Under $1k for a multi-channel?

[AndrewLyles]

Am I waisting my time looking for a multi-channel amp (5 channels) to power Maggie speaker set, 4 ohms all around. Can anyone make a suggestion, I would love to spend around $600 but might be able to stretch that up to $1k if I need to. I'm new to looking at component amps and can use all the adivce anyone can offer. I am thinking about purchasing 3 Crown XLS 202 amps for around $200 a piece t drive the system, but am not sure if this is wise for a home theater set-up.
Thanks,
Andrew

 

[AudioSeer]

If you are open to buying used, I would try to find a Parasound multichannel amplifier. These are designed by the renowned John Curl.

 

[pearsall001]

Check out the Behringer A500 amp. There's quite a lot of posts here about how well they perform. Three of them will only set you back $540. I've got 2 of them & I can't believe how well they perform. Picked them up at Parts Express for $180 ea. no tax, free shipping & 45 day return policy. You've got nothing to lose. PS - mine aren't going back!!

 

[AudioSeer]

pearsall001, what kind of speakers are your running your Behringer amp with? Thanks.

 

[zumbo]

I am using an Adcom 7605 driving a 5.1, 4ohm MB Quart system. Here are the specs.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productinfo.asp?sku=ADCGFA7605&InfoType=1&PageTitle=Specifications

Here it is at Onecall(authorized dealer) with 5-year warranty and free 3-day shipping. This is where I got mine.
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-138,6-9&menu=true&Page=1&id=17203

Here it is at Wild West(authorized dealer) with 5-year warranty and free shipping.
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/gfa-7605s.html

Here it is at Audiophile Liquidator(not authorized) for less, but there is only a one-year warranty and no free shipping. Your call.
http://audiophileliquidator.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?products_id=223&osCsid=28e7b232a2bdc643a46b8da8900ab476

 

[AndrewLyles]

Cool, so there are ones to be had then.

Seer... I've got nothing against used but I think I'd rather go with new, I know I could get more for my money the other way, its just a comfort thing.

Zumbo...Do you like your adcom amp? Any downsides to warnings you have since owning it, or anything that stands out to you as exceptional? Also do you feel it was better to purchase a multi-channel amplifier or would you have rather gone with several 2 channel amps as pearsall suggests?

Not trying to pit anyone aganist each other here, just trying to get as much info as possible, also if anyone has any other suggestions I am all ears.

 

[EdS]

You could also check out the Emotiva UL 6 Channel amp from av123. Rated at 125w/8 ohms, 225w/4 ohms, all channels driven; price is $699. The 6th channel is configurable as either 125w/8ohms or 2 channels of 50w/8 ohms, 95w/4 ohms. You can read it about here:
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=29.1

 

[zumbo]

Zumbo...Do you like your adcom amp? Any downsides to warnings you have since owning it, or anything that stands out to you as exceptional? Also do you feel it was better to purchase a multi-channel amplifier or would you have rather gone with several 2 channel amps as pearsall suggests?

I love it.
Cons:
Not pretty. (who cares)

Pros:
Plenty of power for it's application intended.
Great price. I paid $809.17 delivered. (on sale at OneCall)

At that time(about 2 years ago), nothing else compared for the money. Still looks to be a great value. The 2-channel amps is an option, but you have to figure the cost of the cabling, how to get power to all of them, will the electrical outlet handle that much draw, and things like that. My power conditioner/surge suppressor only has enough connections for my amp, receiver, tv, dvd, cd, vhs, sub, and digital cable box. It's full. If I were to have all seperate amps, I would have to have a much more expensive solution to power all of them.

 

[AndrewLyles]

Zumbo,
I have to admit that Adcom sounds like a pretty elegat solution to the quandry at hand. I'm still curious about seeing if I can work out the 2 channel amps for comparison though. Is there a quick and dirty to way to calculate if the elctrical outlet can handle the kind of draw that I am going to place on it with all three of the amps? Power has been a concern of mine, the electrical kind and not the type that drives the speakers, though I do realize they are heavily related.
Thanks again for all of the help and feedback.
Andrew

 

[mike c]

Rotel RMB 1075 is 1000 bucks +-
120w x 5

 

[zumbo]

Zumbo,
I have to admit that Adcom sounds like a pretty elegat solution to the quandry at hand. I'm still curious about seeing if I can work out the 2 channel amps for comparison though. Is there a quick and dirty to way to calculate if the elctrical outlet can handle the kind of draw that I am going to place on it with all three of the amps? Power has been a concern of mine, the electrical kind and not the type that drives the speakers, though I do realize they are heavily related.
Thanks again for all of the help and feedback.
Andrew

There are certainly people here that know, unfortunately I am not one of them. You could either PM Gene, Clint DeBoer, Rip Van Woofer, WmAx, or mtrycrafts. Or, start a new thread with that question.

 

[The13thGryphon]

Outlaw Audio also has a range of multi-channel and monoblock amps that always seem to receive high ratings. They're really inexpensive for the quality and features you get.

I know if I was putting together a home theater I'd want a 12-volt trigger input. Might not be an issue for others, but I'd rather turn on my receiver or pre/pro and have my amps come on automaticaly, than have to turn on three to seven separate amps. To some that wouldn't be an issue.

Check them out at www.outlawaudio.com

 

[zumbo]

Outlaw Audio also has a range of multi-channel and monoblock amps that always seem to receive high ratings. They're really inexpensive for the quality and features you get.

I know if I was putting together a home theater I'd want a 12-volt trigger input. Might not be an issue for others, but I'd rather turn on my receiver or pre/pro and have my amps come on automaticaly, than have to turn on three to seven separate amps. To some that wouldn't be an issue.

Check them out at www.outlawaudio.com

Pretty sure most do.

 

[The13thGryphon]

Most do... yes. But not the Behringer and many of the "professional" amps such as those made by Crown and others.

I'm not saying the pro amps shouldn't be used, just that one needs to know what they want, and why, and then see whether the equipment their looking at provides those features.

 

[AndrewLyles]

Well Thats something I hadn't considered actually... I guess that does rule out the professional line of amplifiers, then. Well atleast I know there's a difference other than price. Okay, so Adcom, outlaw, anything else? Oh, I've been seeing a couple amps online tonight that are 7 channel for a pretty decent price, some an adcom less expensive than the 5 channel... is it okay to use a 7 channel amp on a 5 channel system and just leave two "blank"?

~Andy

 

[pearsall001]

AudioSeer

I'm running AAD 2001 monitors w/ the Behringer A500 amps. I have 2 of the amps each one mono bridged running each speaker. The sound is phenominal to say the least in both HT & 2 channel.

 

[zumbo]

Well Thats something I hadn't considered actually... I guess that does rule out the professional line of amplifiers, then. Well atleast I know there's a difference other than price. Okay, so Adcom, outlaw, anything else? Oh, I've been seeing a couple amps online tonight that are 7 channel for a pretty decent price, some an adcom less expensive than the 5 channel... is it okay to use a 7 channel amp on a 5 channel system and just leave two "blank"?

~Andy

1) ATI can be found for great prices from time to time. I have read they make Outlaw. Don't quote me on that.

2)Well, with the 7-channel amp, you could use four channels to bi-amp the mains.

 

[AndrewLyles]

Okay, so I don't think the 12 volt trigger is going to be a killer since I'm going to be running a power conditioning system anyway it will be a one switch on system with delays, though that will kill the use of the Macro's on the new Harmony remote i picked up, lol. I've been going back and forth with the Crown Amplifiers, and possibly an Outlaw/Adcom multi-channel. Saying the Crown's are a better deal is like saying that Taffy is delicious, we all know it but there's always a catch.

So the Crown amps accept XLR inputs only. I've worked pro-audio before and don't have a problem with XLR, but using a HT Receiver as a Pre-Pro this should still be do-able right? It will just require making a cable that runs an RCA -> XLR. Also, I'm leaning towards the Crown XLS 402 amps just for a little extra power. I think I can pick them up for about $30 more each than the 202's, so double the power for $30 possibly. They are isted for "Cinema" use on the crown page which makes me feel a little better, but I'm still trying to figure out that pesky electrical issue.

Again, any thoughts?

 

[WmAx]

They are isted for "Cinema" use on the crown page which makes me feel a little better,

Pay no attention the designation names. It's 100% marketing; it has nothing to do with sound quality.

but I'm still trying to figure out that pesky electrical issue.

Again, any thoughts?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=132939&postcount=38

-Chris

 

[zumbo]

I'm still trying to figure out that pesky electrical issue.

Again, any thoughts?

There are certainly people here that know, unfortunately I am not one of them. You could either PM Gene, Clint DeBoer, Rip Van Woofer, WmAx, or mtrycrafts. Or, start a new thread with that question.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=132939&postcount=38

-Chris

Is that a yes he can run them, or no?