Looking for a 3 Channel Amp Recommendation

[dpippel]

Howdy all. I'm planning on offloading amplification of my three front channels to an external unit to give my Yamaha RX-A8A AVR internal amp some breathing room for surround and presence speakers. My fronts consist of two Onix Rocket RS750s and an Onix Rocket RSC 200 (Bigfoot) center channel, which are fairly power hungry. I was considering the Emotiva BasX A3+ until I read Amir's review of the A7+, which has some issues that I'm sure would also be present in its smaller sibling.

So, I'm asking for recommendations from you all for a good, powerful 3 channel amp that won't break the bank. My budget is $1K but I'd rather spend less than that if possible. My home theater is a 5.1.4 setup that I use for watching movies and listening to vinyl. My initial research has found that 3 channel amps in my price range aren't all that common. What about the Outlaw 5000X? Should I consider it even though I'd not be using two of its five channels? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Chrispy]

The Emotiva A series is little different from your avr's amps. Look at Buckeye perhaps. Does Outlaw still offer the amp....kinda thought they moved on but haven't looked in a while (plus was never a particularly powerful amp)

 

[Steve Dallas]

Take a look at the Buckeye Hypex NCx252MP 4-Channel amp. It doesn't look like much, but it is in your price range, is well-constructed, offers a spare channel, and measures very well.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

 

[dpippel]

The Emotiva A series is little different from your avr's amps. Look at Buckeye perhaps. Does Outlaw still offer the amp....kinda thought they moved on but haven't looked in a while (plus was never a particularly powerful amp)

Yes, Outlaw is still selling the 5000X. Price is $849 or $769 for B-stock units.

 

[CptKaos]

the ALSOZONE+3eAudio PAM253 3 Channel amp is a interesting new amp from 3e Audio, it is a TPA3255 amp, havent heard one but if it is as good as their A7 Mono/stereo amps it will be a great amp

 

[dpippel]

Take a look at the Buckeye Hypex NCx252MP 4-Channel amp. It doesn't look like much, but it is in your price range, is well-constructed, offers a spare channel, and measures very well.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Thanks for the info. You're right, aesthetically it doesn't have much going for it, but that's of no real concern to me. I'll put it on my short list.

 

[dpippel]

the ALSOZONE+3eAudio PAM253 3 Channel amp is a interesting new amp from 3e Audio, it is a TPA3255 amp, havent heard one but if it is as good as their A7 Mono/stereo amps it will be a great amp

Hmm, the only places I can find this model are Amazon and AliExpress. It's not even showing up on 3e Audio's website. That's a heck of a good price though.

 

[Dave TR3A]

Hmm, the only places I can find this model are Amazon and AliExpress, and the Amazon listing is for a used unit. It's not even showing up on 3e Audio's website. That's a heck of a good price though.

ALSOZONE is a HiFi consumer audio brand created by the engineering team behind 3eAudio.

3e Audio recently created an ALSOZONE website. Here's a link You can order products directly from them via the new website.

 

[dpippel]

ALSOZONE is a HiFi consumer audio brand created by the engineering team behind 3eAudio.

3e Audio recently created an ALSOZONE website. Here's a link You can order products directly from them via the new website.

I appreciate the info. The checkout process on their website is broken though. The only selection available for the ship-to country is China. No other options. Also a notice stating "This store cannot accept payments right now" and there's zero information about their terms, return policy, etc.

 

[anotherhobby]

Hmmm... I sold my house a couple of months ago, and had to tear down my theater and put it all in boxes, and it probably won't come out for about 2 years. I was using a Buckeye 3-channel 1ET6525SA with my Denon for the same purpose, and it worked excellent. I got it in April of last year and was in service for 6 months. I was just thinking about how it's not doing me any favors sitting on a bench in my basement and I don't know that I'll even use it in the future, and it's used value seems in the relative ballpark of the top of your spending limit. If you are curious, shoot me a PM.

 

[aedagnino]

ALSOZONE is a HiFi consumer audio brand created by the engineering team behind 3eAudio.

3e Audio recently created an ALSOZONE website. Here's a link You can order products directly from them via the new website.

No shipping outside China...

 

[Dave TR3A]

I appreciate the info. The checkout process on their website is broken though. The only selection available for the ship-to country is China. No other options. Also a notice stating "This store cannot accept payments right now" and there's zero information about their terms, return policy, etc.

I believe the website was only put up a few days ago.

Although I was anxious about making a large purchase via AliExpress, I ordered a PAM158 from them. It arrived in 7 days. I had no issues with AliExpress.

 

[dpippel]

I believe the website was only put up a few days ago.

Although I was anxious about making a large purchase via AliExpress, I ordered a PAM158 from them. It arrived in 7 days. I had no issues with AliExpress.

Out of sheer curiosity I just ordered a PAM253 through Amazon to try out. It'll be here tomorrow. I didn't want to hassle with AliExpress. If it works out well, then great! If not, back it goes and I'll move on to something else.

 

[john61ct]

Please report your impressions here

Multi-channel Amp,Which one you would like to own?

Why do you think there would be any—or even significant—deviations between the individual channels of the A5 and PAM15x or the A7 and PAM25x? According to both statements from 3E Audio and the measurement data published so far, these amplifiers should be identical and show no differences. Don't...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Chrispy]

Yes, Outlaw is still selling the 5000X. Price is $849 or $769 for B-stock units.

Another amp with avr-like spec/performance is the way I look at that and the 7000 model. Not made by ATI like other Outlaw amps either.

 

[Holmz]

Or consider three mono blocks… some class-D ones are pretty decent and also small.

 

[Chrispy]

Or consider three mono blocks… some class-D ones are pretty decent and also small.

Or a four-ch amp and don't use one channel, less duplication involved.

 

[Holmz]

Or a four-ch amp and don't use one channel, less duplication involved.

Yeah either way works.
I was using some AIYMA ones for surround channels. You get shorter speaker cables, and potentially easier wiring dramas.
But yeah, I can see a 3 or 4 channel amp.

I sort of doubt that there is a lot of truth in this hypothesis:

Howdy all. I'm planning on offloading amplification of my three front channels to an external unit to give my Yamaha RX-A8A AVR internal amp some breathing room for surround and presence speakers. My fronts consist of two Onix Rocket RS750s and an Onix Rocket RSC 200 (Bigfoot) center channel, which are fairly power hungry. I was considering the Emotiva BasX A3+ until I read Amir's review of the A7+, which has some issues that I'm sure would also be present in its smaller sibling.

Is there “breathing room”?
Sort of reminds me of the short film about Mark O’Brian.

So, I'm asking for recommendations from you all for a good, powerful 3 channel amp that won't break the bank. My budget is $1K but I'd rather spend less than that if possible. My home theater is a 5.1.4 setup that I use for watching movies and listening to vinyl. My initial research has found that 3 channel amps in my price range aren't all that common. What about the Outlaw 5000X? Should I consider it even though I'd not be using two of its five channels? Thanks in advance for any input.

How does the whole enchilada work and sound with the vinyl ?
It is almost always the case that speakers make much more of a difference than amps. (I have no idea what those Onix ones sound like.)
One review said that they were 6 ohms, so it is not that they are all that power hungry.

I’d say pocket that $1000 if it sounds good with 2 channel. Or focus on 2 channel, as the video sort of distracts one with the 5.1.4. For AV work another sub could make sense.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I appreciate the info. The checkout process on their website is broken though. The only selection available for the ship-to country is China. No other options. Also a notice stating "This store cannot accept payments right now" and there's zero information about their terms, return policy, etc.

Sounds like a great recommendation.

 

[Holmz]

Sounds like a great recommendation.

Fosi might be a touch better.
I have one in the shed that I need to wire up to a haptic transducer.