3 channel amps

No, it's not a combination. All three are independent of each other.

Uhm no the 3 channel is its own independent line of signal.

You must have an AV tool that can at least do multichannel audio even if it's just Surround Sound or else there's no need for the centre channel signal for an amp @jbuhl 

As others mentioned, a 3 channel amplifier has three separate channels or amps on board. This would be handy for example when powering your front stereo pair plus a center channel speaker. Then you could power your surround channels with lesser amplification (maybe the part build in to an A/V receiver) since those are less demanding than the 3 front speakers.

I have used a 3 channel Parasound amp at some point, just to power a stereo setup with no center channel. It works fine. You are obviously "wasting" the circuitry in that center channel but if you find a good deal on a good amp, it might still be worthwhile. 

Or it could be used for a L+R and a passive subwoofer.

Ok I have a nice B&W HTM2 Center in my AV rig that is sinfully under utilized. I am toying with the idea of moving that into my 2 channel system with this 3 channel Classe.  What frequency is transmitted to the 3rd channel? In my 2 channel set is just a Rogue RP-1.  I would just be listening to stereo recordings.   Maybe a center for 2 channel rig doesn’t make sense?    I realize when I do that I no longer have 2 channel. 

Apologies for my poor understanding. 

Update:  I just looked on the back panel of the Classe.  It appears I would need a AV type pre section for the 3rd channel?  Or If I come off the line2 of my Rogue then I would have to choose either the left or right channel ?

Hey OP,

The center channel is not really used unless you have a home theater processor.  Even then the default is to not use it unless you enable some sort of matrix mode like Dolby Prologic or something else which tries to use "extra" speakers in a home theater by some artificial processing.  Some of it can sound quite nice but I think if you have a center you shouldn't force yourself to use it elsewhere.  Sell it and reduce your hassle.

Yeah after looking at it makes sense; ain't really gonna work. 

Sorry, the default is not to use the center unless for movies or multi-channel audio.  Stereo playback (music) won't use the center without Dolby ProLogic or Neo7 or something similar turned on. 

There's no quick or easy way to just add a center to a stereo rig.

Yeah I turn the center on/off depending if I am listening to music or watching a movie on my AV rig.   Just gotten to where I don't watch the tele much anymore.  So may send that gear down the road. 

btw, some Vintage Amps and Preamps like Fisher 500C had a Center Channel Out which was derived from l+r and powered.

Think original Mono Speaker and Mono Amp in a Space.

Add a second matching speaker and second matching Mono Amp.

Thus ready for Stereo and Big Mono.

Now, stereo placement might not have been possible, and a large space might have a hole in it, thus a derived center out, long before Quad, Long before dedicated center channel content.

Or, drive Stereo Pair in one room, and drive a single mono speaker in another room.

I would check the manual thoroughly, you might have optional use of that Center Channel. 

no a modern three channel amp is just that three channels of amplification usually sold with a stereo amplifier to make five channels to power a modern 5.1 system 

or conversely used to power left right and center channels 

and you may want to look at a newer amplifier seems to be from 2007 so you may need new caps.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ