one more amp question

[demaples]

Would the Aragon 2007 7 Channel THX Ultra2 Amp be a good value for my system at $2000?
Onkyo 805
lsi25 fronts
genesi g-2800 sides
lsi15 rears
lsic center
psw650 sub.

[zingo]

One over-simplified amp answer: yes.

[jayman_1975]

I've heard that amp is sweet. I'll be green with envy if you buy it.

[garnier]

Did you check on a new Outlaw 7700? It's not Ultra II THX, but is very nice. I am getting it for myself! ;)

[Midnite Mick]

I would say no. I had the 2005 and thought it was anemic for ht...although pretty clean, smooth, and laid back for music. I think for 2k you can do better. fwiw I sold my 2005 for around 1k.

I think 2k is greater than market value.

good luck,
Mike

[tonyb]

Agree on the "no". Thought they were somewhat slow.

I don't get this guy,passes on a Cinova,that does HT in spades,yet is looking at spending 2 g's on a mediocre amp.Maybe he should stick with an AVR and Bose speakers.:rolleyes:

[demaples]

Tony, I passed on the Cinenova because it was 5 channel and I want a seven. I really don't know much about high end equipment and am trying to learn. So instead of criticizing, how about just lending some helpful advice. I simply want a decent 7 channel that will allow me to fully utilize the lsi series speakers without damage. I don't need tons of wpc, just enough to eliminate the fear of damage.
Thanks
Dennis

[tcrossma]

Any 7 channel amp that's at least 100wpc @ 8 ohm from any of the respectable companies usually given on this website (B&K, Rotel, Adcom, Parasound, Sunfire, etc) will drive your speakers without risk of damage. So if that's all you want then just pick one. But what many here are trying to help you do is steer you into something that will also maximize the sound quality and your enjoyment of your system.

I personally think a 5 channel + 2 channel (if you find it necessary) is a better route for you to take, but it's your choice.

[demaples]

How about the ROTEL RMB-1077 CLASS D 7 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER?

[demaples]

I understand on the 5 channel and 2 channel combo however I have a space issue and I'm not the expert that you all are at the "slow, flat" indicaters, so in my eyes a single decent 7 channel will do the trick for me. So taking that all into consideration with say a $2500 budget for new or used what is optimal?

[tcrossma]

Ok, well i'm very partial to my B&K Ref 200.5 so i'll give a +1 to a B&K 200.7. If you can find one used you should be able to get one in the $1300-1500 range.

[demaples]

What about the ROTEL RMB-1077 CLASS D 7 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER? I'm reading very good reviews online and it "fits" my setup and space? I can get one for around $2000.

[Gaara]

Most of the reviews I read on it were mixed, there is no way I would spend that much on it. You can get the 5ch version which is supposed to be much better for $1199, pair it with a nice 2ch amp and you would be doing a hell of a lot better for the same amount of $ if not less. If you really want a 7ch icepower amp go with a Wyred 4 Sound, they get rave reviews and you can get 100x7 using the 200asc modules for $2k.

If you want recommendations I can give plenty, my #1 will be a Earthquake Cinenova Grande. If you need 7ch you could get a Sunfire Cinema Grand, B&K 200.7, ATI 1807/2007, Cinenova Grande 7, etc.

[Sami]

I have Aragon 2004 two channel amp and would love to hear how the 2007 plays. Can't really give advice based on the 2 channel amp, but if this 2007 is anywhere close the performer the 2004 is, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

I've gone through many amps in my setups and the 2004 stays, nothing have beaten it yet and I doubt anything will unless I move into the big name territory; Krell etc.

[garnier]

Hi, I am comparing all the mentioned amplifiers with what I have ordered, Outlaw Model 7700, for $1899.00. Comparing it to $2499.00 ROTEL RMB-1077 CLASS D 7 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER for example, I wonder why ROTEL's is so expensive, because it produces 100 wpc @ 8-ohm with 0.03% THD, but Outlaw's produces 200 wpc @8-ohm with 0.03% THD also. Is it because Rotel has a dealer primium whereas Outlaw is internet-based company and can lower their price, or is it because there are other factors that make Rotel's the money's worth compared to Outlaw's Model 7700, for example? Thank you! :)

[Gaara]

You got ripped off, the Emotiva MPS-2 can do 200wpc x 7 and is only $1699!

[garnier]

You got ripped off, the Emotiva MPS-2 can do 200wpc x 7 and is only $1699!

Yes, I checked theirs too, but Emotiva MPS-2 wouldn't be available until May at the earliest; and it has about 20 dB less S/N ratio. Isn't it better if S/N ratio is high?

[tcrossma]

Yes, I checked theirs too, but Emotiva MPS-2 wouldn't be available until May at the earliest; and it has about 20 dB less S/N ratio. Isn't it better if S/N ratio is high?

I can't comment on those particular amps since I have no experience with them, but one thing i've learned over the past year by hanging out on this forum and upgrading all my equipment is that specs aren't everything.

[Sami]

You got ripped off, the Emotiva MPS-2 can do 200wpc x 7 and is only $1699!

Price and power aren't the only things important. We don't know if the Emotiva sounds good or not.

All you guys got ripped off, I paid $350 for my 5x200wpc Sherbourn... :p

[Gaara]

Dontcha know all that matters with amps is specs, none of this subjective "sound quality" crap. Same with speakers, I mean common who buys speakers for sound quality? Its all about frequency response, and impedance, and sensitivity.

Seriously though I can't understand guys who only focus on specs, especially when they upgrade speakers. I mean cmon compare the RTi6 to the LSi9 specs wise, they are similar, but they don't sound the same do they? Same goes with amps, albeit to a smaller degree.

Oh well, im out of these amp discussions, one to many for me. If you need info use the search function, or many of these questions can simply be answered with a google search.

[Ricardo]

You got it all wrong. For speakers the key feature is looks.

Garnier, your Outlaw is a great amp; stop thinking about it; just enjoy it.

Demaples, make up your mind already; you've been given all the recommendations on which brands to buy.

[garnier]

Exactly; no two amps are alike. That's why one can't simply compare two amps, Outlaw and Emotiva, for example, based on their prices! :p

[cfrizz]

I personally wasn't impressed at all with Rotel's 1077. It was the right size & nice & light but too expensive & when compared to the RMB 1095 it didn't even come close. Now their 2 channel digital amp was outstanding, but I was looking for a 5 channel.

Dennis, we have given you all the brands that will get the job done & the recommended wattage to make sure that your LSI's run to their full operating potential. Other than that we are simply repeating ourselves.

[demaples]

Thank you all. I've made my decision. I'll keep you all informed when the system is fine tuned for the time being.
Dennis

[bbeacham]

Hi, I am comparing all the mentioned amplifiers with what I have ordered, Outlaw Model 7700, for $1899.00. Comparing it to $2499.00 ROTEL RMB-1077 CLASS D 7 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER for example, I wonder why ROTEL's is so expensive, because it produces 100 wpc @ 8-ohm with 0.03% THD, but Outlaw's produces 200 wpc @8-ohm with 0.03% THD also.


That is INEXPENSIVE. Get a subscription to Stereophile and The Absolute Sound. Then you will see 30W x 2 channel tube amps for $15,000, or more. Speakers go for $20,000, and more, for one speaker.

When my subscriptions expire on these 2 magazines I am not going to be renewing. They are to stuck in the past with all their 2 channel tube amps and turntables.

[Face]

When my subscriptions expire on these 2 magazines I am not going to be renewing. They are to stuck in the past with all their 2 channel tube amps and turntables.
Vinyl is making a big comeback. I believe tubes will be here to stay also.

[Ferres]

The rmb-1077 is $1,999 now. It's actually a 200watt/channel amp but rotel did not like it's performance at that level so it was downgraded to 100watt/channel.
http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=29634

It requires about a week of break-in time to get the bass out.

[Hawkeye]

I don't think tubes and turntables are in the past. I have tubes but don't roll, a turntable is in the future because I think vinyl is the future.

Digital is a step above 8 tracks and cassettes but I don't think it is the top shelf. It seems like every other year there is a "new" format. DD, 5.1, DTS, Neo, etc, etc. I looked at a piece that must have had 50 different "sound processor" modes. Who wants to listen to Tool in the Notre Dame Cathedal?
I think for HT we chase the latest and greatest and spend enormous amounts of money for that. That's why I gave up on it. My HT is at least 6 years behind the times and I'm happy with it.

I've decided to spend my money on 2 Channel music. Uncolored, unprocessed and much more enjoyable to me. I grew up with vinyl, I wish I still had all those albums!! It is going to cost a fortune to go forward into the past. I've heard some affordable vinyl rigs and to me there is no comparison.

Go tubes and vinyl.

[tonyb]

Hawkeye-I dig that Rel sub in your sig,nice.The B&K stuff will always sound good.I have the 307 and see no reason to upgrade yet.Waiting for B&K's new stuff to come out.They are usually slow in keeping up with the latest and greatest,but when they do,sound quality is always top notch.

[skykeys]

I don't think tubes and turntables are in the past. I have tubes but don't roll, a turntable is in the future because I think vinyl is the future.

Digital is a step above 8 tracks and cassettes but I don't think it is the top shelf. It seems like every other year there is a "new" format. DD, 5.1, DTS, Neo, etc, etc. I looked at a piece that must have had 50 different "sound processor" modes. Who wants to listen to Tool in the Notre Dame Cathedal?
I think for HT we chase the latest and greatest and spend enormous amounts of money for that. That's why I gave up on it. My HT is at least 6 years behind the times and I'm happy with it.

I've decided to spend my money on 2 Channel music. Uncolored, unprocessed and much more enjoyable to me. I grew up with vinyl, I wish I still had all those albums!! It is going to cost a fortune to go forward into the past. I've heard some affordable vinyl rigs and to me there is no comparison.

Go tubes and vinyl.


Hello Hawkeye. I want to both agree with you, and respectfully suggest that there is something very good about the new digital audio formats. I will also state up front that - and this perhaps is stating the obvious; listening experiences are very subjective and personal. :)

I am a musician (and avid music listener). Any guitar player today will tell you that there is still no substitute for a good tube amp. I have no direct experience with tube amps for home stereos, but I will assume that the same sentiment applies and is accurate.

Vinyl records, particularly the "audiophile" master recorded ones, are very warm and rich sounding and there are some people who still swear by them. I have mixed opinions about this particular issue, but I will agree that good audiophile vinyl discs sound better than some CD recordings. The practical matter of scratches and size also factor in to vinyl for me, so that's where my mixed opinion comes in.

But, the newer audio formats, SACD and DVD-Audio - with much wider dynamic range and sampling rates than "ordinary" CDs, sound excellent to me.

Listening to a well recorded true 5 channel mix SACD disc, like Billy Joel's 52nd Street and Elton John's Trumbleweed Connection (which are two discs I happen to have), playing through my 5.1 surround system, sounds fantastic. My 20 year old son agrees. (FYI, I'm 50).

Add to that the ability to apply some DSP to ordinary CDs (in my case, via a Yamaha RX-V620), and the listening experience is definitely enhanced.

When it comes to watching/listening to DVD movies, Hi-Def cable, or a concert DVD movie, the digital surround sound experience is really terrific. Factor in the newer "lossless" audio formats that are coming out with the new Hi-Def (Blu-Ray) format, and I have to think that multi-channel digital surround sound has the distinct advantage over traditional analog audio.

So while I do concur that a vinyl record in pristine condition playing through a high end (tube) stereo system will sound fantastic, I believe digital sound "can" be better - with the proper equipment and a high quality source - like SACD, TrueHD, etc. Use a tube amp with a digital preamp setup, and you could be in sonic heaven. :)

Regards.

[bbeacham]

But, the newer audio formats, SACD and DVD-Audio - with much wider dynamic range and sampling rates than "ordinary" CDs, sound excellent to me.

Listening to a well recorded true 5 channel mix SACD disc, like Billy Joel's 52nd Street and Elton John's Trumbleweed Connection (which are two discs I happen to have), playing through my 5.1 surround system, sounds fantastic. My 20 year old son agrees. (FYI, I'm 50).


Although I primarily listen to classical now, Pink Floyd's, "The Dark Side Of The Moon", in SACD, is pure sonic bliss. I must have gone through 3-4 copies of that album over the years before I junked vinyl back in the late 80s.

[Hawkeye]

Tonyb,

The REL is my newest toy. I don't have it dialed in yet but it is an extremely musical sub. It blends extremely well with the ML's and it is not possible to audibly locate it. It is visually quite large, almost like a small dorm fridge. It has an unusual hook up. It gets the signal directly from the output of my amp through a Speakon connector. I tried several hook up options and the REL recommended cable is by far the best sounding. I"m sure it would be a nice addition to a HT.

Skykeys,

I also am 50 and have entered my second childhood now that the kids are out of college and on their own!! I meant no put down of any type of DSP. Since we both agree that listening is a personal choice, to each his own.

I'm fortunate to have two different systems. For the HT, to me, the DSP's are a requirement. I'm not a big HT guy so if I don't have the latest and greatest DSP, it is ok with me. If the manufacturers made it possible to upgrade the equipment I might be tempted to upgrade, I just refuse to chase it every year with my checkbook. For 2 channel, I like just plain music without anything added or subtracted. I had a hard time accepting a violin coming at me from behind when I know it's supposed to be on my left front!!

Last year, my youngest son asked us to retube his Marshall head for Christmas. Ouch! But it sure sounded sweet!!

Hawkeye