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2 ch. or 5.1 amp for HT mostly for music

I have just gotten back into audio after having raised 3 children. I bought an HK 325 receiver and 2 rti polk speakers along with a center. At some point for HT, I will probably add surrounds. Here's the problem. If I had it to do again, I probably would not buy any of the above, although neither the HK nor the polks are terrible. I listen mostly to music. Would I be better off to buy a 2 channel stereo amp or a 5.1 amp. I'm leaning toward a 2 channel. If I do go with the 2 ch. will this stll work when I add the surrounds. Again mostly music for me but some movies for the wife and family. I am also in the market for some good used speakers.
papertrail
jrflanne
19 posts
 
I picked up a Chiro 5 channel amp (140wpc, I think) for something like $600 and it is a beast.
papertrail OP
186 posts
 
I am now thinking about buying a 5 channel amp. An article in this month's "The Absolute Sound" has convinced me that multichannel sound (DVD A and SACD) are worth exploring.

Jr.--Thanks for the suggestion.
gmarcotte8f97
66 posts
 
i'm sure your hk will do stereo. just turn doly off.
question is will it do stereo good, i dont know. i'm currently in the market for a avr and 2 ch is most inportant to me too.

i do have a pair of polk rti38 that i am not too happy with. i bought them on the merrit of the polk moniter 12 i heard when i was younger. they do sound good but are not verry dynamic.

if you like the polk sound try some full range up front and move the rti to the rear ch. otherwise try some other full range sp up front, the hk should be fine with whatever you choose.
c123666
871 posts
 
An Arcam AVR300 is a wonderful 5.1 (7.1, too, methinks) receiver with 120 watts per channel, an excellent 2 channel sound that bypasses the digital processing, and all the processing modes anybody needs. No need for an external amp; nice looking, not terribly expensive especially if you find one used.

A used AVR200 is a great buy at around 700 but with 70watts per channel. Note that both of these receivers have pretty good moving magnet phono sections unlike most home theatre products.

Highly recommended. I don't have one; had the AVR200 for some time and sold it as the wife did not like the remote control. Go figure. Use an Integra 7.3 now which is very good; not quite as good as the Arcam in stereo mode but pretty close. Plenty of power, too, for the relatively easy to drive Gallo Mirco/Due combination.
gmarcotte8f97
66 posts
 
i'm leaning toward the hk avr 235. i am wondering if you could use two of the 7.1 ch to add to the fronts. either by bi-amping or monoing a couple per side+bi-amping lows with a seperate amp for a tremondous amount of power for my power hungry nht 2.5i. with the adjustable freq range output bi-amping should be worthwile.

i like the sound of the avr200 or more how it bypasses all the junk for 2 ch stereo. my budget is $500 unfortinatly.
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