2. amps-preamps
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amp for b&w 804 "s" with htm4 "s" 200 watts....

those are my speakers... there has been a lot of talk about the amps making the speakers sound better or worse...to be honest i still do not understand how that is. So, i guess i would probably go with... mcintosh, krell, classe, bryson, or anthem... only because everyone agrees on those amps.... would i really be able to tell the difference? i don't know. so this will be used for mostly HOME THEATER... that being said... i am looking for three channels all solid state. i will run my rear channel off of another amp. So my questions are

1 so.... one three channel amp? or three mono amps? or one two channel and one mono?
2 best bang for the buck on what manufacturer?
3 i would love to find used to save some cash..

thank you for your time on this,
Baranowski
baranowski
baranowski OP
240 posts
 
Class a vs. class ab vs. class d.....i have heard so so so many different stories... thinking class d for home theater???? ideas???
shakedown
135 posts
 
Classe will be in the $2K range for the amount of power you need...they are also mostly a/b amperage...As you read about the different classes of amps the chatter is mostly for the music side and does not really benefit those who wish to run home theater setups due to the processing of the movie etc.... Finding yourself a good class a/b amp that has a minimum of 200wpc in the $700 to $1200 range will definitly benefit your system and provide you some happiness if you decided to listen to a little bit of music along the way...All the amps that have been suggested are definitly of good quality and sufficient for your needs...
unsound
7,314 posts
 
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/classe-audio-twenty-five
baranowski OP
240 posts
 
I am having a difficult time with the whole separate amp thing for home theater use.
the current, watts, class a vs. class a/b vs. d....

i read all kinds of things people using 50 watts class a for a 250 watt speaker? the only difference between 150 watts amplification and 200 watts would only yield 1 db??? so then what's the point of higher amps? class a sound the best but are hot and expensive. class a/b runs in class a for 10 watts or so then switches to class b. class d are good for sourround but not 2 channel.

my pioneer elite puts out 130 watt.... so it is the current and power reserves of a stand alone amp that would benefit me???? could i even tell in home theater applications?
shakedown
135 posts
 
As explained before a secondary amp will relieve your Pioneer of power duties to your speakers...The a/b route will be your best choice which are most amplifiers in todays market and your budget. If you don't listen to your movies and music to loud then you will be fine and the Elite will not clip (shutdown). But once you start to increase the volume on the Elite you will notice that it too will begin to warm and heat up especially after the duration of a movie. The secondary amp will do the duty and give you the extra clean power and drive that your speakers deserve. As mentioned before it would be best to find an amp that will deliver 200wpc minimum.
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