Good 5 Chan Amp (1 Viewer)

[JoelM]

I have the Diva 6.1 setup which includes

2 6.1

1 c3

4 r3 (I have 2 for the back surrounds)

Which 5 chan. amp offers the best bang for the buck. Let's keep the price under 800. Also, I have a Denon2802 rated 85 watts per chan. What makes an amp with the same power level destory any HT receiver. Thanks

 

[Steve Zimmerman]

If you're willing to go discountinued or slightly used then the Outlaw 750 or the Sherwood Newcastle AM-9080 get my vote.

--Steve

 

[Frank Carter]

You might want to check out ubid.com. They're an authoized dealer of Parasound(I called and verified). I just saw a bunch of Parasound HCA-855's go for around $300. That's unbelievable! It's 85x5 but it'll blow almost all higher powered receivers away. Still skeptical about the power. Buy two, bi-amp your fronts and center and you have four channels left to power the rest of your surrounds. Get this you'll still be under budget. You just can't go wrong. I tried to pick an extra one up so I can biamp my Klipsch but I was outbid by only $10!

 

[bruce townley]

Thanks, Joel. I have been watching the Parasound for some time. I put in a bid at 350 + shipping about 1/2 hour before it closes. See what happens. If I get it, my wife will not be happy. If I don't, I wont't be happy. Either way, someone wins.

 

[Ken Custodio]

I just put a bid on that same amp.
Kinda high price on shipping though, it's going to be about $52.

 

[JoelM]

**If I get it, my wife will not be happy. If I don't, I won't be happy. Either way, someone wins**

I know what you mean. I had 2 of them up to 305 and was hoping to be outbid. Maybe one now, and another later. This will drive my Diva's well, later I can use them on my 4 R3's at 4 ohms when I get 2. Or maybe I'll go for the big brother to drive the center/mains. Got to like this 350 deal though.

 

[Ken Custodio]

I have a Denon 4802 wich is 120 wpc at 8 ohms, so the Parasound will be a drop in power. But I wanted to try a separate amp on what I am hearing people on this forum say all the time.
Sometimes I wish I never joined this forum, cuz I would have alot more money, but a worse sounding HT

 

[Ken Custodio]

Thanks, Joel. I have been watching the Parasound for some time. I put in a bid at 350 + shipping about 1/2 hour before it closes. See what happens. If I get it, my wife will not be happy. If I don't, I wont't be happy. Either way, someone wins.

Well Bruce, I guess your wife won't be happy, becuase you were the bidder right in front of me, and the auction is closed now

 

[JoelM]

Well we all won congrats!!! I have a Denon2802 rated 85 per chan(I think), power amps are suppose to bring out a lot more then a receiver amp is capable of so I'm sure we'll be pleased. At least I'm crossing my fingers.

 

[Ken Custodio]

UPS is AWFUL! My Parasound amp was supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning but for some reason it is on its was BACK to where it was delivered from! According to the shipment tracking, now I will get it next week. I guess they left it on the truck.

I wouldn't mind so much but this is the third time something like this has happened to me with UPS.

 

[JoelM]

::Quickly checks his Parasound status:: Mines suppose to be here on Thurs. Good I'm off that day. UPS has also missent some gear I ordered back to its origin at one time. I can't see how they can misplace a 50lb amp. Or in my case a Denon2802.

 

[bruce townley]

ALLEGEDLY mine is to arrive today. We shall see. The next question I have is what interconnects to use. there is a thread in the tweaks. Looking at the catcables.

 

[RajeeK]

ALLEGEDLY mine is to arrive today. We shall see. The next question I have is what interconnects to use. there is a thread in the tweaks. Looking at the catcables.

I use outlaw interconnects for my amp. Very reasonably priced and good quality. Definately recommended.

 

[LuisH]

I went with Catcables from my Lexicon to my parasound amp and was very happy with them. Very nicely built and were very transparent.

 

[TheLongshot]

Damnit, I always find out about these things after they are done with...

Jason

 

[Frank Carter]

I find the Acoustic Research Pro Series an excellent budget alternative.

 

[TheLongshot]

Actually, I spoke too soon. There are three more up. A bit more than what you guys paid, but still a decent deal.

Jason

 

[bruce townley]

HA. Now UPS says "Package Missed. No Delivery Attempt Made." I am not sure exactly what that means, except it will not be arriving today. Yes, UPS is striking all of us

 

[JoelM]

Mine is at the Buffalo Hub as I type, so tomorrow I'll be hooking that badboy up. Can't wait I have the day off!!!

 

[Ken Custodio]

Well, UPS delivered mine today even though the tracking still says it will be delivered next week. Maybe they will deliver another Parasound amp for me
After listening to a bunch of CDs and DVDs I really didn't notice THAT much difference between just using my receiver and using the power amp. I did notice however the hideous ground loop hum from my cable that the amp picked up. I had to unplug my cable tv to get rid of the hum (But that is another issue)
I thought the difference was going to be a "Night and Day" difference like the first time I added a subwoofer to my system or switched from Dolby Prologic to Dolby Digital. I did notice that listening at even low levels the bass was more punchy, like I was listening at higher listening volumes and the acoustic guitars sounded a bit better, but nothing breath taking like alot of people rave on this forum.
Maybe I don't have the "Critical Ear" or I don't have the best equipment to fully bring out the sound you should get with separate power amp. But my equipment is fairly good quality....
Denon 4802 receiver
Paradigm Monitor 9's fronts
SVS 20-39 PCi sub
Sony CD player
MIT Terminator 2 speaker cables for the fronts.
and the Parasound power amp.
Maybe Parasound isn't a good match for the Paradigms, I don't know. I was hoping for a drastic improvement. Not that is sounded that bad before, I think it actually sounded pretty good (Better than any display at my local Hi-Fi store)