2. amps-preamps
  3. 155077-142961

Such hard decisions :D Anyone with some insight on Amp Selection?

Alright, so here's the lowdown, i have deftech BP-30's powered by  my adcom gfa-5500, center and surrounds powered by TX-NR838 onkyo receiver, i am upgrading my infinity center channel to the deftech CLR-2000 so the sound signatures match my BP-30s, i dont really want to power the center from my receiver anymore, so was looking into 3 channel amps, i stumbled across 2 local to me 

adcom GFA-5503 or the B&K Reference 4430 - both around 400-500$

seems the gfa-5503 will be basically the same thing i have now with a 3rd channel, and to be honest i am happy with the sound, but not sure if i am missing anything by not trying out the B&K, are they kinda the same class or is the B&K outclassing the adcom (does it sound better to MOST people, i know sound is subjective ;) ) 

i guess just searching for opinions/advice since i dont really mix/match amplifiers.  I did do a lot of research and its hard to pinpoint where my decision should go as there is no DIRECT comparison between the two i could find lol.  Thanks in advance, and if i am saying anything stupid be nice, new to audio forums ;) 

Full setup:
TX-NR838 receiver, also used as dac/preamp
Adcom GFA-5500 powering R/L speakers
Definitive Technology BP-30 FR/FL
Definitive Technology CLR-2000 Center
random monoprice RR/RL
Subwoofer - Sunfire TS EQ 10 Signature
Debut Carbon Turntable.
anthrax-vx
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
You could have a nice system there if only you would ditch multi-channel HT and embrace stereo. There are lots of great stereo amps, and the same money buys a lot more quality split two ways than three, four, or five. Home Theater done right. Think about it. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
erik_squires
16,061 posts
 
Based on what I've heard, instead of worrying about outside amps, here's my advice:

Get an Anthem MRX  720, and forego the external amps.

I think you'll find it has plenty of power and that it sounds significantly better, not to mention has a really nice ARC system.

Best,

E
anthrax-vx OP
4 posts
 
thanks for the input but ended up getting both to test um back to back, thanks for the input but both of the suggestions end up completely scrapping things i have and ends up being a headache, all i wanted was more power and matched power to my center, believe me i would love to go down the rabbit hole, but i dont have the time nor do i want to spend the 2500 on a receiver, and the bp30's are definitely a hungry beast, from everyone ive talked to they say the more you throw at it (power) the better they sound, and i am extremely happy with the definitive bp-30s, i absolutely love them, and they sound great out of the TX-NR838 in "pure audio" mode, was just curious of the sound differences between the B&K and the adcom. I think something is wrong with the b&k because it sounds so... thin, a lot of the oomph of the speakers is gone with that amp, and its strange that the adcom gfa-5503 seems almost double the weight of the 4430, same power? so strange, but going to run the signal generator through the b&k with a dummy load, and see the sign wave, see if something funny is up, they sounded WAY different, vocals on the 4430 almost blended into the music, whereas the adcom puts vocals straight in your face, and imaging seemed better, soundstage was wider with the 4430 but again i have a funny feeling that somethings up with it, and ill find out soon when i run the tests.

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