[musicman06]

I'm looking for an amp new or used to power a 5.1 home theater setup. Would like to keep the price under $2000. Any ideas or opinions on what the best amp would be. Should be minimum about 125wpc all channels driven. Solid state would likely be best. Speakers are Selah Audio rated to 84.5db 5-6 ohm fronts, 89db 3-4ohm center, plus rears and a powered sub. Currently just a Yamaha receiver RX-V496. I've been looking at Preamps such as Proceed, Cary Cimema and Nuforce, but not to up on the AMP side of things.

[Big Red Machine]

I have an Emotiva MPS-1 and it is a beast.  I am going to a Cary Cinema 11 as a processor soon but I am keeping the MPS.  It has slide in amp modules and you can use mono modules or stereo modules for 1 or 2 to 14 channels in the chassis.  Conservatively rated at 200 watts in 8 and 300 watts in 4.  Highly recommended by anyone who has owned one.  Call Lonnie, he'll hook you up.  You should be able to beat the $1700 MSRP.

[Bob Reynolds]

The amps by ATI are very good values. Take a look at the AT2000 series --

http://www.ati-amp.com/at2000.html

I like the 2000 series because of the differential inputs, but if the cost is too high consider the 1800 series.

--Bob

[Ears]

I'm looking for an amp new or used to power a 5.1 home theater setup. Would like to keep the price under $2000. Any ideas or opinions on what the best amp would be. Should be minimum about 125wpc all channels driven. Solid state would likely be best. Speakers are Selah Audio rated to 84.5db 5-6 ohm fronts, 89db 3-4ohm center, plus rears and a powered sub. Currently just a Yamaha receiver RX-V496. I've been looking at Preamps such as Proceed, Cary Cimema and Nuforce, but not to up on the AMP side of things.

Just keep in mind that if you have room for future expansion to 6 or 7.1 channels... there are already a few Blu Ray HD movies with 6-7.1 discrete channels of uncompressed audio.

Its going to be more common now on Blu Ray ..than it was with dvd.

[rodge827]

Look into Outlaw Audio amps. I believe they are made by ATI for them, and are a little more reasonable.


 www.outlawaudio.com

[Daygloworange]

ATI Amps for sure in multi channel applications. Outlaw Audio I believe do multi channel as well, and some of their stuff is built for them by ATI.

Cheers

[Kevin Haskins]

I'm looking for an amp new or used to power a 5.1 home theater setup. Would like to keep the price under $2000. Any ideas or opinions on what the best amp would be. Should be minimum about 125wpc all channels driven. Solid state would likely be best. Speakers are Selah Audio rated to 84.5db 5-6 ohm fronts, 89db 3-4ohm center, plus rears and a powered sub. Currently just a Yamaha receiver RX-V496. I've been looking at Preamps such as Proceed, Cary Cimema and Nuforce, but not to up on the AMP side of things.

Just keep in mind that if you have room for future expansion to 6 or 7.1 channels... there are already a few Blu Ray HD movies with 6-7.1 discrete channels of uncompressed audio.

Its going to be more common now on Blu Ray ..than it was with dvd.

All it takes is another amp assuming your processor has the capability.   It seems to me for most people finding room for six loudspeakers is difficult in a typical room that has to serve multiple purposes.   The 6.1 & 7.1 are even more difficult to obtain without a dedicated room.   Sometimes I wish the industry would just chill and maximize the formats we have before adding more widgets to the mix. 

[Levi]

I agree about the Outlaw Audio.  I would also look at Adcom's products and Sherwood.  

I started with Adcom and worked my way up to Bryston. 

[ctviggen]

All it takes is another amp assuming your processor has the capability.   It seems to me for most people finding room for six loudspeakers is difficult in a typical room that has to serve multiple purposes.   The 6.1 & 7.1 are even more difficult to obtain without a dedicated room.   Sometimes I wish the industry would just chill and maximize the formats we have before adding more widgets to the mix. 

I have a hard time fitting in five channels in my current room. 6 or 7 is basically impossible.  Plus, I'm waiting for the HD-DVD/Bluray fight to be over before I head that route. 

[Thebiker]

You might also consider Rotel for a 5 channel amp.  Reasonable price, decent quality build.

[warnerwh]

Used prices for the Ati or Earthquake Cinenova Grande amps are excellent. Either one will do a good job. The Earthquake amps have 4kva transformers and have garnered alot of rave reviews. I use a 3 channel model to power the woofers in my RM 40's and the third channel to power a diy sealed sub. Paid 1100. For 600wpc into 4 ohms and 300wpc into 8 ohms including very high quality engineering and build quality the Cinenova amps are my first choice.

Today someone listed a 5 channel for 1475 on Audiogon. For what you're getting for the money it's hard to do any better. They're heavy, the 5 channel weighs about 125 or 135lbs. Even my 3 channel weighs 98lbs. The 4kva transformer weighs 40lbs of that. New prices can be had for far less than retail.

The Ati and Cinenova amps look very similar. The Ati doesn't double it's output into 4 ohms but the designs are so similar it looks like they come out of the same factory.

I had the big Rotel and I like the Cinenova better. Btw I'm very impressed with Rotel products. In this case though you get more power for less money or the same money buying used.

[Levi]

I have tried many many multichannel amps.  I wish you luck with your journey.  This journey can be a life long pursuit. 

Here are some of the amps that I owned.  They are equally good and affordable.  Good luck with the search: 

Adcom 5600.  6 channel amp.  Made in USA.


John Hilig modified Adcom 7400


MonsterCable three channel amp


Classe CAV 180 regular vs updated


Aragon 3005


So the list goes on. 

[musicman06]

Some good info here, thanks for all the replies. I've heard good things about the Earthquake and ATI amps among others including Rotel, NAD, Arcam, Emotiva, and last but not least EAD. I've been considering Emotiva's new IPS-1 7-channel 140WPC amp which is just $1199. The $1475 CG is tempting but US only, I'm in Canada. I also found an Ati AT-2007 for $1500US in good condition. Any others you guys would consider? And what do you think about the Emotiva vs something like the ATI considering the new IPS-1 is $300US cheaper than the used ATI?

 

[cytocycle]

The EAD Powermaster 2000's are some of the most musical (even as a killer 2 channel) 5 channel amps plus tons of current 400watts into 8ohms, 800watts into 4ohms.. can even be upgraded to a 20amp input. 

[Levi]

Update!  So which one did you get?

[musicman06]

I have a Gemstone Blue Diamond 200x7 on order.

[Levi]

Congrats!