Which Amp is best? (1 Viewer)

[Richie-C]

Looking at buying an amplifier, this will be my first. I am currently running a Pioneer Elite 49tx with Paradigm Studio 100's front, L&R, LCR450 Center, Studio ADP's surrounds and Paradigm Eclipse in the rear back. Also have a JBL subwoofer -- which I am not happy with and will be replacing but that is another post.

I want to buy a 5 channel amp. I am interested in the following: Parasound 2205, Earthquake CineNova Grande, and the Carver Cinema Grand II. Please let me know your opinions.

 

[Ken Custodio]

you probably couldn't go wrong with any of those amps, but Parasound seems to be the best for the dollar amount.

 

[Dave Moritz]

I think they are all nice amps as well. The Sunfire is a very good performer for the money. But imho I would get the Earthquake CineNova Grande. IMHO I beleive this amp outperforms the other two and has received very good reviews. This is one of the amps I am looking at for my HT system that will be driving a pair of Altec Voice of the Theater cabnets. Lets us know what you end up with.

 

[Richie-C]

Thanks guys, I am leaning towards the CineNova Grande because of the reviews and the power. Looks like I also need to do some research on Sherbourn amps as well.

 

[TracyB]

Im in the same boat. I have narrowed it down between the Grande and the Sherbourn. If I can find the Sherbourn for under 1500 but cant seem to do thus far I will go for that but if not then I will shell out the 2 grand for the Grande.

 

[BobRoulier]

Richie,
I have the same setup as you 49tx/parasound 2205, studio 100s and it sounds great! I think the 100s could use more power like a parasound 3500 if I could find one:frowning: but the 2205 is perfect for the other five speakers although the grande is a fine amp
let us know what you get and what you think good luck Bob

 

[Roger Kaufmann]

I've had the Cinenova Grande for about 1.5 years and love it. Nice little (hah!) amp, it can be had for significantly less than list price. I paid $2000 and have seen them new on Audiogon for close to that, in fact I just checked and there was one brand new listed today for $2199. I bought based on it's reviews alone, when I was shopping the only one I even saw wasn't hooked up to listen to. For now I'm using a Sony ES receiver as the pre-amp and have it hooked up to my B&W Matrix 805's for HT. Biggest difference I noticed compared to the Sony was it gave much more detail.

Cheers,