[prsman]

Im considering adding a power amp to my 9.2 system using a Denon 4500H to help offload some of the power from the AVR.


Do you seen any issues with the Outlaw 5000 at $650?



There are used amps available near me. Lets assume they are in working order, what benefits/issues do you see with a used amp?

ANTHEM PVA-5, $700
Rotel 5 channel Power Amplifier- Model RMB-1075 - $360


Thanks for any insight.

 

[BillP]

The advantage is obviously price. The disadvantage is that there may be a reason the owner is getting rid of it. I would never buy a used amp without being able to play with it first to make sure it is working properly. Outlaw, Anthem, and Rotel all make great equipment, so it's mainly a matter of price and working condition.

 

[smithsabom]

I have bought several used amps, mostly from ebay. One thing to consider is how the amps are switched on. do they have an auto-on feature or 12v trigger? if not you will need to get a 12v trigger power strip. (if you want the amp to power on when you turn on the receiver.)

 

[head_unit]

Amps a few years old should be fine, though I concur I'd want to fire it up to be sure it was working. And yes, you take some risk, whereupon maybe eBay/Amazon might be better than Craigslist for buyer protection. By the way at some point your WALL is going to limit the power, not your amps, unless you upgrade the wiring and outlets (like to 20 amp or 30 amp...I thought there was a 30A receptacle compatible to a normal 120V plug, but not seeing it right now. Separate circuits to multiple outlets is also possible).

 

[tinman143]

Just get the outlaw 5000 and call it a day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[prsman]

Amps a few years old should be fine, though I concur I'd want to fire it up to be sure it was working. And yes, you take some risk, whereupon maybe eBay/Amazon might be better than Craigslist for buyer protection. By the way at some point your WALL is going to limit the power, not your amps, unless you upgrade the wiring and outlets (like to 20 amp or 30 amp...I thought there was a 30A receptacle compatible to a normal 120V plug, but not seeing it right now. Separate circuits to multiple outlets is also possible).

AC power is a good point. Ill have to check to see if I have 2 circuits nearby, one to get to with extension if needbe just in case. I think Ill get a new amp as there will always be that nagging question as to distortion or other subtle issues.