2. amps-preamps
  3. 1041350901

Picking the right amp...

I am looking to get a new amp. Preferably a 5 channel to drive my N802's and Nautilus HTM1. 5 Channels so I can bi-amp my N802's and the remainder to drive my center. My system is 80% home theater, 20% music. Although when I listen to music, I want to to be amazing.

My processor is a Yamaha VX1 (will upgrade that but down the road). Currently I have a B&K 4420ex (I believe it is 200x2). I don't have balanced outputs but would like to have them on my amp so that when I am ready for the future.

Here is what I am looking at. Any opinions on these, please share.

New Earthquake Cinenova (300x5)
BStock/Used Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature (425x5)
Used - Krell KAV-1500 (300x5)

My budget is $2500 (I know I won't find the krell at that price point, but if poeple tell me I need to spend the extra money....I just might.

Also, should I be looking at getting 2 three channel amps and bi-amping everything? What works best with the N802?
jesseasi
audioman4
174 posts
 
Your best buy for the money $2500.00 you quote is a pair of
Aragon Palladiums that are balanced... and a pair of nice cables that go rca to xlr...
I have had a kav and the Palladiums are everybit as detailed and musical... infact they are capable of driving any speaker and work especially well the the b and w line.
An incredible value... you will not need another amp for 2 channel ever!! Most people that read my posts know I am very partial to Aragon! Good luck,
Joe
Custom Audio LLC
johnmcelfresh
97 posts
 
I just saw a Meridian 558 5-channel x 200 watt amp go for 2550 on eBay. Keep your eyes open!
jesseasi OP
2 posts
 
Many of the suggestions I am getting are only 200w per channel amps. The 3 amps I started with, cinenova, sunfire, and krell, were all 300+ watts per channel. From what I have heard, the 802's are very power hungry. Will these other suggestiong be able to drive my 802's?

Or is this a matter of one brand being that much better, example EAD or Meridian 200watt are equal to a sunfire 425watts?

Should I even care about power output?
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
The Aragon in mono blocks should be 400 WPC. I used to have an Aragon 8008st and sold it for a Krell FPB 200, but as I recall the Aragon 8008st is 200 WPC into 8 ohms. The mono blocks should be double that rating.
Power is more of an issue with inefficient speakers. How efficient are the B&W's?
Not being a B&W fan I cannot address that issue. I don't know anything about their sensitivity.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
So it's quantity you want, well then your list looks complete. BTW, the B&W website has the 802's listed at 91 db sensitivity at 8 ohms, hardly power hungry. Unless you have a huge room or listen at extreme volumes 200 wpc should be plenty. Consider this a 200 wpc amp will drive those speakers to 114 decibels. A 400 wpc amp will drive those speakers to 117 decibels. So the extra 200 wpc will only get you 3 more db. How often do you listen at volumes exceeding 114 decibels?
The speakers can handle 500 wpc, so to answer your question, I don't think a 5X500 watt amp exists. You will need two amps to generate that kind of power. The 3 you have listed will give you the most power, along with the EAD PowerMaster 2000. There is one on Agon (EAD)now for $3200. I would take the EAD over the other 3 on your list.

BTW, make sure you have a dedicated 20A line for one of these amps. You wouldn't want to buy a Hummer and put watered down gas in it.
More to discover