Chiro amp

[Vistance]

Hey guys, would $160 be a good deal on a Chiro C 300 three channel amp? Rated at 140 watts per channel, 40 lbs, THX Ultra certified, original MSRP $1500. Just curious, I'm considering powering my mains on my Denon with this as the amp backing them and seem to recall hearing nice things about Chiro - just admittedly not seeing them for sale often (Or at higher prices when I do).

I know they usually make it out like three channel amps are supposed to power your center and two rears, but isn't it also acceptable to use it to power your mains and center?

Here's some pics (Not of his, but of the same model amp)

A question of curiosity too, what country is Chiro based out of?

 

[WhiteSE]

I had a Chiro C200 and enjoyed quite a bit!

 

[jjohnson]

I believe that Chiro was made by Kinergetics, a US company. Where it was manufactured, I don't know. Kinergetics has been out of business for a few years but had a reputation for making really good gear at a decent price point. I would think that $160 would be a very good price for the amp.:thmbsp:

 

[80sKid]

jjohnson has it right: The Chiro product line was made by Kinergetics and they were an American company. Their build quality was excellent. (You can see the "made in usa" badge on the back of that Chiro amp.) Getting the gear serviced could be a problem nowadays, since they've been out of business for a decade. But if you get it cheap enough, it's probably worth the risk. And yes $160 is a superb price for that unit.

 

[whoaru99]

I know they usually make it out like three channel amps are supposed to power your center and two rears, but isn't it also acceptable to use it to power your mains and center?

Yes, using for front and center is just fine.

The center and rear thing mostly is in context to people already having a stereo amp that's connected to the front left and right. So, going surround, one added the center and surround channel amplification using a 3-ch amp.

OTOH, if using a HT receiver, the 3-ch amp makes sense for front and center because those channels are generally more demanding than the surrounds. So, people use the external amp for those channels and leave the receiver's internal amps to power the surrounds.

 

[rifftrax]

I believe that Chiro was made by Kinergetics, a US company. Where it was manufactured, I don't know. Kinergetics has been out of business for a few years but had a reputation for making really good gear at a decent price point. I would think that $160 would be a very good price for the amp.:thmbsp:

I had some Chiro gear and it was indeed both very very expensive when new (bluebook on one of my Chiro preamps was $3k!!) and very very well built. $160 would be an awesome deal for that piece if the features suit you.

 

[Vistance]

OTOH, if using a HT receiver, the 3-ch amp makes sense for front and center because those channels are generally more demanding than the surrounds. So, people use the external amp for those channels and leave the receiver's internal amps to power the surrounds.

This - this was what I originally was planning to do, as the Denon has I think 120 wpc power into 7 channels and is rather beefy (And if you saw my room you'd probably say I don't even need something like the Chiro - I'm just tempted by high end stuff even if I don't really need it atm :yes. My room is roughly 10' x 8'x 8' so as it is the Denon might be overkill...but again, I'm tempted by good deals on nice stuff!

I keep wondering, how do you say the name? Is it "CH-EYE-ROW" or "CHEER-OH" or some other pronunciation? I just hate sounding silly saying names wrong - I recently saw some Classe stuff and the guy called it "Class-E" but given the accent mark over the last E and being Canadian I'm thinking it's more of a French sounding "Clazz-Ehh" but perhaps I'm just overthinking it. It's an A/V dealer selling the equipment which they've just upgraded for people, so they get their old gear as part of the deal and sell it. I'm thinking I might be able to get it for $150, but not sure.

 

[whoaru99]

This - this was what I originally was planning to do, as the Denon has I think 120 wpc power into 7 channels and is rather beefy (And if you saw my room you'd probably say I don't even need something like the Chiro - I'm just tempted by high end stuff even if I don't really need it atm :yes. My room is roughly 10' x 8'x 8' so as it is the Denon might be overkill...but again, I'm tempted by good deals on nice stuff!

I am not one to comment on overkill in this regard. In fact, some may say I indulge in it, perhaps even encourage it. My HT power adds into the multi-kilowatt range in a room roughly 22L x 12W, normal ceiling height.

 

[80sKid]

I would use the Chiro for your 3 front channels, because it's important that the power be equal on those channels. And I imagine you'll hear a noticeable sound improvement over the Denon's amps. (Denon AV receivers are great -- own one myself -- but they are 7 channel receivers, built with cost in mind, after all.) You may even get more dynamics/punch, as that amp should have more current than the Denon can muster.

Remember to do a sound level calibration after installing the different amp, because the change will potentially impact channel levels.

Sidebar comments regarding Audssey, if your Denon receiver has it: If you use the built-in auto calibration with Audyssey, be aware that the system sometimes defaults to an equalization curve that is not flat. Look in the Audyssey setup menus (for *each source input*) for the eq curve setting. Also note that Audyssey sometimes automatically enables DynamicEQ, which can also affect accurate reproduction. (Again, this is for each source that you have to set this.)

I have always pronounced the name "K-eye-Ro," but I don't know if that's in fact accurate.