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Which is better- one 5 channel amp or 3 stereo?

I'm buying a used Shure 5200 with remote to replace my dead Paramount Prologic. I have a dvd player with built in DD/DTS decoder.

The Shure was considred tops and the first to create a unified system approach of processor, amps and speakers. it presaged the coming of H-THX by several years, and it's acra vector logic was far superior to prologic. However, Dolby labs willingness to license Pro-Logic for pennies doomed Shures more expensive Acra-Vector (shadesof VHS vs Beta).

Anyway, Shure insists it's system is intended for multiple stereo amps, not a single multi channel amp. Does anyone have opinions either way?

TIA
Brock

FYI- Front end is a JVC 85 wpc av- integrated amp with video switching and processor loop.
okiecaver
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Synergy aside;It depends on what amps,and what speakers.---Not to mention how much one wanted to spend.A 10k amp will be 'under-performing' driving 500 dollar speakers.---No matter what processor one is using.
kgveteran
193 posts
 
I am using three B&K ST-140's.They don't put out a ton of power but they sound fantastic.One thing that helps them is crossing everything over at 80 HZ.This way they just buzz along with no bass worries.I tried a bunch of multi ch. amps under 1000.00 and never heard what I hear out of the B&K's.There are draw backs to this in HT because the amps have no triggered power ups.I had to make my own delayed 110vac switch box to fire up all my amps.Now the system is one button "ON". What I would really like is to get three Amber 70 wpc amps and start another system in a spare room.Those amps are old but they sound so.. sweet.
1acee
17 posts
 
There is another thought, you could have a main stereo amp/two mono's and a five channel. The five channel is used for the center (bi-amp)and surrounds. This would set you up for a six speaker system. When you are listening to 2 channel you would have the main amp(s) to power the main speakers. As Avguygeorge said, How much do you want to spend?
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