I just purchased a new A/V receiver with preamp outputs on all channels and I am looking for a multichannel amp to use with it.
I am not too fussy about the home theater side, but I would like to consider something with good sound quality for listening to some multi-channel music videos and SACDs. I would also like excellent quality for the center channel for dialog in movies. Brands that I am considering, buying used, so far are:
Anthem
Emotiva
Monolith
Outlaw
Parasound
I could go 5 or 7 channel and want to keep cost in the 2k and under region. Any recommendation for any brands and/or specific models to consider to give me better sound when listening to multi-channel music. Also, any brands to avoid based on poor/harsh sound or poor reliability?
4 or 6 channel amps would be useful for āroll-your-ownā active speakers tooā¦
ā¦I know Arcam do them still, but donāt know how they sound (I have Arcam 2 channel amps here stacked up, very nice neutral sound).
I have a multi channel Wyred 4 Sound MC7x250. Itās been in service since 2011. Itās a Class D switching amp. My Parasoundās were rock solid as well. That what I had prior to the Wyred.
Iāve been multichannel for decades and have owned and used MANY different multichannel powerampsā¦ Because my system is now a 7.2.6 type, I use 10 channels of surround and ceiling speakers plus one center in addition to the main-L and -R speakers (powered by M1200s)ā¦ Last year I decided to āunmessā my poweramps and IC and speaker cable and discovered Emotivaās XPA Gen 3 Modular ampsā¦ https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/build-your-own?variant=14844442542123
Itās a large-chassis amp that starts with their āā¦new high-current switch mode (sic) power supply (SMPS)āa lightweight, powerful, intelligent design capable of delivering over 3 kW of continuous power with absolute reliability and extremely high efficiencyāā¦ The chassis and powersupply accommodate from one thru as many as seven amp modules, and each module may be a single channel of 200 Watts or a stereo version of 65 Watts per channelā¦ Each channel of either of these modules is fully balanced/complimentery, and one can use balanced, XLR interconnect or single-pole-RCA cableā¦
Mine is a ā11-1-5Sā version which means 11 channels of which one module is mono and five modules are stereoā¦ I drive the Martin Logan hybrid center-channel with the mono module and the five surround and ceiling speaker pairs with the five stereo modulesā¦ The centerchannel module sounds quite good with the ML speaker, and the surround and ceiling speakers also sound goodāas far as anyone can hear the surround and ceiling informationā¦ The amp has been 100% reliable, I recommend it highly, and Iād buy another if I needed itāheaven forbid!
Since each module costs only $200 up to a max of $2000 (IIRC), Iād order the amp with as many modules as you think youāll ever needā¦ Three front channls of 200 Watts each? Checkā$1199ā¦ Add a stereo module for surrounds? Checkā$1399ā¦ Oops, forgot rear surrounds? Checkā$1599ā¦ Hey, I forgot the two pairs of ceiling speakers! Checkā$1999.
Just had a look - they only do 5 or 7 channel as far as I can see - I wanted 4 or 6 (no AV usage or surround for me, just stereo), they do look nice though
The Arcam 4 channel ones seem to share a power supply though which is a shame, I have seen modular amps, configurable number of channels though again, really multi mono-blcok would perhaps be best, in which case, may as well go the whole hog and just buy enough mono blocks.
I speak as if I have the cash for this which I donāt at the moment, and hence am sticking to my existing Arcam stereo amps, stacked āverticallyā as it were, with one stereo amp per channel, so that each bass driver gets its own power supply, works remarkably well for the outlay
Iām running Anthem AVM 60 with Anthem PVA7 and coulnāt be happier.
Youāve got a tough decision on your hands and plenty of options to choose from. I recommend auditioning as many as you can, ideally in your listening area, before making a decision.
EJ Sarmento is the owner of Wyred4Sound. If you wanted a 4 or 6 channel MC Amp he may very well accommodate your request. It would probably be a custom order with no returns. If youāre interested send them an email. Just type in QUESTION for EJ Sarmento. The one thing about W4S gear, the QC is tremendous. Rare to have any issues. Iāve owned six components from W4S and never had any issues. Only reason two items were removed from service was they were traded in or sold for component upgrades. Their higher end DACs also utilize I2s over HDMI as the PS Audio brand does.
W4S also works with Rick Cullen who back in the day completed PS Audio DAC upgrades/mods with Cullen Circuits. Rickās son is Patrick Cullen of Cullen Cables (he makes affordable custom cables).
I have the 7 channel MC variant (MC7x250). Six of those amp channels are for 2-channel audio (3 sets of stereo speakers). The remaining amp channel feeds the center channel speaker when in use. My pair of surrounds are powered by my Anthem MRX 720 AVR.
It will run my KEF/Bose 5.1.4 Overhead speaker setup or 7.1.4 Overhead speaker setup when we finally get a house this year with a room big enough for all those 901ās/105_4ās/104_2ās.
PS Audio power of course and a boatload of Class D ICE Amps/miniDSPās for the KEF Coupled Cavity Bandpass Enclosures and the 901ās.
For multi-channel, my front mains go through a Audio Research LS27 preamp to a BHK250 power amp to Vandersteen Treo carbons with a pair of REL S/5 subs. Are the Emotiva XPA amps even close to the BHK250 for music? I have my eye on a used Anthem Statement A5, 180 wpc, all channels driven, original MSRP $3499. I was thinking that would be better sounding than an Emotiva XPA, but I have never had the chance to hear either one.
Also, there seem to be mixed opinions online about whether the Emotiva XPA Gen 2 or Gen 3 sound better. Any opinions in this regard?
Parasound. Been using a 2205AT for 18 years without one single problem. Keep that beast powered on 24/7. Great for movies and music. Gives up a little in detail, but easy to listen to for hours.
