Best used 5 channel amp for under $3k?

Too bad you insist on "balanced" since the best amp in that category (IMO at "street price") is the CineNova 5 channel.

At .003% distortion balanced input is not needed.

Regards,

John

Check out the Proceed Amp 5, a little powerhouse 125 X 5.

In answering Hockey's question: yes indeed sonic signature - the same reason many people here like tubes better than solid state. Personally I like how certain SS amps like the ones I mentioned manage to get the best of both - good bass with silky mids and highs. I was just suggesting, as you did, that Classe and Bryston take different approaches to making music. Simply put, it is either one of two camps: Warm and emotional or Clean and clinical, and he shall decide which he likes better. Arthur

EAD Powermaster 2000 = 400 watts x 5 with Balanced and single ended, 125lbs Extremely musical amplifier. It sounds better than my Audio Research D400 Mkii, SIM Audio W5, etc upgraded through. I'm selling my hometheater but keeping the amplifier for 2 channel, and these are a steal used ~$3000. They cost EAD to much to make (originally $5300 then went up to $7500 before being discontinued) it doubles into 800watts into 4ohms, and will put out 1000watts into 2 channels 8ohms. Make sure to have friends around to move it!

Anything under 200 watts a channel is a waste for hometheater unless you have 90db+ efficient speakers.

The Bryston is an excellent piece but not enough power. The EAD is warmer than the Bryston. Sunfire is a great deal bang for the buck but not for up to the competition when used for two channel critical listening (I just bought a Sunfire Cinema Grand II for hometheater system to use with in wall speakers, and my EAD is going to be used for two channel because I like it so much, and can't afford a pair of LAMM's or VTL 750 monoblocks)

Just to preface my opinions, and not start a flame war, this is my own personal opinion from many years of listening and I do not care for the sound of Classe, Levinson or SIM or most other Bi-polar amplifiers. This is why it is key to hear these components in your system or buy used to try and then sell. System synergy is key to make anything work so try to listen to as much as possible.

If you could find an EAD powermaster 2000 at the top of your price range, I would snatch it up. The caveat to that is that I would make sure it has the Plitron (spelling?) transformer which was used in later versions of the amp because of problems with a faint hum created by the transformer that was used in the amps when they first went on the market. (I'm not sure when EAD changed to the Plitron). The PM 2000 is visually stunning, delivers 400 watts X 5 channels into 8 ohms and it drove my Martin Logan Quests and Logos (which dip down to the 1-2 ohm range) without any strain whatsoever. It is a musical amp, with exquisite accuracy of tone, timbre, dynamic and spacial information without sounding analytical or dry. Within it's generous sound stage subtle and accurate spacial placement of instruments create an experience that is much more involving or "live" than the sound of other multichannel amps I had auditioned (as well as many stereo and monoblocs). And I can't forget to comment on the awe-inspiring, effortlessly tight, visceral bass this amp can produce. Having experienced the PM 2000 in my system for 2 years, my impression is that it is truly an audiophile caliber amplifier, it's performance equally stunning for stereo or multichannel listening. I'm not usually so verbose or hyperbolic. However, I think this amp deserves an enthusiastic and detailed review. Stereophile's review praised the PM 2000 with, of course, the certain correctness of descriptors as well as a coherent, systematic analysis and easily understandable commentary, all of which, unfortunately, my response definitely lacks. So, you might want to check out that review if you are at all interested. Good luck and good listening. Regards, Judd