Amplifier help please

[tdercole]

I have a pioneer reciever for my sierra's, i was looking at the emotiva upa-2 for a little more power but i am not really sure about other amps. Does anybody have any recommendations. Looking to spend around 300 bucks. Thanks

[choirbass]

+1 for the UPA-2. $300 probably won't get you much else comparable, unless you go to audiogon. Im positive you'll find something there, otherwise emo amps all the way.

[tdercole]

Ok upa-2 sounds like a good choice for me,thank you for the recomendations.

[Jeff52]

Ok upa-2 sounds like a good choice for me,thank you for the recomendations.

Great amp, I have and use the UPA-2, very capable amp, on clearance right now, won't last long. $299 with free ship.

[Gov]

What kind of Pioneer do you have?

[tdercole]

I have the pioneer vsx 9040thx, which is basically Canada's version of the elite vsx21. sounds great but sierras deserve a dedicated power source.

[billy p]

Fwiw...I am not sure how much headroom your looking to gain with the UPA2 as your source vs. your current avr. I was told you'd likely need the xpa2 to really notice a vast improvement over most mid level avrs( i have a yammy rxv 1800), but I guess it really depend on your listening environment and how loudly you like to listen ....:)

Just my 2 cents...Bill

[tdercole]

I never really thought about that, good advice. Thank you

[Gov]

I have no doubt your Pioneer AVR is more than enough for the Sierras. Save your money!

[tdercole]

save my money and get a rythmik, ok thanks GOV.

[Jeff52]

save my money and get a rythmik, ok thanks GOV.

Sounds like a winner to me.....Good luck.

[S_rangeBrew]

I have a pioneer reciever for my sierra's, i was looking at the emotiva upa-2 for a little more power but i am not really sure about other amps. Does anybody have any recommendations. Looking to spend around 300 bucks. Thanks

The Behringer EP4000 puts out over 400wpc @ ohms & is stable down to 2ohms, where it puts out about 1000wpc!
I got it for $260 using this deal: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3120604
It's only real negative is that is comes with a loud cooling fan, but you can replace it with this quiet one for $10: http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/FBA08A24L1A/P9739-ND/102209


I have no doubt your Pioneer AVR is more than enough for the Sierras. Save your money!

That depends on how loud he listens to it. The Sierras are not very efficient speakers. I had a pioneer 1014tx which had a beefier amp section than his, and it couldn't drive my HTM-200s at above-reference levels without damaging clipping, and they have about the same efficiency as the Sierras.

However, I agree with the general sentiment of adding a subwoofer first. That frees up a lot of amp power, right there! :cool:

[Jeff52]

Hello, you can also look at the Crown XLS 1000 drive core amp, 215 watts into 8 Ohms, very effecient and quiet and weighs 11 pounds.

[HiroPro]

I'd take a look at some of the digital amps available.

The ones based on the IRS2092 IRFI4019H are absolutely friggin amazing for the money!!!

A great source for these is www.classdaudio.com

The SDS-254 is the jewl of the bunch. And if you want an upgraded SMPS vers. a linear PSU take a look at www.audiopower.it DPS-500/S SMPS. He also makes great digital amps. There are many "modules" available at various price levels.

I would pit an SDS-254 module with that special SMPS against most any highend amps less a Nelson Pass or Cary.

If you really want to save money google L15D amp module. Those can be had on ebay for about $25 bucks a channel and again they best most gear... even some of those Emotiva A/B darlingtons !!!

Digital amps have come of age. The reason most manufacturers won't touch them is because THEY SCARE THE HELL OUTTA THEM due to the price performance ratio being absolutely INSANE. Most would go broke if joe consumer knew what an L15D can do !