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View Full Version : 2 different AMPS OK or NOT

xterra77
03-03-2008, 06:13 PM
Hi
Need help i have a chance to pick up a used HK PA5800
amp 80W x5 to power 2 FXI5'S for surrounds and 2 CSi3's
For my rears.My anthem 225x3 would power my RTi10's and my CSi5.I will be usind my avr HK230 as a preout.Is
this ok using 2 different amps.
Thanks
ShinAce
03-03-2008, 06:25 PM
It's perfectly normal to use different brands of power amps. It is the speakers that you want to match as much as possible.
dkg999
03-03-2008, 06:28 PM
You should be fine. With a single amp (and sound signature) running your front sound stage, that would be the main criteria. I've had different amps running front and rear/surrounds, and it wasn't noticeable.
cfrizz
03-03-2008, 06:41 PM
You're fine.
Ron Temple
03-03-2008, 07:35 PM
Oh no...don't do it :p
mulveling
03-03-2008, 07:41 PM
Should work fine, just remember to re-calibrate the level settings for each channel in your receiver (SPL meter would come in handy here) - different amps often have different input sensitivities.
xterra77
03-04-2008, 05:31 PM
Oh no...don't do it :p

Hi Ron
I always thought using 2 different amps was not good,but
in this case i am using a HK amp,i would assume it is ok
since with no amp i would still be using my HK avr for rears and surrounds!!!
Why do you think i should not?
venomclan
03-04-2008, 05:34 PM
No problems. I had a HK PA5800 for a few years and used it along with other amps many times.
Venom
Ron Temple
03-04-2008, 05:47 PM
Hi Ron
I always thought using 2 different amps was not good,but
in this case i am using a HK amp,i would assume it is ok
since with no amp i would still be using my HK avr for rears and surrounds!!!
Why do you think i should not?Look at my sig...does it look like I have a problem running multiple differing amps ;). There are differences, the Carver is more laid back than the Luxman (which is why it's running my surrounds) and the bridged Audiosource is very neutral. It works well for me. Would I benefit from a single amp or identical models? Probably...but, no one's complaining at my house.
jwhitakr
03-04-2008, 06:34 PM
You should be fine. With a single amp (and sound signature) running your front sound stage, that would be the main criteria. I've had different amps running front and rear/surrounds, and it wasn't noticeable.

Completely agree on this ... I have had different amps running my surrounds versus running my center/front/left channels, and did not notice any difference while watching movies.

Look at my sig...does it look like I have a problem running multiple differing amps ;). There are differences, the Carver is more laid back than the Luxman (which is why it's running my surrounds) and the bridged Audiosource is very neutral. It works well for me. Would I benefit from a single amp or identical models? Probably...but, no one's complaining at my house.

I, like Ron, also run different amps for my center and for my fronts. I do notice a difference between the amps, but at this time my money is going toward upgrading my speakers instead of upgrading my amps. Eventually I will upgrade my center amp because I think it will sound "better" (better is a subjective term) to have identical amps, or at least amps from the same manufacturer and same model line, running the front soundstage.

If you are going to get a good deal on the amp you are looking at, I'd say go for it!
Sherardp
03-05-2008, 05:22 PM
Put me in the boat with some of the others, I run different amp on my fronts, than I do on center and surrounds. Setup sounds awesome. Just tweak the settings in your pre/pro or AVR and you're good.
ShinAce
03-05-2008, 06:18 PM
I'm looking at using 2 completely different amps for a bi-amped setup.

One amp is a discrete power amp, the other is an older integrated amp. The integrated will run the tweeters and the power amp the woofers.

So you can even run different amps on the same speaker, assuming you set it up right.
engtaz
03-05-2008, 09:57 PM
I think that tube sound for upper bi amp range is great and SS for lower range bi amping.

engtaz
just_visiting
03-06-2008, 12:10 AM
Hi
Need help i have a chance to pick up a used HK PA5800
amp 80W x5 to power 2 FXI5'S for surrounds and 2 CSi3's
For my rears.My anthem 225x3 would power my RTi10's and my CSi5.I will be usind my avr HK230 as a preout.Is
this ok using 2 different amps.
Thanks


Your Anthem amp is the MCA 30 right? If it is then its NOT 225x3. Its 180X3.
xterra77
03-06-2008, 09:53 AM
Your Anthem amp is the MCA 30 right? If it is then its NOT 225x3. Its 180X3.

I did not recieve it yet but yes the mca 30.
i noticed that afterwards all channels driven is 180.
How do you like it.
You have 2 anthems do you have them on 1 outlet,because costumer service told me that if i get 2
i could run them on 1 15amp outlet.seems strange to me.
just_visiting
03-09-2008, 03:32 AM
I did not recieve it yet but yes the mca 30.
i noticed that afterwards all channels driven is 180.
How do you like it.
You have 2 anthems do you have them on 1 outlet,because costumer service told me that if i get 2
i could run them on 1 15amp outlet.seems strange to me.



I love them!!! I have them on 1 outlet. I've had them for the last couple of yrs and do not have any problems. For your info, I decided to go with both a MCA20 and MCA30 as suppose to a single MCA50 due to the power distribution. I wanted 200X2 minimum for my fronts instead of 180X5. I have my MCA30 pushing my centre and rears.