Amplification for Sierra-2 for 2.0/2.1 music: receiver or integrated, ~$500

[sludgeogre]

I'd ruled out separates but was still looking into that Emo combo when you posted that. So much for principled resistance. I find myself looking at a lot of integrated amps that are way out of my budget but still (technically) affordable---Rogue Sphinx, Peachtree Nova, etc etc etc---but it's started to make me feel dizzy and exhausted. Those more expensive options would probably rule out a sub, too. It's a trade-off. I'm fairly determined to find something quite powerful for possible use with much less efficient speakers than the Sierras, as it's only a matter of time before I develop a wandering eye and/or get some towers.

I have read that Emotiva gear is noticeably "bright", one Reddit know-it-all going so far as to say it was a bad combination with very neutral or 'analytical' like the Sierra-2's (he named the Sierras specifically). Based on some Ascend Forum testimony, I am assuming this is bogus advice.

That is certainly bogus advice. There is nothing bright about Emotiva's gear. Schiit has had the same comments from some people, but every time I look into what gear they own/what they listen to, it's apparent that their other systems/components are not meant to be neutral gear, but often are very smooth/warm tilted kinds of gear. It's always funny when tube audio snobs comment on a particular solid state design as they tend to think anything that isn't tubed is harsh and/or bright.

Emotiva, much like Ascend, engineers their gear for neutrality, accuracy, and affordability. They also don't have any marketing, sales, or distribution costs, just like Ascend. You're getting something that sounds amazing without being in an overly fancy box that requires stupid amounts of labor to assemble, which is what most of the competition is doing.

I think most of the integrated amps out there are insanely overpriced for no good reason. There are quite a few out there with very lazy designs (lots of wiring instead of just laying out in an organized way and bad chassis design that add dramatically to labor and parts cost). Emotiva uses a very straightforward, effective chassis, and they try to minimize wiring where they can.

I pair my Sierra Towers with RAALs with an Emotiva XPA-5 Gen 2 and everyone that I've had in my theater has been blown away by their sound, especially the accuracy. There has only been one time where I was concerned and it turned to be a poorly mastered Blu-Ray that contained clipping in several scenes.

[Octave]

Thanks for the word. The XMC-1 looks luscious but for my box-wine noobery is terrifyingly expensive; I am quite close to biting for the little entry PT-100/A-300 combo, though.

[sludgeogre]

Thanks for the word. The XMC-1 looks luscious but for my box-wine noobery is terrifyingly expensive; I am quite close to biting for the little entry PT-100/A-300 combo, though.

The XMC-1 is fantastic, but would be wasted on a stereo setup since it's a 7 channel, dual sub output device. I feel bad for not having rear channels with it still.

The only suggestion I would throw out there would be to go for the Schiit Modi Multibit and SYS instead of the PT-100 if you only need digital inputs. The PT-100 is a jack of all trades type of device with a DAC that is certainly decent, but nothing particularly special. The Modi Multibit is an insanely impressive device for $249. The level of accuracy and soundstaging it can do in stereo is pretty incredible. http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

The downside is that you don't have remote control unless you step up to one of their fancy preamps, and you wouldn't have the phono input, and the two companie's devices don't match aesthetically at all, unfortunately, but man do I love how Schiit Multibit sounds. I use a Bifrost Multibit and Asgard 2 with my Audeze LCD-2 at work.

[Blutarsky]

You might consider buying pre-owned gear.

[BrianNLS]

You might consider trying the Outlaw Model 5000.

It is a very solid and capable amp at a reasonable price (~$600 retail + shipping).

It is more than you need with 5 channels, but gives you a number of options + expansion for down the road you won't get with a 2 channel amp.

I am using one as part of a 7.1.4 system with Sierra-2 L & R and Horizon center, and have been very pleased.

[Blutarsky]

I have an outlaw 5000 and recommend it also. It puts out little heat and was an improvement over a receiver. You can use only 2 outputs without problems

[Octave]

Thanks, Brian and Blutarsky; I saw another thread where Blutarsky expressed a lot of happiness with the Outlaw power amp.
Only now do I notice the nice triple-threat package deal they have with a 975/5000/oppo-203, where pending shipping, one might save a little...potentially sweetening the deal on an Oppo considerably. Too bad I am still rocking my 103!

I need to do some more research on the 975 and how it compares with its equivalents chez Emotiva etc. I might get a stop-gap solution for less money and then get the package deal when I feel like a slight upgrade in my player.

I do not trust myself to know clipping when I hear it---some examples I've listened to online seem extreme for the sake of emphasis---so I'm afraid I am ripe for exploitation when it comes to fretting over accidentally destroying my speakers. Or geez, my ears!
I'm going to get a SPL meter and stop this Iphone-app nonsense.