2. amps-preamps
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Picking an amplifier

I have the following speakers:
NHT 2.1 Front LR 200W @ 6ohms
NHT AC1 Center 150W @ 8 ohms
NHT SW2 Subwoofer 200W @ 8 ohms
The rear speakers are inconsequential (and boxed up) they might come out to play when I move to bigger digs.
I’ve been using NHTs 214s and 216s, (think lightbulbs) but the market is drying up. I remain unconvinced they are worth the shipping & costs to repair.
My (current) short list of replacement amps:
Outlaw Audio model 770 7 (7 channels)
Bryston 9B ST (5 channels) (2 years left on warranty)
Parasound 5125 (5 channels)
The budget is $1000, I have located sources for all three at or below $1000.
Any/all discussion of suitability, repair outlook, and peanut shells welcome. From a listening perspective, I've been fine with the NADs, but am priced out of the newer models. Nuts, I might even repair the NADs if I find the right person with the skills & tools.

shalmaneser
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
By the way, I was not recommending pre/pros (before the last post).  The Anthem MCA-50 is a 5 channel amplifier with decent current. 
shalmaneser OP
62 posts
 
I typically run a DVD & Bluray in the computer itself. One less box lying around. Get back to you on the rest. 
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Heyo, these are all just ideas.  You can always say "I don't want to do that", and that is totally okay.

If you're looking for well produced recordings of live music, the "Hall & Oates: Live at the Troubadour" concert in bluray is very excellently recorded and produced.  It does use the center channel to add some fill to the concert sound, but it does it very well and it's seamless.  It also uses the surround channels to add "audience ambience" the experience.

shalmaneser OP
62 posts
 
Having a blast going through everyone's ideas. I'm likely to keep the PC as the data source connected optically/COAX to a pre/pro. Computers have plenty of software for equalization & effects.  Until it goes through a DAC, it's still data. 
What do you get when you breed a neutral amp to a warm speaker?
What do you get when you breed a warm amp to a neutral speaker?
What do you get when you breed a warm amp to a warm speaker?
Is warm accumulative? Warm + warm = even warmer?
I'm guessing: warm drifts the result. It doesn't seem reasonable that neutral in a speaker puts the neutral back into the result.

2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,558 posts
 
Almost all Diana Krall’s recordings are done well. I think the best album is one she did with her husband Elvis Costello (The Girl in the Other Room) Rumors are flying they are splitting up, hope not.

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