so if i was to get an amp

[bryantm3]

i emailed them.

 

[bryantm3]

here was my reply:

Daniel,
I read through that thread, there seems to be some confusion.
Anyway, we do get this question from the more technical enthusiasts.
The common misconception, is to whip out a multi-meter read the
impedance across the speaker terminals and assume that is the nominal
impedance of the entire speaker. Nothing can be further from the
truth.
A multimeter is only capable of reading resistance (not impedance,
which
is resistance AND inductance) at DC (direct current, or 0 Hz). A
loudspeaker operates only at AC- alternating current where the actual
impedance varies with the frequency being reproduced. Generally, the
impedance at which the speaker will be operating at, will be higher
then
that of its DC resistance rating. The impedance goes up, and it goes
down, in a nutshell it is all over the place especially when playing
music/movie content. The 8 ohm rating provided by a manufacturer (not
just us, all loudspeakers) is a very rounded number, thus the words
"nominal". It takes very complex and expensive test equipment to
measure the actual impedance of a loudspeaker. There are some
speakers,
particularly of esoteric designs such as planar-magnetic, and
electro-static which will read close to a short circuit if a multimeter
method is applied to them.

In conclusion, 1) the 8 ohm nominal rating is correct. 2) We like
amplifiers from the following companies: Adcom, Rotel, Parasound, B&K,
NAD, Marantz, Outlaw Audio, Audio By Van Alstine as well as a few
others.


Eric Wong
Customer Service/Tech Support
www.polkaudio.com
1-800-377-7655
(410) 358-3600


so it looks like i'll need the outlaw amp, but i'll look up some more.

 

[bryantm3]

looks like all of those amps are WAY out of my price range. the only thing i could afford would be the monoblock outlaw audio. so it looks like i'm back where i started again.

 

[bryantm3]

i might as well start this whole thread over. anyone got some advice?

 

[zildjian]

i might as well start this whole thread over. anyone got some advice?

What!? You don't need to start anything over. There's TONS of good advice in all the replies you've gotten already and they cover the main areas you need to consider... are you happy with your speakers...if no why... is it an amp issue or a speaker issue that you don't like...

If it's an amp issue....Buying a power amp is a great investment audiowise. You can keep it and use it forever for future systems with preamp outputs, they seldom have problems as long as you have a good one, and a larger power supply in an external amp will add extra headroom over all but the $5K flagship receivers... if $$$ is an issue, just get 2 of the outlaw mono's... or again, used amps are fine as long as it's a good amp, I've bought several amps used and so far, never had a problem. Amps also aren't rocket science to have fixed, whereas I'd never dream of trying to operate on a receiver or processor. you said you don't like buying used, so just save your money and get a good amp new. it's not going to make your system worse. You always can buy a new amp from a place that has a 100% satisfaction return policy, if it doesn't add to the sound what you want, return it and try something else. as far as budget amps go, some people have bought the behringer a500 that way from parts express, some loved it and rave about it, some thought the treble was harsh and returned it for a full refund. that's a pretty simple option. Or go for a couple outlaw mono's if you want to go gradually, or spring for a larger one.

if it's a speaker issue, then it's time to jump threads and go to the loudspeaker threads and start reading.

There's more advice, and I doubt I added much of anything that hasn't been hashed out twice already in the above 40+ posts, but maybe it's good to read it again. Like you said, it was time to start the thread over.

 

[PENG]

i might as well start this whole thread over. anyone got some advice?

How about this one?

http://207.228.230.231/info/C272_data.pdf

Not quite 200WX2 but huge dynamic power and price seems reasonable.

 

[bryantm3]

do you think it'll make a difference from my current reciever which does 100Wx7?


(the amp he linked was 150 watts, for anyone who doesn't want to open a PDF)

 

[zildjian]

virtually any external amplifier will add power to your system over the receiver. if you ran just the two main channels off an external amp and the rest of your speakers off the receiver, then that would be that much less power drain from the receiver's power supply that it could use to power the rest of the channels.
so yes, it would make a difference, but again, don't know if that's the difference you're looking for or not. that's up to you to figure out.

 

[bryantm3]

i'll probably just go with a couple of the outlaw mono amps- there seems to be no other solution.

thanks for the help, everyone!

 

[wire]

i'll probably just go with a couple of the outlaw mono amps- there seems to be no other solution.

thanks for the help, everyone!

How bout something used ?
Carver AV806 on Ebay 135 watts rms into 6 channels , or 365 into 3 channels @ 8 ohms . Can be used in 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 or 6 channel .
There 2 on auction .
look into there 2 channel stuff , if the price is right .

Or something like that .

 

[mtrycrafts]

I read about someone measured the impedance to be around 4 ohms on yet another thread but I thought he used an ohmmeter. An ohmmeter cannot measured an impedance that has reactive and capacitive reactance and varies with frequencies such as that of a loudspeaker. An ohmmeter measures resistance.
.

If I remember correctly, they used a DC ohm meter, each section was 8 ohms and the person used the parallel DC resistance to make the case for 4 ohms. But, with frequency driving the impedance, that is not how it works as the low side will have high impedance to the high frequencies and vice verse.

 

[mtrycrafts]

do you think it'll make a difference from my current reciever which does 100Wx7?


(the amp he linked was 150 watts, for anyone who doesn't want to open a PDF)

How loud do you play it or want to play it? What is the sensitivity rating on those speakers? That 100 watt should do in most cases but certainly not all

 

[PENG]

i'll probably just go with a couple of the outlaw mono amps- there seems to be no other solution.

thanks for the help, everyone!

Just a couple of points:
- The Outlaw Monoblock switched to class G when output exceeds 80W. According to Outlaw, that only takes 2 microseconds and is supposedly inaudible.
- The NAD costs about the same, less continuous power but more dynamic power.

In any case, whether you will hear a difference or not is hard to predict, but at least you will get a major increase in clean power.

 

[Doug917]

I too would buy something used in your position. I am not just saying this because I have something to sell either. You can browse the classifieds here or check out Audiogon for some great used units. Just try to stay with good brands (ATI, Outlaw, Rotel, Emotiva, etc). I just think you can save a lot of dough buying used and still get the warranty that helps you sleep at night. Not sure who all has the transferable warranty (I know Outlaw does as well as Bryston - though Bryston amp may be getting out of your price range). For the price of 2 Outlaw monoblocks you come close to getting a used 5-channel x 200 watt amp.

You may also want to read some threads at AVSforum about the monoblocks. I have seen a few people who buy these to power their front speakers and end up putting them on surround duty because they couldn't handle large amounts of power. The Outlaw monoblocks are also not made by ATI. ATI is a well regarded company when it comes to amps and Outlaw's multichannel amps are made in ATI's facility.

Good luck and research your options before getting the monoblocks.

 

[WmAx]

If you do not mind used gear, the Adcom 555 is a viable option. It produces 235-240 watts per channel into 8 ohms according to 3rd party measurements back in the late 80's. It is rated for 600 watts into 8 ohms, bridged mono. I have no idea what the actual power output in bridged operation was, but it was probably considerably higher, just as the per channel measured output. I have one of these units, and it is very robust. I have driven 2 ohm nominal rated(actually 2.8 ohms nominal measured) subwoofers at high SPLs for long durations with no problem(s). Best part is you can get these on ebay for a low price.

-Chris

 

[bryantm3]

okay, i just don't feel comfortable buying used electronics. i'm sorry. but if no one can show me a stereo amp that can deliver 200 Watts/channel into 8 ohms, then it looks like the outlaw monoblocks are the best i can find, because i don't think i can afford a 5 channel amp right now.

 

[highfihoney]

okay, i just don't feel comfortable buying used electronics. i'm sorry. but if no one can show me a stereo amp that can deliver 200 Watts/channel into 8 ohms, then it looks like the outlaw monoblocks are the best i can find, because i don't think i can afford a 5 channel amp right now.

qsc makes some sweet amplifiers at excellent prices,these amps can be found at any local pro sound outlet like a guitar store or a dj supply,if you buy one from the chain of stores called the guitar center they offer a 30 day no questions asked cash back gaurantee,check out the link below.

http://www.qscaudio.com/products/products.htm#Amplifier_Models

 

[Doug917]

Bryantm3,

I can almost guarantee once you hear what an amp will do for two channels, you are going to want it for all channels. My advice, if you can't afford an amp for all the channels you plan to run, wait longer and get one good amp that will serve your needs. I run 7 channels, which is why I am getting rid of my 5-channel amp. It ends up being less clutter and I like knowing each speaker is getting the same type of wattage/sound from the same amp. If you don't want to buy used, don't. Just trying to discourage you from jumping on the first thing you can afford and regretting it later. I have done this too many times myself and wish I would have thought things through more and waited to get what I really wanted.

 

[Doug917]

It has taken me a long time, and I have gone through many amps/processors, but today I will actually end up with MY two dream components (Emoitva MPS-1 and Anthem AVM30). Should have just done this from the get go. I have lost a lot of dough selling other components am am no longer using.

 

[bryantm3]

Bryantm3,

I can almost guarantee once you hear what an amp will do for two channels, you are going to want it for all channels. My advice, if you can't afford an amp for all the channels you plan to run, wait longer and get one good amp that will serve your needs. I run 7 channels, which is why I am getting rid of my 5-channel amp. It ends up being less clutter and I like knowing each speaker is getting the same type of wattage/sound from the same amp. If you don't want to buy used, don't. Just trying to discourage you from jumping on the first thing you can afford and regretting it later. I have done this too many times myself and wish I would have thought things through more and waited to get what I really wanted.

yes, but right now i only have stereo.. when i add surround sound i was going to add another amp, but maybe you've got the right idea.