Parasound HALO, Sunfire Theater Grand, Anthem Statement

[kabeer_g]

Folks,

I just built a new pair of speakers using Scanspeak woofers and RAAL tweeters. I can no longer power them with my old Denon 80 w receiver. So I am planning to use my denon as a pre/pro and get a new Amp. Ideally I want to spend under $2000 and have been looking at both new and used Amps. I just need 5 channel of output. Here are some what I have shortlisted:
a) Anthem Statement A5 - Could buy used one for around $1800
b) Parasound A51 - Used for around $2500 - Outside my budget but still considering
c) Sunfire TGA-5200 - Discontinued, new in box available for around $1500
d) Sunfire TGR-3: Not really an amp, receiver with 200w / channel. Discontinued, New in box for $1500. This is a mystery to me

Looking for some inputs from folks on this forum

 

[mtrycrafts]

Folks,

I just built a new pair of speakers using Scanspeak woofers and RAAL tweeters. I can no longer power them with my old Denon 80 w receiver. So I am planning to use my denon as a pre/pro and get a new Amp. Ideally I want to spend under $2000 and have been looking at both new and used Amps. I just need 5 channel of output. Here are some what I have shortlisted:
a) Anthem Statement A5 - Could buy used one for around $1800
b) Parasound A51 - Used for around $2500 - Outside my budget but still considering
c) Sunfire TGA-5200 - Discontinued, new in box available for around $1500
d) Sunfire TGR-3: Not really an amp, receiver with 200w / channel. Discontinued, New in box for $1500. This is a mystery to me

Looking for some inputs from folks on this forum

A question first. Why can't you power them with that Denon?

 

[kabeer_g]

A question first. Why can't you power them with that Denon?

That sounds like a test question.

More rationale answer
I sit about 3.5 m away. My speakers' sensitivity is about 88db. I need about 95db at listening position. Budgeting for headroom of 5db, my amp needs to pump out about 200 watts at 8 ohm. My current Denon provides only 80 watts

Not so rationale one:

Considering I just spend $3000 on building my own speakers (one could argue parts in it are from speakers in $8K+ range), using a $500 receiver sounds ridiculous

 

[CraigV]

I applaud you for asking the question. The Sunfire receiver is a steal of a deal, but if what you’re going for is neutrality, go with the Anthem.

 

[3db]

The Anthems make some good powerful amps and have agood reputation. I can't comment on the others.

Any chances of picking up a used Bryston?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Any of the amps mentioned, that provide at least a true 200 watts, should be fine with no difference in sound.

A pro amp will work just as well too.

 

[kabeer_g]

Any of the amps mentioned, that provide at least a true 200 watts, should be fine with no difference in sound.

A pro amp will work just as well too.

What is a proamp?

I was hoping people might have strong opinion on this. But seems no

 

[Adam]

A pro amp is a professional amplifier, like the Behringer EP2500 amp in P-Dawg's signature. They don't have the same cosmetics as home theater amps, and some have loud fans (which can be swapped out for quieter ones) - but they tend to cost less.

 

[gene]

given the choices you listed in your post, I'd lean toward either the Parasound or Anthem. Those are nice amps but a bit pricey.

You can also do very well with a new Emotiva XPA-2 to power your front channels and use your receiver to power the rest.

 

[cfrizz]

I love my 5 channel Sunfire amp that is in my signature. I have also had a Parasound 1500A 2 channel amp. You could look into getting one of their New Classic 5250 amps. Or one of Outlaw Audio 5 channel amps.

 

[walter duque]

I would go with a Cinepro 3K6MKIII on the used market for around $2000.00. I think they leave these other amps in the dust, that's just my opinion.

http://www.cinepro.com/

 

[mtrycrafts]

That sounds like a test question.

More rationale answer
I sit about 3.5 m away. My speakers' sensitivity is about 88db. I need about 95db at listening position. Budgeting for headroom of 5db, my amp needs to pump out about 200 watts at 8 ohm. My current Denon provides only 80 watts

Not so rationale one:

Considering I just spend $3000 on building my own speakers (one could argue parts in it are from speakers in $8K+ range), using a $500 receiver sounds ridiculous

That is an interesting answer, and no, it wasn't a test or a trick

Is that 95 dB on the peaks or average?
also, it is not always ridiculous to drive an expensive speaker with a $500 amp. Price is not an indicator of much, just its price.

 

[PENG]

I like the specs and the look of the Parasound A51. A few years ago I was shopping for amps and I was put off by the transformer hum of the Anthem amps. Current models may not have that problem but I suggest you may want to make sure it cannot be heard from say 1 meter away.

 

[PENG]

You could look into getting one of their New Classic 5250 amps. Or one of Outlaw Audio 5 channel amps.

Great idea! I forgot Parasound does offer the classic line models that are more affordable than the Halo ones. I suspect their SQ won't be much different, the Halo products do look better, at least to me.

 

[rmk]

Long time Sunfire amp user here and very happy. Any of the suggestions made thus far would probably provide the head room you need to play your new creations. I doubt that anyone (under blind listening conditions) could tell the difference between the amps or your receiver for that matter. The exception being at higher spl where amp clipping rears its ugly head.

Do you have any pictures of the speakers?

 

[zeuiax]

Long time Sunfire amp user here and very happy. Any of the suggestions made thus far would probably provide the head room you need to play your new creations. I doubt that anyone (under blind listening conditions) could tell the difference between the amps or your receiver for that matter. The exception being at higher spl where amp clipping rears its ugly head.

Do you have any pictures of the speakers?

+1 .....

 

[kabeer_g]

+1 .....

Folks

Thank you for your inputs.

My speakers are right now going through tuning by a legendary crossover designer named Dennis Murphy. As soon as I get them back, I am going to post pictures. I absolutely love them. I got them in Wenge veneer, which is right now the rage in contemporary furniture. I got 2 scanspeak 18W/8531 woofers and Raal 70/20XR tweeter. Tweeter has been crossed around 1900 hz. These pieces absolutely smoke

People at sunfire are some of the nicest guys. I called them up to find out differences between TGR-3 and TGA-5200. They told me that if I connect all channels, TGR-3 might only output 90 or so watts.

Based on some feedback I am now considering Anthem & Parasound. My dealer is giving me 20%+ discount on Anthem. Basically I am getting new Anthem MCA 50 for $2100 (list price $2700). I am looking at Outlaw. Infact considering right now I only have 3 channels, I even considered m200 monoblocks. But I feel its not a bad idea to have flexibility to add 2 channels later.

Keep the feedback coming.

 

[Warpdrv]

Ummmm I think you should be required to post up some pics of these beauties that you have made... Also, Dennis will work wonders with tweaking those for you...


Keep us posted...

 

[walter duque]

You should check out the Cinepro3K6Mk3. You can pick them up on the used market for around 2-3K. Great amps. The only other amp I even consider buying other than Cinepro would be Bryston which are also worldclass amps.

 

[kabeer_g]

After some deliberation I ruled out sunfire and Parasound Halo. However I did add Wyred 4 sound, Outlaw amplifiers and Parasound 5250. So updated list is

a) Wyred 4 sound MC amp
b) Anthem MCA 50/ A5
c) Outlaw audio 7500

Thoughts?