i'm looking for a pretty sturdy 2 channel amp for my home theater system and came across this and was wondering what you thought about it? i don't know much of anything when it comes to home stereo amplifiers. i want something that is going to push around 200-300rms at 8ohms if you have any suggestions i would definitely be open to them. this is one that i found and it seems to have everything i need, but i don't know the brand and how good this would actually be. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adcom-GFA-555se-Stereo-Amplifier-/130717532260?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item1e6f5f4064

What are you trying to with said amp?

Adcom is a good brand, but do you really need a $1300 amplifier?

What are you looking to do...what features do you need the amp to have?

Great amp, nowhere worth that, power hog as well. In particular silly considering how a similar 100w per channel costs and that audibly it doesn't buy you much more.

If you can deal with fan noise there are WAY, WAY more cost effective options if you need that power.

well, i have a pair of Cerwin Vega XLS-215's i want to drive. my Onkyo receiver is only 135w per channel.

The Onkyo should be more than adequate. CVs are very efficient.

The Onkyo should be more than adequate. CVs are very efficient.

this is what i want out of it and am just not quite there

I guess I am left wondering why you would want to do that? There are a few companies who make nice power, but why is that your goal?

absolutely absurd output in my home, just like in my truck. thats why i want it. i don't like my neighbors much either

also, i was thinking about getting some XLS-28's for my rear surround channels, but i was wondering if it would be a better idea to get something like a single 12in cabinet cerwin vega VE-12F's. again, i don't know jack squat about home theater so your help is appreciated. i'm just looking for something that will give me the best surround sound at a great price. i also have a thing for Cerwin Vega so i'm sticking with the brand and i would like all of my gear to match

Edited December 26, 201212 yr by ChILL

oh and for my side surrounds, would it be stupid to get a 6.5in. XLS-6 bookshelf speaker to hang higher with the XLS-215 floors in front, and maybe the XLS-28's in the rear? please educate me so i don't try something really stupid and waist money doing it. thanks

How many channels is your surround?

What is your budget?

I believe the point M5 was getting at was using pro audio amps from a power/cost perspective, which was going to be my suggestion as well, but they generally have built in fans that can be noisy. But now I'm confused on why you were looking at a 2-channel amp when you are setting up surround sound. Were you still only planning to power the main L/R speakers with the amplifier?

I think that's his plan. He wants some power for them when rocking out, but still wants to use them as mains for HT.

And IMO using those amps on those mains makes no sense either. If you choose things based on output over fidelity you might as well carry on across the board. Not that the Adcom's don't have balls, but way spendy for what you are doing.

yeah, i just want the amp to run the front towers when i want to go balls to the wall. the rest is for when i run the HT. right now i have a pretty shitty 5.0 speaker set up that all came in 1 box. small little satellite speakers that have zero depth when it comes to output. my sub is lacking to say the least (12in. JBL 250W amp). if you were going to put together a HT setup with all Cerwin Vega, what would you choose and it couldn't be the CMX line (except maybe the center channel and if chosen the bookshelfs) what would you choose based on already having the XLS-215 fronts. it's on a 7.1 Onkyo TX-NR809 reciever.

Check Parts express out and see what they may have to suit you needs. I currently use one of these for a wall of subs in our haunt.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=245-502

Another way to go is Emotiva. I have a friend who runs all Emotiva power in this theater and it is some serious power. Plus their amps give you different options for running drivers.

http://shop.emotiva.com/

Another way to go is Emotiva. I have a friend who runs all Emotiva power in this theater and it is some serious power. Plus their amps give you different options for running drivers.

http://shop.emotiva.com/

oh wow Neil, those look great! thanks

If you want go balls out loud...pick your self up a behringer ep4000 and a minidsp! thats a good 750rms A CHANNEL!!! (400$ max)

I run an older version of this on a set of Paradigm studio 100's.Fantastic sound and you'll never have to worry about headroom.

http://www.thestereoshop.com/rotelStereoAmp.php#box1

Adcom, Sunfire, Rotel, Parasound, Carver, are all excellent choices. Emotiva is good entry level stuff that offers good bang for buck stuff when purchasing new. I'm not saying it's terrible, but for the price offerings I would recommend Outlaw Audio which also has excellent customer service.

Behringer ep4000 at walmart 275 with warranty!! bam and a basic inline voltage converter less expsensive alternative then a minidps (60$)