Assistance to power a 7.2.4 home theatre/Stereo setup.

[michael123]

Hi All,

I've been reading this forum and gained a world of knowledge learning about different amplifiers and speakers. I’ve just recently upgraded my 5.1 System to a 7.2.4. and got a great deal on Focal Scala Utopia speakers for the 7.x.x (the subs & heights aren’t Focal). I’ve also got the Storm ISP for my home theatre. Given that I love Music more than movies. What would the ASR community recommend as far as powering these speakers and would you split the Music with a Pre-Amp and monoblocks? My dealer is recommending buying a Storm 16 chan AMP and Pass labs monoblocks sticking to Class A/B for the music, but after reading here, I am not sure if this is way to go.

 

[Holmz]

A mixed system doing HT and 20channel can be harder than HT or 2-Chanel.

Hi All,

I've been reading this forum and gained a world of knowledge learning about different amplifiers and speakers. I’ve just recently upgraded my 5.1 System to a 7.2.4. and got a great deal on Focal Scala Utopia speakers for the 7.x.x (the subs & heights aren’t Focal).

Sometimes running the speaker from the same brand is better, as the timbre could be better matched.
But sometimes even in the same brand, they are dire.

I’ve also got the Storm ISP for my home theatre. Given that I love Music more than movies. What would the ASR community recommend as far as powering these speakers and would you split the Music with a Pre-Amp and monoblocks?

My preamp has a pass through, so the HT and AVR/AVP side goes through the preamp, even when it is powered off.
There are a few of those designs these days, but I have not looked har for the.

Looks like the “Storm ISP” has XLR outputs as well as audio inputs.

Maybe you could run the Storm as a “preamp”?
Connecting any inputs into it.
The other option is to run the audio output for the LF/RF speakers into a preamp as I do.

I would start with using the storm as it is free.

My dealer is recommending buying a Storm 16 chan AMP and Pass labs monoblocks sticking to Class A/B for the music, but after reading here, I am not sure if this is way to go.

Personally I prefer to run monoblocks out closer to the speakers.
I find that for HT the amps are not really the long pole in the tent.
I find that it is easier, cheaper, better, to run XLRs out to the amps, than it is running bulky cables around.

And XLRs are made for running signals a long distance… speaker cables, not so much so.

 

[Chrispy]

Can't imagine what pre-amp would improve on what the Storm has already. Monobloc amps aren't needed except for ego.

 

[michael123]

I am more into Music than Movies...

 

[Chrispy]

I am more Music than Movies...

That means what particularly?

 

[michael123]

I listen to Stereo and want the best sound for music

 

[Chrispy]

I listen to Stereo and want the best sound for music

That doesn't make a lot of sense. I like best sound no matter what the source is. Sometimes it's simply the quality of the recording....and I find movies generally better at that.

 

[michael123]

So you're saying just listen to music through the AVP? I still dont have any power

 

[JSmith]

My dealer is recommending buying a Storm 16 chan AMP and Pass labs monoblocks sticking to Class A/B for the music

Of course they are... if you buy the 16 channel AVR, just use that for stereo. No need for separate amps for music;

	16ch Single Ended Class D
	SNR (p-rated) : 115dB THD+N (1W) : <0.005%
16ch SE, 26 dB gain Power, all channels driven, 0,1% THD+N

If you're still keen on a stereo amp or mono blocks, just get something with the required power based on Hypex, Purifi or even a Benchmark AHB2, but seems like overkill really.

That Storm AVR isn't cheap... there are other 16 channel AVR's that aren't so pricey.


JSmith

 

[Chrispy]

So you're saying just listen to music through the AVP? I still dont have any power

Then your music isn't recorded well or with reasonable parameters? I don't know what you mean about power otherwise.

 

[michael123]

I am really confused here and I think I understand where the confusions is.

The storm is a processor only. Hence why I need power to drive the speakers.

Immersive Sound Processor - ISP Elite MK3

The ISP Elite MK3 is an immersive sound processor offering the ultimate features required by integrators and home cinema enthusiasts

www.stormaudio.com

 

[Chrispy]

I am really confused here and I think I understand where the confusions is.

The storm is a processor only. Hence why I need power to drive the speakers.

Immersive Sound Processor - ISP Elite MK3

The ISP Elite MK3 is an immersive sound processor offering the ultimate features required by integrators and home cinema enthusiasts

www.stormaudio.com

A processor simply doesn't have amps....what's your point?

 

[michael123]

I don't understand why you are even talking to me with your stupid smart ass commentary lol

 

[JSmith]

Might be worth a look for a multichannel power amp setup;

Amplifier Technologies Inc.

At ATI, we make heavy-duty amplifiers with proven circuitry, meticulous assembly and rigorous testing designed to deliver state-of-the-art audio for years, all designed by us and built in our own US factory. It’s a simple story, American amplifiers built by American people. We hope you enjoy...

www.ati-amp.com

JSmith

 

[Holmz]

Can't imagine what pre-amp would improve on what the Storm has already. Monobloc amps aren't needed except for ego.

OK - but I am not sure an AIYAMA or FOSI would be an ego amp???

That doesn't make a lot of sense. I like best sound no matter what the source is. Sometimes it's simply the quality of the recording....and I find movies generally better at that.

It sort of does make sense.
Maybe you are able to listen better than I am, but with the video channel also being looked at, the sound is supporting the visual for many people.

So you're saying just listen to music through the AVP? I still dont have any power

I thought you mentioned having some PASS amps?

I don't understand why you are even talking to me with your stupid smart ass commentary lol

On the other hand, his comment may not have been intended to be a trigger.

Might be worth a look for a multichannel power amp setup;

Amplifier Technologies Inc.

At ATI, we make heavy-duty amplifiers with proven circuitry, meticulous assembly and rigorous testing designed to deliver state-of-the-art audio for years, all designed by us and built in our own US factory. It’s a simple story, American amplifiers built by American people. We hope you enjoy...

www.ati-amp.com

JSmith

Yeah either a multichannel amp, or small monoblocks.

@michael123 do you have any amps (like for the 2-channel side) already?

 

[michael123]

OK - but I am not sure an AIYAMA or FOSI would be an ego amp???


It sort of does make sense.
Maybe you are able to listen better than I am, but with the video channel also being looked at, the sound is supporting the visual for many people.


I thought you mentioned having some PASS amps?


On the other hand, his comment may not have been intended to be a trigger.


Yeah either a multichannel amp, or small monoblocks.

@michael123 do you have any amps (like for the 2-channel side) already?

No, I don't have any amps currently...

 

[GXAlan]

I am going to recommend the Marantz AMP10. Your Scala Utopia’s are very efficient so you won’t run out of power and will stay easily in the sweet spot of Class D. Since you only have 11 channels to power, you can happily biamp your main channels, to keep it even more in the sweet spot of Class D.

Marantz has a good reputation for reliability in Class D.

With the money saved, upgrade to 7.4.4 and take advantage of Dirac ART, even for music. Remember that Marantz can be discounted heavily from MSRP.

 

[JustJones]

If I understand correctly you already own the Storm ISP ? I believe it has Dirac Live ART? If so I would look at combination of multichannel amps from Buckeye, ATI, NAD , etc... for example 3 channel for front/ center and 4 or 6 channel for the rest depending on need. More powerful for front could be an option.

 

[BJL]

I am really confused here and I think I understand where the confusions is.

The storm is a processor only. Hence why I need power to drive the speakers.

Immersive Sound Processor - ISP Elite MK3

The ISP Elite MK3 is an immersive sound processor offering the ultimate features required by integrators and home cinema enthusiasts

www.stormaudio.com

I have a 9.1.6 system. I am happy using two Buckeye Hypex 252 8 channel power amps to power all 15 channels. I also listen to music primarily, maybe 20% movies etc. although I listen to a lot of multichannel music. The system is calibrated with Dirac.

I thought about getting a test bench higher spec'd power amp for LCR, such as the Purifi or NCoreX. After thinking it through I concluded that there would be no audible difference using the more expensive amplifiers for LCR, especially considering that everything plays through the Dirac filters, and went with the simpler and more cost effective solution - two eight channel power amps, one for the seven ear level speakers, and one for the heights and front wides (for Atmos or upmixing.)

 

[michael123]

I appreciate the general recommendations. However, I was hoping to get into more in-depth conversation about matching the right amplifier to match the sound of Focal Utopia speakers.

it seems there is a quite divide between Focal sellers/owners or reviewers such as Steve Huff, Jays Audio Lab insisting on Class AB to match the sound of these speakers compared to this forum saying the science says Purifi or Hypex can't be beaten.

I mean the power specs on Hypex/Purifi amps look amazing. But, will it give the right sound?