Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Power amp recommendations

So I have recently acquired a pair of M3s along with a EP-350 sub as the heart of my sound system. I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a good two channel power amp to pair with the M3s. I will be using the pre-outs on my Denon AVR 2803 to push the amp, as well as powering the remaining speakers in the system. I have a rather large great room (4200 cu. ft.) due to cathedral ceilings, and the power section of the Denon seems strained when I really want to push things. My budget is <$1000, and I am considering the following:

Rotel RB-1080 (200x2)
Sunfire 300 (300x2)
Sunfire Symphonic Reference (250x2)
NAD C272 (150x2)
Emotiva RPA-1 (200x2)

I understand that most of these amps exceeds the 175w specs of the M3s, but I have no desire to push the speakers into oblivion. I merely want ample power to push the speakers CLEANLY when I desire some extra volume. Does anyone have any insight as to which of these amps would make a nice pairing with the sonic characteristics of the M3s?

Trade the M3s in and put the money towards a set of M80s.

Nevermind, I just read your other post with having the M3s in a cabinet.

How about used. You can pick up an Odyssey Stratos Stereo for a decent price.

Here are a couple of examples, And no i am not affiliated.

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampstran&1205595889

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampstran&1205633741

I'm suprised your Denon would not have enough umpfff to drive m3's to plenty of volume without distress. Heck my 80's did fine with my Denon 2805 in almost a 8,000 cu ft room.

Anyway, I would also recommend Odyssey like Brandon. I have the Odyssey Khartago Extremes (special built by Klaus) which are basically the same as Stratus Mono's.

Good Luck, Randy

ps: As Wid mentioned, I would almost look at larger speakers as your your external amp may just be unused amperage.

Randy:
I know that you love your amps, but that website of theirs certainly doesn't inspire confidence! It looks like it was put together by a kid.....

http://www.odysseyaudio.com/

Mark, it's kind of a running joke with Odyssey owners. Supposedly a new site has been in the works for years. . .


Still waiting.

Some products are so good they dont need a proper website

I had even offered Klaus to build him a site. I am no expert by any means but at least something with some more up to date information and he did say he had one in the works already. I think his buisness is doing well enough on word of mouth and what people hear at trade shows that its just not been a priority.

If you click on the link at the bottom for International Websites, I like to go to Great Britain, Singapore, or Mexico for a lot more information and pics

Tom, you need to understand that Klaus and a few other build these amps from the ground up using German Symphony Line standards/techniques. It is not some big operation like Axiom, as far as I know they are at Klaus's shop.

He would rather have a personal relationship with his owners, versus becoming some huge presance on the net, like many of his competitors. He doesn't have a web dept, developers, etc. He is the owner/engineer/manufacturing in one package. Some times the amps take a little longer to arrive, because they are built per order by Klaus and company. He is a stand up guy and I've talked to him many times.

http://www.odysseyaudio.com/international.html

Get the Rotel and don't look back. There to much audio hocus pocus going on at that other site.