What's the purpose of having an amp?

[tdogroeder]

I have a Yamaha RX-V757 receiver with good power, why would I need to get an amp. What would an amp do for my system, besides add more power that I might not even need. Help with understanding the purpose of amps.
Thanks

[hoosier21]

this has only been cover a thousand times, do a search, many have seen the light.

Why do ask this question the first place?

[tdogroeder]

this has only been cover a thousand times, do a search, many have seen the light.

Why do ask this question the first place?

I see a lot of talk about amps and I have no experience or knowledge on amps for home theater and was curious how much they add to a system.

[hoosier21]

so you have already read the answer to your question

"I see a lot of talk about amps"

Why ask the question again, your not convinced by your previous reading and want more of the same answers? Will this finally answer you question, no it will not.

Only one way to find out, get an amp and try it. :)

[thehaens@cox.net]

If you are happy with your Yamaha, and you feel it is giving you adequate power then stick with it. It will end up costing you a lot less in money in your future. Once you get an amp, you are going to want to get a bigger amp, then you will outgrow it.

So again, if you are happy with what you got, then stay with it. Besides, depending on how your system is set up, you may only get a very marginal benefit for your amp.

Case in point, my brother in law has a modest home theatre in his house, that is acoustically treated, and is only about 15 x 10, he has some Polk in wall speakers, with a Marantz receiver. In his set up, he really doesn't need a 100 pound furnace sitting in his audio rack. The Marantz sound just fine...

Scott

[tdogroeder]

so you have already read the answer to your question

"I see a lot of talk about amps"

Why ask the question again, your not convinced by your previous reading and want more of the same answers? Will this finally answer you question, no it will not.

Only one way to find out, get an amp and try it. :)

What kind of amp should I look at getting, 2 channel, 5 channel, 5 channel?What brands should I look at? I see a lot of talk about outlaw, audiosource and rotel. I know noting about amps and some good feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks

[mldennison]

my advice would be to continue to do what you are doing, reading. all the brands that you talked about are very good, just continue doing research on which models they carry and pick one that you like. there isnt really anything that someone else could say here that would be much different than what has been said in the other threads that you are reading...

good luck!

[thehaens@cox.net]

Here is a short list for you....

Parasound (http://www.parasound.com)

Outlaw (http://www.outlawaudio.com)

Meridian (http://www.meridian-audio.com)

Mark Levinson (http://www.marklevinson.com)

Bryston (http://www.bryston.ca)

Krell (http://www.krellonline.com)

Rotel (http://www.rotel.com)

Monster (http://www.monstercable.com)

*Warning* Monster is not a well liked company around these parts, however, as an owner of the MPA-2250 I would, and have recommended it. I have purchased recently a Monster Amp (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39783&item=5855497674) as welll as a Sunfire Amp (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39783&item=5852127863) and although the Sunfire is more than double the power, the Monster does as good of a job on my 1.2's

Mcintosh (http://www.mcintoshlabs.com)

Adcom (http://www.adcom.com)

Nad (http://www.nadelectronics.com)

Threshold (http://www.threshold-audio.com)

Carver (http://www.sunfire.com)

Conrad Johnson (http://www.conradjohnson.com)

This should get you started. You can get 2 Channel, 1 Channel, 5 Channel, or any combination of those mentioned. Do a little reading, one of these will meet your needs..

Scott

[cfrizz]

Start reading!
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35317&highlight=amplifiers
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32764&highlight=amplifiers
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33040
(pay special attention to HolyDoc's review post!!)

[RuSsMaN]

Take the Monster link down, will you? What a crap company.

[thehaens@cox.net]

RuSsMaN - Odd that Monster was the only request for removal. I happen to own a Monster 2250 amp, as well as a Parasound, and some Marantz Mono's. I wouldn't hesitate recommending any of them. As a matter of fact, if price wasn't the issue, then I would recommend the Monster over my other 4 amps.....

Scott

[autoconsortium]

I just saw some of these Monster amp's the other day. Beautiful. Didn't hear them, but damn pretty looking amps. If they sound as good as they look...

[aaharvel]

yeah well my Adcoms are fugly. Beauty is only skin deep.

Like Bose, i'll never purchase anything from Monster on sheer principle. I don't care if they're covered in edible panties.
If someone else wants to, great. Different is good. Haens keep Monster on your list. You like them. That's good enough.

[bobman1235]

RuSsMaN - Odd that Monster was the only request for removal. I happen to own a Monster 2250 amp, as well as a Parasound, and some Marantz Mono's. I wouldn't hesitate recommending any of them. As a matter of fact, if price wasn't the issue, then I would recommend the Monster over my other 4 amps.....

Pay attention folks. Most people don't have qualms with Monster's products, but their legal practices and general corporate attitude. Do a search.

[aaharvel]

Pay attention folks. Most people don't have qualms with Monster's products, but their legal practices and general corporate attitude. Do a search.

well then you can add Samsung to that list.
http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=14686&hed=Samsung+Guilty+of+Collusion

oh and countless receiver manufactorers lying about their wattage specs. :cool:

[thehaens@cox.net]

There is a lot of well documented issues with Monster and their corporate practice, and I didn't mean for this to get into a flame war with their products or company. I personnaly have a lot of their products, cables, conditioners, and now an amp. And can't say I am unhappy with any of their products. I don't buy retail on any of their products, as their products can be had for a relative bargain on the web. The Amp is built like a tank, and it is grossly underrated at 250W/channel. I have seen the meters, (FWIW) hit over 600W channel, without overload, or clipping through my 1.2's. And it is a very nice sounding amp. I was simply providing links to manufactures of amps, and systems (meridian) that is all. I wasn't saying any of them is better than the others..

Scott

[tdogroeder]

This should get you started. You can get 2 Channel, 1 Channel, 5 Channel, or any combination of those mentioned. Do a little reading, one of these will meet your needs..

Scott[/QUOTE]
How do I find prices of these amps?

[thehaens@cox.net]

How do I find prices of these amps?

TD - If you want to buy retail, just go to the website and look around for retailers. If you are a penny pincher like me, then go to ebay, audiogon, etc. to find some deals on used or stolen :eek: equipment....

Scott

[tdogroeder]

Hey guys, is this a good amp?

http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_a965.html

[thehaens@cox.net]

I like the cutaway look on it, nicely built, specs are good, but never had a listen....

Scott

[Holydoc]

(pay special attention to HolyDoc's review post!!)

Whoa! I got an honorable mention.

:)

[cfrizz]

It was an outstanding write up that deserves mention, & reference!

[tdogroeder]

I like the cutaway look on it, nicely built, specs are good, but never had a listen....

Scott

thanks, scott. I apreciate your thoughts

[thehaens@cox.net]

True statement, the amp has looks like it has individual banks for each channel, the two power supplies can be seen on the front L/R of the amp. I think this amp will suit you well. You could Bi-amp, and still have a channel available for your center. And use your receiver for the surround. Not sure if there is a marriage between Sherwood/Outlaw, but it wouldn't surprise me. Many companies share technology, parts etc. Keeps costs down in production, and should ultimately keep costs down for the consumer..

[Canedog]

Should I go with a Krell or Audiosource AMP? Are JVL AMPs any good?

[cewolcott]

What about the Niles brand? I was looking at the Niles 2125 to power the L/R LC265i's.