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Multi-channel Home Theater Amplifiers Reviewed

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At the core of every 5.1 or 7.1 home theater system is a lot of amplification power. Today's multi-channel amps bring that to the consumer in one convenient chassis. Read reviews of the best home theater multichannel amps from the likes of Krell, Mark Levinson, Classe, Lexicon, Outlaw Audio, Anthem, NAD and many others.

Latest Multi-Channel Amplifier Reviews

Anthem Statement P5 Multi-Channel Amplifier Reviewed

When it comes to naming cost no object amplifiers few brands come to mind, Krell, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Audio Research, Classe and that might be the list. But you've missed one. Anthem. While usually grouped among the value-for-money set, Anthem,......Read More

Krell Evolution 403 Amplifier Reviewed

Krell is a legend in the audio business, especially when it comes to power amplifiers. Their new line of Evolution amplifiers are touted as their best amplifiers ever. That's a pretty big claim, but when Dan D'Agostino talks, you should......Read More

All Multi-Channel Amplifier Reviews

Everything You Need To Know About Multi-channel Amplifiers

1.0 What is a Multi-channel Amp?
2.0 Types of Multi-channel Amps

2.1 Three Channel Amps
2.2 Five Channel Amps
2.3 Seven Channel Amps
2.4 Amps For Distributed Audio Systems

1.0 What is a Multi-Channel Amp?
A multi-channel power amplifier is an amp that has more than one channel of power amplification in the same chassis. Some amps on the high end have dedicated power supplies for each channel. Others share the same power supply, thereby lowering the overall cost of the amplifier.

Multi-channel amplifiers are popular in high-end home theater systems, as well as audiophile-grade music systems playing back audio in 5.1 surround.

2.0 Types of Multi-Channel Amps
There are numerous types of multi-channel amps, including solid state and tube-oriented designs. Increasingly, class D digital amps are made into multi-channel products that are very quiet, run cool and have lots of power compared to more traditional amplifiers.

2.1 Three-Channel Amps
Three-channel amps tend to be more audiophile-oriented, with price tags that are in line with what you would expect to see from an audiophile monoblock or stereo power amplifier. It is not uncommon to see three-channel amplifiers come with separate power supplies to retain the audiophile performance while still keeping all three channels inside of one chassis. Three-channel amps are often used for applications needing power for the three front channels (front left, front right and center), but are by no means limited to those roles.

2.2 Five-Channel Amps
The five-channel amplifier configuration is the most popular for multi-channel amplifiers, as they can accept a five-channel output from an AV preamp and supply power to everything but the often separately-powered "point 1" LFE or subwoofer channel.

2.3 Seven-Channel Amps
Seven-channel amplifiers are increasingly popular for systems that use the latest in surround sound technology, such as Dolby True HD and or DTS Master audio. Not only do the amps provide the dynamic range needed to make a better-than-theater audio experience, the seven channels allow for both side and rear speakers of a 7.1 surround speaker system. The "point 1" speaker goes normally to a powered or active subwoofer.

2.4 Amps For Distributed Audio Systems
Distributed audio systems that pipe music throughout an entire home use multi-channel amps that can have upwards of 24 to 26 channels of amplification. It is also not uncommon to see these amps be card-based, which means they are configurable as needed for each installation.

Heat is a big issue for these distributed audio system amplification systems, so digital amplifier (class D) technology is increasingly used in these amps.



Keywords

Home theater amps, multi-channel amps, five channel amps, seven channel amps, multi-zone amps, distribution amps, Multi-channel amp reviews, class-AB amps, Digital amps

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