Looking for a good 3 channel amp for my front stage

[Chip]

I'm using a Denon 5803 with PSB Stratus Silveri main's, C6i center, Image 10S surround's and an SVS 20-39PC sub. Anything decent around a $1000.00 ? I'd be willing to spend more.. Something with at least 200WPC. I like nuetral to warm sound so, i was thinking of Rotel and Parasound to begin with..Thanks for any thoughts..


I'm wondering about Proceed? Anyone know anything about the HPA-3 ? It's rated at 250 WPC.




Chip Engle


"Concrete ain't a spectator sport"


<a href="http://www.htguide.com/bilder/index.cfm?fuseaction=arkivbilder&userid=0&selected userid=336" target="_blank">My HT

[Ricky]

I don't think you can get an HPA3 for $1k, more than like $2k.
The Parasound 2003a, Rotel 993, and Acurus 200x3 are decent 3 channel amps under $800 used.

I think the Citation 7.1 75 lb, 150x4 is a better buy for $995 sealed with warranty from reputable www.jeffssoundvalues.com (retail $2800). Later, you can easily add a 2nd Citation for seamless 7 amp channels. Don't be fooled by the 150 wpc channel rating.

Rotel 1095 200x5
6 output devices per channel
Two 1.2 kVA power transformers
~ 80 pounds

Citation 7.1 (4 channels)
10 output devices per channel
~ 1.8 kVA power transformer
75 pounds

ATI2505 250x5 (used ~ $1200)
12 output devices per channel
3.0 kVA power transformer
Class A for first ~ 10 watts
115 pounds

Parasound 2200II 250x2 (used ~ $700)
12 output devices per channel
Two 1.2 kVA power transformers (one per channel)
Class A for first 8 watts
60 pounds

Rotel 1090 380x2
12 output devices per channel
Two 1.25 kVA power transformers (one per channel)
~ 85 pounds

Classe CAM350 350 wpc monoblock
16 output devices per channel
One 1.2 kVA power transformers
Class A for first 110 watts
100+ pounds

If you think in terms on these specs per channel, the Citation 7.1 will beat the likes of the 3 channel amps. The ATI2505 and Parasound 2200II are monsters, especially for the money.

[SiliGoose]

Hmmm...weight = sound quality?

I'm going to build a styrofoam and balsa wood amp just to contradict that premise.

It'll float too...so you can use it in the pool. That 115lb ATI won't sound so good resting at the bottom of the pool.




-Sili

[Ricky]

A heavy amp doesn't necessary perform great. But most great amps are heavy.......

[Lex]

The HPA-3 cost close to 5000 new. Awesome amp, sister to my HPA-2. Parasound nice amps, good value. Rotel, get every bit of 200 watts, the 100 watt RB-985 amp was anemic to my Infinity Kappa 7.1s if your speakers are hard to drive.

Nice post Ricky, you do know his amps!

LOL Sili.

Good point Ricky. Weight is a good indicator of heat sink mass, heavy transformers, and power supply-

Lex

[SiliGoose]

Point me in the direction of a good site to read up on the various classes of amps. I need to understand exactly what it means if an amp is "class A for the first 100w"? -or why the number of output devices per channel matters (or even what an output device is!).




-Sili

[Ricky]

Here's a nice glossary.

http://www.showorks.com/Library/Glossary/digi-dic.htm#amplifier_classes

[Ricky]

Chip,

DT member Steve Morgan has a parasound 2205A 220x5 for $1250:

http://www.digitaltheater.com/cfb/index.cfm?fuseaction=thread&CFB=1&Tid=110008&DoOne Page=Yes&RequestTimeout=500


Here's an ebay seller in NJ with 77 reviews and a Parasound 1500A 205x2 for $475. I sold mine to Lex a couple of years ago.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1359968183


Here's an ATI2505 for $1250:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampsmult&1029010170


Here's the bstock Citation 7.1 for $995 (with pic)

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ddampsmult&1027053419

And how do I copy these as links instead of text?
How do I insert a picture?

[SiliGoose]

Substitute the ( ) for brackets like this [ & ] (If I used the actual brackets the software would think I'm really inserting a link and you wouldn't see the example.

insert links: (url) web address (/url)

insert image: (img) image address (/img)




-Sili

[Chip]

What do you think of this for $1299.00 ?

http://earthquakesound.com/serv01.htm

Hey Ricky thanks for the tip! I'll have to check that out.




Chip Engle


"Concrete ain't a spectator sport"


<a href="http://www.htguide.com/bilder/index.cfm?fuseaction=arkivbilder&userid=0&selected userid=336" target="_blank">My HT

[Chip]

Sili ?,

I thought if i put the brackets around the link it would work????? I cannot believe i still can't drop a link into a post here! Ahhhh man! LOL.. I must be super dense..




Chip Engle


"Concrete ain't a spectator sport"


<a href="http://www.htguide.com/bilder/index.cfm?fuseaction=arkivbilder&userid=0&selected userid=336" target="_blank">My HT

[SiliGoose]

Chip,

Next time you initiate a new post click on the link that says "View the CFB Code Guide here" to see the instructions. The link is located right below the smiley faces.

The instructions do a better job of explaining it as I can't type the code here without the software thinking I really want to insert a link.

BTW, I fixed the link for you. Which Earthquake amp can you get for only $1299? That's a great deal!




-Sili

[Ricky]

Chip,

I assume you could get the 3 channel earthquake for $1299. Interestingly, Steve Morgan just bought the 5 channel version and put his parasound 2205a for sale...without at first comaring the two! I am still awaiting his review on the forums......

I don't think your PSB's are that hard to drive. Any of the amps I listed should do fine for you, and be an improvement over the denon. Buy on cosmetics and price.