5-Channel Amp Question

[sir_lagzalot]

Right now I'm using two Sony amps running mono@300wpc for the fronts and an Onkyo 805 for the center, surrounds, and rears. My question is it better to buy a good 3-channel amp and run the fronts and center off of it and use the Sonys stereo@110wpc to run the surrounds and rears, or buy a good 5-channel amp to run the center, surrounds, and rears and leave the Sonys running the fronts.

[Early B.]

Buy a 7-channel amp. The difference in cost between a 5 vs. 7 channel amp is negligible and gives you more options. Buy an Emotiva UPA-7.

[sir_lagzalot]

Thanks for the advice Early

[Lowell_M]

I would definately recommend running all your speakers with the same amp, be it 5 or 7 channel. My HT solidified tremendously when I went from a 2 channel x 200 ADCOM powering the L&R and the receiver driving the rest to a 5 channel x 125w ADCOM GFA-7000.

[nm4710]

If I were you, I'd consider getting another sony TA-N330ES to run my center channel. I think those amps are awesome - they sound very good, drive almost anything, and seem to last forever. Your 805 has plenty of juice to run the surrounds.

To be honest though, I think you have more than enough amplification. I don't think you're going to get a significant improvement (if any). The TA-N330ES's can easily drive 2 RTi10s each. I know b/c I own 2. I've tried them bridged and in stereo and heard no difference on my RTi10's in a rather large room. I'm currently using them to drive some other speakers though. Perhaps consider soom room treatments or upgrading speakers if you are dissatisfied. I seriously think you'd be wasting money on more amps...your Sonys are awesome and the onkyo is one of the strongest receivers around.

[Lowell_M]

If I were you, I'd consider getting another sony TA-N330ES to run my center channel. I think those amps are awesome - they sound very good, drive almost anything, and seem to last forever. Your 805 has plenty of juice to run the surrounds.

To be honest though, I think you have more than enough amplification. I don't think you're going to get a significant improvement (if any). The TA-N330ES's can easily drive 2 RTi10s each. I know b/c I own 2. I've tried them bridged and in stereo and heard no difference on my RTi10's in a rather large room. I'm currently using them to drive some other speakers though. Perhaps consider soom room treatments or upgrading speakers if you are dissatisfied. I seriously think you'd be wasting money on more amps...your Sonys are awesome and the onkyo is one of the strongest receivers around.

It's not an issue of having enough power with the Sony's. Any external amp is going to have higher quality power than the Oinker amp section. Adding a 5 channel amp will allow all 5 speakers to be driven by the same amp all with the same sound signature. I was perfectly happy with my GFA-555 and AVR setup, but once I added the GFA-7000 powering all 5 channels, the soundstage solidified and location in the room is now seamless. I can't directly tell which speaker sound is coming from easily. I actually stepped down in power from 200wpc to 125wpc and am happier with the performance of my HT.

[TG Meat]

I have never been happier since I started using a five channel amp, up from a two. I feel the sound is more even thoughout the room. I debated over the power of the amp also. I elected to go with 200w Vs. 125w. Not sure if it would have made a big difference for me (room size and speaker quality), but I was afraid I would always wonder if I had gone with 125w.

[cfrizz]

Welcome to Club Polk TG.