One of the nice parts about the recession is really good deals on used stuff. I have been wanting to add an additional power amp to my home stereo system so that I can drive the front and rear speakers off of seperate amps, giving me more precise tonal and volume control. I have run across two different units, both in excellent condition and both under 50% book price. One is a QSC Audio RMX-850, a brand I have never heard of before that seems to have consistently excellent reviews for clear sound and low distortion, rated 185 W P.C.@ 8Ohms, for $150 (369$ Amazon, new).

The other is a mighty beast, it is a Peavey PV-500 Professional Stereo Amp, designed to run strings of speakers down to 2ohms per channel, 250 W P.C. @8 Ohms, which according to reviews, is a conservative rating. The amp has very advanced power protection circuits compared to the other one. It's $229 (list $469, Guitar Center)

I intend to power a set of Infinty SM-225 15" speakers, with a possibility that I might tag a set of 8" Altec Lansing's I have laying around, to each channel. If any audio fan has any experience or input on these pieces of equipment, I would appreciate hearing it.

Can't help you, but this'll be interesting to watch. I spent my wad on audio equipment in the 70's and am still quite happy with my set-up. Pretty simple. Marantz model 500 amp and 3800 pre-amp and a pair of Ohm F speakers. I've switched out cd players, turntables etc. over the years but the base set up remains in mint condition. No reason to change it. Not really an audiophile. Just like purty mewsick.

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I still have a lot of mine from that era. My Harmon Kardon Citation pre-amp and power amp is still the heart of my music system. A lot of my stuff went to my kids when they got older, sadly, much of it disappeared. The Marantz receiver I had back then was a wonderful piece of equipment.

After a certain age, every major audio equipment investment should first start with a visit to the local audiologist for a hearing test.

I think, for what you want, the best value for money is Marantz MA500 power amps. Friend of mine has a 5.1 system and he uses one per speaker and something else for his sub. They can be had for about $100 apiece.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-MA-500-Monoblock-Amps-/150471927447?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2308d36697

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Thanks for the tip, first I'd ever heard of them.

Between the two, I would not hesitate to buy the QSC. They typically have better transformer circuitry which will translate into cleaner sound.
As for the specs, Peavey is notorious for stretching the truth, which is not a habit of QSC.
Either amp seems like overkill for your application, but better to have too much than too little.
In my line of work (pro audio), I work with QSC equipment every day, but the Peavey gear is few and far between, especially amplifiers.

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What pre amp or integrated amp are you using?

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I have a Harmon Kardon Citation pre-amp built in the 70's for music playing, and I have an HK AVR 230 6.1 Receiver with built in pre-amp outputs for the video system. The Citiation pre-amp is the boss of music sytem, which is getting a two-channel RC jack feed from the AVR 230 into the Citation pre-amp, and this pre-amp feeds into an HK 200 watt power amp, which is powering two Infinity 15" Studio Monitors as rear speakers and two Infinity Reference 2000 speakers as fronts - which is IMO, underpowered.

What I was thinking of doing is powering my rear 15" Infinity Studio Monitors seperately, since they tend to be overkill when played with the 6.1 system - I will kick the Citation pre-amp on (now coupled to this new amp I want to buy) running the 15" speakers, when I use the AV system to play a CD or other music source, and otherwise leave it off when watching sports or movies. I would continue to use the existing stereo two channel power amp to run the AV front Infinity Reference towers off the AV pre-amp outputs, simply because it sounds really good set up that way. The AVR will continue to run the surrounds, sub, center and back, and a small set of Advent speakers I have as additional fronts.

I took a closer look at the QSC yesterday, it is the QSC RMX 850, it does not have RCA inputs, it has standard musical-instrument style jacks, and then it has a series of screw posts for input as well. It's been used as a guitar amp. I'm a little concerned that the dip switch for clipping overload protection has been set to off, I was under the impression that this shut the amp off before damage could occur. Would that concern you if you were buying this equipment used? The owner proclaims profusely what a great amp it is, and is offering a 90 day guarantee. Price is $180, he won't budge on it.

The more I look at this, the more this is looking like the way to go...

Do you know where they can be purchased new?

^ Those are highly rated.
Not sure of where to pick up new ones.

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83 SD

84 CD

QSC makes excellent amps. I've used them for years with no problems. The QSC you're referring to here is a "commercial" piece of equipment and accepts a +4 db signal level. Your HK is a "home" system with a signal level of around -10 to -20db.

To make them work together, or any commercial to home interface, you'll need a device that's sometimes called a "line driver" or "line matching device" which is an active amplifier that jacks up signals to the approproate level. If you do't use one, the amplifier will perform far below expectations.

It's sort of akin to having a 500HP car with a wood block under the accelerator pedal.

Beware of this situation with whatever combination you end up with.

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2000 F250

How do they play recorded music through these amplifiers in resturants and such ?

I don't think they are made anymore. You're gonna have to buy used.

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