Multichannel Amp Value (Tonewinner vs Buckeye)

[Trollhammerx]

I am strategically planning external amplification for my home theater system and considering 3+ channel amplifiers. Much of the deeper analysis charts fly over my head, but I am generally picking up that amps with NCORE or PURIFI are a new and more efficient class D technology. How do I compare this in terms of bang for the buck compared to common Class A/B amps like Tonewinner or Monoprice/Emotiva/Outlaw/OSD amps. Current AVR is Denon X6700

Buckeye NC252 8 Channel: 150W/Ch at 8 ohms: $1475

Tonewinner AD-7300 7 Channel: 180W/Ch at 8 ohms: $1675

Outlaw Model 7000x 7 Channel: 130W/Ch at 8 ohms: $1099

Wattage each listed at all channels driven at 8 ohms but outside of raw wattage, what are basic pros/cons of these amplifier designs? What factors provide the best bang for the buck when I'm comparing amplifiers? And lastly... going into November and hopefully Black Friday deals... what multichannel amp (3ch or more) is considered the best bang for the buck for home theater fidelity (under $2000). Thank you in advance for any and all inputs!

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[wwenze]

In short, performance and efficiency will be higher, cooling and how long it lasts past warranty period is unknown.

 

[Chrispy]

Buckeye of those you propose. Maybe ATI might be where I'd look and how many channels in a box and your goals or your power supply could dictate what's better.....higher up Outlaw amps are made by ATI and might be fine. Hard to know from your information.

 

[BJL]

I am strategically planning external amplification for my home theater system and considering 3+ channel amplifiers. Much of the deeper analysis charts fly over my head, but I am generally picking up that amps with NCORE or PURIFI are a new and more efficient class D technology. How do I compare this in terms of bang for the buck compared to common Class A/B amps like Tonewinner or Monoprice/Emotiva/Outlaw/OSD amps. Current AVR is Denon X6700

Buckeye NC252 8 Channel: 150W/Ch at 8 ohms: $1475

Tonewinner AD-7300 7 Channel: 180W/Ch at 8 ohms: $1675

Outlaw Model 7000x 7 Channel: 130W/Ch at 8 ohms: $1099

Wattage each listed at all channels driven at 8 ohms but outside of raw wattage, what are basic pros/cons of these amplifier designs? What factors provide the best bang for the buck when I'm comparing amplifiers? And lastly... going into November and hopefully Black Friday deals... what multichannel amp (3ch or more) is considered the best bang for the buck for home theater fidelity (under $2000). Thank you in advance for any and all inputs!

​

There is a significant difference between the Buckeye and the other two.

According to the manufacturer specs, the Tonewinner weighs 57 pounds, and the Outlaw weighs 60 pounds.

The Buckeye weighs just 16 pounds.

Would you want to deal with a 60 pound amplifier? Not me, Outlaw/Tonewinner would have to pay ME to use one of their amplifiers.

I have a pair of the Buckeye 8 channel Hypex 252 amps for an Atmos capable system (9.1.6).. I measured them with a kill-a-watt meter as consuming 57 watts at idle, and between 57 and 60 watts all channels driven. Decent efficiency, I would say.

Modern power amplifiers are so good that I do not believe you will hear any audible differences (notwithstanding some bench test differences). But you will notice the difference between lifting a 60 pound component and a 16 pound component. Variations in sound quality in my experience are more related to sources, speakers, room acoustics, and any DSP used (e.g. Dirac or similar). I wouldn't sweat design differences or theoretical comparisons between amplifier type.

Hope this was helpful.

 

[wwenze]

Datasheet says 15.5W idle losses per stereo amp so that checks out

 

[charlielaub]

Buckeye of those you propose. Maybe ATI might be where I'd look and how many channels in a box and your goals or your power supply could dictate what's better.....higher up Outlaw amps are made by ATI and might be fine. Hard to know from your information.

And exactly which multichannel amplifier from ATI costs less than 2 grand??? And I do not mean one with 60W/channel, either.

I have owned a couple of Outlaw Audio products, like the forerunner to the 7000x and I was not happy with the noise and hum performance. They seem to change models every couple of years for some reason.

I have owned (for the last couple of years) a pair of 4-channel Buckeye NC520MP based amps and they seem reliable, plenty of power, and sonically neutral. Set and forget. I would give these products a big thumbs up. I also do not need to heft 60 pound amplifiers around any more!

 

[Chrispy]

And exactly which multichannel amplifier from ATI costs less than 2 grand??? And I do not mean one with 60W/channel, either.

I have owned a couple of Outlaw Audio products, like the forerunner to the 7000x and I was not happy with the noise and hum performance. They seem to change models every couple of years for some reason.

I have owned (for the last couple of years) a pair of 4-channel Buckeye NC520MP based amps and they seem reliable, plenty of power, and sonically neutral. Set and forget. I would give these products a big thumbs up. I also do not need to heft 60 pound amplifiers around any more!

ATI didn't make the 7000x type amps for Outlaw fwiw and yes ATI tends to cost more; higher power/build quality amps can cost more. Rather than the 8ch Buckeye, think there's better value in a 3ch amp and you'd get more significant power that way, too. The value factor of the Hypex modules from Buckeye (and others) looks bettter than the other choices.

 

[tineared]

You don't provide enough info on what you are trying to achieve (how efficient are your current speakers and how much volume do you require, size of listening room) to answer your question effectively.
As a general rule of thumb, I agree with @Chrispy that a more powerful 3-channel amp for the L, C, R speakers and use your receiver for the surrounds. If your receiver isn't powerful enough for the surrounds you currently own, you can buy a less powerful multi-channel amp for that use
I also recommend the Buckeye amps. You are unlikely to find a better spec'd amp for the money including build quality