Stand alone amp suggestions?

[ls7z06]

I have never had a separate amp in my life. But I am thinking about getting one. My front speakers are Polk RTi A7's rated to 300 watts. My receiver is rated at 140 watts. So... I am now thinking I might need a 2 channel amp to add power to the front speakers. Couple of questions...
1) What are good brands? Seems like Emotiva and Rotel pop up a lot in signatures.
2) What would the max power be I should get in an amp to run my 300 watt speakers? 250watts?

[mdabb]

What interests you more, movies or music ??? Also what would your maximum budget be for this ???

[ls7z06]

I am probably 75% movies and 25% music. Budget is ???? I guess I don't have a budget limit in mind, but I am always interested in getting the best bang for the buck. I have no idea what a good 2 channel amp costs. Under a grand?? But if I could get a good one for $500, that would be better. I sure don't want to chase a low price only to have problems with it later.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by ls7z06

I am probably 75% movies and 25% music. Budget is ???? I guess I don't have a budget limit in mind, but I am always interested in getting the best bang for the buck. I have no idea what a good 2 channel amp costs. Under a grand?? But if I could get a good one for $500, that would be better. I sure don't want to chase a low price only to have problems with it later.

Not sure if you will be able to find an amp for $500 that will trump the amp already in your receiver ..............

Not sure, but I don't even think you can get an Emotiva amp in the $500 dollar range ???? If you are thinking about something from them I would check with the guys in the "Emotiva Thread". They will be able to guide you in the realm of Emotiva.

I would say that you would have to invest more than what your receiver costs to get a good multi-channel amp. Just depends on whether or not you want to look at it as an investment in sound quality rather than looking to add raw horse power. Sure headroom is great, but you don't want headroom with distortion or loss of sound quality.

Perhaps define your over all goals..........

[ls7z06]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Not sure if you will be able to find an amp for $500 that will trump the amp already in your receiver ..............

Not sure, but I don't even think you can get an Emotiva amp in the $500 dollar range ???? If you are thinking about something from them I would check with the guys in the "Emotiva Thread". They will be able to guide you in the realm of Emotiva.

I would say that you would have to invest more than what your receiver costs to get a good multi-channel amp. Just depends on whether or not you want to look at it as an investment in sound quality rather than looking to add raw horse power. Sure headroom is great, but you don't want headroom with distortion or loss of sound quality.

Perhaps define your over all goals..........

When I say my goal is to add power, I am not necessarily talking about volume. Sure, volume is good, but the real quest here is to get the best quality of sound from my existing front speakers.

[picture_shooter]

get the emotiva 2-channel XPA-2. That amp with hump those two speakers of yours!!
http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

if it was me, I go with the XPA-5, its cheaper and also it will give more power then just the front two mains.

[js666]

You might be better off just upgrading your receiver. I agree with mdabb. Don't think you can find an amp in that price range that would sound "significantly" better than your receiver amp. You could do worse.

[prerich]

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls..../Emotiva-XPA-3 Here's your amp - new in the box from Agon with included 5 yr transferable warranty.
Or you could get this Anthem 5 channel amp for $550.00 http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....&/Anthem-PVA-5

Here's a HK Citation 5.1 amp (4 channel) its conseratively rated at 100 watts but its also bridgeable (making it a 2 or 3 channel amp). I have experience with HK/Fosgate Audionics - very nice sounding amps http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....n-citation-5.1

And here are a couple of oldies but goodies - yes they are rated below your 140 in your receiver, but I believe you will be able to tell the audible difference between 140 in a receiver and 125 (conservative) in a outboard amp. First on deck a B&K AV 6000 (6 channel) for $350.00
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....29&/B-K-AV6000

Second - a Acurus A125X5 5 channel power amp http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls..../Acurus-A125X5 they want $430.00 for this amp.

If you want a 2 channel amp only you can have this 200 watt Rotel beast for $525.00
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls..../Rotel-RB-1080

Adcom 555 mk II for 399.00 http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....com-gfa-555-ii thats a 200 watt beast also (but watts are not the determining factor when buying an amp) here's another for $359.00 http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....mkII-Amplifier

Norh mono blocks for 400.00 (I'm not sure if that's a piece or together) http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls..../Norh-LeAmp-II

There are so many deals out there and Audiogon is great! I've never been burned by Audiogon....never.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by ls7z06

When I say my goal is to add power, I am not necessarily talking about volume. Sure, volume is good, but the real quest here is to get the best quality of sound from my existing front speakers.

If I were you, i'd go for the Emotiva XPA-5 and connect it to your front 3 & your two surrounds. I'd let the two surround backs you have stay connected to the receiver. I have this amp and that is how i have it connected let me tell you, your polks will open up like they have not. Oh yeah, I also have an all polk setup so, i think i can really speak to this with true understanding. Also, get yourself 5 sweet interconnects from emo when you order this and your set!

trust me, listen to your uncle Solarrdadd!

[gfilez3]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

If I were you, i'd go for the Emotiva XPA-5 and connect it to your front 3 & your two surrounds. I'd let the two surround backs you have stay connected to the receiver. I have this amp and that is how i have it connected let me tell you, your polks will open up like they have not. Oh yeah, I also have an all polk setup so, i think i can really speak to this with true understanding. Also, get yourself 5 sweet interconnects from emo when you order this and your set!

trust me, listen to your uncle Solarrdadd!

Get the XPA-5..I know I am!

[inlayterms]

I agree with the above posters. If you watch a lot of movies and have a 5.1 or larger setup, you would want dedicated power to the centre channel and not just the front mains (which would be fine for music only). It's important that the centre channel is a clear as possible because, as most of us know, it contains a lot of the movie's information.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by inlayterms

I agree with the above posters. If you watch a lot of movies and have a 5.1 or larger setup, you would want dedicated power to the centre channel and not just the front mains (which would be fine for music only). It's important that the centre channel is a clear as possible because, as most of us know, it contains a lot of the movie's information.

You have some nice equipment listed in your signature! You should post some pics!

John

[inlayterms]

Originally Posted by John72953

You have some nice equipment listed in your signature! You should post some pics!

John

Thanks, John. I plan to do so soon.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by inlayterms

Thanks, John. I plan to do so soon.

Didn't know you were in the GTA...saw that in the other thread about audio dealers. I think it was Erman's thread.

John

PS~ We have a lot of GTA members on here btw!

[inlayterms]

Originally Posted by John72953

Didn't know you were in the GTA...saw that in the other thread about audio dealers. I think it was Erman's thread.

John

PS~ We have a lot of GTA members on here btw!

Indeed, I am. Born and raised in T.O.