|   AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | landshark99
Oct 13, 2003 12:46 PM | | Hi all frequent the speaker discussion group and decided to slip in here to ask a question about amp's... recently purchased a pair of Paradigms v2. 100's and love em.. driving them with a Sony STR-DA50ES Receiver... sound is great and power is pretty good. Every now and then i trip the "protection" mode on the receiver (actually only twice in the last month...) but occasionally i want to have the ability to push them and think the receiver is the bottleneck now. I guess the next logical step would be to buy a AMP to drive the fronts? i enjoy the receiver and really don't feel like swapping for a new one right now, but will always consider it depending on what i find. basically i have two questions.... i can have just a 2 channel amp and just drive the fronts... and leave the Sony receiver to handle the rest (5.1/6.1 for HT) of the speakers? iam about 60/40 in favor of music... the other question is what kind of amp should i be looking at? budget is around $300-$700 in US dollars... anyway thanks in advance! |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | topspeed
Oct 13, 2003 3:47 PM | | You can absolutely drive your mains with a separate amp and then use your Sony as a pre/pro. I just did essentially the same thing and the difference is HUGE. Music sounds like...well, MUSIC again! Receiver amps are highly compromised because of their inherent design parameters, so a quality 2 channel with a decent power supply will trounce them any day of the week. Just be sure to recalibrate after adding the amp because the gain will likely be different.
As for amps, in your price range I would definitely go used. Check Audiogon.com for some deals. I saw Anthem, Bryston, Naim, and Creek amps all within your price range. Your 100's are pretty efficient and not that hard to drive so go for quality over quanitity, if you know what I mean.
Depending you how much you like to "rock", you could even consider a quality low wattage tube amp from ASL if you're into tubes.
Good luck and buy what moves you. |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | Sx
Oct 20, 2003 1:23 AM | | Could I ask a question here? How do you connect the two channel amp up to drive the main speakers. Do you connect the main speaker outputs to a power amp then to the speakers? what do you setup in the receiver? Do you have to have pre-outs on the receiver?
Sorry to intrude on your discussions. I found your advice very helpfull.
Thanks |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | landshark99
Oct 20, 2003 8:00 AM | | I thought about not replying as iam sure someone with more info will fill in... but as I see it (Iam still looking for a Amp) on the back of the receiver there are pre-outs for the 5 channels (RCA connects) and these go into the Amp and then out to the speakers like the back of your Pre/Receiver... iam sure there are other connections out there but thats what i have and i assume its the "standard" way... but then again this could be all wrong and I can be educated too :)
ON another note iam looking at a ROTEL amp just gotta find one thats not being snatched up! looking at a 2 and 5 channel.... |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | topspeed
Oct 20, 2003 12:12 PM | | I noticed from your previous post that you don't have pre-outs on your receiver so you'll have to do this differently. Just like Psonic noted, your best bet is to get a good integrated (Arcam, Roksan, many more depending on your budget) or a preamp with a theater bypass feed that will allow you to install within your HT system but use it (and a separate amp of course) when you want to listen to 2 channel. You have a lot of options and don't necessarily need pre-outs on the receiver. It does make it easier tho :)
Good Luck |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | Sx
Oct 20, 2003 11:43 PM | | Thank you for the advice. |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | This Guy
Oct 13, 2003 6:36 PM | | I dont kow how this compares to the other amps in this price range but I'd give the Audiosource Amp Three a look. For about $200 you can get a refurbished one. it puts out 150 watts/channel for 8 ohms 300 for 4 ohms and 450 a channel in 2 ohms. It's also bridgable to 400 watts in 8 and 650 at 4. This amp is a powerhouse for CHEAP. I bought a refurbished one last year and it works and looks brand new. So if you want a lot of power for cheap, I'd get two Amp threes and bridge them. They weigh 30 Lbs. with a big torodial power transformer. Again I dont know how this compares to other amps, but from my experience this thign is great.
-Joey |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | RGA
Oct 13, 2003 7:11 PM | | The others have made good suggestions but my pick on the used market is Rotel. A lot of smooth power for a low price used and won't fatigue with the Paradigms as much as some. A used 1070 would be a good buy...older Rotels are excellent as well...power amps are the company's best attribute. http://www.rotel.com/products/stereo-power-amplifiers.htm
You may find an older version of the 1090...a whopping 80lbs and probably run a small town. |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | landshark99
Oct 14, 2003 9:48 PM | | Hey guys thanks for the great responses, i will definitly be looking into all your suggestions and let you know what i find out. iam starting from zero in the AMP realm so any help is good help for sure.. :) |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | landshark99
Oct 14, 2003 10:58 PM | | hey guys another question... curently looking at a NAD 218THX for less then $700.. brand new in box, i don't know much about NAD was wondering what your thoughts were? Thanks.... |
| re: AMP question for new speakers and current receiver... | topspeed
Oct 15, 2003 12:28 PM | | NAD makes nice equipment. I'd heard of some quality issues a few years back but I think they've got it worked out. NAD is a little dry and clinical for my taste and I'm not sure how well it would play with your 100's. The 100's can get a tad loose in the bass and somewhat fatiguing in the highs if paired to the wrong front end. A somewhat warmer sound like Rotel or especially B&K ST125.2 which is a smokin' 2 channel amp w/in your price range that exhibits tight bottom end control with a very slightly rolled off top end (good for your 100's). It's more euphonic than your average solid state amp.
Go listen to bunch of stuff, preferably within your own system, and then decide what sound best to you. It's your money :)
Good luck and buy what moves you. |
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