|   Need help picking a 2 channel power amp for neoplanars | ne1scott
Nov 2, 2003 8:45 PM | | I am not an audiophile. I like my music clear and resonably loud. I have a Denon 3802 110W x 7 channel reciever in a 7.1 speaker setup. The problem I have is that the reciever seems to have trouble (I have heard Denon has issues with 2 -4 ohm loads) driving my front speakers during loud action sequences in Home Theater and has even more trouble when listening to music. It sounds like my speakers are starving. They sound awesome on other peoples recievers (Onkyo & Yamaha)...just not mine. My speakers are a specialty neoplanar speaker with 87db sensitivity and a 4 ohm load and are rated 25-300 Watts (http://www.atcsd.com/pdf/Neo&PureBassManual.pdf)
What 2 channel amplifier is best for my needs. I use it for Home Theatre more than I do for music and want it to be at least Theater level in loudness without annoying distortion. I am looking for something NEW in the "street price" range of $500 to provide me what I am lacking. I am wanting as close to 200 Watts+ per channel.(100 minimum)
I am looking at the Alesis RA500, the HK PA2000, the Parasound HCA-1000A, Audiosource AMP-THREE, AMC 2100, and a couple of Rotel amps. I don't want a "Used" amp. I really like the Alesis RA500, but can't find any reviews on it for music and home theatre, just people using it in the studio since it is a reference amp. I'm afraid it won't meet the demanding needs of home theatre. |
| re: Need help picking a 2 channel power amp for neoplanars | ne1scott
Nov 3, 2003 8:54 AM | | I'd really appreciate some honest input from someone. I'd like to buy an amp this week if possible. If you know the best place to buy the amp you recommend then include that info as well. |
| re: Need help picking a 2 channel power amp for neoplanars | poneal
Nov 3, 2003 11:04 AM | | I have heard that planers are power hungry. This is what you could do. Personally, I would get the HK PA-2000 (PA-4000 if possible for later expansion) and configure it to two channels. That'll give you 100wpc of good clean hard hitting power. Then connect your Denon's preouts (main left and right) to the HK PA-2000 main in. You will have to readjust your speaker levels via your denon after making all the connections so that the channels will be adjusted properly again. Once set though, you should be able to leave the HK PA-2000 alone and just use your receivers volume knob to adjust everything. By the way, you can get great deals on this amp through e-bay's harman online store. They are factory remanufactured but do carry the full manufacturers warranty and they are straight from Harman Kardon. I've seen these reconditioned amps sell for as little as 165.00 + shipping. Not a bad deal at all, especially since you get the original factory warranty. Anyway, hope this helps. Paul. |
| re: Need help picking a 2 channel power amp for neoplanars | ne1scott
Nov 3, 2003 9:02 PM | | What is the HK-PA2000 amp like ? Have you used one ? I don't want an amp that's going to leave me looking for more....I want something that will give me more power than I know what to do with in a home theater environment. I've heard alot of good things about the Audiosource AMP THREE and almost bought it this morning. I'm trying to get to the bottom of the mess and figure out how to actually pick a good amplifier out of the bad ones. My local dealer is pushing Rotel at bloated prices without any options except multi-thousand dollar amps. |
| re: Need help picking a 2 channel power amp for neoplanars | poneal
Nov 4, 2003 1:06 PM | | I've had the PA-2000 for a little over a year now and am very pleased with it. I have it bridged for 2x100wpc. It has never bottomed out on me. As a matter of fact, I had it so loud that I could barely hear my wife talking with me. Of course, your listening habits, room size, furniture, drapes all affect sound. I have a fairly large kitchen/dining/living room thats about 25'x22' with im guessing 10' ceilings. It has no problem filling the room with sound using fairly sensitive speakers providing 91db@1m/1w. I can't say anything about the AudioSource or Rotel (never owned one). The reviews on the AudioSource are good with 36 reviews and average rating of 4.53. Good luck and just make sure you have a 30 day return policy in case you buy what you later decide you dont like. :-)
P.S. If you want lots of power for lower prices you could try professional amplifiers like Crown. |
| Alesis RA500 | ne1scott
Nov 4, 2003 1:21 PM | | Has anyone heard one of these amps ? I haven't gotten a response back from Alesis on the questions I sent them. AudioSource AMP THREE, HK PA-2000, and the Rotel 1070/1080 are the amps I have been looking at so far. |
| Rotel 1070 or nad c370 integrated | hertz
Nov 6, 2003 1:54 AM | | The Rotel 1070 or Nad c370 integrated should suit you fine.I have heard both.They both have their signature sounds but both are very musical and high currrent amps. |
| re: Need help picking a 2 channel power amp for neoplanars | Mr Peabody
Nov 8, 2003 6:46 AM | | You want to get a true high current power amp. I don't think you will find what you need at $500. unless you go to the used market. I would also suggest buying from some place that will let you return the amp if it don't do what you want.
I would think Rotel power amps would fit your bill. I've heard cleaner amps than Adcom, but you may find a GFA 545 or 555 on the used market that will work. The 555 is 200 wpc. There are many good amps that will work but even used would be out of your price range. Arcam power amps aren't rated at big power but have excellent speaker driving ability. Again Arcam at $500. would have to be used. Also look for maaybe B&K.
www.spearitsound.com has several good deals under their "used/demo/close out" link and they have email address for advice. They seem to have a large variety of name brands as well. It may be worth checking out before buying used on Ebay or some other source where return is not an option.
Remember driving difficult speakers takes high current not watts per channel. I've seen a 40 watt Arcam integrated drive a pair of Martin Logan's where almost any mega watt receiver would have messed it's pants. |
| |
