amplifier suggestions

[roakes]

Hi guys! I am looking to upgrade my HT setup by replacing my Kenwood Sovereign VR-5900 AVR with separates. After a good deal of research, I have chosen the Integra DTC-9.8 preamp and now have only to choose the amp. The plethora of products currently available makes the selection process both complex and arduous, to say the least.

My main concern in choosing an amp is that it does not add to the inherent brightness of my speakers. I run Klipsch KLF-30'Sas my mains. It should also have awesome bass. I am about 80/20 HT/music. At this time, my system is 5.1 and there is no timetable for upgrading to 7.1.

Budget constraints limit me to around the 2K range (wish I could find something great for half that much!) Outlaw's 7700 and Gemstone's Blue Diamond have plenty of rated power, balanced inputs, and 5 year warranties. Both Outlaw and Gemstone will sell you "B" stock when available, for a bit less. Yesterday, I was offered an Anthem A5 amp for $1650 , a demo from my local dealer.

These are not the only units I have or would consider, but if any of you have experience with one of them, I would love to hear it (especially weather you consider them to be bright/neutral/warm sounding)! Other suggestions for good pairings with my speakers are welcome too!

Thanks for reading my post and for your help!

[Bass Mania]

Have considered Emotiva? I have their bottom of the line prepro and amp, the LMC-1 and the LPA-1.

The LPA-1 is quite capable, stable at 4 ohms, and Klipsch speakers are very efficient so 125 watts per channel should satisfy you.

Consider the new MPS-2 that is making 200 watts times seven ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN!

http://emotiva.com/mps2.html

[roakes]

Hi Bass Mania! Thanks for the reply and yes I have looked into Emotiva. Can't remember why I let that go...I may have read about a problem with the amps. How long have you owned yours and what are your impressions? Would you say that the amp is bright/neutral/warm? Have you had any problems?

[Bass Mania]

roakes wrote:

Hi Bass Mania! Thanks for the reply and yes I have looked into Emotiva. Can't remember why I let that go...I may have read about a problem with the amps. How long have you owned yours and what are your impressions? Would you say that the amp is bright/neutral/warm? Have you had any problems?

Hi roakes,

Emotiva has been the perfect company for me, tech support is second to none. I did have a problem, but with my prepro. Resolution was QUICK!

I find the amp neutral, but unless its Bob Carver or some tube amp, I expect my electronics to be neutral. The end result is the speakers. Your Klipsch are bright if they are typical of most klipsch speakers. My mains are Aperion Audio 633 Towers, and they sounded bright at first, but they don't strain my ears, even after long loud action movies, or after a night of good jams.

I've heard that Emotiva makes amps for other companies that mark them up for name sakes (and profit).

I'm now a lifetime "fanboy" of Emotiva, because they have gone past the extra mile helping me, and I own their budget gear! Plus 40% off on future prepro orders since I'm "In the Family".

I've also owned amps by yamaha, nad, and denon. NAD makes some of the most powerful audio amps on earth. They rate conservative, but can grunt out serious power into 2 ohm loads.

Good Luck!

[Sonnie]

With those Klipsch you could go with the LPA-1 from Emotiva. They are very well respected and quality built amps. No reason to pay all that much more unless you just want to Actually any reputable amp will push those Klipsch.

[roakes]

Hi Sonnie. I see you own or have previously owned an Earthquake Cinenova Grand 5. How would you rate it in comparison to the others that I asked about?

[Josuah]

You have speakers rated at 102dB and 8 ohms. You can probably use a amp that's a few hundred dollars and you'll be perfectly fine. When Secrets measured them, they measured very flat but looks like they cut out in the very high frequencies. If it sounds bright, you probably have room issues, or maybe you need to sit a little farther off axis, although many times people say bright referring to the kHz range in which case that won't help.

[Rodny Alvarez]

The new Emotiva 5 channel amp its on the way, 200 watts @ 8 ohm for $799, they have a 30 day trial if you don't like it send it back.
I have the LPA-1 and to me its pretty neutral

My preamp MMC-1