Amp <$600 for Outlaw 950 (1 Viewer)

[Scott messing]

I am looking for an amp to pair up with an Outlaw 950. I have been looking at the Parasound 855 and a used Rotel 985 THX. I am trying to stay under $1500 for the whole setup (950 and amp).

Will the Parasound and Rotel provide enough power for a room 22x13x8??, or will I need more power? I have also been considering spending a little more and perhaps getting an Acurus 125x5, and have heard some people recommending the Sherwood Newcastle AM-9080. Both the Rotel and the Parasound can be had for $400-$500 or less, while the Acurus will cost twice as much.

My biggest question is...

Will moving up to an Amp that puts out 125 Watts per channel or more make a huge difference?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[BobAlbano]

Scott, I recently purchased the Sherwood Newcastle AM-9080 and have been extremely happy with it's performance. I have it paired with Klipsch Reference speakers and it has been a welcome switch for me from the Onkyo that they were paired with. I am using a Denon 3300 as a pre/pro until I get called for my 950 which will prob be late this summer seeing as I didn't get on the list until March. I was using the Denon to power my speakers before the AM-9080 and the difference is definately noticable. The bass seems to be tighter and harder as well as the highs seem to be more refined. I was able to pick one up that was used for about 2 months for a little over $400.00. Next to my SVS this has been the best money that I have spent on my system. I you can find one I say go for it. You would have to pry mine from my Kung Foo grip to take it out of my system.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

I currently have 2 Acurus 125X5 amps (buyer may have backed out of the purchase of one of them). It is an awesome amp - a combination of brute strenght and silky smoothness.

 

[Bob-N]

Scott,
I've got the 985mkII (100-110W/ch) coupled with my 950 with CDM1NTs/602/LCR6 and easily got to reference levels in my 24x10x8 room. I didn't feel the amp straining nor did it get really hot (in an entertainment center and 950 on top) when running the Phantom Menace or the Matrix in 5.1. It's a really good pairing IMHO.
I think it really depends on how loud you like to listen to movies. I like it just a bit under reference at ~70db, about -10 to -5 db on the 950 volume-o-meter.
BTW, I got my Rotel amp used for $500 (well, $532 w/shipping). I thought it was a great value as the previous owner only used it for about a month before putting it in storage. It looked like it had been never used.
Bob

 

[Earl Simpson]

Scott, How much are the 950's. I went to the site and there is no info. Also what are the specs.

 

[Scott messing]

bump

 

[Scott messing]

Bob-N

How is the quality of the MKII if pushed above reference levels?

I have seen some of these come up for sale recently. I know it is an older amp, but I am wondering how it the 985MKII with 110x5 compares to some of the newer amps with 125x5.