Need help deciding on amplifier

[Islandcapture]

I have a small budget.

What should I get?

An Audio Source AMP100
- good reviews, cheap price

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Sh...phd/4291605281

Or

Onkyo M-282
- better looking but costs $100 more!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Amplifier.html

I'm using it for the zone 2 of my receiver. I have Polk Audio bookshelf speakers.

Thanks

[Drew664]

Where are you going to place Zone 2? Is this an outdoor space or in a small room?

[Islandcapture]

Just a small room.

[rkolinski]

Why don't you try Emotiva for your amp; many on this site swear by them including me!

UPA-2 Two Channel Audio Power Amplifier
125 watts RMS x 2 into 8 ohms, 185 watts RMS x 2 into 4 ohms.
Price: $389
SALE Price: $349

[guitarist155]

the amp100 is $89 while while the onkyo is $300 on B&H

I say get the refurb 282 on accessories for less http://www.accessories4less.com/make...5-Watts/1.html

it is only $150 and you will enjoy it much more than the lower power of the amp100..

[oppopioneer]

It's common knowledgle among audiophiles that a warmer sounding the amp the better. The warmer the better.

[Kali157]

What is your budget? Also there is an Amp part of the forums. There other knowledgeable people there that can help you.

Originally Posted by oppopioneer

It's common knowledgle among audiophiles that a warmer sounding the amp the better. The warmer the better.

Um, I completely disagree. Some may prefer a warm sound, but an amp the "colors" or changes the sound is not a good thing. I believe most people's goals in amplification or in any of their components is to get the most neutral sound (ie the most accurate reproduction of the sound). I am curious as to where you got this info?

[Islandcapture]

Thanks for the recommendations. My budget? As low as possible. It always start that way then I get suckered into more expensive stuff. Lol!

Why oh why did you mention Emotiva??? Now, I'm looking at it. I jus bought Polk Audio's Monitor3 bookshelf speakers. Will that Emotiva be overkill?

You know my problem with the Onkyo/Emotiva? The size. I live in a crowded basement apartment we call home.

What makes Emotiva great anyway? Price? Isn't that still high end or is that still considered mid end?

I'll look into the thread posted above. I'm new and I'll probably try to hold off buying until i'm sure what I want but the speakers i just bought is a waste siting inside a box.

[Islandcapture]

Btw, I like a more natural sounding amp. When i think of "warm", I think of muffled. Correct me of I'm wrong. I'm new to this.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by Islandcapture

Thanks for the recommendations. My budget? As low as possible. It always start that way then I get suckered into more expensive stuff. Lol!

Why oh why did you mention Emotiva??? Now, I'm looking at it. I jus bought Polk Audio's Monitor3 bookshelf speakers. Will that Emotiva be overkill?

You know my problem with the Onkyo/Emotiva? The size. I live in a crowded basement apartment we call home.

What makes Emotiva great anyway? Price? Isn't that still high end or is that still considered mid end?

I'll look into the thread posted above. I'm new and I'll probably try to hold off buying until i'm sure what I want but the speakers i just bought is a waste siting inside a box.

Ehh, an emo might be a little overkill for a small pair of bookshelves, but it wouldn't hurt either. One nice thing about buying a decent amp is that they last for a long, long time and will improve whatever speaker upgrades you make in the future.

Price is probably the thing that makes Emos so attractive, since many other amps are thousands instead of hundreds of dollars.

[Show spoiler]Since you are new here, it might be worth mentioning there are a couple people in these parts who get a little hot under the collar about emotiva and polks (for their own reasons). Just sayin' in case someone shows up and tries to make you feel bad. Shrug it off and enjoy yourself and whatever you end up buying.

[Islandcapture]

Thanks Rock, Stone,

Thanks for that spoiler , it's the same everywhere (even on mountain bikes) and I do understand.

I also understand about having more than what I need now. I'm thinking I can use the Emo to power the front speakers in the future if needed. It'll just require a few more months of saving up but hey, we got to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I'm tired of acquiring good enough equipment that gets replaced quickly. More waste of resources. But of course I need to be careful or else I'll spend way too much for my own financial health (and marriage). :P

I have to read the threads more but I get discombobulated. Haha!

Any more recommendations?

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Islandcapture

Thanks Rock, Stone,

Thanks for that spoiler , it's the same everywhere (even on mountain bikes) and I do understand.

I also understand about having more than what I need now. I'm thinking I can use the Emo to power the front speakers in the future if needed. It'll just require a few more months of saving up but hey, we got to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I'm tired of acquiring good enough equipment that gets replaced quickly. More waste of resources. But of course I need to be careful or else I'll spend way too much for my own financial health (and marriage). :P

I have to read the threads more but I get discombobulated. Haha!

Any more recommendations?

Emotiva amps are well made amps while providing good value compared to its competition. That is why it is popular. Now depending on your receiver, it maybe overkill for those polk bookshelves in zone 2. What receiver are you using? Can it power a second zone (I assume not... but just checking)? Does it have pre-outs for your main system?

As you pointed out, buying something cheap may cost you more later if you are just going to replace it. An amp is something you can keep for awhile. This is unlike a receiver which"needs" to be changed when a new format becomes standard (like HDMI).

[Islandcapture]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Emotiva amps are well made amps while providing good value compared to its competition. That is why it is popular. Now depending on your receiver, it maybe overkill for those polk bookshelves in zone 2. What receiver are you using? Can it power a second zone (I assume not... but just checking)? Does it have pre-outs for your main system?

As you pointed out, buying something cheap may cost you more later if you are just going to replace it. An amp is something you can keep for awhile. This is unlike a receiver which"needs" to be changed when a new format becomes standard (like HDMI).

I'm aiming for an Emo amp now but it has to wait a bit. The receiver I have has a powered zone 2 but that means I can only use 5.1 not 7.1. It does have pre-outs which I plan to use. My only gripe with these amps is that they are physically huge and won't fit the spot I planned to put it without protruding out.

[guitarist155]

Well then that settles it... You will have to get a bigger spot, say for 2 or 3 emos

[Islandcapture]

Originally Posted by guitarist155

Well then that settles it... You will have to get a bigger spot, say for 2 or 3 emos

In due time. I'll be able to show off my multi-amp system here. :P It'll be crazy to do that in our tiny basement apartment though!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Islandcapture

In due time. I'll be able to show off my multi-amp system here. :P It'll be crazy to do that in our tiny basement apartment though!

When you get to 3 Emo amps then you will be considered crazy like me

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Islandcapture

I'm aiming for an Emo amp now but it has to wait a bit. The receiver I have has a powered zone 2 but that means I can only use 5.1 not 7.1. It does have pre-outs which I plan to use. My only gripe with these amps is that they are physically huge and won't fit the spot I planned to put it without protruding out.

Outlaw they also have great amps for affordable price

LINK

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

Outlaw they also have great amps for affordable price

LINK

+1
They have a very good reputation, built up over many years.

[Islandcapture]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

Outlaw they also have great amps for affordable price

LINK

But they don't have 2-channel amps. I only see 7 channels and a mono amp.