Ok Ok ok (pesci) I will replace my AMP..pleez help with choice.

[RandyWilliamson]

I'm blowing speaker fuses here and there...using my receiver/amp Sony STR-DE345.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=STRDE345

I should be carrying 100-110w per channel with this amp driving my pair of Monitor 10's with upgraded XO's. which will be upgraded to RDO198's tweets soon.(no other speakers are connected)

I think in the past I was looking at Adcom 555 but want to get some suggestions before pulling the trigger.

I do like to run my monitors loud at times...so I need something that runs clean juice and hi powered.

Was thinking of maybe keeping the current amp as a pre-amp if possible and also because I think it's a 5.1 system which will allow me to run in "3.1" mode while driving my Monitors off a 2 channel true amp stand alone when I want to....not sure if this makes sense to anyone...just basically that I'd like to not rule out a 5.1 setup in the future but I realize that this amp may not have the guts to drive the M10's properly....so I'd like to run the M10's with it's own power under the 5.1 sheme if it's possible...and not too much headache.

Budget is a concern as I'm trying to pick a good CD unit as well.

Not sure which way to go as I'd like to keep future prospects in mind (i love SDA's) but realize my budget will probably limit going with something that will work with an SDA speaker upgrade should it happen further down the road.

[Dawgfish]

If budget is a concern (which you say it is) I would look for a used Adcom GFA 545 or 555, or a new Emotiva XPA-2. Of course there are many other choices out there. Keep your eyes peeled on the for-sale section of this board, Audiogon, or check your local Craig's List for deals on used Adcom's, Carvers, Rotels, Parasounds, B&K, etc. You'll be surprised what good deals pop up from time to time if you just stay patient. If you find an amp your interested in, do a search here on the board for info, or post a column asking about it if you can't find any info from the search. There is a wealth of knowledge concerning amps here in CP. Oh, and one other thing, sound is personal, so try to listen to the amp before you buy it.

Steve

[Face]

I'm not sure if you can use that receiver as a preamp. There's a Adcom preamp on Long Island Craigslist that would work well with the 555.
http://longisland.craigslist.org/search/ele?query=adcom&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[danz1906]

Try Rotel.

[RandyWilliamson]

If this current amp has a plain line out..I could use it as a pre-amp then...not that it would be of much quality I imagine but it would allow me to connect various things via it to the 2 channel amp I will probably pickup. Plus it has radio. I will check it tonight.

Any other suggestions for a good amp? should I stick to only 2 channels? that is all I need for now but u nver know.

[RandyWilliamson]

Rotel RB-990BX 200 watts per channel ? should suffice eh? torroidal coils!!

[thuffman03]

Rotel are good. You could also look at Carver, Sunfire, Adcom and NAD. If you want to buy new and your budget won't permit the above look at Outlaw and Emovita.

[donedroolin]

Check out Parasound

[Ethancf]

Parasound

[DaveMuell]

I am sold on NAD - 5 of them right now (one is a receiver).

[danz1906]

ROTEL 1090.....380watts

[RandyWilliamson]

ROTEL 1090.....380watts

oooooof the stuff of dreams...you have to come out the pocket for that model....i'm trying to see if I can manage a RB991

[RandyWilliamson]

Is it ok to pick up from fleabay?

any other possibly better places?

warming up to adcom due to less fatigueing highs and tighter bass.

These don't have a volume knob...guess if I cant get my current unit to run as pre-amp I will need to pick 1 up....or is there a work around? sorry for nooob dummy question.

[Face]

No, you need a preamp.

[Rocco1]

+1 for adcom

[JohnLocke88]

I have no recommendation for you but all I have to say is:

THEY F&CK YOU WITH THE SONYS! (and the drive thrus!)