[Toynbee]

Hi

New to the forum and new to Salk speakers.  I have a pair of SongTower Rts on order (based at least partially on the enthusiam of you all!).  I would be interesed in your thoughts on a preamp/amp combo in the under $2000 range that would complement the ST's. 

[Big Red Machine]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=76308.0

[gerald porzio]

Unless you're planning to upgrade in the short term or want tubes, you might want to consider an integrated amp. More bang for the buck & 1 less set of cables. There are excellent integrateds on the mkt. Good luck in your quest.

[HoosierInOhio]

Well, I'll be purchasing the HT2-TL's here in the next couple of weeks, and I am in the same boat as you.  I currently have the Onkyo 805 and Emotiva LPA-1 but I wanted something with more power and separates.  I also didn't want to spend much more than your budget, less if possible in the short  term.  So I've been mostly looking at the used market (Parasound, Cambridge, Anthem) but then I decided to look back at Emotiva.  XPA-2 is a beast ($799) but they don't have a pre with balanced outputs currently (supposedly the XPS-1 later this year will fill that void).

However, I read good things about their new USP-1 ($399) and started reading about their UPA-1 Monoblocks ($329 ea).  Several people compared running 2 UPA-1 Monos vs the XPA-2 and liked the monos better (in some cases).  The Monos are 200/350 8ohm/4ohms vs the 250/500 for the XPA-2.  From the user reviews, they were saying better separation and a little more "relaxed" for the monos, but not quite the oomph in the Bass when compared the to the XPA-2.

Well, I've decided to give it a try and picked up a used USP on A-gon, and will be buying 2 of those UPA-1s.  Won't know the result for awhile, but combined will be less than 1K

[Toka]

Hi

New to the forum and new to Salk speakers.  I have a pair of SongTower Rts on order (based at least partially on the enthusiam of you all!).  I would be interesed in your thoughts on a preamp/amp combo in the under $2000 range that would complement the ST's.

The AVA integrated would work well and comes under budget...great match with Salk equipment!

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/control_amplifier/index.htm

[gerald porzio]

ltho I have no experience w/ it, Anthem has a new integrated w/ I believe MM & MC phono & 200W/C @ 8 ohms. Might be worth a look along w/ the Emotiva gear. The cost should be c. $1500.

[HoosierInOhio]

ltho I have no experience w/ it, Anthem has a new integrated w/ I believe MM & MC phono & 200W/C @ 8 ohms. Might be worth a look along w/ the Emotiva gear. The cost should be c. $1500.

Personally never heard Anthem.  Have Emo, had Cambridge integrated (840A), it was sweet.  Can get it for about $1K or less on A-gon.  Heard Parasound and Rotel in a store. 

Some of those brands are just so expensive, and I find it hard to pay that much for an amp!  I dunno, if I had more green maybe, but the EMO and AVA stuff would be 2x as much at LEAST if it were sold in stores (just like Jim's speakers).  I find it hard to pay that much of a markup for that business model.  Maybe I'm just too New school!

[Toynbee]

Thanks for the link Machine!

[sfox7076]

Anthem makes great stuff, but as pointed out above, you pay for that name.  I have an Anthem pre-amp for HT and an AVA T-8 for two channel in my office.  The Anthem is great for HT.  The AVA is better for two channel.  I would not hesitate to buy either again.  You just need to make sure you get the best for the application you need.

Shawn

[HoosierInOhio]

Well, I'll be purchasing the HT2-TL's here in the next couple of weeks, and I am in the same boat as you.  I currently have the Onkyo 805 and Emotiva LPA-1 but I wanted something with more power and separates.  I also didn't want to spend much more than your budget, less if possible in the short  term.  So I've been mostly looking at the used market (Parasound, Cambridge, Anthem) but then I decided to look back at Emotiva.  XPA-2 is a beast ($799) but they don't have a pre with balanced outputs currently (supposedly the XPS-1 later this year will fill that void).

However, I read good things about their new USP-1 ($399) and started reading about their UPA-1 Monoblocks ($329 ea).  Several people compared running 2 UPA-1 Monos vs the XPA-2 and liked the monos better (in some cases).  The Monos are 200/350 8ohm/4ohms vs the 250/500 for the XPA-2.  From the user reviews, they were saying better separation and a little more "relaxed" for the monos, but not quite the oomph in the Bass when compared the to the XPA-2.

Well, I've decided to give it a try and picked up a used USP on A-gon, and will be buying 2 of those UPA-1s.  Won't know the result for awhile, but combined will be less than 1K

Wow, just got the USP-1 today used (~100 less than new), and color me impressed.  Very clean, great sound.  Much better than using my Onkyo 805 as a pre- to my amp.  Separation is top notch, just a great value.  Volume control is kinda touchy but this is a great pre-amp, plus HT bypass is a nice feature.