2. amps-preamps
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Multichannel Amp suggestions

Hello. I want to purchase a new 5-7 channel amp to build a new system. I am looking to spend no more than 4 grand new. My speakers are Triangle Esprit line. I have Celiuses for fronts with the Major center and Comete rears. I am going to use my Celiuses for 2 channel also cause I listen to a great deal of music. I would really appreciate some companies that I should be looking at. I want to do one amp due to space. Also what are some factors that make a good amp also: like is number of power supply that important, capacitors for each cannel? I currently have a NAD receiver that I'll continue to use for a pro till I decide to get a new one. I figure this is the best place to put my money right now for the future do to how things are evolving at this time with DVD and such.

Thanks so much,

So far I have NAD and Bryston in my head. Where else should I look?

Take care,
jim
jim77
jim77 OP
6 posts
 
Bob,

Thanks for the reply. Here is my thoughts on everything that I have been going through the past few weeks. I just like NAD. I don't know why I just do. My receiver has not let me down for 7 years now and the reason I feel I ended up with Triangle speakers is due to NAD sound. I was going to jump on a used masters series amp and then thought about getting their new regular 7 channel piece due to a match fit and that I am seriuosly considering the 175 pro. I have heard the 785 already in a theatre at a house i was at a few weeks ago and really liked the setup. I felt that the separate amp would deff give me all the head room I would need, but I wanted to cover al my bases and see if it was worth the time seeking out some other alts. Your post got me thinking when you said about the ATI not being much diff in your eyes than the NAD BEE.

Also you mention Bryston and ATI again. You feel they are very similar?
Post removed 
jim77 OP
6 posts
 
Bob,

Thanks for the reply. I am like you that I did want to keep everything kinda in the same family. That's also why I migrated towards NAD again.

I figured I would do the 775 for the amp. i would use the 175 for my processor and that way I can also biamp the fronts for 2 channel if I decide to add the pre amp they make.

or i was going to try and look for a used masters series integrated.

my speakers have a 93 effeciency so i figured 140w per ch was way more than enough for my listening room which is 22 long and 17 deep with 9 foot ceilings.

any thoughts from anyone else out there too?
clwhitlock
3 posts
 
I recommend that you go to the ButlerAudio web site and study the specs and design comments there. Tube life is touted to be very long and I have had no maintenance issues. I use a Anthem D2 HT processor now, but used a Lexicon MC 12 before that. Have also used an Adcom prepro with the Butler and it sounded great.
ckoffend
684 posts
 
None, unless your ONLY real concern is HT. I have been through a bunch of multi-channel amps in hopes that I would find one that does a very good job in 2-channel and a decent job in HT/multi-channel. These include Krell 1500, Proceed, Conrad Johnson and the "highly acclaimed/reviewed" Theta Dreadnaught II. None of them could compare to a two channel or mono amp for 2-channel reproduction, even 2 channel amps at a fraction of the multi channel amps pricing.

I appreciate your goals and objectives with space and cost, but trust me if you really listen to 2-channel music, you will never be satisfied with a 5-7 multi channel amp. This being said, spend $2000-$2,500 on a good used 2-channel and the balance on a 3 channel amp. Hide the 3-channel amp behind the speakers or someplace and use a remote turn-on tied to your DVD player.
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