Help me pick an amp for new Goldenear setup

[hifiaudio2]

I have now sold my Seaton speakers and I'm going to buy a full Golden ears around set up. I plan on getting three triton ones for my friont three speakers, their MPX surounds for left and right and back sorrounds, and the HTR 7000s for overhead Atmos speakers. That is a need for 11 channels of amplification, and I already own a UPA 200 two channel amp and UPA 2 two channel amp.

I am trying to decide if i need the Xpa gen 3 7 channel amp or if a basx would do. Also would there be any advantage to feeding the fronts with one of the two channel amps that I have over either 7 channel amp. I am assuming that the XPA is state-of-the-art and would be much better than my cheap two channel amps. Not sure if the seven channel basx amp is better or not.

[Jim]

I'm not any help - but was curious why you sold your Seaton speakers?

[teaman]

Not sure what direction you want to go but why not use the XPA-7 and keep your two Emotiva stereo amps to power the ceiling speakers

[repeetavx]

Nice speakers!

Yeah, like their cousin the Definitive Technology speakers, they like power. Even with the internal "Bi-Amp". The better the amp, the better they'll sound.

I'd go for the XPA amp. with quality speakers like this, you'll want the best amp you can afford. Go ahead and get the XPA-7. When in multi-channel mode you'll get an honest 200 watts out of each channel. And when your playing "just" stereo, you should get something like 300 to 350 watts for the two channels.

[hifiaudio2]

Dec 25, 2016 21:30:06 GMT -5 Jim said:

I'm not any help - but was curious why you sold your Seaton speakers?

Basically to cut costs. The new house has a room less suited to the terrific theater I was able to build last time, so I wanted to go to speakers that I could buy a full 11 channel set and still have money left over from the sale to nearly pay for the new projector I need as well. Just a money thing. I demo'ed the Goldenears, and they were "fine". They aren't the Seatons, but will do.

[vneal]

Dec 25, 2016 21:40:52 GMT -5 teaman said:

Not sure what direction you want to go but why not use the XPA-7 and keep your two Emotiva stereo amps to power the ceiling speakers

DITTO

[gus4emo]

Dec 25, 2016 21:41:41 GMT -5 repeetavx said:

Nice speakers!

Yeah, like their cousin the Definitive Technology speakers, they like power. Even with the internal "Bi-Amp". The better the amp, the better they'll sound.

I'd go for the XPA amp. with quality speakers like this, you'll want the best amp you can afford. Go ahead and get the XPA-7. When in multi-channel mode you'll get an honest 200 watts out of each channel. And when your playing "just" stereo, you should get something like 300 to 350 watts for the two channels.

My XPA7'S specs say 520 watts per in stereo mode.

[leonski]

Triton 1s require MORE than the BassX amp.
-50degree phase angle @4.1 ohms is 'tough' territory and is at a frequency which matters.

www.stereophile.com/content/goldenear-technology-triton-one-loudspeaker-measurements#3eiwhBK4C1851iwe.97

In addition to a PAIR of 20 amp circuits for the electronics, I'd consider a 5 channel amp and a 6 or 7 channel. And from a 'higher' end of whatever line you go with.
Given the poor 4 ohm performance of the BassX amps, I'd avoid them. Why pair such a nice speaker with a weak amp. you'll regret it.

I doubt the BassX will handle the Triton 1s.

www.stereophile.com/content/goldenear-technology-triton-one-loudspeaker-measurements#3eiwhBK4C1851iwe.97

The Triton 1 is also fairly good sensitivity @over 91db which means that while you need GOOD watts (capable) you don't necessarily need 400 of 'em.

For your 11 channel proposed setup? If you USE more than 5 watts continuous per speaker I'd be royally surprised. Peaks are unlikely to occur in ALL channels at once, so consider that, too.

[hifiaudio2]

Good info, thanks. I am also considering going with Stealth 8s instead of the Triton Ones.... I am not so sure that the Ones play any lower even though they are towers, as I think the specs on the GE speakers are "optimistic" at best. The Stealth 8s are a ton cheaper as well of course. Thoughts?

[mountain]

I am no help on comparing those speakers, but I have been extremely happy with my trusted (vintage ?) def tech bp2000's running with listed amp, etc.

[garbulky]

I've heard several good amps. The one I keep coming back to is the XPA-1 gen 2 monoblocks.

[leonski]

FORGET SPECS. Forget 'em. Nearly Meaningless. Too many other things going on with speakers, like the ROOM they are in. I tend to trust stereophile since they measure the SAME way from speaker to speaker.
So I can compare speakers tested by them. But good measurments are NOT a guarantee of good sound. But CAN indicate certain problems and limits.
The Best Speaker is the one you like. For that, I'd suggest junking out the specs and LISTENING. It is also meaningless, but I kind of like the idea behind the Stealth8s. Built in amps with some 'level' controls. And I've ALWAYS been a fan of the AirMotion Transformer, invented by Heil. The Triton has a version of the same device. hmmmmmm.
Quit reading reviews and get out for a listen. There is a LOT of space between 5k a pair Tritons and 600 per EMOs.
If I had the space? I'd love an ALL-Magnepan surround setup. With the 77" OLED display and the new205 series OPPO disc player and a passle of PASS amps. Maybe if if was born RICH instead of just good looking?

[frisco]

Jan 3, 2017 1:18:16 GMT -5 leonski said:

Triton 1s require MORE than the BassX amp.
-50degree phase angle @4.1 ohms is 'tough' territory and is at a frequency which matters.

www.stereophile.com/content/goldenear-technology-triton-one-loudspeaker-measurements#3eiwhBK4C1851iwe.97

In addition to a PAIR of 20 amp circuits for the electronics, I'd consider a 5 channel amp and a 6 or 7 channel. And from a 'higher' end of whatever line you go with.
Given the poor 4 ohm performance of the BassX amps, I'd avoid them. Why pair such a nice speaker with a weak amp. you'll regret it.

I doubt the BassX will handle the Triton 1s.

www.stereophile.com/content/goldenear-technology-triton-one-loudspeaker-measurements#3eiwhBK4C1851iwe.97

The Triton 1 is also fairly good sensitivity @over 91db which means that while you need GOOD watts (capable) you don't necessarily need 400 of 'em.

For your 11 channel proposed setup? If you USE more than 5 watts continuous per speaker I'd be royally surprised. Peaks are unlikely to occur in ALL channels at once, so consider that, too.

[frisco]

Leonski, saw your comment about the  4ohm performance of the basx amps and am curious about what led you to the conclusion.

while waiting for the basx pre pro to be delivered I'm trying to decide on an amp, and my speakers are 4  ohm book shelves,  phase tech pc 0.5, rated at 4ohms ( I have not found any more detail on their performance)

[frisco]

Err they are rated at 88 sensitivity I forgot to add 

[vneal]

You have top performing speakers. The BasX would work fine but I would pair a top amp like the XPA Gen 3 with your level of speakers.

JMHO

[leonski]

Jan 13, 2017 9:50:59 GMT -5 frisco said:

Leonski, saw your comment about the  4ohm performance of the basx amps and am curious about what led you to the conclusion.

while waiting for the basx pre pro to be delivered I'm trying to decide on an amp, and my speakers are 4  ohm book shelves,  phase tech pc 0.5, rated at 4ohms ( I have not found any more detail on their performance)

Using the A300 as an example:
150@8ohms with 0.1 distortion
300@4ohms with <1% distortion.   Yes. ONE percent.

The perfect and doesn't exist voltage source amp will double power as impedance halves.    But 1% is right at the onset of 'bad stuff' and given the dynamic nature of music you'll have peaks up in higher distortion  areas.
Read the stereophile test resport and look at the phase / impedance data.   IMO the BassX is not the right amp for such a difficult load.   At least the Triton 1.  

Lots of considerations 'in the mix'.   Impedance is certainly one of 'em.   But 'rated at 4 ohms'?   What is the minima?  Any phase data?  Sensitivity?     And than there is the ROOM.   Size?    Lots of hard surfaces or stuffed with curtains and pillows?   Listening habits?   Nose Bleed levels or Less?     

Going in eyes open, there is Not A Thing wrong with the 'X' amps.    But think downstream.    What and When is your upgrade?     If you buy more amp now, you'll delay the upgrade itch for quite a while.   OH!   I've made some mistakes.    Rotel was NOT a good match for my panels.   Just no guts.   And my experiment with 'D' amps lasted several years but did NOT have long-term satisfaction.    My current, conventional A/B stuff is fine, even though maybe 1db less power than the 'D' amps.  

You might even be happy Experimenting with some good, Used gear.    You won't get hurt ($$$) on resale if you do it right and can experiment.  

My original beef was pairing a 500$ or so amp with 5000$ worth of speaker and than the OP tosses in some of the Powered Stealth 8s to boot.    I think the OP needs to get out and LISTEN to stuff and quit reading reviews.   

Stereophile liked the PC60 model which at 400$ is a very HOT price point.

www.stereophile.com/content/phase-technology-pc-60-loudspeaker#SblMRGpULCVFwLuB.97

[klinemj]

Jan 3, 2017 11:03:04 GMT -5 hifiaudio2 said:

Good info, thanks. I am also considering going with Stealth 8s instead of the Triton Ones.... I am not so sure that the Ones play any lower even though they are towers, as I think the specs on the GE speakers are "optimistic" at best. The Stealth 8s are a ton cheaper as well of course. Thoughts?

I am not a fan of the Golden Ear speakers. I have heard several variants, and I didn't like any of them. To me, they sounded bloated in the low end and too "analytical" in the mid/upper. I have heard the Stealth 8's and have been very impressed...clear, powerful, punchy bass. So, if it were me, I would go Stealth.

Mark

[hifiaudio2]

Done. Lol.

I picked up three Stealth 8s and four Airmotiv 6s today. Good times ahead. Great time chatting with Dan as well!

[Deleted]

I meet David Solomon, VP of Monitor Audio- now Peachtree, when I bought my speakers. We hit it off and talked for hours. After getting past the "selling" he gave me some good info about audio & some was reinforcement of what I knew. I don't want to get into all the variable in sound reproduction, BUT once you get to a point with speaker quality & design, your electronics plays a big part in SQ. Those GoldenEars are really nice and I wouldn't waste my time or money on anything less than an XPA to drive the front 3 ch's. The surrounds are "effects" and you may get by ok with amps of lesser quality. I'ld give the UPA's a shot for effects and bet they would be satisfactory.
We are in the planning stage of building a new house and my plan is to find some used UPA for the effect channels in the HT. I don't believe 200 watts/ch with, <0.5 distortion is going to get me anywhere other than more money spent than I need. If I found some UPA5, UPA7 or similar quality, I'ld grab them.
I agree with leonski about finding quality used gear. Some folks here sell some great equipment at a fair price.
I have a 17+ yrs old Denon AVR-5700 that's used every day in my office that still sounds & works great.
I could be totally wrong but I would pick the used UPA over Basx. If money's not an issue buy 2 XPA's.