Still Amp Hunting

[Jeff R.]

Please check out my signature to see what I need to power. From my understanding my towers are very tough and present 4 ohm loads or maybe even lower - Anybody have any knowledge on the capabilities of this Atlantic Tech amp - A2000. It is a 7 channel x 120 Watt amp. I was thinking I could bi-Amp my front tower with 4 of the channels and use the remaining 3 channels for center and rears. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[rnatalli]

I would take a look at Emotiva. They offer excellent amps at a reasonable price. Do you have a budget in mind?

Another thought, the 805 has a beast of an amp section. You'll need to go with something 200wpc IMO to gain anything. Something like the XPA-5 should power just about anything.

 

[Jeff R.]

Yes - I am trying to stay closer to $400, so I have been coming Audiogon and Ebay. I have been keeping an eye open for any used EMO's.

 

[adwilk]

I really don't think you need anything beyond what the Onkyo is gonna put out for the surrounds. On your budget, I'm buying Pro Audio wattage... ie, yamaha or behringer.

 

[bandphan]

I On your budget, I'm buying anything you will let me

fixed for ya buddy....

OP biamping the fronts correctly will require more than just the power, you will need an active crossover to get any real benefit. Also you would benefit the same using dual subs.

 

[jamie2112]

+1 on the Yamaha pro amps..........Sup Scott??

 

[bandphan]

woed ^

 

[Jeff R.]

Yes - I would love to go with the pro amp option. I really would like an auto-on 12V trigger for ease of use for others may house that are not really savy or for that matter are not capable of turing off all the equipment when done using.....

 

[skers_54]

Yes - I would love to go with the pro amp option. I really would like an auto-on 12V trigger for ease of use for others may house that are not really savy or for that matter are not capable of turing off all the equipment when done using.....

I've seen some powerstrips that have 12V triggers for amps like that. Can't remember any offhand, but I think* someone sold one through the classifieds here not too long ago.

 

[WmAx]

Yes - I would love to go with the pro amp option. I really would like an auto-on 12V trigger for ease of use for others may house that are not really savy or for that matter are not capable of turing off all the equipment when done using.....

The Yamaha P2500S is in the price range you want. It has incredible build quality and performance, and the power rating is 20Hz-20,000Hz, not 1kHz like most amps, so keep that in mind. That is, this Yamaha rated at 250 x 2 at 8 Ohms, is comparable to many amps rated at 300-325 watts x 2 (using common 1kHz rating method). It is 4 Ohm stable, with 310 x 2 at 4 Ohms, 20Hz-20,000Hz(or 390 x 2 at 1kHz rating).

You will need a Samson S-Convert or similar converter to use your RCA pre-outs to the XLR inputs of the pro Yamaha.

-Chris

 

[walter duque]

Please check out my signature to see what I need to power. From my understanding my towers are very tough and present 4 ohm loads or maybe even lower - Anybody have any knowledge on the capabilities of this Atlantic Tech amp - A2000. It is a 7 channel x 120 Watt amp. I was thinking I could bi-Amp my front tower with 4 of the channels and use the remaining 3 channels for center and rears. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Jeff

I did own the A-2000 + P2000 pre-pro a few years ago. I have to say this system was a lot better than expected. Although it is rebadged Outlaw at twice the price (nothing wrong with Outlaw). All I can say that A-2000 kicks.

 

[Jeff R.]

The Yamaha P2500S is in the price range you want. It has incredible build quality and performance, and the power rating is 20Hz-20,000Hz, not 1kHz like most amps, so keep that in mind. That is, this Yamaha rated at 250 x 2 at 8 Ohms, is comparable to many amps rated at 300-325 watts x 2 (using common 1kHz rating method). It is 4 Ohm stable, with 310 x 2 at 4 Ohms, 20Hz-20,000Hz(or 390 x 2 at 1kHz rating).

You will need a Samson S-Convert or similar converter to use your RCA pre-outs to the XLR inputs of the pro Yamaha.

-Chris

I really like the Yamaha package Chris - I really would like to have the auto on and off feature. I have not read that this unit would do that for me. Am I missing something?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Jeff R.]

I rememeber someone in this forum saying that there were power conditioners available that have 12V triggered plugs that can be used to automatically turn on amps without triggers. From what I can decifer from this product would this accomplish what I need to do.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=103052

Thanks

Jeff

 

[WmAx]

I rememeber someone in this forum saying that there were power conditioners available that have 12V triggered plugs that can be used to automatically turn on amps without triggers. From what I can decifer from this product would this accomplish what I need to do.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=103052

Thanks

Jeff

Yeah, that works, or for much cheaper:
http://www.nexttronics.com/catalog/russound/A/ACT-1.htm

-Chris

 

[Jeff R.]

That looks promising and will open up my amp search to many more options. So to make sure I understand what to do. I just would by one of the Russound switched receptacles and plug my amp into that unit and then run my receiver 12V trigger out to the receptacle and it will turn on and off with my reciever. I assume I can add more more as needed the picture appears to have an in and output for the 12V cable.

It says switch up to 10 Amps ----Is that enough to handle the current draw for a larger 2 or 3 channel amp that will be pull 200+ watts per channel.

Thanks Chris much appreciated.

 

[WmAx]

That looks promising and will open up my amp search to many more options. So to make sure I understand what to do. I just would by one of the Russound switched receptacles and plug my amp into that unit and then run my receiver 12V trigger out to the receptacle and it will turn on and off with my reciever. I assume I can add more more as needed the picture appears to have an in and output for the 12V cable.

It says switch up to 10 Amps ----Is that enough to handle the current draw for a larger 2 or 3 channel amp that will be pull 200+ watts per channel.

Thanks Chris much appreciated.

Yes and yes.

-Chris

 

[Jeff R.]

Chris - I know you have spoken highly of Adcom amps in the past, I am considering a GFA-555 for my front towers, how do the Acurus line compare. I found a 3 channel 200 Watt amp on Audiogon that looks to be a good price. On paper they the Acurus and the Adcom seem similar in capability, but the Acurus gives me a 3rd channel. I could simply stick with a 2 channel amp, but the idea of having 3 for the front stage of my theatre seems appealling. I realize my center is much easier to drive than my towers, just wondering if I will see further improvment by having all three channels amplified.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Jeff R.]

Well - I just pulled the trigger on an older Adcom GFA-555. Looking forward to trying out my speakers for the first time with some substainial power going to them.

I stumbled across this power strip in my searches. Anybody use these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9635G/ref=s9_simh_gw_p60_t4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1MHKQZ5CE1E42E37FSYP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Thanks

Jeff

 

[musicaddict]

Those speakers must really be a load if the Onkyo can't drive them successfully. I have that receiver and it's driving five NHT speakers louder than I'll ever need with good sound, including the 2.5 towers up front.

I have an Adcom GFA-585LE and a GFA-2535 lying around that were good amps in their time. I'd really be surprised if that older Adcom sounder better musically than the Onkyo, but perhaps it will. Good luck with the new amp and your search!

 

[Jeff R.]

I am confident the Adcom will significantly improve my towers performance. It has much higher power output and has lower distortion and will handle to lower resistance loads with out straining. I do not think that the age of an amp would change the sound my speakers will produce. As long as they see good clean power they will sound as they are designed to sound.

Not to metion it will free up my onkyo to power my center and rears with much more authority.