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amplifier question

post #1 of 3
3/19/10 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Everyone,

I have been slowly building a system for 5.1 use, but 2 channel listening is also very important (perhaps more than HT).  Can't afford to have 2 separate systems and so realize there may be some compromises.

Right now here is what I have...

main speakers are revel f32, center revel c32, and rears revel m22
subwoofer JL audio f112
Yamaha 663 A/V receiver (100w x 5 channels).

My plan is to move to seprates and stage the purchase of pre/pro and amp by temporarily using the pre outs on the Yamaha.  Initially, I was quite keen on Parasound a51 or a52 to use for both 2 channel and 5.1,  But I am now wondering if havig a separate 2 channel amplifier (like a used mcintosh 402) would be much more ideal.  Does anyone have opinions?  I could hook a 2 channel into the Yamaha pre-outs to run my mains for now.  Just don't know.  Do folks think there will be a significant difference in 2 channel sonic quality?

Many thanks!

Jon 
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post #2 of 3
3/20/10 at 9:33am
Yes, just powering the mains with a 2ch amp will make a noticeable difference, but the rest of your system will not sound as good comparatively when listening to multichannel IMO.  Honestly, I would be looking to get a 5ch amp because I wouldn't want to power such nice speakers off a receiver like that.  At the very least, I'd go with three channels for the front stage.
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post #3 of 3
3/20/10 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice.

I guess here is what I am after.  Since I use my system 70% for 2 channel and 30% for HT, I am trying to decide whether it would be wiser to get a 5 channel amplifier with a multichannel pre/pro eventually replacing the Yamaha receiver OR get a 2 channel amplifier for mains, a lower end multichannel amp to cover other speakers, and a multichannel pre/pro.  Bottom line - how much does one sacrifice in 2 channel performance through a 5 channel amplifier?  Or, does something like a Parasound a51 (5 channel 250 watts) perform as well in 2 channel as its 2 channel counterpart (parasound a21)?  Perhaps I am just splitting hairs.

Also, thoughts as to the merrits of brands such as Parasound, McIntosh, and others considering speakers I currently have.

Many thanks,

Jon 
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