HDMI 2.1 AVR + AMP Dilemma

[Colonel7]

Realistically, I am looking to spend < $700 on a 2 channel power amp - was priced out a Rotel 1552 MKII for < $1,000 and Marantz MM7025 < $700. Just having a hard time spending much more than that on top of the AVR at ~$1,500. The main reason for going down from Denon 6700 to 3700/4700 was to save $ by pairing those models with a 2 channel amp and with the belief I'd get a better overall setup by going that route.

Credit to @CDMC since I'm cutting and pasting his post from another thread
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I am a Hypex/Purifi convert.

https://www.marchaudio.net.au/product-page/p252-stereo-250-watt-power-amplifier

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-se-mp-nc500-stereo-power-amp-in-black

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...s-d-amplifier-ncore-2x250w-4-ohm-p-13545.html
Edit: fixed last url

 

[Mitch16]

Credit to @CDMC since I'm cutting and pasting his post from another thread
--------
I am a Hypex/Purifi convert.

https://www.marchaudio.net.au/product-page/p252-stereo-250-watt-power-amplifier

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-se-mp-nc500-stereo-power-amp-in-black

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...s-d-amplifier-ncore-2x250w-4-ohm-p-13545.html
Edit: fixed last url

Sorry I should have mentioned that I am in the U.S. so looking to purchase domestically to save on shipping.

 

[Rizzle]

The Audiophonics is within your price range even after shipping. I don’t think you are going to find a better amplifier for that price domestically. VTV is an American company that makes amplifiers based on the same modules, they are cheaper, but I’ve seen a lot of negative feedback so I would rather recommend March/Nord/Audiophonics.

 

[superczar]

Any recommendations on a 2 channel power amp?

I swapped out an old Marantz Integrated (PM17 KI) with a crown xls2502 on a Denon X3500
Doesn't measure particularly well on the SINAD metric ( i think amir reviewed the xls1502) but has dollops of power and costs quite a lot lower than your budget.
To my bronze (or maybe tin) ears, I can't really hear a difference.

Looking at your use case, If I were you, I would have picked the cheapest model (with XT32 as the lower threshold, esp as you plan to use 2 subs) and plonked the money saved there on external amps - if not for any perceptible SQ differences but for reducing the load on the AVR at full load

 

[Technomania]

I am a gamer so having an AVR that has a HDMI 2.1 compatible port is a must. I was originally planning to buy the Denon x6700h and be done with it, but after reading of some issues that model had with a capacitor affecting performance on the ASR forum the other night, I am debating whether that is my best option.

Update from another discussion thread

HDMI 2.1 chips and boards update:

1. First gen of chips
Panasonic Solutions offered two versions of silicon:
a) Denon/Marantz - one input 40 Gbps port - hardware change imminent due to a bug in the silicon
b) Yamaha lower models-multiple ports-performance unclear until new software; alleged 24 Gbps (8K60 B)

2. Second gen of chips
Analog Devices (attached) & others - Trinnov engineer: chips perform better; unclear how much better?
a) Onkyo/Pioneer/Integra - multiple 40 Gbps and 24 Gbps ports - Q3 2021
b) Steinway Lyngdorf - HDMI 2.1 board upgrade for owners Q3-Q4 2021 (Analog Devices 40 Gbps)
c) Trinnov AV processors - testing 40 Gbps; if happy, release in Q4 2021 or Q1 2022
d) Yamaha high tier models are delayed - swapped first gen for second gen of chips?

3. Third gen of chips - 48 Gbps - in design - due late 2022 or 2023?
a) Trinnov hopes to implement this, if not happy with 2nd gen chips (Cypress Tech. designs boards)
b) others?