Which amp for Marantz Av7005/ B&W 680 speakers


I recently purchased the Marantz AV7005 to replace an Onkyo receiver pushing my B&W's. Have 683 fronts, 684 rears, htm center. Will be using 685's as surrounds once I decide on amps and figure out how to properly mount. B&W does not have any useable chooses other then stands which I currently have but want to elevate for function and appearance.
What I need input from all of you is in my choice of amps. I am leaning towards Emotiva XPA-1's for the fronts and possibly XPA-5 or purchasing a XPA-2 for rears with the monos for the fronts. If I get the sound I'm looking for with a 5.1 setup then that's ok, I will use the 685's somewhere else. Even with that underpowered onkyo I was able to piss off the neighbors 2 units away.
Ideally I would like amps that have plenty of clean/useable power in reserve but could handle the needs of the B&W's, they are amazing speakers but seem to starve for power. Also want amps that won't push me into upgrading my speakers. I think I may have caught the audiophile bug, I always seem to be chasing that perfect sound/performance.
Have a budget of $2500
rpi

Showing 1 response by willland

Have you thought of going used and specifically B&K amps. It seems like some are prematurely dumping their B&K gear due to their bankruptsy and subsequently being bought out by ATI. Some really good amps on the used market right now. Here are a couple of suggestions for your setup. No affiliation with these ads.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1294320529&/B-K-TX4430-Compare-to-Referenc

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1295921102&/B-K-EX4420-2x200-watt/channel-

I own both of these amps(not ones in ads) and could not be happier. Powerful, neutral/warm, quiet, cool running with my Klipsch RF-63's.

Bill