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In Reply to: need 5 channel amp recomendations posted by Eric J on February 15, 2000 at 21:52:04:
Two suggestions:#1 - consider combining two and three channel amps. That way, you don't limit yourself to only 5 channel boxes. Plus, allows you to allocate your budget; e.g., spend more on a higher quality 3 channel amp for the front speakers, and buy an inexpensive, lower powered amp for the rear effects.
#2 - look for used equipment. Substantial savings off retail. For example, I use a combination of Aragon's 8008BB and 8008X3, which list for approx $5k combined. Recently, I saw an 8008BB for $1400; i.e., $1k off of retail.
I am very happy with my Aragon's by the way. They aren't Mark Levinson's, but they're a very reasonable value. Understand the same holds true for Bryston amps.
You have given me a great idea regarding using 2 amps. Would you suggest a nice 2 channel for the front mains (audio reasons) and a 3 channel for center and rears or would you prefer a good 3 channel for the front and a basic 2 channel for the rears. The reason I ask is that good 2 channels are relatively easy to come by. Thanks for the advice!
Oh God, I thought of one other route.Consider instead getting monoblocks all around. For the money, I like Marantz's. They have two models, which I understand differ just in power ratings (the higher powered ones of course cost more). But, either way, they don't cost a lot. So, you could start with the 2 or 3 of the high powered units, and then buy more (of the same rating, or the less expensive lower powered units) over time.
One of the problems with this route is all the power cords you'd have to deal with. But otherwise, it would give you a lot of flexibility, both in spreading out the cost of your investment over time, and in placement of the amps (you could put them all together and have long speaker wire runs, or place one by each speaker, and use short runs of speaker wire, which is supposedly better).
That's it. Think we've covered all the various ways you could go. Hope this has been helpful, not confusing. Good luck.
Thanks for the help Larry, Im going to go with a good 2 channel because my priority is audio. The monoblock is a good idea but I dont have the room for 5 seperate amps. Also, I think I've decided I'm going to buy a home this summer and it will(cross my fingers) have a theater room, at which time I would like to seperate the audio from the theater and having a good 2 channel will allow me to use my main speakers, CD Player and 2 channel amp for audio and add speakers and a moderate 5 channel, like a Anthem MCA5 or Acurus 125x5 to complete the theater room. Thanks for all the advice!
One other point I just thought of. In the next year or so, Dolby EX might take off (is DTS coming out with something similar?). That'll require yet another amp channel. So, if you allocated your money for a high quality 3 channel amp now, you could upgrade later on by purchasing an identical 3 channel amp for the 3 surrounds. Or, the way I'd go, you could buy an even better quality 2 channel amp right now, and plan to get a good 4 channel amp later on (they can be found).For example, you could get a great 3 channel amp for $2,500, and look for a used HK Citation 4 channel amp (I've seen them used on the net for less than $1,000). That would give you the 5 channels you need now, plus an extra channel for future needs. If you buy a 5 channel amp, and if EX becomes important later (possibly a BIG if, but Dolby has a lot of clout), you'll end up looking for a monoblock amp (wouldn't be a problem to some people - depends upon your preferences).
Kind of confusing when you try to plan long term. But, that's the fun (or frustrating, depending upon how you look at it) part of this hobby.
What's most important to you first? Music or video? I had limited funds, enough to buy either an average 5 channel amp, or stretch to something better (for me, the 8008BB was a stretch cost wise). My primary use then was 2 channel music, so I decided to get as good of an amp I could for the front left & right, and an inexpensive, used Acurus 3 channel amp for my center & surrounds. A couple of years later, I traded in that amp for the 8008X3.IMHO, I don't think spending big $$'s for surround speaker amps is all that necessary. Usually, the LF for those channels is routed to a sub, and I at least do not have audiophile quality surround speakers. OTOH, if you've spent the big $$'s for superior surround speakers, the ones that could benefit from a great amp, you can also afford a suitable (probably hi priced) amp.
Alternatively, you could look for a great 3 channel amp, for the front three speakers. Again, my opinion, for what it is worth to you, is that the surrounds don't necessarily need expensive amps.
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