Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater What amp?

Hey everybody!
I want to get a good 5-channel amp for my system. I'm not getting it just yet, but since it took a while to settle on the components I have now, I figured the sooner I start looking into it the better. ; )
My next HT purchase is going to be a pair of Axiom M60's. So then I'd move the M3's from the front to the rear. I have a VP100 in the center. After the M60's, it's time for the amp...
I'll be using my H/K AVR 520 as a pre/pro.
I'm thinking about spending around $1k. Any decent amp in this price range?
TIA.

Try www.rotel.com, their on the high end side.

CAV104

There's a new line of Yamaha's that just came out, check em out at www.audioshop.on.ca

also, there's the Denon 2802.

Big_L,
I suggest you trot down to a local stereo store and look over their stock. If you can find a truly knowledgeable sale person to help you then so much the better. But many of the "kids" that work at places like Circuit City or Best Buy don't really know much about hi-fi equipment.

I would suggest looking at the mid range receivers from Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Harmon/Kardon- but there are many other good ones mentioned on this post as well. (you are more likely to find these in a "normal" electronics store - as opposed to a high end esoteric stereo shop) You really need to check out the different prices, features, power, remote controls, etc. Any model from those manufacturers in the power range of 70w to 100w will do just fine for a normal home theater set-up and will power the m60s to very loud levels. (I have m60s running off a 100w Sony)

Do not be tricked into paying a lot more $ for a little more power. The audible difference (in volume - not quality) between 70w and 100w is very small (about 1.5db - 2db) Higher power WILL give you more dynamic headroom, but you will PAY for it and may never really use/need it. So choose quality sound and features (and looks?), then evaluate price and power.

Good luck!

Randyman

Thanks for the input ravi and Randyman, but I already have a receiver. Maybe I didn't explain myself well enough.
I want to hook up an external 5-channel amp to my H/K AVR520 receiver.
CAV104, thanks for the website. Rotel's RMB-1075 amp is exactly what I'm looking for. Now to find a Rotel dealer around here... Their website is pretty useless as far as finding a dealer in NY. Anybody know of any? How about internet dealers?
Parasound's HCA-1205A seems nice too.
Thanks for the info.

Big L

Le Amp monoblocks!!!! I hear they are gems!

How about the Outlaw Audio 755, http://www.outlawaudio.com

Hey BigL
I've been looking at the Rotel RMB-1075 as well. It's gotten great reviews. Problem is, Rotel doesn't allow their dealers to sell over the internet or by mail. So if you can't find a dealer near you (I couldn't), you're out of luck.
Another amp that has gotten great reviews lately is the Anthem PVA-7, a new 7 channel amp from another highly rated Canadian company. It's more money, about $1500, I think, but with the extra two channels (105W, all channels driven), you're all set for 7.1 surround!

Just food for thought. I can't buy an amp right now either, but I've been looking. If you get one, let me know.

ChrisR

BTW, the website for Anthem is www.sonicfrontiers.com

Please keep the info coming!
I posted over at audioreview.com and somebody gave me this list to look at:
http://ww3.onecall.com/PID_4739.htm
http://ww3.onecall.com/PID_533.htm
http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?x=RMB1075
http://www.reliableaudiovideo.com/marmmnewmodi.html
http://www.reliableaudiovideo.com/sonestan5cha.html
http://www.reliableaudiovideo.com/parhca1.html
http://www.reliableaudiovideo.com/nad5xamp.html
http://www.reliableaudiovideo.com/bkav125watpe1.html

Now I just have to do a little work and try to audition some of them... But first, those M60's. It's a hard job, but, you know the rest. ; )