After blowing my Denon 4308CI (the fuse is still good if anyone needs one), I have decided to upgrade my system a little bit (mostly based on discussions in another thread). My 4308 should be back from warranty repairs in a couple of weeks. I plan on using the 4308 as my Pre-amp.

The room in which we are trying to "Shake the Paint off the Walls" is approximately 8000 cf. There are some obstructions like a partial wall in the middle of the room, some furniture and a pool table. The main listening area (tv viewing area) is approximately 18' wide x 25' deep x 8' tall. The room is open on the back side so nothing contains the sound from escaping.

The goal here is to find an Amp or Amps that will be able to handle a wide variety of listening. We watch DVDs, kids shows, playstation, baseball, football (normal family stuff). But when no one is home I like to "Rock the House", so the system must be able to fill the additional 4000+ cf of space with sound that only an IRON EAR DRUM could tolerate. I am looking for suggestions that have merit, not just "Try this one because my uncle's mobile home was really rockin' with his Wal-Mart Amp."

I am Not looking for discussions or rhetoric on playing music too loud! (post on AARP board if this is your M.O.)

I Am looking for a setup that will provide quality sound at family listening levels but also provide enough power to "Punch a Hole through the Space/Time Continuum" when needed.

The speakers I have available are listed below. Thanks for your help in advance.

4 Axiom M80v2
1 VP150 Center Channel
4 QS8
2 Hsu Research ULS-15 Wireless Dual Drive Subwoofers - just ordered these. They should be here on Wednesday. after talking to Dr. Hsu I felt this was the best way to go for subs.

We're going to need a budget.

How is your wiring? Sufficient amperage may require multiple dedicated circuits for the amplifiers.

If I had the money to shop for amps, I'd probably start with Axiom, Emotiva, Outlaw, Parasound, Odyssey.

If I were you, I'd definitely buy 9 channels of amplification.

Perhaps 2, 2 channel amps for the mains and a five channel amp for the rest.

Yeah, something like that. I'd probably steer clear of Emotiva (unless someone can guarantee they've worked out the MPS-1 issues that Randy reported). Parasound Halos I know can push volume like that.

Budget $7,500 (maybe more if I spend some time with the wife)(so lets say $7,500 absolute max)
Wiring - 3 isolated/dedicated 20 amp circuits all withing reach

Two Halo A21s and a Halo A51? I don't know how much those really cost. But that might be worth looking into.

EDIT: ok, that's about $500 over budget--around $8000 for what I described. Cut it to $6000 if you go for the less expensive A52 for your center and surrounds.

This is their only authorized online reseller.

One of these should do it.

The MPS-1 is a completely different architecture than the newer XPA line.

Money permitting, I'd consider B&K, Krell, MacIntosh, Jeff Rowland, Bryston, Classe...

Dude, why not stop wasting time and just take a chainsaw to your ears?

And, no....I'm not AARP-ready.....

A few of these WILL do the trick. Five of those will be right around your budget.

1000 watts into 4 0hm.............there's ya some power.

Fred, I've read a lot about those as well and for the price I'd be very tempted to try them out. If you buy them from Zzounds.com they also come with a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. At 2x500 watts into 4-ohms, it's a lot of bang for the buck (or for 500 bucks).

For only another $200 you up your output to 800x2 into 4 ohms...

If I had $7500 on the table for amplification, I would definitely at least try this solution for a fraction of the cost knowing that you're only out $20 if you don't like it (for return shipping). $20 risk to save 7 grand? I'm in!

To the OP - sorry if this sounds like a story about my uncle whose motorhome rocks! I haven't heard these first hand, but have seen them mentioned several times and would be very tempted to try them if I were in your shoes.

I want to hear more stories about you busting light bulbs with your speakers, so definitely let us know what you decide on.

Jason

Jason, I don't think these amps fit into the 'amp from Walmart' category. They are serious amps meant to push a lot of power. I have also not had any experience with them. I think it would be fun to go into a high end stereo dealer and demo one of the commercial amps against the audiophile stuff.

Me too Fred. If I hadn't just dropped another load on a new EP-800, I'd probably be considering one of these just because they are so amazingly affordable for what they produce.

(plus, I bet they'd sound REALLY good in a motorhome!)

... with 4 M80s.

My statement

Your response


You should really get off your kids' computer before they find out and install "Net-Nanny" to keep you from posting here again.

<removed for thread clearing purposes>

Well I certainly don't have your cash to work from so I'm not playing in the same league but as tomtuttle states the new xpa series packs something of a punch and the emotiva folks now seem to be recommending the xpa series over the mps-2 for various purposes. I've finally been running the xpa 2 into the m80s since yesterday and it sounds good so far but I haven't been able to crank it up, I may be able to say more after my wife and daughter go on vaca for the weekend, the xpa 2 is rated at 500 wpc into 4 ohms (2 channels driven), whereas the xpa 1 (1 channel) goes 1000 wpc into 4 ohms if memory serves.

Looking forward to hearing/reading your comments on the XPA 2

If you are looking for sheer power then look no further than this.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/emotiva-xpa-2/xpa-2-measurements

The reviewer has the $7000 Denon 10 channel amp and this amp puts it to shame in power output as you will see in "Amplifier Power & Efficiency" in the review. Also, it sounded almost the same as the Denon with only very subtle differences if you read the entire review. You will need to beef up your electrical system to take full advantage though. Also, it is only $800 for a two channel setup. You could just use these to power the fronts and the Denon for the rest. Or buy several of these to power all channels and still come in at much less than your $7000 budget. But if you are buying four of these then it almost puts you in the ballpark of the Axiom amp. Just something to think about.

When I get some m80's, the Emotiva 2 channel amp is the one that I am going to get to power it. Unless there is something better that comes out by then.

- Nick

WOW!!!!

Thanks for all the info everybody!

I will do some homework on the leads you have provided and be back with some questions.

It looks like I might not have to HO myself to the wife after all!!!!!

With that kind of money I'd use it on something like the new Camaro, but hey it is your money. So, I would say something from Rotel, Parasound, or Odyssey Audio.

I'd buy a new Camaro too if I could get one for $7500

Take what you read at Audioholics with a grain of salt.....

Might want to consider calling D-sonic. He'll put together whatever you want. http://www.d-sonic.net/
User thread at AVS... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=855660

The wife already wants me to get rid of my '94 RT-10 . She says it takes up too much space? I told her at 6 MPG I get better mileage out of it than her .

How many WPC does the Camaro have?

LOL

Hi peenerhead,

Well, 1 horsepower = 746 watts. So you do the math. . .

Regards,
Alan

Geez. I did not know horses were THAT noisy. No wonder we replaced them with explosion engines!

I GOTTA GET ME ONE A DEM !

So the backup generator at the Axiom factory must pack quite a punch!

or would that be a kick!

I think it would be a combination of the two!

mdrew,

I think Clint did a pretty thorough review of the Emotiva amp. He measured about everything you would want to know about. When he was doing listening tests he used his RBH T-30LSE's which are modified versions of the T1's and 1010-se subwoofer together as one speaker. The T-30LSE is a 4-ohm load and it seems like a difficult one at that. The subwoofer section has no internal amplification. So, he was driving both with one channel of the amp. If the amp could hand this I think the m80's should be no problem.

- Nick

You missed the point Nick. They have gone downhill over the years. I stopped reading anything they put up a while ago. The boards are filled with jackasses anymore as well.

mdrew,

I have been regularly using their site for reviews and getting a/v news for about five years now and haven't noticed any downward trend in the quality. The reviews have always been top notch. In fact, audioholics helped me figure out that my Bose acoustimass speakers suck. They helped lead me to Axiom speakers as well as many of the other upgrades that I have done. I can't comment on the boards as I don't use them at all. Most forums are filled with jackasses though as you mention. Except this one (the Axiom forum) is definitely one of the better ones around.

- Nick

Oh hush up you jackasses

Gilmore! You Jackass!!

Anyone else think this thread will get revived in 10 years with the title:

"The rusted Ear-drum club"?

Will it start My my hey hey??

It's better to burn out than to fade away.

Hold me back--Rust never sleeps, baby! Keep on rockin in the free world . . .

Exactly!

*walks away in confusion*

Never ends does it ;)"

That happens alot around here.

Hey! That was the B-Side to Agent Orange's ::: runs away crying :::

You mean Negative Orange, right?

I thought Agent Orange was the spin-off group to.....

Oh, forget it.

I F***ed up.

Pre-Coffee and all that.

I caught that but didn't want Mark to run away from me yet AGAIN...

He's such a wuss like that.

Wait, do you think he heard that?