3 Channel Amp

[AllTheTimer]

I'm in the market for a sub-$500 3 channel amp to power a center speaker and a couple of surrounds. I've been searching on the internet for a store that sells them, but I haven't found any yet. I wonder if anyone knows where I could get one? Also, do you think I could find one with a subwoofer output and crossover, or is that generally reserved only for receivers? Thanks.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Adcom GFA 5352 (or something like that)

It has 60 watts x 3 or w/e...

[AllTheTimer]

Thanks Vr, I'll have to check that out.

[Danny Tse]

Depends on how efficient are your speakers and how big of a room you're trying to cover, J&R sells a 3 channel digital power amp from TEAC for $99.88. I believe it has 30 watts/channel. I got wind of this little amp from someone bi-amping his stereo speakers with these.

TEAC A-L700P 3 channel power amp at J&R (http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3668124)

Check out the TEAC amp in action here (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/modules.php?set_albumName=albuo42&id=DSCN1319&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php).

Here're the owner's opinions (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=11728) to the TEAC power amps.

[steveinaz]

Parasound used to make a 3-channel amp, don't know if they still do.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Originally posted by steveinaz
Parasound used to make a 3-channel amp, don't know if they still do.
I don't remember the model number of the most recent...think it was something like 1203...thinking 130WPC or so...

[tonyv1]

Parasound doesn't make 3 channel amps any more.
Here are the 3 channel amps they did make:
HCA-2003A:
220 watts RMS x 3, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohms, all channels driven
300 watts RMS x 3, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 4 ohms, all channels driven

HCA-1203A:
140 x 3 watts per channel at 8 ohms
200 x 3 watts per channel at 4 ohms

[AllTheTimer]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Depends on how efficient are your speakers.

To tell you the truth, I only have the center speaker right now--an 8 ohm, dual 6" DCM. I got it mostly for looks, but it sounds okay. I'll probably get some cheap bookshelfs off ebay--maybe some Cerwin Vegas, or some R20's, for the rears. For the mains--not to keep on babbling here, or anything--I have AxiomM22's hooked up to a Yamaha AX592 integrated amp, with two PSW303's for the low end--I almost wish I had gotten the LSi7's, but it's too late now. The one thing I'm worried about with getting a 3 channel amp is if I'll be able to control the volume of all the speakers with my Yamaha remote. In the 592 manual, it says that if I hook up an external unit between the preout/main in terminals, then the Yamaha remote can be used for "overall adjustment of the sound level." Still not sure about that, though--a lot of this stuff is pretty confusing for me. I'm pretty much a rookie, if you hadn't guessed that by now.

[Danny Tse]

This is what you need.....the Yamaha DSP-E492 (http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gDSP00010DSP-E492), although you will have to find it used.

Just search ebay for completed auctions, one was sold for $87.00 less than 10 days ago.

Otherwise, may be cheaper to get a new receiver.

[AllTheTimer]

Thanks--appreciate that info. And 87 dollars? I can live with that.