2. amps-preamps
  3. 1075471837

2-channel + 3-channel amps, versus 5-channel amp

I am considering an amplifier upgrade for my system, which pulls double duty for 2-channel and HT. In truth, I have been listening to more HT (what with kids and all), but most of my critical listening is good old 2-channel. My initial thought would be that a really good two channel amp, and then a separate 3-channel amp for center and surrounds (not worried about 7.1, for now or the foreseeable future) would be the way to go, but I do see a number of really nice 5-channel amps out there (Theta DII is enticing). My concern with 5-channel would be a single power supply trying to handle all 5 channels. But I do see that most of these amps use a very beefy, and significantly upgraded power supply over their 2-3 channel brethren.

And advantage of the 5-channel approach is that all three of my front speakers would receive the same power, which is nice. But then this begs the question of whether or not I would be better served by getting a better/more powerful 3-channel amp, and then a smaller 2-channel amp for surrounds! Talk about choices (then of course, there is the option of 5 mono amps!).

For speakers, I am driving Thiel CS3.6's, which are notoriously hard to drive, and spend a good bit of their time in the 2 ohm region, a Thiel SCS3 for the center (which is loads easier to drive), and currently I have AR TSW-110's for surrounds, though I may replace them with two more SCS3's. My processor is a Rotel RSP-1066. Brands which I have been looking into include McCormack, Krell, Bryston, Theta, and Classe.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks, Tom.
tombowlus

Showing 1 response by exertfluffer

exertfluffer
270 posts
 
Yeah to do HT right, you gotta do a center. If you like no center for your mulit channel music or whatever, or stereo needs, than click off the center! it's that easy. For movies, you simply must do the center thing for off axis listening with multiple seats!...it's just better(I mean the movie mixers/engineers desgigned it that way..duh!)
I am also an avid 2 channel guy(infact my ht has been 2 ch w/sub for years, but then it's just me listening!..no one else. Still, dedicated HT systems for the whole familiy NEED A CENTER CHANNEL!..end of discussion.
To your question, the 2 channel amp(or even mono's) will outperform(all things equal) multi channel amps in the same brand, most every time! YOu might consider 2 channel high end amp like Pass X250 for the 3.6's(which will handle the 3.6 and mate well) and add 3/5 channel amps (like the sonically similar, if less refined ultimately, ATI amps!) for the rest. ATI makes an excellently clear, neutral, musical and extended multi channel, that's very strong, bullet proof, and high end! It's not as good as many high end amp totally, but then you're talking HT. Still, it holds it's own, has the clarity, neutrality of say the Pass, krell, MCCormmack, and similarly balanced sounding/neutral amps, but is strong class B indeed, not A.
Anyway, for the money, this is a no-loose option.
I've sold the Thiels on a retail level, and owned the 1.5's and 2.3's for years. The Pass is world class, and mateches the 3.6's, and the ATI's are a perfect fit for the rest!..without UNECESSARITY breaking the bank.
Hope this helps
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