2. amps-preamps
  3. 1075471837

2-channel + 3-channel amps, versus 5-channel amp

I am considering an amplifier upgrade for my system, which pulls double duty for 2-channel and HT. In truth, I have been listening to more HT (what with kids and all), but most of my critical listening is good old 2-channel. My initial thought would be that a really good two channel amp, and then a separate 3-channel amp for center and surrounds (not worried about 7.1, for now or the foreseeable future) would be the way to go, but I do see a number of really nice 5-channel amps out there (Theta DII is enticing). My concern with 5-channel would be a single power supply trying to handle all 5 channels. But I do see that most of these amps use a very beefy, and significantly upgraded power supply over their 2-3 channel brethren.

And advantage of the 5-channel approach is that all three of my front speakers would receive the same power, which is nice. But then this begs the question of whether or not I would be better served by getting a better/more powerful 3-channel amp, and then a smaller 2-channel amp for surrounds! Talk about choices (then of course, there is the option of 5 mono amps!).

For speakers, I am driving Thiel CS3.6's, which are notoriously hard to drive, and spend a good bit of their time in the 2 ohm region, a Thiel SCS3 for the center (which is loads easier to drive), and currently I have AR TSW-110's for surrounds, though I may replace them with two more SCS3's. My processor is a Rotel RSP-1066. Brands which I have been looking into include McCormack, Krell, Bryston, Theta, and Classe.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks, Tom.
tombowlus

Showing 2 responses by vgrubb

vgrubb
33 posts
 
I had a similar setup with B&W's. I used an X250 on the mains and an X3 on the center and surrounds. It worked very well. Currently I'm using an X3 on CS1.6's and an SCS3 and an X5 on PowerPoints and PowerPlanes. This is a great sounding combination. I know I'm wasting a channel, but I wanted to stay all Pass and this was cheaper than going with two X150's.
Vic
vgrubb
33 posts
 
Ideally, you would have identical speakers across the front and identical amps. But IMO, it is going to take a little more power on the 3.6's than the SCS3 to achieve the same levels. You are going to have to calibrate your speaker levels anyway. An X250 driving the 3.6's shouldn't be a lot different than an X3 driving an SCS3, since the SCS3 is going to be more efficient. I considered getting an ATI to use on surrounds, but didn't want to mix brands of amps.
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