2. amps-preamps
  3. 1315344817

Which Multi-Channel Amp?

I'm setting up a 7.1 system with Totem Tribe in-wall speakers/subs and a Marantz AV7005 as the preamp/processor. I'm trying to decide which multi-channel power amp to get. I've heard the Marantz MM7055/MM7025 combo that's designed to match with the AV7005, but was not impressed. I thought the Arcam AVR400 receiver sounded better. I was told that the Arcam AVR400 is buggy with its HDMI and other processor issues. Here are some of the amps I'm considering, in no particular order:

1. Arcam P1000
2. Cary Cinema 7 (older version, btw, does anyone know if the newer Cary Model 7.125 is that much better?)
3. NAD T975
4. NAD M25
5. Anthem PVA7

Any other amps in the $1000-2000 range (used or new) I should consider that would pair well with the Marantz AV7005 and Totem?

Thanks.
happybob
happybob OP
33 posts
 
Thanks for the responses, anyone else? Also anyone with experience with any of the models I listed?

Goldprintaudio, since you are a Cary dealer, any idea how the Cary 7.125 compares with the older Cary Cinema 7, which is available at almost 1/4 the price?
goldprintaudio's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
goldprintaudio
502 posts
 
Sent you a quick email with further details.
trebejo
102 posts
 
ATI is a brand worth considering, in particular for multichannel amps, and they have a bit of a storefront right here on audiogon.
happybob OP
33 posts
 
I looked into ATI, especially the ATI 2007. The impression I got from reading the reviews is that ATI amps seem very well built, offering lots of brute power, but might sound a little rougher and less refined/musical when compared to Arcam, Cary, or the NAD higher end stuff. Of course I've never heard the ATI amp in person so I don't know if the reviews were all true. I did get some reply back from Totem who told me that they usually had good synergy with Arcam and Cary amps when demo'ing their speakers. I know they also use 2 channel amps from Naim, Ayre, Simaudio Moon, and Plinius at times to drive their speakers at trade shows.
happybob OP
33 posts
 
BTW, anyone with experience with both the Anthem PVA7 and the NAD T175 amps? How do they compare? I read a lot of decent reviews on both, wondering if one is better than the other.
More to discover