Emotiva A-5175 vs. NAD T-977

[Atomic4877]

I am currently running my 7.1.4 system off a Denon x6500h for my surrounds and height channels and running my c, r, l channels off an Emotiva a-5175. I can get a good deal on a NAD t-977 and was thinking about switching. I would run all seven floor channels off it and have the x6500h run just the heights. Per the specs I would be losing about 15 watts per c, r ,l speaker but gain quite a bit for the rest of the channels. I just wanted some opinions on how much of a difference this upgrade would be? I know NAD is highly regarded and oftentimes can output more than their specs. The N-977 is 140 x 7 at 8 ohms and the Emotiva is 125 x 5 channels driven at 8 ohms.

[slimdude]

Why don't you just run all of your channels from the Denon? The Denon is capable of handling the power to accommodate all the 11.2 channels max. That's what it's build for. The Denon already have all the connections and power that you'll need. If the size of your listening area is moderate or small, you really don't have to use multiple amplifiers because you won't need that much power. It would be different if you were installing a sound system for a average size or a IMAX commercial theater, but your not. There are members here who're using a receiver, 2 or 3 amplifiers and subwoofers in their home theaters, but it doesn't take all of that for a home theater to sound good. Some people think the more audio equipment you have the better, but that's not necessarily true. You can have too much and it can be an overkill.

[Scarriere]

Originally Posted by Atomic4877

I am currently running my 7.1.4 system off a Denon x6500h for my surrounds and height channels and running my c, r, l channels off an Emotiva a-5175. I can get a good deal on a NAD t-977 and was thinking about switching. I would run all seven floor channels off it and have the x6500h run just the heights. Per the specs I would be losing about 15 watts per c, r ,l speaker but gain quite a bit for the rest of the channels. I just wanted some opinions on how much of a difference this upgrade would be? I know NAD is highly regarded and oftentimes can output more than their specs. The N-977 is 140 x 7 at 8 ohms and the Emotiva is 125 x 5 channels driven at 8 ohms.

You're got some great options.

If it were me, I'd have the NAD run the front three and the four heights.
The four heights, conceivably, don't take as much power as any four surround speakers, so that would leave lots for the L/C/R.

The Emotiva could power the four surrounds. 125w per speaker is plenty.

If it were me, I'd go that route. I'm no expert, it's just my theory.

Best of luck and whatever you do, post a thought here!

[sonic_debauchery]

Use this..... http://myhometheater.homestead.com/s...l#anchor_13193

You’ll need a much more powerful amplifier to notice much difference. 250 watts is only going to get you 3 dB more.

The difference between the NAD and emotiva is negligible.

[ZoetMB]

You know wattage isn't everything. For music listening, I bought the recent re-creation of the Dynaco 70 (tube) amp. It's only 35 watts per channel, but it's incredibly better sounding in every respect than my Pioneer SC55 A/V receiver. In fact, it's shockingly better.

[slimdude]

Unless a listener crank the volume up to the maximum ( which 98% of the listeners don't) the wattage on receivers and amplifiers is not that effective to make a difference.

[Canada]

NAD is a very respectable brand