MikeNagy
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2003
- Messages
- 83
I'm finally ready to make the leap to separates. I'm seriously eyeing a Sherwood Newcastle P-965 pre/pro, but more importantly, I want to get a 5-7 channel amp that's going to be the cornerstone of my system for years to come.
I would love to be able to audition these, but I live in an A/V black hole. The few dealers in my area are idiots or worse. One always tried to sell me some Denon receiver whenever I walked in the door. Anyway, I need opinions of real people.
My price range is about $2000-2500. I'm willing to go used. Price isn't a factor as long as it's in the range. In other words, I'm not going to choose a slightly inferior amp just to save $300. I don't really care about 7 channels because the wife can barely stand five speakers and a sub taking up living room real estate, and I dare not push my luck with seven. But I know some amps only come in 7 channel configurations nowadays, so whatever.
I've read a lot about the Sherwood A-965, and while most of what I've read is positive, the thing that bothers me is that it's said to be slow. Can anybody shed light on if this is in fact the case? I really want an amp that is quick on its feet and can handle large dynamics.
I've also read great things about the NAD T973. In fact I haven't read any complaints about it. I currently have a NAD T752 receiver, and I've been generally happy with it, especially for the price, so I guess you can say I've got some brand loyalty going. But I can't help but wonder if the T973 is the best out there for the money.
The Outlaw 755 sounds promising on paper, but I've also seen a lot of negative opinions about it, so not so sure it's for me.
I've read a little about Rotel, the primary drawback seems to be that it's a little thin-sounding. This is my pet-peeve. I hate going to concerts or just about any live event because the speakers are always too bright and literally give me a headache. I don't want to be a whiner, but I just can't take bright, tinny, "detailed" sound. I need definition for sure, but not at the expense of a warm, smooth sound.
The B&K Ref 200.7, while being quick, dynamic, and tonally-balanced, is said to sound "dry". Anybody actually listen to it? What did you think of the sound?
I read quite a bit about the Fosgate FAA 1000.5 here (an excellent read, if rather involved), and while other reviews were favorable, those people found that its magical sound was due to its power cord (??), as well as it having some pretty hefty tonal balance issues.
I haven't read too much about the Anthem PVA 7, but it sounds good. A little more musical than purely dynamic (which is good). Also from anthem and in my price range (used) is the Statement A5, but that is said to be bright. And if a reviewer admits that it is bright, I would most likely not like it.
So now that I've rattled off what I've read about all these different amps, have any of you heard these amps in person? Are the descriptions above accurate? Which one would be the best, given my criteria?
I would love to be able to audition these, but I live in an A/V black hole. The few dealers in my area are idiots or worse. One always tried to sell me some Denon receiver whenever I walked in the door. Anyway, I need opinions of real people.
My price range is about $2000-2500. I'm willing to go used. Price isn't a factor as long as it's in the range. In other words, I'm not going to choose a slightly inferior amp just to save $300. I don't really care about 7 channels because the wife can barely stand five speakers and a sub taking up living room real estate, and I dare not push my luck with seven. But I know some amps only come in 7 channel configurations nowadays, so whatever.
I've read a lot about the Sherwood A-965, and while most of what I've read is positive, the thing that bothers me is that it's said to be slow. Can anybody shed light on if this is in fact the case? I really want an amp that is quick on its feet and can handle large dynamics.
I've also read great things about the NAD T973. In fact I haven't read any complaints about it. I currently have a NAD T752 receiver, and I've been generally happy with it, especially for the price, so I guess you can say I've got some brand loyalty going. But I can't help but wonder if the T973 is the best out there for the money.
The Outlaw 755 sounds promising on paper, but I've also seen a lot of negative opinions about it, so not so sure it's for me.
I've read a little about Rotel, the primary drawback seems to be that it's a little thin-sounding. This is my pet-peeve. I hate going to concerts or just about any live event because the speakers are always too bright and literally give me a headache. I don't want to be a whiner, but I just can't take bright, tinny, "detailed" sound. I need definition for sure, but not at the expense of a warm, smooth sound.
The B&K Ref 200.7, while being quick, dynamic, and tonally-balanced, is said to sound "dry". Anybody actually listen to it? What did you think of the sound?
I read quite a bit about the Fosgate FAA 1000.5 here (an excellent read, if rather involved), and while other reviews were favorable, those people found that its magical sound was due to its power cord (??), as well as it having some pretty hefty tonal balance issues.
I haven't read too much about the Anthem PVA 7, but it sounds good. A little more musical than purely dynamic (which is good). Also from anthem and in my price range (used) is the Statement A5, but that is said to be bright. And if a reviewer admits that it is bright, I would most likely not like it.
So now that I've rattled off what I've read about all these different amps, have any of you heard these amps in person? Are the descriptions above accurate? Which one would be the best, given my criteria?
. Ok that was lame. Anyway, I'm having a hard time finding info about it online. Would you care to elaborate on what you like about it and what you dislike?
