Please share your experience -Best 5 channel amp for $3500 or less?

[boe]

Hello,

I'm going crazy and buying a bunch of new stuff. I've gotten a lot of help from various forums and have decided to get a new amp to replace my Rotel and try to have similar power to my Parasound (HCA-3500) for the rest of the speakers. I'm hooking it up to some Von Schweikert VR4 SRs. I'd prefer not to go Class D as I believe they'd be a little harsh - although 5 years from now I'd like to see how far they've progressed.

1. I'd like to get something that is somewhere between 350-500 watts at 4 ohms.

2. I'd like it to be black to kind of match my other equipment as it is in an exposed rack.

3. Ideally it would have the option of balanced connections as well as standard unbalanced.

I'm currently looking at Cinenova, Anthem P2-demo'd, and others. Your input would help. Big differences in prices and I'm OK if the sound is worth it.

Thanks

 

[OttoMatic]

I enjoy my Sunfire Cinema Grand. The new models should supply the power you require, they don't run hot, they're black, they have balanced inputs and should fall into your budget.

Good luck!

 

[adk highlander]

I'm sure you have seen the talk of Emotiva here but I did not see you mention them. If you are willing to buy off the internet they are one to check out. You can configure the MPS-1 & 2 up to seven channels and they are rated at 300w @ 4ohms. Oh and they have balanced inputs.

 

[gmichael]

I'm sure you have seen the talk of Emotiva here but I did not see you mention them. If you are willing to buy off the internet they are one to check out. You can configure the MPS-1 & 2 up to seven channels and they are rated at 300w @ 4ohms. Oh and they have balanced inputs.

I don't think they cost enough. He could send the extra to me though.

 

[rnatalli]

I heard a Bryston not too long ago that was one of the best I've ever heard, but it was no where near 300 watts per channel. I've heard an Emotiva MPS-1 and it is an excellent amp.

 

[boe]

Thanks for the input - I'm trying to keep an open mind even though I obviously have predjudices. I like the Bryston's but you are right not enough power but they are built - they are a teeny bit bright but if they made one with power to match my other amp I'd probably get one. Not a big fan of emots can't explain it but that is why they make so many flavors of ice cream - not everyone (including experts) will agree on audio equipment. I have a sunfire sub that sucks so I'm probably a little shy about going with any more sunfire stuff I hear their older stuff is better made than their current stuff.

 

[surveyor]

I recommend that you check out the Outlaw Audio Amps!
I own an Outlaw 770 amp. I really like it.
Here's a link:
http://outlawaudio.com/products/index.html

Kelly

 

[gmichael]

I recommend that you check out the Outlaw Audio Amps!
I own an Outlaw 770 amp. I really like it.
Here's a link:
http://outlawaudio.com/products/index.html

Kelly

He could also go with 5 Outlaw 2200 Monoblock Amps.

 

[boe]

Narrowed down -

OK - I could drag my feet for months and play the I should have got or should have waited game forever. I'm going to narrow it down to an earthquake or an anthem. Unfortunately the dealer demo anthem I saw has already sold (my own fault for taking too long). If anyone knows of a really good deal on an anthem P5 please let me know otherwise I'll go with the Cinenova.

 

[zumbo]

Adcom 1000+/-.

Rotel in the 2000+/-.

Bryston in the 3500+.

McIntosh in the 5000+.

 

[zumbo]

6-channel Mac. 200Wx6. 100lbs:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1196090249

 

[Seth=L]

Regarding the Sunfire dilema...

The Sunfire True sub is conceptually different from most subwoofers. Their rating of 2700 watts is a peak rating that the amplifier can deliver, but is missleading because of the driver it is powering. 200-300 real wattage is what you get from the Sunfire True subwoofer.

The Sunfire Cinema Grand has some of the principle characteristics of the Sunfire True Subwoofer's amplifier, but it is a much larger and versatile amplifier (obviously more versatile). Sunfire amplifiers can drive virtually any load, even ESLs to fairly extreme levels of output and generate minimal amounts of heat. Since the design is fair more efficient, the amplifier does not need to have a massive power supply and ergo way over 100 pounds. Sunfire is not typical, and their sound is certainly what you would call bright. You have the option to make them sound like a tube amplifier or to run neutral.

 

[dorokusai]

You might add Adcom to that list of choices. They are usually fairly priced, reliable and easily found.

The HCA-3500 is a beast of an amplifier. I have a hybrid of that amp and the Parasound JC-1 monoblock, the CTC BBQ and it is probably the only piece of gear that will never see the doorway.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[PENG]

Thanks for the input - I'm trying to keep an open mind even though I obviously have predjudices. I like the Bryston's but you are right not enough power but they are built - they are a teeny bit bright but if they made one with power to match my other amp I'd probably get one. Not a big fan of emots can't explain it but that is why they make so many flavors of ice cream - not everyone (including experts) will agree on audio equipment. I have a sunfire sub that sucks so I'm probably a little shy about going with any more sunfire stuff I hear their older stuff is better made than their current stuff.

Would you consider a 3 channel amp such as the Bryston 6B? Do you really need 300W into 8 ohms, 500W into 4 ohms for the surround channels? The 6B will perform well with any speakers for 2 channel music.

 

[Cavediver]

I have a D-Sonic Magnum 2000-5. Its $2,590 plus a little shipping from California. Its a fantastic amp which uses Icepower amp modules. The front 3 channels are 525 watts each into 8 ohms and the surround amps are 250 watts each into 8 ohms. Double the wattage for 4 ohms. The amp is completely neutral and transparent. Right now I have mine paired with a Pioneer Elite 84, but I'm waiting on an Integra 9.8 pre-amp/processor.

http://www.d-sonic.net/

 

[Seth=L]

I have a D-Sonic Magnum 2000-5. Its $2,590 plus a little shipping from California. Its a fantastic amp which uses Icepower amp modules. The front 3 channels are 525 watts each into 8 ohms and the surround amps are 250 watts each into 8 ohms. Double the wattage for 4 ohms. The amp is completely neutral and transparent. Right now I have mine paired with a Pioneer Elite 84, but I'm waiting on an Integra 9.8 pre-amp/processor.

http://www.d-sonic.net/

Those are Class D, I don't know much about the Icepower modules or if they help neutralize the amplifier.

 

[boe]

Made my decision

After a long decision process, I've decided to go with the Anthem P5. Now the search is on for a good deal. I realize I could buy a used one from audiogon or ebay but then I wouldn't qualify for the warranty. I'm going to see what I can find - hopefully a dealer demo or a really good new price however most dealers in my area are by appointment only - not places you'll find deals.

 

[agarwalro]

I've decided to go with the Anthem P5

If this review is anything to go by, you should be very satisfied.

 

[majorloser]

Take a look at Gemstone Audio's "Blue Diamond".
Made in the USA
400wpc into 4 ohms. Class A-AB amps
5-channel amp for $2299

http://www.gemstoneaudio.com/?in=d

 

[jcPanny]

Axiom 8 channel amp

The new Axiom digital amp sounds interesting, 1400 Watts dynamically assignable to any of the 8 channels. It will be used in one of the demo rooms at the AH party so there should be some feedback on this site.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/A1400-8.html