Best used 5 channels amp. for both music and movies

For whatever reason, McIntosh doesn't seem to get reviewed. I would be curious to see some reviews of their HT amps.

the ead powermaster 2000 amp is easily the best there is, with its powersteering design, you get 400x5 in 5 channel and as much as 1000x2 when using 2 channel, I have had the krell 500, the classe cav , and the powermaster is much better, I am running aerial 4 ohm speakers and the powermaster does not even get warm, I could have fried a egg on the krell, also there is no need to biamp with the powersteering feature, good luck

Making lists like this is "fine" IF the rest of the system is taken into consideration. You can list the strong and weak points of each product and then compare these notes with the various aspects of your system. Knowing from others' comments that an amp is "warm with powerful bass" when your system is already "warm with powerful bass" tells you that it is probably not a suitable candidate. This can help to "weed out" various amps and give you what most folks call a "short list" to investigate.

Since you did not mention the sonic characteristics for the other components / speakers / room, there is NO way to tell which amp is "best" for your specific situation. There are some VERY different "flavours" listed, so some may be far more suitable than others depending on the situation. In plain English, what works in System A might fall flat on its' face in System B. On top of all of that, there are probably at least another half dozen amps that should be on your list, depending on who you talk to.

Each system is different enough to where i can emphatically say "there are no "best's" when it comes to audio components". If we were talking measurements alone, you might be able to pick something that is a clear winner. If we are taking into account system interaction regarding sonics, you've got a whole 'nother ball of wax. In the end, it is ALL system and personal taste dependent. Sean
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I think that the Jeff Rowland MC-6 would go at the top of the list, followed by the EAD Powermaster 2000/8000/9000 and the Krell KAV1500. I wouldn't include the Sunfire Cinema Sig unless it's modified. They aren't that wonderful for 2 channel. While they don't come up often, but you can find Rowland MC-6's used occasionally. You might want to consider 2 amps...a really good used 2 channel (Krell, Rowland, Mark Levinson, Boulder, etc) and a midrange 3-5 channel for the center/surrounds. That way you'll have the glorious stereo 75% of the time and the HT will be as good as you can find/afford. As Dennis Miller says, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong".

The last two posts are both excellent advice - which one is best depends on the rest of your system and tastes, and you might want to consider two amps - a better 2-channel coupled with a 3 or 5 channel amp. I currently have the KAV-500 and the KAV-250a (for the fronts). I really like HT and I listen to a lot of music, and the speakers I have (Dynaudios) really need the current to open up. That said, the KAV-500 is a nice HT amp and you can get them for not a lot over $2K used these days since they've been discontinued. It runs hot, but not ridiculously so. Depending on the rest of your system, I'm not sure I'd want to play music over the KAV-500 forever, though you can always upgrade the fronts later and keep the 500 for the inevitable 7-channel theater. -Kirk