Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?

use the Marantz AVR as a pre into a good Class AB stereo amplifier for front speakers and the Marantz will be satisfactory for centre & rear speakers Equal power equal volume from 5 floor standing speakers is not required. The ITU replay setup in a domestic environment is a total nonsense. I have heard ITU full setups by the so-called experts Ken Ishiwata Marantz & Eric Kingdon Sony all were unlistenable, when I complained about the poor sound the reply I get, it is a Room problem or the speakers are not yet run in.
I totally agree with the following on surround sound from THE PENGUIN GUIDE to the 1000 Finest Classical Recordings : for mch SACD The back speakers can be very small. even hidden, for their purpose is only to add a subtle background ambience to the recording. With small groups of artists this can bring a subtle but tangible feeling of presence, with large scale -works, especially choral music, the result can be a thrilling fourth dimension, and one really has the sense of sitting in the Concert Hall itself. IMO This also applies for HT.

RE: Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?, posted on September 14, 2014 at 08:55:47
abs1	IMO, that w4s ICE amplifier will be fine for HT use. I haven't been impressed with ICE amps for analog 2-channel music, but you didn't ask about that and using a 5-channel HT system for stereo music listening is always a compromise anyway. Cheers, Al

RE: Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?, posted on September 15, 2014 at 05:10:43

jsm71
Audiophile

Posts: 1123
Location: Cincinnati OH
Joined: June 16, 2011

If you would rather have a good class A/B amp and spend half that, try the Emotiva XPA-5. It's a large beast but it is super for HT applications. My son has one and it has been ideal.

https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/xpa-5

that looks like a LOT of amp for the money, posted on September 15, 2014 at 09:16:06
mbnx01 Audiophile Posts: 7956 Location: Eagle, Idaho Joined: October 22, 2004	I think they do a 30 day trial as well. 'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

I've been quite happy with mine, too -nt, posted on September 15, 2014 at 09:20:08
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37645 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	.

Don't forget the interconnects, posted on September 15, 2014 at 12:35:59

jsm71
Audiophile

Posts: 1123
Location: Cincinnati OH
Joined: June 16, 2011

If you have a box of RCA interconnects laying around you can ignore this, but EMO sells a very handy and well made 7 channel cable harness for about $50. Each connection is nicely labled for HT.

https://emotiva.com/products/interconnects/mrca-7-1-meter

RE: Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?, posted on September 15, 2014 at 17:08:07
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Have you looked into an Anthem D2/D5 ?

I owned anthem separates years ago, posted on September 15, 2014 at 19:38:15
mbnx01 Audiophile Posts: 7956 Location: Eagle, Idaho Joined: October 22, 2004	Needed a simple part. Took four months to get it. Never again. 'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

RE: Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?, posted on September 15, 2014 at 20:37:01

Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010

I don't know if best for $2k but the Marantz power amps have to be one of the best values. My friend has the 8801 preamp and uses the Marantz multichannel, sorry, I forgot the model, but it's the one that is typically sold to match with the 8801, he drives and entire surround set up of Monitor Audio Gold with that amp, it sounds great and never a strain. Just another option and may have great synergy with your already Marantz receiver.

I helped another friend set up his Marantz receiver, nice choice.

RE: Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?, posted on September 15, 2014 at 23:21:26
TheBrewmaster Audiophile Posts: 365 Location: Southern U.S. Joined: January 20, 2013	New or used? I noticed a Pass 5-channel amp (X5) on the Agon for $2k. I know nothing about that model but their stereo and mono amps are hard to beat. Disclaimer: no connection to seller.

used Butler TDB-5150, posted on September 18, 2014 at 13:34:44
triode Audiophile Posts: 439 Location: south Florida Joined: January 18, 2001	$3K new. "Your liver suffers dearly now for youthful magic moments...so rock on completely with some brand new components"

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Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand?

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