amps

You need amplification for the center channel. The same as the L and R. If you want to knwo how important the center channel id for HT, disconnect the center channel and listen to the movie and you will be suprised at what you are NOT hearing.
Krn

Part of it depends on what you want to spend. A three channel and a two channel is a good option as well as a 5 channel amp. I wouldn't go with 5 mono's. There is nothing wrong with 5 channels of equal amplicfication.

I have had my amps for a few years and haven't kept up with what is out there in terms of price, performance, value. I'm sure you will get other replies that can direct you in that area better than I can.

Ken

A three and a two works.
Ken

Cinepro and Sunfir BOTH have amplifiers that meet your power needs...

if you must have 400+ watts then I would go with a 3-4 channel amp for the front channels and run a separate 20amp circuit for it.

I would consider still looking at 200-300 watt amps too. Rated output is not everything anymore and does not mean it will give you that limitless power sound.

go over to audiogon.com and check out amps by D-sonic and Wyred 4 sound, to name two amps to look at. They are digital amps. They have some 5 channel amps that are 500 watts x 3 and 250 watts x 2.

Also, check out the thread a few down from yours,-where to go if moving from B & W 800D-

Or, you could go crazy with a 3-pack of monoblocks for the front and a robust multi-channel amp for the sides/rears. That is what I did, particularly if you are going to use the system for mch music.

Here are the design parameters as I see it.

For the center, you need an amp that is qualitatively at par with the front mains, but you typically don't need the power. This makes a 3 channel for center and surrounds suboptimal becuase typically it will compromise the center channel (or be overkill for the surrounds if you get a very good one)

Nonetheless, If you listen mostly 2 channel with the ocassional movie or MC music disc, going 2 channel (or two monos) for mains and 3 channel for center/surrounds is not a bad compromise (I had this setup for quite a while myself).

However, if you get more seriously into multi channel, you need something better for the center. I would advocate a half decent stereo amp for the surrounds, and three mono's for mains and center (or a stereo for mains and mono for center), with the center having the same sonic signature as the mains but less power. For example if you went class D, you could get Bel Canto's Ref1000M for mains, a Ref 500M for center and a Ref 300S for surrounds.

I personally am using two heavy duty pure class A mono's for mains, a Bel Canto's 300M for center and 300S for surround. (additional advantage is you can discretely put the class A's behind the rack if you are space constained). My thinking is the center does not need the bass slam of the class As, but does need the clarity of the class D, so mixing and matching class D and Class A works very well for me. In fact, if I ever find a single Bel Canto 500M on audiogon, I will upgrade my center amp.

In my view, the key is to get the center channel right recognizing it need to be better than the surrounds, as good as the mains, but without the requiring the same power or bass.

Final thought, a five channel amp is a complete non starter, since your front / center / mains needs are very different (as reflected in your choice of speakers).

I agree with all your observations except this one. While it may ultimately be necessary to sacrifice power and bass in the center channel - given the tendency for speaker manufacturers to limit offerings - I see no reason to do so under ideal conditions. I much prefer to have the bass directed to the appropriate full-range loudspeaker as opposed to using bass management - at least above all but the lowest frequencies. Consquently, if budget and availability allow, get a well matched, full-range speaker for the center and use the same amplifier across all three front speakers.

This is, of course, easier said than done, and in my case ended up being a multiple year 'voyage' of multiple speaker and amp combinations before arriving at something I felt was ideal - that something was/is a customized speaker that not everyone will be so O/C to bother with.

I am not advocating bass managment or getting a less than full range center. The reason you need less power and bass in the center is that vocals (dialogue in movies) are mixed to the center channel, and not the bass heavy rhytem sections. Of course in movies low bass goes to your LFE channel anyway. Because the center will be asked to reproduce less bass demand information, you can do with a different amp (and speaker for that matter IMO). For the record, I am using a Kef 204c which works beatifully (thenagain, who does not like his/her own kit?).

Sorry, I must have misunderstood as I see 'full-range center' and 'less bass in the center' as mutually exclusive. I don't agree, howver, that all low bass goes to the LFE channel - unless one is employing bass management. To my ear, there is plenty of bass in the sub 40hz. range that plays through the main 5 (or 7) channels that warrants the use of a center with full-range bass. Having said that, I do listen much less to movies than I do mulit-channel audio, and in the latter case full-range front speakers are definately required for state-of-the-art playback (implicit in $20K forum discussions).

That is a very funny comment - and too true! I know I have fallen into the trap of 'shilling' for my own gear

You may want to look at ATI amps- you can pretty much make any configuration . I had one of my friends get 3007 to drive Triad platinums, sounds excellent for movies . He got 240v version and has a dedicated 20 amp 240v outlet providing the power. I have used Pass labs , d sonics before- for movies I think Ati provides plenty of clean power. For 2 channel pass labs was better , but not by a huge margin.
You can get good deal on Ati from classic audio parts- look on audiogon or their site

If minimal fan noise is not a concern and aesthetics are not a concern you can take a look a QSC's THX certified amplifiers at http://www.qscaudio.com/products/cinema_products.htm

As my home theatre has a separate equipment room I am using 5 DCA series amplifiers in my home theatre...

How are your amps configured?

Aren't you using 3 Triad Gold Monitors for the front and 4 Triad Gold surrounds?

I'm interested in your response since I'm considering the same set up but may need to implement 6 Triad Silvers for surrounds due to seating arrangement and size.

On another note, I'd really like to go with Aerial LR-5's across the front but this leads to a whole new set of amplification/sensitivity problems/issues...............same problems the OP is referring to.

I have 3 QSC DCA 1622s for the L/C/R Triad Gold Monitors with one amplification channel being unused, I have 1 DCA 1644 for the SR/SL/BR/BL Triad Gold Surrounds, and one DCA 3422 for the two Triad Silver subwoofers [n.b. the Procella P-18 is self powered]...

I actually was impressed after listening to an ATI 3005 amp..........similar SQ to several Krells I listened to. The ATI amp wasn't as transparent regarding HF compared to the Krell.........but held its own with mid/lower frequencies. A lesson I learned was NOT to throw money at amplification.

There are many outstanding amplification manufacturers where one does not have to break the bank. Invest your money wisely.............

Isn't the QSC DCA 1622 a two channel amp? Are you bridging.......confused why you are using 3 of the 1622s with one channel left over.

May I ask why you didn't use the amps provided by Triad for the subs?

Thanks

Apologies, typo on my part in that I am using 2 QSC DCA 1622s...

As far as the subwoofer is concerned there are many reasons including i) cost effective [because they are commercial amplifiers they are far less costly than residnetial amplifiersof equal capability] ii) moniting capability through the QSC DSP engines iii) more power iv) THX certiifcation and v) etc.

The fact is that QSC [and other commercial amplifiers] were recommended by numerous home theatre designers from the outset...

Thanks for getting back,

Now it all makes sense...............

I'm planning on having DE do my theater design, therefore I'll bet QSC will be recommended in the near future. Just have to overcome city planning issues.............

Thanks again

No problem and a safe bet...

These amps look like a bargain, very good value considering how easy it is to connect the QSC DSP's etc....I am going to get one for some subs.

I use a couple QSC PLX1104's for my front 802D's and center HTM1D.

If I had it to do over, I would have got the similarly spec'd but more expensive DCA 1622s for 2 ohm stability and remote trigger support.

Or for under $5000 you could get 5 emotiva xpa-1 500w monoblocks. I didn't think they sounded any better or worse than QSC, but were much more consumer friendly.

I would still like to see how a Parasound JC1's sounds in my system, but so far I've been happy with QSC, especially for the money.

And, more to the point, the VenueManager software allows excellent and full monitoring of the amplifiers through the DSPs...

And, for those who wish to learn how to use the VenueManager software, there are a series of video that are a must...they take about 3 to 4 hours to watch but are very informative and useful...

NICE!!
I had a 333 once and would love a 336!
I currently use a Classe CA300(rears),CA400(bridged-center channel)
Krell FPB 700cx(mains),HTS-7.1,SACD Standard...I was contemplating a DVD Standard but decided to put the funds towards a 65" plasma and BR player.
I really only need a 300 on CC and a 200 on surrounds.