Amp for experimentation query

diyAudio Member
Joined 2007
I've been playing around without serious building.
I've been using a Behringer CX crossover for approximations and an old Rotel multi-channel amp.
The amp is OK but being an older amp [ the RMB 1048] the power is limited.
I've managed to put a little money aside and I'm thinking about getting something with a little more Oooomph so I can use it double duty as my party amp as the old ones are slowly losing power and I can't be bothered getting them rebuilt [ I'll be able to sell them tho as "Vintage amplifiers] so looking at second hand multi channel amps which units do people think offer the best bang-for-buck?

I'd like to opt for multi channel amps here to keep the space used for power to a minimum.
I'd like to spend less than $1k- if I can.
 
Here’s my system: 6 channels of amplification spread over 5 cases. (4 mono blocks plus 1 stereo)

88D6C821-C593-4E0C-A790-6B7121736316.jpeg

Of course if took me a long twisty road - time and knowledge to assemble them and budget too (Hypex NC400 x6)

If I were starting out today I would buy a multi channel amp from a start-up that was DIY friendly; offering multi channel class D amps, that are smart- expandable, up/downgrade
able for your needs or budget.

Eg.
https://kjfaudio.com/hypex-amplifiers/

near state of the art Hypex nCore amplification in a single amplifier case, with silent running case fans.

I would start with nC252 stereo, then wait awhile to see if I needed quad or hex then octo
 
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I'd buy three Peavey CS800s for 6 channels. Each is 1.5" high, 19" wide, has back panel fan ports. 400 w/ch 4 ohms 240 8 ohms. Fan runs slowly if used at 2 watts like I do most of the time. I've fixed 2 of them: one had the 1000 ohm 1/10 watt resistors in the input blown by some roady who plugged a 75 w instrument amp in the mike port. The other blew a 5 v regulator resistor in the switcher supply, due to a shorted 47 uf cap. 30 year old e-caps short out, Duh! One was $100, the other $140 with freight. I did replace a lot of e-caps and clean the heat sink from dirt.
We teach how to repair these things over on solid state forum. Takes a $40 DVM and sometimes a $40 analog VOM with 20 vac scale. Digitals lie on AC scale testing music, they are only accurate at 50/60 hz. Also digitals miss quick pulses; they average over 2-4 seconds. Plus soldering iron, pliers, cutters, screwdrivers, safety glasses. Fixing cheap beater amps is more fun than crossword puzzles.
 
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