Which home theater amp and why?

[Chrispy]

Oh price matters of course, but here is my thing with home theater, every 1 decade or less, there has been a new surround format. Each format requires more speakers. I am hoping to have amps that can last me at least 2 decades without upgrading, hence I want more channels than I need now. I know I will likely have to upgrade the processor in about 10-15 years, so that is a given.

But how many of those additional "content" channels made any particular difference unless simply different content ?

 

[PristineSound]

I still don't have Atmos, don't look at me. Using more than one amp box isn't a big issue....

Not an issue with more than 1 amp box for me. Hence I am looking at 2x 7-channels.

Both the monolith and outlaw options are super affordable relative to what is available in the market, so might as well take the hit now.

Also, I can bi-amp the LCR so all channels will be used from the start.

 

[PristineSound]

But how many of those additional "content" channels made any particular difference unless simply different content ?

Atmos makes a difference because it process sound as objects.

Also, to be honest, I even think atmos may even be around for a longer time than any other surround formats before it.

 

[Chrispy]

Not an issue with more than 1 amp box for me. Hence I am looking at 2x 7-channels.

Both the monolith and outlaw options are super affordable relative to what is available in the market, so might as well take the hit now.

Also, I can bi-amp the LCR so all channels will be used from the start.

Atmos makes a difference because it process sound as objects.

Also, to be honest, I even think atmos may even be around for a longer time than any other surround formats before it.

Okay, was more thinking about what you said about bi-amping (genrally useless) or any "channels" created by dsp for various codecs....

 

[PristineSound]

Okay, was more thinking about what you said about bi-amping (genrally useless) or any "channels" created by dsp for various codecs....

Not sure where you are getting this from.

 

[Chrispy]

Not sure where you are getting this from.

What, the silly concept of bi-amping in this fashion?

 

[PristineSound]

What, the silly concept of bi-amping in this fashion?

You are confusing with biwiring.

 

[Sal1950]

Not a bad price, but not a fan of the fan, no pun intended. Also, a bit reserved on a brand that doesn't have too much exposure.

If audible performance is equal, I being a US citizen would rather pay a little more for the US built product when available.
If I was Chinese I'd probably feel different. JMHO

 

[Sal1950]

Oh price matters of course, but here is my thing with home theater, every 1 decade or less, there has been a new surround format. Each format requires more speakers. I am hoping to have amps that can last me at least 2 decades without upgrading, hence I want more channels than I need now. I know I will likely have to upgrade the processor in about 10-15 years, so that is a given.

Also, to be honest, I even think atmos may even be around for a longer time than any other surround formats before it.

Atmos will allow for the expansion into more playback "channels", so our processors may hold out for a little while now.
Beyond that, my home has me pretty well locked into where I am currently so now my damn hands and ears are tied, bummer!

 

[MAB]

Not sure where you are getting this from.

Don has a thread on bi-amping, including debunking some myths about supposed benefits of passive bi-amping. As well as discussing active bi-amplification.

Bi-amping 101

This article provides a quick look at how bi-amplification works. The conventional scheme is to split the signal into two frequency bands before the power amplifiers that drive the speakers. The bass (LF) amp sees only LF signals and drives only the LF driver (woofer). The treble (HF) amp sees...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I posted measurements of a speaker to see if passive bi-amplification changes the sound, including the distortion. I used a 2-way with quite a large woofer at high-power at a bunch of different bass frequencies to try to elicit some change in the tweeter response, specifically to test the idea that somehow splitting the signals between amps actually changes the sound in any way.

Bi-amping 101

Thank you Don, Is DENON addressing your point (#6) in their user manual? Yes. Whether or not bi-amping helps, or to what degree, depends greatly upon the output impedance of the amplifier, cable resistance (impedance), and speaker load (impedance). If the amplifier has low enough output...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Comparing mono- and bi-amping configurations, no change in sound, reduction of distortion, etc. No surprise based on what Don explains in the first post.

 

[tineared]

I don't know your habits or what speakers you will be using, so Ill just list my minimal HT amp choice (and yes I am ignoring your Hypex limitation)
Hypex NCx500 3-Channel 380w $1650
NCx252 6-Channel 150w $1350
NCx252 4-Channel 150w $995 for $4K from Buckeye with 2 extra channels for future use
No noise and little heat. Longevity is unknown, but so will it be for any "reasonably" priced amp
Adding more channels is as simple as adding more little black boxes

 

[PristineSound]

Don has a thread on bi-amping, including debunking some myths about supposed benefits of passive bi-amping. As well as discussing active bi-amplification.

Bi-amping 101

This article provides a quick look at how bi-amplification works. The conventional scheme is to split the signal into two frequency bands before the power amplifiers that drive the speakers. The bass (LF) amp sees only LF signals and drives only the LF driver (woofer). The treble (HF) amp sees...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I posted measurements of a speaker to see if passive bi-amplification changes the sound, including the distortion. I used a 2-way with quite a large woofer at high-power at a bunch of different bass frequencies to try to elicit some change in the tweeter response, specifically to test the idea that somehow splitting the signals between amps actually changes the sound in any way.

Bi-amping 101

Thank you Don, Is DENON addressing your point (#6) in their user manual? Yes. Whether or not bi-amping helps, or to what degree, depends greatly upon the output impedance of the amplifier, cable resistance (impedance), and speaker load (impedance). If the amplifier has low enough output...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Comparing mono- and bi-amping configurations, no change in sound, reduction of distortion, etc. No surprise based on what Don explains in the first post.

I will be using the Tide16. LCR crossed over on the processor, so all 16 channels will be used.

 

[PristineSound]

Atmos will allow for the expansion into more playback "channels", so our processors may hold out for a little while now.

Which is why I think atmos will be around for a while.

 

[PristineSound]

I don't know your habits or what speakers you will be using, so Ill just list my minimal HT amp choice (and yes I am ignoring your Hypex limitation)
Hypex NCx500 3-Channel 380w $1650
NCx252 6-Channel 150w $1350
NCx252 4-Channel 150w $995 for $4K from Buckeye with 2 extra channels for future use
No noise and little heat. Longevity is unknown, but so will it be for any "reasonably" priced amp
Adding more channels is as simple as adding more little black boxes

There are reported reliability issues with the MP series, which is why I am avoiding it. If you can find me 14 channels of NCx500 for $4k, then it would be a no brainer.

 

[JSmith]

Another potential;

IOTAVX AVXP1 7 Kanal Endstufe - HifiPilot, 1.379,00 €

Die gewaltige AVXP1 7 Kanal-Endstufe ist in Sachen Preis-Leistung wohl unübertroffen und liefert mit ihrem 1300W Netzteil zuverlässig Leistung für höchste D

iotavx.com

JSmith

 

[PristineSound]

Another potential;

IOTAVX AVXP1 7 Kanal Endstufe - HifiPilot, 1.379,00 €

Die gewaltige AVXP1 7 Kanal-Endstufe ist in Sachen Preis-Leistung wohl unübertroffen und liefert mit ihrem 1300W Netzteil zuverlässig Leistung für höchste D

iotavx.com

JSmith

Passive cooling, I like

 

[MAB]

I will be using the Tide16. LCR crossed over on the processor, so all 16 channels will be used.

What speakers?

 

[PristineSound]

What speakers?

Was going to be KEF Q series, but if I go 14 channels, it's going to be something else, TBD.

I'm taking recommendations for speakers too.

 

[MAB]

Was going to be KEF Q series, but if I go 14 channels, it's going to be something else, TBD.

I'm taking recommendations for speakers too.

OK, got it.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding. I think this confused me:

Also, I can bi-amp the LCR so all channels will be used from the start.

If you use the Q-series for left/center/right, they alone aren't bi-ampable. They have passive crossovers.

Regarding speakers, amps, and future-proofing. How about active speakers?

 

[Chrispy]

You are confusing with biwiring.

No, am referring to passive bi-amping....but a waste like biwiring.