Multichannel Power Amplifier: 5 models for every type of listener
If you are on this page, you are probably thinking of opting for the separation of your receiver, that’s mean a preamp receiver plus multichannel power amp, in the future we will also talk about this topic (AV Receivers vs. Separates), for now let me give you some advice if you are looking for multi-channel amplifiers to give life to your home theater system.
Did you check the Pre Out?
In any case also if you have a standard receiver you probably noticed that an RCA pre out section is available, that's mean that you can still use your receiver as separate adding a multichannel amplifier through RCA connection. Some AV receiver, like for example the Denon AVC X6700H in the picture, is also giving the possibility to disable all the internal power amplifier to have better sound quality if we decide to move in this direction.
Best Value for money multichannel power amplifier
The Emotiva XPA-7 Gen3 is a seven-channel amplifier. The XPA-7 Gen3 offers good technical performance and an explosive dynamic for all types of movie and music. Winner of the EISA Awards in 2021 like best Home Theater amplifier is represent a great value for money choice, equipped with seven high-power single-channel modules, for a total of seven high-power channels, making it the perfect foundation on which to build an excellent 7.1-channel home theater or a high-end 5.1 channel system with bi-amped front speakers. The XPA-7 Gen3 delivers 200 Watts RMS x 7 into 8 Ohms with all channels driven (and 300 Watts RMS into 8 Ohms or 490 Watts RMS into 4 Ohms with two channels driven). The amplification modules make it perfectly configurable so as to be able to choose even just 2 sections up to 11.
For more info please visit Emotiva website.
I personally have one at home, since almost one year, powering my Dolby Atmos 5.2.4 system and connected to the Yamaha CX-A5200 receiver. I can describe the sound of the XPA7 gen 3 like warm, incredibly dynamic with a great authority and huge soundstage.
For those with no budget problems
The McIntosh MC257 7-Channel Solid State Amplifier represents absolutely the American charm, big blue eyes are an icon of probably the most controversial brand among users. 15” (38 cm) wide Triple View meter design is a streamlined approach to the three individual meters found on the previous generation 7-channel home theater amplifier. Instead of three separate meter windows, each housing a single meter, the Triple View features three of our traditional mechanical meters in a single meter enclosure. When using just the front left, center and right channels, power output has been increased by 25% from 200 Watts per channel to 250 Watts per channel. When using all 7 channels, each will receive a healthy 200 Watts per channel. Regardless of how many channels are used, the full 200 or 250 Watts is delivered to either 4 or 8 Ohm speakers via our Dynamic Power Manager® (DPM) technology.
200 Watts are a lot of power, I have never seen my MC312 (300 Watts x 2 Channels) meter pass the 3 Watts during all my Hi-Fi Journey, just for giving you an idea. Still have the MC312 powering my Sonus Faber Serafino Tradition, all directed by a Cambridge Audio Edge NQ Pre Amp-streamer and is absolutely a magical experience.
For those with budget problems
A slight decrease in the number of channels, and exactly 5 instead of 7, and a lot in the retail price, my pick is the Rotel RMB-1555.
Class AB amplifier design, 120 watts per channel over the entire frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz and with all channels operating simultaneously.
Solid toroidal transformer, discrete output transistors, solid speaker connections and a 12 V trigger input make the Rotel RMB-1555 extremely practical. Available in 2 finish, silver and black, represents a big step in improving your home theater compared to any traditional receiver.
For the discerning audiophile
‘‘When you choose Parasound you're getting uncompromised quality for every model. They all use the best parts and each must pass our strictest quality assurance.’’ That's phrase is coming directly from the Parasound website, and you know what? They are not joking! Parasound has always been one of the most respected and loved brands, not only in the world of the Hi-Fi world but also in the Home Theater. Parasound A51 is a 5 channel power amplifier with a circuitry directly designed by legendary John Curl.
Its circuit technologies are considered exceptionally advanced in the industry. Less is often more - especially when it comes to the number of sounds-determining components in the signal path or the length of the signal paths themselves. Parasound also stands for an excellent price-performance ratio - the sound quality sometimes clearly surpasses equate expensive competitor products.
The A51 is available in 2 finishes, black and silver, and offer a THX certification, Class A/AB operation, Balanced inputs with discrete circuits and XLR connectors, no capacitors or inductors in signal path, complementary MOSFET driver stage and JFET input stage, 2.2 KVA encapsulated toroid power transformer with independent secondary windings for each channel, 164,000 μF power supply filter capacitance and a power of 250 watts RMS x 5, 20 Hz - 20 kHz into 8 Ω with all channels driven.
For those who are still in doubt about Class D amplifier.
NAD company was founded in1972 (London) by the Dr. Martin Borish an electrical engineer with a doctorate in physics. In the late seventies after hiring the engineer, Mr. Bjørn-Erik Edvardsen, the company creates what will be their most famous product, the NAD 3020 an integrated amplifier that will be highly appreciated and will get a lot of success over the world. NAD's philosophy was to include only truly essential features and focus on audio quality rather than aesthetics. Compared to competitors, these products are often supported by notable technologies such as class D amplification. A class-D amplifier or switching amplifier is an electronic amplifier in which the amplifying devices (transistors, usually MOSFETs) operate as electronic switches and not as linear gain devices as in other amplifiers. As the transistors are either completely on or completely off, they spend little time in their linear region, going to dissipate less power and this is the main reason for their high efficiency.
In 2009 the integrated NAD M2 comes out redefining the class D amplification category and destroying the preconceptions of many audiophiles, who the amplification class D it couldn't deliver high performance sound.
Around August 2020 the NAD M28 come out on the market, seven-channel amplifier for Home Theater, successor of the NAD M27. The difference between M27 and M28 lies in the use of technology "Eigentakt" (self-clocking) amplification by Purifi, which are an improvement is an evolution of the previous Hipex nCore. Purifi is one Danish technology company which brought together many of the leading engineers and experts from audio industry that license their technologies to customers like NAD to be able to use it in their own devices.
The NAD M28 is rated conservatively at 200W per channel (8 ohms) and well over 320W dynamic power (8 ohms; all channels driven), the result is impressive, extremely dynamic with a reconstruction of the scene in a holographic way . The M28 can accept both balanced and single-ended inputs, and features high-quality binding posts for speaker connection. The compact dimensions of this highly energy-efficient design belie the massive amount of power available for the most demanding music and movies.
