Cheap Amp to drive M&K xenons?

[Nakano]

I'm going to get the M&K xenons 26 (or 36 front 3) for mainly watching movies. I had decided on the Onkyo 605 for the receiver, but have read somewhere that it's not enough for the xenons.

So any ideas for a cheap amp for now, maybe 2nd hand until I save up enough for Onkyo 875/905?

[Nakano]

Sorry wrong section.
Mods can you guys please move it for me, thanks a bunch!

[Helicon]

You'll have to go for something that is, or at least was, about £1k, anything less and they'll not sound as they should.

[Sniper]

Well - if you're ready to loose all the video trickery on the 605 (i.e. the deinterlacer & ability to ouput analog sources on HDMI), and also HD audio decoding on the amp (which is not an issue if you get a decent bluray/hd-dvd with on board decoder) - then the Cambridge Audio 640r will drive ... and drive them well!

Oh - £599 from Richer-sounds!

[AngelEyes]

I would have thought the 605 would be adequate but M&K always like more power (greedy speakers) but you might want to consider trying them before getting a seperate power amp as well. Or you could stay integrated and move up the Onkyo range, 805?

To answer your question on what to look for as a cheap Power Amp, I think Rotel are an absolute bargain 2nd hand. Before my Arcam FMJ P7 I had an RMB 1075 which was fantastic with my larger M&K LCR 850s. IMO the 1075 would be awsome with the Xenons. They come up from time to time in the classifieds and I think I saw one on the auction site a few days ago...

Adam

[mattkhan]

the 2nd hand rotel idea seconded, I drive my S85s & Surround 55 MkIIs with a rotel rb-985 mk2 that I picked up for £200. Sounds superb & an absolute bargain, on a VFM basis arguably my best upgrade.

[AngelEyes]

Originally Posted by mattkhan

the 2nd hand rotel idea seconded, I drive my S85s & Surround 55 MkIIs with a rotel rb-985 mk2 that I picked up for £200. Sounds superb & an absolute bargain, on a VFM basis arguably my best upgrade.

Agreed, the step-up from a integrated Receiver Amp, to a seperate Power AMP is a huge difference. IMO you really have to spend a lot of money to get a significant upgrade in sound quality to the Rotels.

Adam

[Sniper]

Originally Posted by AngelEyes

I would have thought the 605 would be adequate but M&K always like more power ...

Have you read/seen the HCC review of the 605? the power from that amp with 5 speakers driven falls under 40wpc ... some ppl were not surprised cos' they said it's typical of the price range - they're probably right, but i don't like liars!

As for the rest - what you all suggested is correct. Definitely a pre/power combination is your best bet especially if you find a bargain.

Having said that - IMO having heard the 640r - a brand new 640r @ £599 is actually a HUGE bargain - you won't believe the amps that fall to shame next to it's amplification stage!!

[AngelEyes]

Originally Posted by Sniper

Have you read/seen the HCC review of the 605? the power from that amp with 5 speakers driven falls under 40wpc ... some ppl were not surprised cos' they said it's typical of the price range - they're probably right, but i don't like liars!

I hadn't read that and you are probably right, I didn't give the comment much thought, sorry

Adam

[MIB]

If you don't need HDMI then a Denon 3803 will drive the Xenon's fine until you can afford a newer amp. These can be picked up for £150 - £200 which is a bargain IMO for an amp that was £900 4 years ago.

If you go down the power amp route the Parasound 1205a with 140watts sounds fantastic driving my Xenon's (approx £400 s/h) - a definite step up from the Rotel 1075 IMO.

[Sniper]

Originally Posted by AngelEyes

I hadn't read that and you are probably right, I didn't give the comment much thought, sorry

Adam

Just to be clear - i was calling Onkyo liars for the power claims on the 605! Nothing to do with your comment - sorry if I wasn't clear.

[Nakano]

Thanks for all the help guys, was thinking about the Cambridge Audio 640r & Arcam 300, as they're v.good (for most owners here) for the price.

But the thing is I have a ps3 so to have HD audio I'd need a reciever/amp that accepts audio through HDMI & decodes it, the two above don't.

So the million dollar question is, is HD music really that much better then the rest? So say, the Onkyo 705/805 playing HD music compared to say the Cambridge audio/Arcam 300 playing DTS/Pro logic2, which is better?

I will be using my sound system for 90% movies and 10% maybe less for just music, if that helps.