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Thread: Help with a new 2 channel amp

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    219

    Default Help with a new 2 channel amp

    Can anyone here help recommend a really good quality 2 channel amp. I have had multiple issues with my Emotiva XPA-2 amp and think I need to get away from the brand...This is a maybe. It's been hard to find something to replace it. Budget is $1000.
    Parasound and Outlaw are what I have found.. Have no idea if their quality is any better.
    I have quality on the mind with a china budget

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    SouthWest of Cleveland
    Posts
    1,924

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    Parasound has several 2 channel amps at or below your budget. Outlaw does not offer a 2 channel amp so you would have to get a multi channel model or 2 of their mono block amps. Either brand should be reliable.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    219

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    I was looking at the Outlaw Mono amps. Nad is another consideration...Would like to find a warm sounding amp if I could over the very neutral Emo amp.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    36

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    Odyssey Stratos 175 watts, very authoritative, can be had used under $1,000. Built like a tank--smooth and powerful.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    373

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    Just one man's opinion, my favourite brands for amps are ATI and Anthem. In the case of Anthem, my particular favourite models in their lineup are towards the higher end, so that leaves ATI as the run away favourite in your case, IMO.

    Just so you know, ATI is the OEM for a great many amplifier brands. B&K, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Theta, Earthquake, Cinepro, and quite a few others that they don't state publicly due to their licensing agreements. Oh yeah, and Outlaw

    ATI also sells their own B-Stock amplifiers directly via ClassicAudioParts.com . You are dealing directly with ATI in the case of ClassicAudioParts (if you call them or you call ATI, the same people answer the phone ). And while the items there are sold as B-Stock due to extremely minor cosmetic flaws, they still come with ATI's 7 year warranty!

    So that is where I would point you in a heartbeat. If you don't see the exact ATI model you'd want to buy for the price you'd like currently listed at ClassicAudioParts, call 'em up on the phone. They're great to talk to, and they'll help you out with getting the amp you want.

    That said, if you're more comfortable with brand new, Outlaw's great, too

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, California
    Posts
    7,034

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    +1 on ATI...I'm using 1505 that is around 10 years old...robust.
    -curtis

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    711

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    I'm partial to Parasound amps. The A21 is well built and powerful! Easy to grab on used market. The high end models also run in class A for the first few watts.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-M-5010-2...fier+2+channel

    Here is an Onkyo 75 watt stereo amp for a mere $219. I've had good luck with Onkyo gear in the past. Should be enough power unless you listen at extremely loud levels.

    I am currently using 3 Anthem MCA series amps, the 2 channel version I bought this summer was $1300. My 5 channel is about 8 years old now and still works flawlessly. Very nice build quality.

    Edit: One feature I really like about the Anthem amps is the signal sensing circuit that turns them on when a signal is present, and turns them off when no signal is present for about 15 minutes. I would imagine other amps will also trigger in this manner, it is very nice.

    Many amps can also be triggered by another device such as the preamp, but I rarely turn mine off.

    Jay
    Last edited by petmotel; 03-01-2014 at 08:18 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    Another route, here is a 250 watt Yamaha pro amplifier. $420

    http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-P2500S-...fier+2+channel

    Jay

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Stouffville,Ont..
    Posts
    538

    Default Re: Help with a new 2 channel amp

    I would like to find a 3 ch amp for my fronts....3ch amps designs are rare and expensive...like the MCA30($2500.00 cdn). I might as well go with a 5 ch amp for about the same cost my biggest concern is the chassis design, it will need to fit a certain requirement. The outlaws look really appealing but shipping restraints....I know pro amps are often a good compromise if you factor cost to power ratio but I don't like their looks...I might as well take my time and buy the right amp will last me the next 20+ yrs...like the MCA30...

    Besides my MRX would have pretty good synergy with the MCA or PVA amp...
    Speakers 5.1.2: TitanTowers v2 & STC(RAAL v2), MA CP-WT&CT260
    Sub: Funk Audio 18.0 SantosRW

    Source: Denon X3800H, Oppo BDP 103D, UBK-90 4K & LG B9 65"
    Office 2.0: Philharmonic True Mini(coming-soon), Fosi TB10D via Wiim mini.

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