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January 3, 2016 - 5:34pm
#1
Looking for a 4-channel amp. That's it.
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Try a multichannel 5.1 or 7.1 AVR and set it up for four channel operation.
I'm not sure how much power you want, but the NAD C 245BEE has four independent amplifiers that can drive your four speakers. NAD is a good brand with good quality. It is available at:
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-151435-nad-c-245bee-4-channel-power-amp.aspx
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-G5FKOoy4DrM/p_745C245BEE/NAD-C-245BEE.html
Adcom GFA 2535
I'm sure the OP has made the purchase by now and things hopefully sound great. When reading this first time I was wondering if the source was a quad source or stereo with 4 speaker positions running in stereo or counter point. If the source is stereo with 4 positions, almost any of the mainstream stereo receivers with A/B outputs will do the job easily.
A lot of this depends on the speakers/room. If someone is trying to do a setup with hard to drive speakers that's one thing, but today there's no need for this. In the past many speaker companies and amplifiers played the chase game trying to up the quality through making things more complicated. Today there's really no need to make speakers hard to play and amps fighting to do so.
The game of complicated systems is on the decline and simplicity is on the rise. The last AXPONA we had talks with some of our friends in the store biz and it was surprising (well maybe not) how many lower priced, higher quality, products are flying out the door with great sound. This may not be the common narrative among the old school who played for many years trying match up things (spending fortunes BTW), but all is changing and many companies are building downward in price with the hopes of competing with $100-300 amps of today.
Audiophiles would be wise to realize inexpensive no longer means "cheap". This is no longer the early days of parts making. Most companies making low quality resistors, caps and other internal electronics have been weeded out by companies with far advanced production standards. Remember those horrible amps and receivers of the mid to late 80's. Go look inside of those same brands components today. Whole new ball game.
Folks who say cheap because of cost in todays audio hobby are not very informed. There was a time cheap was just plain cheap, but that's a rarity today. Marketing the expensive vs inexpensive as an audiophile today has a totally different meaning than even 10 years ago. It makes no sense for supply companies to make "cheap" products. The whole price tag meaning quality sound doesn't hold the same weight as it did in the past. Not many people want to admit this as it affects their livelihood on many levels, but the facts have always been the facts.
here's an example as I may be getting a little off topic
What's better sounding, a $100,000.00 system sitting in a room not optimized, or a $1000.00 one optimized? Do you know how many people will get angry with this question? If your system is not playing in balance electrically, mechanically and acoustically there's no comparison to one that is. That's the facts, yet how many hobbyist spend fortunes on systems that may at best only have one of these parts in place?
Our systems only sound as good as the methods we use to make them sound so.
michael green
MGA/RoomTune
http://tuneland.techno-zone.net/
...do you have an actual recommendation for my home gym in there? (Make and model would be most helpful.)
If not, please stop trying to hijack my posts with manifestos that rival "War & Peace" in length - I don't read them. Stay on topic as others have, or stay off altogether.
Thanks.
Not a problem, but if you come here or anywhere with a negative (huffy) attitude your probably never going to see who are your helpful friends and advisors. As far as me not posting, that's up to stereophile. I really could care less if you read my posting or not mtymous1. Thousands do and we appreciate them doing so as we have a fun time in this hobby. If your unhappy with this for some reason start a thread in rants and raves and get it off your chest is my suggestion. However when you post a post like you just did it shows an unpleasant side to you and your outlook as well as a bad image of the hobby, which this end of the hobby so often battles with as it is.
Now for a recommendation which I already made above in a general sense, to get more specific for others who are interested in being a part of a positive hobby, Sherwood 4105, Sony STR-DH130, Yamaha R-S201 or if wanting networking Yamaha R-N301. There are many others in this price range, but these are some I have tested, used or owned. I'm using 2 of the 4105,and 1 of the Sonys now. I also climb the money ladder to currently using $10,000 amps with many stops on the way up. I'm assuming the OP is doing a stereo split so this is the purpose of the specific models.
If folks want to research this topic and or talk to the designers (which we do) big improvements have been made in regards to 4 speaker setups with these more up to date amps.
For more information since the OP is for some reason not happy with my response, feel free to visit http://tuneland.techno-zone.net/ and enjoy a friendlier outlook of the hobby.
Just a piece of advice mtymous1, if your on a public forum and don't wish to be answered by others wanting to be helpful, maybe you should ask specific people you wish to ask and not appeal to the larger audio community. One of the reasons other forums get more involve in the answers is because we are more open to the more researched and studied Q&A's before jumping in, as well we don't feel the need to huff & puff, but rather get to the point. Part of that point is better served with a little background. Truly sorry this upsets you, but I answer these threads knowing thousands are reading making judgements and decisions.
In the future I will treat your threads as not really being all that serious or informative, based on your several responses now. My bad, was thinking you were someone you evidently are not.
michael green
MGA/RoomTune
http://tuneland.techno-zone.net/
@michael green
I'm very reasonable. If you could step me through the logic of how my original post of:
...deserved a lengthy response that closes with this:
...(sans an initial recommendation), I'd be more than happy to recant my previous post.
I would consider getting two of the Parasound Zamp v.3 amplifiers.
Audio Advisor is selling them for $349 each.
I purchased a NAD 7140 on eBay for $100 shipped, It has the dual speaker outs and large capacitors.
These NAD receivers are plentiful as they are built to last and look like they came from the Russian Red Army. (built like tanks).
Price is right too.
Ron
Get the NAD unless of course you have a truly Quadrophonic source. Then either hunt for a Vintage Quad receiver, or go modern 4-channel NAD.
Ron
mtymous1
We can make this short and to the point. You don't find value in my lengthy answers don't read them. Thousands of people read me every month so a few that get upset, no biggie :) The posts of you complaining just eats up space on your own thread.
Ron
I'm happy that you are exploring some of the vintage products. A think a lot of times people in the hobby forget how many products are out there used. We are in a hobby and at a time in this hobby where we can explore products for pennies. It's a collectors paradise. BTW I'm listening to an older NAD in one of my rooms tonight.
mtymous1, I do hope you find a great sounding amp that meets your wants. Also as Ron says you might want to define if you are doing true quad or not. You might also want to re-read my opening statement to you.
"I'm sure the OP has made the purchase by now and things hopefully sound great. When reading this first time I was wondering if the source was a quad source or stereo with 4 speaker positions running in stereo or counter point. If the source is stereo with 4 positions, almost any of the mainstream stereo receivers with A/B outputs will do the job easily."
This is pretty much what Ron said as well. For some reason me suggesting a common sense response to you makes you feel uneasy. I have no idea why. You put a thread on a public forum, people respond, then you criticize their helpful comments and more. Maybe in my chase it's because I'm a designer, have owned 5 stereo stores of my own, or have my own forum, or been in the biz all my life or who knows what would set you off. It's an attitude I see here often. I think it's just as easy to say, thanks for you input Michael.
another lengthy post of mine, maybe you should have just been a grown up and took my first post for what it was
oh well, audiophiles can be so very weird
michael green
MGA/RoomTune
http://tuneland.techno-zone.net/
...to those of you with specific recommendations.
...a Yamaha A-S301 integrated amp, for those wondering. The associate at my local hifi shop gave it to me for only $300, which is $50 less than any price I had seen. For a home gym / office, it's a great little amp.
Michael, your advice is sound and useful. I thought the individual's response behavior to your entry was crass. He should have passed instead of flaming you. Regarding the original product request, there are knowledgeable sales people who are paid and trained to provide product expertise. Bloggers should not be giving product advice unless they own said product and can provide first hand information instead of requoting reviews without providing credit to the original author. Then again, this is the internet and everyone is an expert.