Denon 3805 with Anthem MCA 30

I just ordered a MCA-50 for my Paradigm Reference setup. Will be running it off a Sony ES receiver until I can get a real pre/pro. It specs very well for its price range, and I have heard very good things about it. I don't have it yet so I can give you my full evaluation, but my Sony source will still bring it down (garbage in-garbage out) until I can upgrade again.


Is your center that power hungry to need the MCA-30 over the MCA-20? I bought the MCA-50 because when I move to a pre-pro, I won't have any power, so I needed the extra channels even though I could have dealt with a 2 channel for now. I probable should ahve gone MCA-30, PVA-5 but wanted one chassis for now. I guess I will pick up a PVA-2 when I move to 7.1. The PVA-7 would not have cut it power-wise for me.


The 3805 should be more than capable of driving the center and the surrounds. Think about it, but the MCA-30 still a good option if you are worried about the "sound" of the amp affecting the front three soundstage.


Jon W.

I would not be looking at a separate amp for the Ref 40s. GREAT speakers by the way. I picked up my 100's used for $900 (got a steal!), but before that I was running a pair of 20s NO PROBLEM off the receiver for my fronts.


Get the 40's first and then pick up a CC470 center. These are VERY highly rated speakers for the price, even though they have gone up recently. If you were looking at the 100's, then I would recommend the amp. The MCA-20 should walk all over the NAD from the specs. Big difference between 225 watts and 150 watts in terms of control at the higher volumes. The NAD might be a little warmer.


Take the $1200 from the amp and put that into the speakers. You will be much happier. The 3805 is a great choice for the Paradigms too.


Good luck.


Jon W.

Mark-


I was actually impressed at how loud I could crank the 3805 in multichannel. It does a pretty good job without getting too warm, but I'd like to toss in an amp to do the brunt of the work.


BTW, what's on your list so far? I'd highly recommend Beck's "Sea Change" and obviously Floyd's "DSOTM." Both are absolutely spectacular and really show off the capabilities of multichannel audio! I'm eager for more to come out on SACD and DVD-A...like Radiohead, U2, Elbow, Spiritualized, and others that would translate so well in these formats. I guess I'll have to wait. (not patient)


The Anthem MCA seems like a really good bang-for-the-buck amp, and I figure I'll bite the bullet and get the 5-channel now instead of just amping the fronts and getting the rest later. I don't have enough room for too many components!


Let me know what you end up doing.


Jason