[todd hilliard]

I'm sure room has a big part in sound quality. I've got it set up across the 24' length by necessity. Can't really do much with acoustic treatments as it is the living room and wife won't allow. We plan on moving in few years and i will then have a dedicated room. I'm trying to maximaize the system under current conditions, as well as, having the items for long term without needing to upgrade/change.

P.S. previous post. Thanks for the impression on the Halo's. Do you remember what model it was. I've read that the gold really open up with more power (ie. A-51).

 

[RMK!]

I'm sure room has a big part in sound quality. I've got it set up across the 24' length by necessity. Can't really do much with acoustic treatments as it is the living room and wife won't allow. We plan on moving in few years and i will then have a dedicated room. I'm trying to maximaize the system under current conditions, as well as, having the items for long term without needing to upgrade/change.

P.S. previous post. Thanks for the impression on the Halo's. Do you remember what model it was. I've read that the gold really open up with more power (ie. A-51).

Todd,
Copy from another post.

I recently upgraded my front speakers to Monitor Audio Gold (GR60's) and felt these were more than the 3805 could handle. Not that they sounded bad, just not as clear and detailed as I had heard when auditioning them. I had been looking for a power amp to compliment the Denon and finally decided on a Sunfire 200 5.1 that I found on AudiogoN. The unit had problems but I sent it to Sunfire who have a great repair program. For a flat fee of $235 they repair the amp and give you a one year warranty on the repair. They even pay the return shipping. So for about $1,000, I got a $2,500 retail amp with warranty. But the good part is how the Sunfire sounds with the GR 60's. The difference is amazing. The speakers opened up and now give me the sound that drew me to them in demo. I did not believe that more clean power could have such a dramatic effect on the speaker’s performance.

I actually did a listening test with an SPL meter just before installing the Sunfire and recorded my observations. Not exactly scientific but just a reference point for me. As I said, the difference in clarity at all listening levels is noticeable. When it gets loud, the differences are the most noticeable.

 

[AVRat]

That Halo should open those speakers up nicely and provide the detail you're looking for since you're gaining 170% additional available power. The amp specs should also read 325W @ 6 ohms to relate to your speakers. Is that overkill for speakers rated at 150W? Define overkill!!

 

[todd hilliard]

avrat,
thanks again for the reply. i'm not sure what you are saying. The gold's are rated at a RMS 150 @ 6 Ohms and the silver surrounds are RMS 100 @ 8 Ohms. Not sure what peak ratings are, not listed in my manual.
If I'm not concerned with gaining any Db's, just want better quality, what power amp would get the job done. I have read that they really respond well to higher power. But I am also a little concerned with over driving the silver's if i go to the A-51( or something similar). I know that it is better to go with more power than not enough.

 

[AVRat]

Nothing wrong with that amp. I drive 80W speakers with receiver at 180W and the detail at 75dB is phenomenal.

 

[marwp]

MF with MA

You should look into some Musical Fidelity Amps. That is what Monitor Audio uses. They can be very expensive but you should be able to find some amps in your price range...especialy on audiogon. The best thing about Musical Fidelity is the almost unlimited current (depending on model) available to your speakers.....it will really open them up.