Can you think of a reason not to?


Hello everyone,

I’ve loved audio (2-channel) since my teenage years and when home theater came out, well as expensive as it was I found a way to afford it. I traded in a beautiful 2-channel Onkyo Integra m-504 amplifier for an Integra 5-channel, I forget the model. Then I upgraded to an Anthem A5. Well I figured more power is always better so I sold the A5 and bought an Anthem P5.

Although an awesome piece of gear, I decided to scale down, sell my Paradigm Studio 20’s used for surround channels, the CC690 center, and two of my three REL 528 subwoofers.

What I have left is the Anthem P5, an AVM60, one REL R528, two Paradigm and two Sigature S2’s.

Im basically scaling down to a 2-channel system for simplicity and convenience. Here’s my thoughts and would love to get some opinions. I’m selling the P5 and possibly the AVM60 to make room for a P2 and a 2-channel pre amp. The P5 is a beast! If I keep it, I’ll always have three extra channels if one malfunctions and for trouble shooting. But on the other hand having this heavy amp is somewhat inconvenient and way overkill. If I found a P2 I’d even consider a trade.

How about some thoughts from the audio world?

oldschool1

Since the amp is the heart of the system and the P2 weighs ~1/2 of the P5, I would have all the power and audio quality I would ever need. I've always preferred separates and quite honestly like the aesthetics of the Anthem product. I guess that makes me a bit of a fan-boy. Also service and parts are readily available and Paradigm actually answers their support telephone.

Do you have room for 2 separate systems? My credenza fits my 2 channel tube amp and my tube preamp along with my DAC Oppo player and streamer  In the same credenza I also have my Emotiva XMC-2 AV preamp amp and Bryston 3-channel amp for movies 

I really don't need or want two systems. I also have to keep room for a couple guitar amp heads and a 2x12 cabinet. Oh. and a couple guitars too. lol

My priorities have changed from wanting the best audio system I could afford to the best guitar gear I can afford. Now that I have been in the guitar hobby for 5ish years, I've decided to re evaluate my audio needs and of course affordability.

My desire is simplicity and still keep some sort of 2-channel audio system, hence the desire to sell the P5 for a 2-channel version, the P2. Once the P5 is sold and the P2 is purchased I'll be looking at a 2-channel preamp. Coming from a 5 channel HT with 4 REL subs, it's quite a down-size. As it is, I'm only listening to 2-channel so I know what a 2-channel will sound like. I'm unsure how difficult it will be to sell the P5.

I would guess you'd gain more from a 2 channel preamp than a 2 channel amp. Just guessing.  I'm fond of a tube preamp paired with a solid state amp. 

As mentioned, if you haven't sold your subwoofers, I would keep two of them and run a stereo pair.