So for inexpensive surround sound...

[boomzilla]

I don't need a preamp or receiver, I can use the Oppo's outputs to directly drive power amps. No, it won't be excessively dynamic, but reduced dynamics for most movies is a blessing...

My usual XPA-1Ls will be driving the front R&L speakers (not that it will matter - in movies, those are effects speakers only). I just need amplification for the center & 2 surrounds. I currently run the center with a Yamaha pro power amp (which sounds just fine), but the surrounds are on a Peavey pro power amp (whose fan sounds like a jet taking off). I need something without a fan!

Looking at options:

1. Stick an AVR on & use only the center & surround channels (low $$ & probably fine for my use - plus I already have one on the shelf)

2. Buy some matching power amps used & cheap - I can get two stereo Crown D-75a amps for about $100 total

3. Buy some Emo gear for tonal match - I can get two Mini-X amps with my repeat offender discount for about $400

4. Go to wretched excess & buy an XPA-3 again ($$$)

Honestly, since my surround speakers will be a mismatch to the front 3 anyway, I'm not sure how important amp matching is. My AVR is a bottom feeder that lacks pre-out / main-in, so I'd have to use the discreet RCA inputs in "direct" mode & leave the volume knob at 100%. Once I matched levels with the Oppo, I'd have matched amp channels for zero $$ and since the front R/L wouldn't be working at all on the AVR, the wimpy power supply might be able to keep up on the center & surrounds only. It isn't elegant, but it IS cheap.

Option 2 at least looks nicer.

Options 3 & 4 bump up against the cost / performance curve pretty hard, considering that we don't often watch movies (once per week, at the most).

So what say you, Loungers? I want small real estate for the equipment (so smaller components are better than large), and I don't listen at novisnick levels. I'm open to suggestions on this topic.

Thanks - Boom

[Canuck_fr]

I say you go out and buy 2 used Crown XLS 1000 on e-bay. You can get them for around 125-150 $ each.<

That will do pretty good for $250-300

[boomzilla]

It will, but before I go that route, I at least want to try the no-cost option. If it sounds good, then I suspect I won't need much else. Plus, one more box on the shelf is better than two. If it works, I can cash out by selling the Yamaha & the Peavey.

[wizardofoz]

As long as you can adjust the channels in the oppo to balance the different gains on the amps and sensitivity of the speakers then use whatever you can lay your hands on to experiment with free of any costs.

If money wasn't a big issue then get another mono for the centre, and a mini x for the surrounds.

[knucklehead]

I've used my 103 direct to my Rotel 5 channel amp with 'ok' results. Lacking a sub equalizer kind of kills it since I have a big hump in the 'house curve' in the 45-80hz range that rattles everything not tied down. I have a Marantz SR5008 coming tomorrow. It has Audyssey XT which will tame the house curve and probably will help in places I haven't heard. Undecided so far is will the Marantz be able to drive three speakers - the center and ERD-1 surrounds all of which are 4ohm rated. If it can then the Rotel is up for sale. Ether way the Marantz was only $420 shipped.

[Deleted]

If your gonna go the crown xls route at least go for the 1500 over the 1000.. you get the better s/n 103db vs 97db for only a few bucks more. and with the gen2 xls coming out soon the gen1 series prices are dropping quite substantially.