Worth keeping existing power amps for use with Tag AV32R?

[AOD]

At some point I plan to upgrade my system and ditch the Yamaha DSP-E492 that's currently taking an analogue 5.1 feed from my DVD player.

The main stereo amp is an Arcam Alpha 6 (old but serviceable) driving a pair of KEF Q50s, with a pair of Rotel RB-970BX power amps. One is bridged to mono and looks after the centre channel (KEF Model 100). The rears (KEF Q85s) get the remaining power amp.

For completeness, the sub is an M&K VX4.

I appreciate that the Rotel's are a little long in the tooth (current generation is the RB-971 Mk II) but my question is this:

When I get my mits on an AV32R, given that I'm already well down the Rotel road, does it make sense just to get another similar one (eg add an RB-971 Mk II)?

I'm looking for a cost effective way to capitalise on my existing amps. Buying a multi-channel behemoth is not something that I could consider in the immediate future (the WAF comes into play here <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> )

Of course at a future date it would be nice to partner some THX spec amplification with the AV32R, but that's somewhat further off.

[MartinB]

If you're happy with the sound that you're getting from your current amps, stick with them until you know what 5ch you want to replace them with. I was running my AV32R through an old Arcam Xeta 1 and Delta 290P before I could afford my Tag 100X5R. If you stick with you're current amp setup, you'll be able to hear what difference changing the processor only has made, I was blown away by the differences I heard (I was using a Denon DD decoder alongside the Xeta 1). For the time being, my Delta 290P is being kept, in case I go for the EX upgrade, and before I can afford more Tag amplification.

Martin.

The only thing I would add is that the front and center channels should be similar... why not use the Arcam for the rear channels and the two Rotels, not bridged for the front and center <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[AOD]

I understand what you mean about keeping things as similar as possible across the front soundstage, but it does seem rather a waste to have an amp that can be bridged into 180W mono (as it's only using one channel) driving the centre channel with 60W.

My main question which perhaps I didn't put too well was if I should ditch the Alpha 6 and replace it with another power amp, thereby avoiding such "issues" as accidentally moving the volume control on the Alpha 6 after calibrating the channels?

It does seem like a waist, but if the voice changes as it goes from side to center to side, it is worst... maybe you can get another Rotel really cheap and use the 3 bridged for front and center channels.<br />I wouldnt worry with the volume control in the Arcam, you can always put it back where it was, just note where it should be...

[jlanng]

I'm driving my AV32R with a 5-channel Rotel amp at the moment. I'm considering it a stop-gap until I buy something a little better matched. For movies, though - it sounds ace! I managed to blow a light-bulb in the lounge when I cranked it last night!!