Using a Rotel RSX-1055 as a pre/pro? Best way to incorporate external amplification? (1 Viewer)

[Ryan_MF]

Right now I have my RSX-1055 running Dynaudio Audience 122 mains (6 ohm) and Dynaudio Audience 42 surrounds (4 ohm), with a Dynaudio Audience 122C (6 ohm) to arrive this week. This is quite a load for a one-box solution like the 1055. I'm thinking about picking up a multichannel amp to decrease the load and I'm torn between two options. 1) A more powerful three channel amp for the center and mains with the 1055 running the surrounds and a set of rears that I plan to add in the future - another set of 4 ohm Audience 42s. 2) A more powerful seven channel amp at roughly 100-120 Watts per channel at 8 ohms with the 6/7 rear channels being added in the future.
Which option would be a better route? Would the savings on a three channel amp (over a seven channel) be worth it, even though I would still be running four 4 ohm speakers on the 1055?

Advice is needed.

 

[Ricky T]

Ryan,

Someone on this forum is selling a pair of Marantz MA500 125 watt monoblocks for ~ 300. Get these, add a 3rd monoblock (see audigon & ebay) and you would have three nice amp channels for your mains and center for ~ 450. The Rotel should be fine with those four rear speakers.

 

[Ryan_MF]

Going with a series of MA500 Monoblocks, if I can find quality used units, would be an affordable way to get the power range and headroom that the Dyns demand. Thanks for the tip.

 

[gregD]

If it was me...

How about a Rotel 1095?... 200W x 5... will let your low-impedance speakers sing (and keep any future speaker choices flexible)... can't go wrong with more power... will also facilitate DVD-A / SACD, if you're interested.

The 1055's configurable amps can drive the rears (ch 6/7)... mostly ambience, easy on the receiver.

I see used 1095's on Audiogon once in a while.