Dilemma...7100 or M-200?

I received my email confirming 7100 ready to ship. I currently use a Parasound 855 to power my front and rear 5 speakers. I use an old Denon stereo receiver to power my 2 back speakers for 7.1 My issue is I really like the sound of my parasound amp and it powers my 950 and paradigm 9's and mini-monitors nicely. But I am considering upgrading to the 7100 for all 7 speakers. Or should I purchase two M-200 to power my mains. I am worried that it will sound different if I mix it with the 855. Any suggestions?

Will you be selling your parasound?

If I do go with the 7100, I will be selling my parasound 855.

Since you say you like the the Parasound I would go the M200 route. You would save some money and I doubt you would notice the dirfference between the 85watts vs the 100watts of the 7100 on the surrounds. Although you may want to consider a third M200 for the center down the road.

I'd recommend rethinking your options on the M-200. I only speak out of speculation...

With the size of the M200, and lack of heat dissipation (large heat sinks) it most certainly must be a switching amplfiier. Though there have been some great advancements switching amplifiers (Class T from Tripath, Crown's proprietary switching - used in the Lexicon LX series amps... Crown designed and builds them in Indiana), I'm a little leary on switching architectures.

I guess I'd like to see some "real" specifications on the M200 other than the THD specs listed on the Outlaw sight. I want to see some IMD and THD tests... and see what the spectral noise floor looks like in Audio Precision or similar FFT system. And perhaps even a multi-tone spectral view of frequency response. I have been utterly blown away with the performance of my friend's 950... and I've heard nothing but great response from the 750 and 770... but those are good old classic Class A/B.

Seeing as you are going to be mating it with a Parasound HCA855 (I own one of these also), I'd strongly reconsider just buying a couple M200's for the main system without being able to hear them. I suppose you could always return them (not sure of Outlaws return policy/satisfaction guarantee).

On the other hand, I'm fairly confident they don't "suck." So, if you're not pleased with them, you could always use them in the bedroom or rec room I just don't think they'll have the fluidity of the Parasound. Again, this is all speculation based on my experience with switching amps.

Perhaps you could consider picking up a 2ch. Parasound on ebay. Or an ATI??

Good luck -

Fairly accurate speculation... As discussed in greater detail in the Model 200 forum (including a post by Scott on December 2 in this thread where it was first explained), the 200's are class A/B for output up to 80W, then are class G above 80W.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Would it be accurate to say if you never drive your 85Watt amps to clipping you probably would not push the 7100's beyond Class A/B? Maybe this also depends on the effeciency of the speakers???

You mean the 200's? I suspect the answer to that is "yes."

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Crawling into fetal position:

Yes, I just found another post quoting Scott's remarks on the M200. I'll copy/paste them here:



So, the M200 IS Class A/B - at least up to 80W... matches the Parasound HCA855 at 85W pretty darn well!! In this case, I'd certainly go with the M200s... from what I've been reading about them in reviews the past few hours... I have yet to overrun the 85W of my HCA855 ... And, also, even in Class G, is still a completely linear amplifier. Its basically completely Class A/B - when it "switches" to Class G, it still operates in as a Class A/B amplifier - the power supply rails just change. Pretty cool !

Sorry to have created any confusion. I'd say try out the 200's...

I'd say give the M200's a try. I currently use them in my system. They replaced a pair of Marantz MA500's. They are a big improvement in Stereo and I use them with 3 MA500's for 5.1 and do not notice a significant difference in voicing over all Marantz amplification. I will probably buy another for center channel duties in the fall, after we move. Good luck.

You don't mention what speakers you are using, but the added muscle of the 200's would be good. Going from 80w to 100w isn't a big jump.

I added two M200's (L&R front) to my system. I was using the 750 and an old Denon for the back channels. The M200's seemed to be an upgrade from the 750 in two channel, they sounded more detailed than the 750.