Need advice on which 5 or 6 channel amp to buy.... (1 Viewer)

[Gruson]

I finally have my Studio 40s up and running but I had to turn down all of my other speakers to match them.
I am now thinking that these babies need an amp.
Any suggestions?
Thanks and my equipment is below....
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Equipment:
Mitsubishi 65907 65" HDTV ISFd Steve Martin
Yamaha RX-V1000 6.1
Paradigm PW2200
Paradigm Studio CC
Paradigm Studio 40s
CV LS-15s
CV LS-8s
Toshiba 6200 Progressive
Pioneer CLD704 LD
Aura Bass Shakers
1080i DirecTV

 

[george king]

Well, if you wait until September, Anthem (a division of Sonic Frontiers, which is owned by Paradigm) is coming out with a 7 channel (125W/channel) for $1500. Given the positive reviews of their other amps, this may be a real winner. Hope this helps.
Here is a link to the amp.
http://www.sonicfrontiers.com/frames/mixfr.html

 

[Dan Hitchman]

For the Paradigms I would go with a warmer amp like the Parasound. An ATI, Sherbourn, or Outlaw may exacerbate the Paradigm's tendencies to run a little bright. IMHO.
Try Parasound's HCA-1205A. It's 5 channel with a conservative 140 watts/channel.
Exactly how much money are you willing to spend and what sized room is your home theater?
Dan

 

[Gruson]

Well, my room is a good 30 by 12 with 8 foot ceiling, forgot to mention that. I wanted to keep the price of a 5 or 7 channel amp. around $1500.
I am leaning toward either the Parasound 2205 or Sunfire 200x5 (I realize I will have to buy used to get around a $1500 price on these).
I have really just started looking into amps so I am open to sugestions. I am running a 7.1 EX setup too and the EX channel is being powered by an old Sony receiver of mine.
Thanks again,
JW

 

[Dan Hitchman]

The Parasound HCA-2205AT (220 watts/channel) is retailing now for $1,999. If you can find a dealer that will discount the price, that would be very close to a used one in the $1,500 range of yours.
Keep the receiver for now powering the back rear speakers and then add a stereo Parasound amp in the future.
If the seven-channel, Outlaw Audio Model 770 power amp (~200 watts/channel) is a decent product the $1,795 or less asking price would make it worth using their 30 day money back guarantee to try it out on your Paradigms. Should be released in September.
Dan
[Edited last by Dan Hitchman on July 25, 2001 at 06:04 PM]

 

[Steve Morgan]

Parasound amps mate very well with the Paradigm Studio line. It is a great synergy. I had the 2205at running 100's/cc/adp's and it was fantastic.You can find good bargains on Audiogon. I bought mine a year old and paid 1350.Plus they warranty for 10 years.Good luck. I am suprised Johan has not chimed in about Parasound.There are alot of Paradigm/Parasound users on this forum.
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[Kevin C Brown]

You could take a look at Acurus and B&K.
B&K Ref series are really nice. 5, 6, and now 7 channel amps. (3 channel amps too.)
I have personally been using Acurus for years. I currently have two 200x3 amps for a 6.1 THX EX/DTS-ES set up. In an Audio magazine review a while back, they got 315W per channel into 8ohms, and 515W into 4 ohms, with a constant AC line voltage maintained. "200" x 3 indeed!
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