2ch Amp that is better then a receiver but inexpensive?

I currently have a Onkyo Receiver that does 100w x6 (well, you know how that goes...)

I would eventually like to upgrade to a Emotiva XP3 for $700 3 channel, but i would still need an inexpensive 2ch/3ch for surrounds.

I don't want to drop $700 atm, is there an inexpensive 2ch/3ch that would be superior to my Onkyo receiver that I can use for my mains to take some of the load of my Receiver? (temporarily until i get the XPA3)

I know Emotiva makes a 2ch (upa2) for $300, but I was curious if there was anything else that was either cheaper or better.

Stick with the Emotiva if you plan on buying the XPA3. Better to stay with the same line of amps.

How big is your room? You might an XPA 2 or UPA-2 to be more than enough power to accomplish your goals. I have a 7 channel amp from them, it easily replaced a few Adcom and Rotel amps I was using, and I've also compared it to my NAD integrateds...
In terms of power, I haven't run out yet. Their power ratings are very conservative. My Rotel is rated for 100 watts a side, the LPA-1 125 all channels driven, but I'm sure it's easily peaking at well over 200 watts with just 2 channels going...

You don't have to buy Emotiva either...there's lots of solid amps out there in the used market for not a lot of money...I found even 60-80 watt Adcom/Rotel/Nad amps easily delivered more current and real power than the 100 x 5 watt receivers I owned...Lots of quality gear out there...

Here's a 6 ch NAD amp to consider- http://www.amazon.com/NAD-CI-9060-Si.../dp/B000TYJ7CO

I should have put more info

Receiver: Onkyo TX-DS797
Mains: Paradigm Studio Reference 100s V.2 & matching Center


I want to take the load off my Receiver so I have less risk of clipping and damaging my speakers.
I don't want to start with the front & center yet since I don't want to spend $600 right now.

50% music 50% Home theater

Room 11x14x7.5 (But I might be moving in less then a year)

(The Emovita $300 2chan is out of stock anyways atm)

I would check audiogon for a used B&K reference series 125.2 or something similar. They have a nice warm sound, are high current and can usually be found for around $300.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....1400-series-II

and there are quite a few Adcoms for sale there as well.

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Originally Posted by mademperor

I currently have a Onkyo Receiver that does 100w x6 (well, you know how that goes...)

I would eventually like to upgrade to a Emotiva XP3 for $700 3 channel, but i would still need an inexpensive 2ch/3ch for surrounds.

I don't want to drop $700 atm, is there an inexpensive 2ch/3ch that would be superior to my Onkyo receiver that I can use for my mains to take some of the load of my Receiver? (temporarily until i get the XPA3)

I know Emotiva makes a 2ch (upa2) for $300, but I was curious if there was anything else that was either cheaper or better.

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What don't you like about the DS-797 ? Do you have a large room, inefficent speakers and like to listen at ear-splitting levels ? I own and use a DS-696 on center and surrounds. It plays as loud as I ever need in a medium sized space. From my "observations" watching movies over time, the center and sub do most of the work. Surround channels don't have that much information in real world use anyway, so you should be more than good.

Save your money. Keep the DS-797 and use it for the surrounds. It will more than meet its 100W spec, two channels driven at the same time, and close to it into 3 channels. Its only the 100W all channels driven that it won't do, and again, in real world use it won't need to.