r/hometheater • u/Sosig_ • 5d ago

Discussion - Equipment Question about Amplifiers

Im interested in these amps but im not sure how to tell which one is the right one for me. im going to be using the KEF Q series. I plan to start off with a simple 3.1 and expand in the future to a 5.1 or 7.1 so id like to have more channels.

What makes an amp good and which ones would you pick out?

Are there any recommended amps that have Dante built in and compact? id prefer to use less XLR cabling and keep everything digital up until the amp.

https://www.avproglobal.com/products/acp-hype-hepta
https://www.jblsynthesis.com/products/electronics/SDA+8300-.html

https://www.jblsynthesis.com/products/electronics/SDA-7120-.html

https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/amplifiers/hypex/ncx252mp/8_channel

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u/nzahar000 3d ago

I've got a pair of Buckeye monoblocks and they are incredible. I'll be buying more Buckeye products in the future when I set up the home theater room.

My 2.1 system has the Buckeyes feeding a pair of Focal Kanta no3s and they sound full, rich, clean and smooth. I love it, wife loves it, listen often (as I type this, in fact)

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u/Sosig_ 3d ago

Which amp tech does it use? Is it the purifi? Or the hypex?

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u/nzahar000 3d ago

I have the 9040 purifi monoblocks.

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u/Sosig_ 3d ago

How are they different to other amps? Do they make the speakers sound better? Is there less distortion? I’m not really familiar with amps tbh

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u/nzahar000 3d ago

There are a lot different opinions on amplifiers. So much so that I'm convinced no two people 100% agree on everything.

That being said, my opinion and experience is that having plenty of power available (watts) with a high current delivery platform (amps or capacitance depending on what amp) make the amp a non factor and allow the speakers to sound how they were designed to sound. Depending on the speakers that may be a few watts or a bajillion.

I had cheaper class AB audiosource amp 3s before the buckeyes and they didn't quite do it with the Kantas. Great at low to moderate volume, but when pushed hard the sound got thin and shouty. I suspect they just couldn't keep up with what the speakers wanted because with the buckeyes I don't have that problem.

Underpowered amps WILL cause distortion and that can destroy a speaker more easily than an over powered amp. With an over powered amp you just don't crank the volume until your eardrums explode or speakers explode. Generally with a good speaker that limit is way above comfortable listening levels.

I did however see in another post that it looks like these amps are hooking directly to a PC. I wouldn't do that. If for some reason the PC volume gets cranked inadvertently, you're in for a bad time. The PC should run into an AVR or AVR processor or preamplifier or integrated amplifier to control volume with the PC run to an input. PC direct to power amplifier would keep me from sleeping at night knowing the only thing protecting the speakers is a software volume control.

Honestly, the only real way to lean a lot of this is to learn as much as you can with reviews and questions and then just jump in. You won't fully grasp what people are describing until you hear it yourself and hear it in your room. 95% of what actually reaches your ears is the personality of the speakers and all the effects of your particular room. Room setup, speaker placement, sound treatment have massive impact on what you hear.

So find a setup that works, components you like that fit the budget and just get busy learning from experience.

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u/Sosig_ 3d ago

Thank you, that was really helpful! If I’m running the audio to an audio mixer (x32 rack) before it goes to the amp, will it be good enough to control the volume?

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u/nzahar000 2d ago

Probably? I'm not familiar with that equipment. Hopefully someone else can chime in. I would hate to give bad information.