suggest an amp

[dtowntke]

well i have a yamaha rxv 663 and i am looking to add an amp to my system but i am not really sure which brand or type i should buy. my yamaha is pushing polk rti 8's cis 3 center 2 psw 808 and klipsch rb 3 rears i am looking for something at a decent price, not a thousand dollar amp. and keep in mind i live in the upper peninsula of michigan the only store i can audition equipment at is american and they dont have much for amps. so suggestions would be a big help

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by dtowntke

well i have a yamaha rxv 663 and i am looking to add an amp to my system but i am not really sure which brand or type i should buy. my yamaha is pushing polk rti 8's cis 3 center 2 psw 808 and klipsch rb 3 rears i am looking for something at a decent price, not a thousand dollar amp. and keep in mind i live in the upper peninsula of michigan the only store i can audition equipment at is american and they dont have much for amps. so suggestions would be a big help

If you're looking for a 7ch amp, I can confidently recommend this one:



I paired this with my 663 about two weeks ago. It is an amazing beast. You can check out their site here:

Emotiva UPA-7

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by Lil' Louie

If you're looking for a 7ch amp, I can confidently recommend this one:



I paired this with my 663 about two weeks ago. It is an amazing beast. You can check out their site here:

Emotiva UPA-7

I second this recommendation; I think Emotiva makes great amps because I have one myself!!!

Rich

__________________________________________________ ___________

My modest system:

Belkin AP30800fc10 Battery Backup to protect lamp in Projection TV; Definitive Technology: C-1, Powerfield 1500 Subwoofer x 2 ea., BP-10 x 2 ea., BP-2 x 2 ea & BP-2x x 2 ea.; Dish VIP 622 DVR; Anchor Bay/DVDO iScan VP50PRO Video Processor; Emotiva XPA-5 5-Channel Amplifier; Ethereal EM-HDMI2 cable throughout; JVC HRS-S5901U S-VHS Recorders x 2 ea.; Monster Power HTS3500; MSB: ADD-1; Digital Director & DAC; Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver; Oppo DV-980H Upscaling DVD Player; Panamax Max1000+; Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-Ray Disc Player; Pioneer CLD-D707 & CLD-D606 Laser Disc Players; Radient Select-4ce HDMI Switcher; Rega P5 Turntable w/PSU Power; Sony: KDS60A3000 60" Projection HDTV , DTC-A6DAT DecK, SL-HF2000 Super Beta Recorders x 2 ea. & PS3; and, Zektor MAS-3 x 2 ea.

[dtowntke]

wow that looks like an amazing amp to have, is there any other suggestions out there i would like to explore my options i heat rotel makes nice equipment

[dtowntke]

i have another question what is a surround processor

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by dtowntke

wow that looks like an amazing amp to have, is there any other suggestions out there i would like to explore my options i heat rotel makes nice equipment

I use a 5 channel Rotel, it is a good amp for a reasonable price. NADs also work well. What budget are you looking at as the price differences can be huge.

[jdc115]

One thing about the newer Rotel amps, most of them seem to be a Class D design. They are quite slim for their power ratings but I really do not know much about them and seems like a risky change is design for an audio company.

[Big Daddy]

Here is a list of some of the best home theater separate amplifiers. You will be satisfied with all of them. I own the Cinepro and I love it. You can do a Google or Yahoo search to find prices.
Cinepro: http://www.cinepro.com/
Sunfire: http://www.sunfire.com/amp.htm
Adcom: http://www.adcom.com/prod/shopdispla...1&cid=43&sid=3
Parasound: http://www.parasound.com/products/mc_amplifiers.php
Denon: http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3921.asp
Marantz: http://us.marantz.com/Products/2325.asp
Nad: http://nadelectronics.com/products/h...tre-amplifiers
Rotel: http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=18
Integra: http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=i
B&K: http://www.bkcomp.com/products/home-theatre/
AudioSource: http://www.rodinaudio.com/audioSourc...ccessories.pdf
Emotiva: http://www.emotiva.com/xpa5.html
AudioControl: http://www.hometheateraudiocontrol.c...16158&l2=16464
Krell: http://www.krellonline.com/#
Mark Levinson: http://www.marklevinson.com/products...cat.asp?cat=pa
Anthem: http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/...eriesHome.html

[DBlackGT]

Got a quick question. I have the new Klipsch Icon Series WF-35 tower speakers rated at 150watts. My onkyo 805 puts out 130watts per channel. My center speaker..the Klipsch Icon WC-24 rated at 90 watss per channel. Now is it bad for my receiver to over power it? and would a seperate amp be good or bad for all my speakers? Thanks

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

Got a quick question. I have the new Klipsch Icon Series WF-35 tower speakers rated at 150watts. My onkyo 805 puts out 130watts per channel. My center speaker..the Klipsch Icon WC-24 rated at 90 watss per channel. Now is it bad for my receiver to over power it? and would a seperate amp be good or bad for all my speakers? Thanks

The ratings for the speakers and receivers are usually peak ratings. You won't be hurting anything. They are really more for marketing purposes. If you turn your receiver all the way up, you will blow your ears before you damage your speakers or receiver. You can use an amplifier that is rated 300 watts per channel with speakers that are rated 100watts. Of course, you can blow your speakers, but you will have to turn the amplifier all the way up to dangerous levels.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

I second this recommendation; I think Emotiva makes great amps because I have one myself!!!

Rich

__________________________________________________ ___________

My modest system:

Belkin AP30800fc10 Battery Backup to protect lamp in Projection TV; Definitive Technology: C-1, Powerfield 1500 Subwoofer x 2 ea., BP-10 x 2 ea., BP-2 x 2 ea & BP-2x x 2 ea.; Dish VIP 622 DVR; Anchor Bay/DVDO iScan VP50PRO Video Processor; Emotiva XPA-5 5-Channel Amplifier; Ethereal EM-HDMI2 cable throughout; JVC HRS-S5901U S-VHS Recorders x 2 ea.; Monster Power HTS3500; MSB: ADD-1; Digital Director & DAC; Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver; Oppo DV-980H Upscaling DVD Player; Panamax Max1000+; Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-Ray Disc Player; Pioneer CLD-D707 & CLD-D606 Laser Disc Players; Radient Select-4ce HDMI Switcher; Rega P5 Turntable w/PSU Power; Sony: KDS60A3000 60" Projection HDTV , DTC-A6DAT DecK, SL-HF2000 Super Beta Recorders x 2 ea. & PS3; and, Zektor MAS-3 x 2 ea.

And I third the recommendation. I liked the sound of my Emotiva LPA-1 so much I bought a 2nd one and biamped them. The UPA-7 (LPA-1's replacement) is an excellent choice for 7 channel, but if you only need a 5 channel amp I highly recommend looking into an XPA-5.

[dtowntke]

i am not really sure how much i want to spend how much is a good price for a decent amp with the set up i have? and if i do purchase an amp are they easy to set up? and i wrote i previous question that was not answered , what is a surround processor ?

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Here is a list of some of the best home theater separate amplifiers. You will be satisfied with all of them. I own the Cinepro and I love it. You can do a Google or Yahoo search to find prices.
Cinepro: http://www.cinepro.com/
Sunfire: http://www.sunfire.com/amp.htm
Adcom: http://www.adcom.com/prod/shopdispla...1&cid=43&sid=3
Parasound: http://www.parasound.com/products/mc_amplifiers.php
Denon: http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3921.asp
Marantz: http://us.marantz.com/Products/2325.asp
Nad: http://nadelectronics.com/products/h...tre-amplifiers
Rotel: http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=18
Integra: http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=i
B&K: http://www.bkcomp.com/products/home-theatre/
AudioSource: http://www.rodinaudio.com/audioSourc...ccessories.pdf
Emotiva: http://www.emotiva.com/xpa5.html
AudiControl: http://www.hometheateraudiocontrol.c...16158&l2=16464
Krell: http://www.krellonline.com/#
Mark Levinson: http://www.marklevinson.com/products...cat.asp?cat=pa
Anthem: http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/...eriesHome.html

Will add:

Outlaw Audio
McIntosh
Primare
Audio Research
Classe
PHC
Threshold Audio
PS Audio
Axiom Audio
Knoll Systems
ATI
Ayre
Yamaha
Sim Audio
Rogue Audio
Arcam
Balanced Audio Technology
Conrad-Johnson
McCormack Audio
Quad
Prima Luna
Legacy Audio

Proceed and ADA made some nice stuff back in the day too.

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by dtowntke

i am not really sure how much i want to spend how much is a good price for a decent amp with the set up i have? and if i do purchase an amp are they easy to set up? and i wrote i previous question that was not answered , what is a surround processor ?

Surround Processor
A device which can decode (or simulate the effect of) multi-channel soundtracks found on DVDs and videocassettes. These processors usually send separate audio information to right front, center, left front, right rear, and left rear speakers, with a separate signal for a subwoofer.

Outlaw and Emotiva are going to be your best bang for the buck amps. B&K, Rotel, Parasound, etc. you'll typically see at your specialty A/V B&M.

Again, to me, Emotiva puts out an excellent product at an unbelievable price.

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

Got a quick question. I have the new Klipsch Icon Series WF-35 tower speakers rated at 150watts. My onkyo 805 puts out 130watts per channel. My center speaker..the Klipsch Icon WC-24 rated at 90 watss per channel. Now is it bad for my receiver to over power it? and would a seperate amp be good or bad for all my speakers? Thanks

Usually you have to be worried about having an amp that is underpowered not over powered. Seldom would you use 130 or 200 watts from an amp so usually they never get to the speakers max power handling. But if you use an amp rated at say 50 watts, you will be more likely to drive it to its maximum output which then it will clip and send damaging distortion to your tweeters.

If my speakers were rated to handle 100Watts, I would feel more comfortable driving them with a 200 watt amp then a 50watt amp.

[JJ]

That Emotiva looks beautifully solid! Might have to consider it as my next purchase. Wonderful stuff.

[Clark Kent]

Emotiva amps seem like great values. I would recommend Parasound amps if you are looking for a more refined amp.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Emotiva amps seem like great values. I would recommend Parasound amps if you are looking for a more refined amp.

Not intending this as an argument, but Emotiva oversees the manufacturing & sales. There's no middle-man or retailer. With what experience I've had in the electronics business, had Emo sold only through brick & mortar they'd retail for 3 to 4 times the price. The sad thing about that is, had the UPA-7 (their entry level amp) which sells for $699 actually been priced at $2k+ (which would be the case if it were sold through B&M), it would surely get more respect in the audio world. But I assure you, I've listened to and own their gear and you can't convince me to pay $3k-$5k more for a bigger name. Not that their entry level performs better than a much pricier amp, but from what I've listened to in the $3k-$6k price range, it's not worth the price difference. To call Emo a "value" amp is short-sighted, especially if you haven't given them a listen. Again, not trying to argue, just hoping to provide a little insight.

[Clark Kent]

I've actually listened to a couple of different Emotiva amps at a friend's house. They seemed excellent for home theater applications like movies but I found them a little too bright for two channel stereo performance and surround music in general. Their sound is definitely geared for movie soundtracks in my opinion. I don't think of them as "budget" amps but I'm not sure they are aiming at the more refined audiophile sound some other well known amp manufacturers produce. It's a different sound that some like and some do not.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I've actually listened to a couple of different Emotiva amps at a friend's house. They seemed excellent for home theater applications like movies but I found them a little too bright for two channel stereo performance and surround music in general. Their sound is definitely geared for movie soundtracks in my opinion. I don't think of them as "budget" amps but I'm not sure they are aiming at the more refined audiophile sound some other well known amp manufacturers produce. It's a different sound that some like and some do not.

Wow. I'm really curious what model(s) you listened to and what was used as a pre-pro and what speakers? I don't particularly like brightness when listening to pure 2 channel music, and if anything my Emo amps significantly tamed the highs with my Yamaha AVRs (RX-Z1 at first and RX-V1800 later). The mids are also much smoother yet more pronounced. The warmer sound from the LPA-1 is why I bought a second unit. The LPA/UPA/XPA models are on the warm side, although the MPS-1 (their flagship model) has been described as a more detailed and refined sound, tending a little to brightness, so I wonder if that's the amp you listened to (I've never head this one in action).