SHERWOOD NEWCASTLE 7CH POWER AMPLIFIER upgrade question

[TankTurner]

I am re-posting this question in this forum as i thought this forum topic was more appropriate .


I currently have Infinity Beta 50s(20-250w)and matching Center Beta 360 and Polk Audio F/Xi A6Bipole/Dipole sides and am replacing my rears with two more Infinity Beta 50s for the rears. to match fronts

I have connected my new(used) ONKYO TX-NR808 135wx7, FR, FL & Center preouts to My (previous)Sony STRG800’s 110w x7, Multi Channel inputs and used the button on the front “Multi Channel "Direct" button. And I now have the 2nd amp/receiver(sony) powering the three fronts and the onkyo powering the surrounds the new 50s and providing all sounds to speakers through(straight through just amplification)(no distortion). And also have all speaker volume control with the main volume control on ONKYO. (i have my sony on a preset volume)(then calibrated all levels accordingly and set). sounds great ..Depth and Sound stage are finally full and sound great..for me. And all that I have to do is power up the two units on start up. But i think i can power up both at same time using remote programming options. i have three active subs which connect to onkyo

I have an oppertunity to purchase a
SHERWOOD NEWCASTLE 7CH POWER AMPLIFIER $500-600.

i am trying to see the benefit of trading out the Sony and using the Onkyo just as a pre-amp and having the sherwood drive all 7 speakers, there are some small conveniences like 12v auto on etc. but are there some advantages or differences in sound that or amplification methods that i am not seeing/ I see that it is like 12 inches tall , and I would have to shift some things around quite a bit to accommodate and provide adequate ventilation that is a set up disadvantage. The pros would have to outweigh the cons is what im getting at.
the 500 bucks is also a consideration(alot for me) ..Thanks
Here are some speaker specs so you could see them.

Specifications:

SHERWOOD SPECS
1050 Watt 7 Channel Main Amplifier

• Designed for Low Impedance Loads
• All-Channels-Driven Power 20 Hz-20kHz 100 Watts per channel (x 7) into 8 ohms 160 Watts per channel (x 7) into 4 ohms
• THD <0.02% from 20 Hz-20 kHz, 8 ohms
• THD <0.09% from 20 Hz-20 kHz, 4 ohms
• 2 Toroidal Power Transformers
• 7 Separate Discrete Amplifier Modules Built as 7 Separate Monoblock Amplifiers
• Totally Discrete Amplifier Stage for All Channels
• Gold Plated Inputs
• Heavy-Duty Speaker Binding Posts compatible with bare wire, banana plugs and spade lugs
• Remote turn-on via 12-Volt external input
• Aluminum Front Panel

Infinity C360 Center (current)

● Drivers: One 1" Tweeter, One 4" Midrange, Two 6.5"
Woofers
● MFR: 45 Hz - 20 kHz ± 3 dB
● Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
● Sensitivity: 91 dB @ 2.83v @ 1 m
● Recommended Power: 10 - 200 Watts
● Dimensions: 8.5" H x 25.6" W x 11.75" D
● Weight: 34.5 Pounds
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infinity Beta 50 Tower (current)(buy two more and have four matched)
● Drivers: One 1" Tweeter, One 5" Midrange, Two 8"
Woofers
● MFR: 35 Hz - 20 kHz ± 3 dB
● Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
● Sensitivity: 91 dB @ 2.83v @ 1 m
● Recommended Power: 10 - 250 Watts
● Dimensions: 41.3" H x 10.4" W x 14.8" D
● Weight: 62.5 Pounds/Each

 

[Seth=L]

Do you primarily watch movies or do you listen to multichannel music as well?

If you don't do multichannel music I'd advise to stay away from monopole speakers, such as the Beta 50 for surround use. There are some Beta series surround speakers that are quite well regarded, although I do not recall the model number. They have an adjustment on them that allows for different configurations based on what you're using them for.

If you do primarily multichannel music then I would seriously consider the Beta 50 for surrounds.

Almost forgot about the amplifier. That's not a bad price IMO, those are some well made amplifiers and use a central power supply if I recall correctly which lends the amp to have more dynamic headroom assuming each amplifier channel is up to the task.

Looks like a couple of those Sherwood Newcastle 965 amps sold on eBay recently for about $400

 

[TankTurner]

i listen to 50%of music 50% movies. And these 50s are for the rears. I have polk audio F/Xi A6..Bipole -Dipole for my sides.. Im committed already on the 50s already. But you peaked my interest I will look up the Beta surrounds .

 

[TankTurner]

Ill keep an eye out for the Infinity ES250s Surrounds Im gonna get the 50s tomorrow just so I have them. rears for now Zone 2 later if i can find ES250S FOR REARs. i Could also try the 50s on the sides and move the Bipoles to the rear right? the room really won't not allow it but i have read that is a good set up...with monos side and BI/DI poles rear right?

 

[Seth=L]

Hmm, I would think the dipoles would be better on the sides and the monopoles would be better in the rear, maybe someone else could chime in on this.