The reading of this review is worth it, if you are in a state of flux about the age old question (what amp should I use for my system).
My system contains a Theta Casablanca processor, martin logan Aerius front l/r, with a logos center and M&K 750 direct radiating rear speakers.

Anyway, here's where the fun starts. I asked my local dealer if I could bring down my Carver 753 amp (250 watts x 3 channels) to compare it with the Sunfire and the ClasseCA200.

After listening to a 'blind' test, there wasn't alot of difference, especially for the price difference from a Carver $600 753, and the Classe $2600 CA200.

Anyway, I read alot of reviews about Cinepro and other amps, and decided that the above mentioned amps weren't worth purchasing, so I bought the ATI 1506 with the intention of running the 5 speakers on individual channels of amplification and having the additional channel for 6.1 (whenever that comes out).

To my surprise, the ATI sounded like complete crap running my martin logan aerius speakers. I couldn't believe it - even my wife, who watches movies and listens to music, commented that it sounded 'distant' and 'unlively' - and she didn't even know how I felt!

Anyway, upset with my purchasing decision, I decided to bridge all the channels, which literally equated to roughly 800 watts bridged into a 4 ohm speaker (the M.L. is a 4ohm). After bridging all 6 channels of the amp, it rocked. Never heard anything this clear. It sounded WAY BETTER than my initial 'blind' test vs. the Classe', Carver and Sunfire.

It sounds SO GOOD, that I just ordered a 1505 to bridge for my rear speakers, and still have the additional channel for the 6.1

All-in-all, if you only want one amp for a 5.1 system, and you're using Martin Logan's, go with a Sunfire. If you want no holds barred, Cinepro/Krell butt kicking power and liveliness, than go with a 1506 across the front, with another 1502 or 1504 in the rear. I can honestly say this 88 lb. bohemoth is never going anywhere, it sounds that clear and transparent, no comparisons...

email me for additional info.

System includes:

Theta Casablanca processor with DD, DTS, DPL, with superior DAC's x front
ATI 1506 for the front three speakers @ 4ohm = 800wpc
1505 for rear speakers and additional channel for 6.1
Pioneer DV-09 Elite DVD player
Pioneer LD406 player
martin logan aerius front left and right with logos center
M&K 750 direct radiating rear speakers (they match quite well with the M.L.)
Toshiba 71" HDTV compatible rear projection screen tv.

initialy, i was researching for a good home theater amplifier which has a lot of power and also excellent as stereo amp. i was looking for Marantz Ma500,sunfire, and also rotel. i hevent heard about ATI at that time. this was in january 1998. all other amps like sherbound, outlaw etc is not in market yet.i finnaly end up buying an ATI 1506 even my intention is for 1505, however because the price is good, and i get extra channel to spare, and it's even cheaper than new 1505 because i got it demo. i brigde the center channel as advised by my dealer and let the other run in normal 150 W. According to my ears, this amp is really worth my money. i upgraded my system 3 times but not the amp, it's still kicking as i wrote this. for just 150 Watt, i was surprise by the powerful performance of this amp. it never run out of power, never clipped or distorted even i turn the volume 3/4 way up.
Until i discovered the hidden jewel of this amp, I accidentally talked about this amp with ED frias from CA, a speaker designer ( his review down here) about this amp when i made a gear trade. he asked me to try this... and i was really blown away... my paradigm speakers never sounded so good. the soundstage become wider and deeper. the imaging so accurate I could feel the musician in front of me. all of my friends thought i bought a new amp and they were surprise an amp this cheap could deliver sound this big with top high end quality. since that day, i never listen to stereo in normal 150 watt again. it's not bad sounding but the bridge mode sounded so good that making me get up and reconnect my system.It's a pain in the ass, but i don't have other choice.
i plan to buy other amp for my rears and keep the 1506 in bridge mode.

my components are:

Paradigm Studio 100 version 2
paradigm Studio CC
Paradigm atom
Sherwood subwoofer modified by ED Fris Enterprise.
ATI AT1506 amp
EAD Theatermaster Encore.
EAD T-1000 cd transport.
Cardas Quadlink 5C speaker cable.
Kimber Hero & Dh labs silver sonic Interconnects
canare digiflex digital cable.
pioneer dv-414 dvd player.

this is the best HT/stereo setup i ever had.

thanks ED.

Remote power should be standard

The ATI AT1506 is an outstanding value. This amp competes with the high-end models for a fraction of the price. The AT1506 combines two presentations that you rarely find together in amplifiers, warm sound with an upfront detailed image. The soundstage is what sets this amp apart from all pretenders, simple put phenomenal. If you are looking for bass slam in the un-bridged mode this amp is not for you. However, if you are looking for a sophisticated (warm) sound with lots of detail you can't go wrong with the 1506. Since I use the ATI AT1506 with Klipsch Legend (KLF 20) speakers, I do not utilize the bridged mode. The ATI operates in class A up to 15 watts.

Similar Products Used:

Signature 2.1, Pioneer VSX 1

Build Quality, Power, Value

None

I have been enjoying my ATI 1506 amp for about 2 months. It has surprised me how great it sounds. The improvement over my Yamaha RX-V995 receiver alone is astonishing.

My Home Theater system consists of EFE T-36 front speakers, EFE C-22 center speaker, B&W Signature 7 in wall rear speakers. A Yamaha RX-V995 used as a preamp into the ATI
1506 amp. A Toshiba 61H95 HDTV, Toshiba 5106 DVD, Sony Satellite and Toshiba VCR.

I have found the EFE speakers to have such a great sound and outstanding bass I have removed my subwoofer from my system.

The ATI 1506 has ability to Bridge the channels. This gives it great versatility and flexability to change your speaker power output. 8 ohm speakers can go from 150 watts to 450 watts. 4 ohm speakers (like EFE) go from 225 watts to 800 watts. I am still experimenting on what set up works best.

Many thanks to Ed Frias for his help and advice in selecting
EFE and ATI. The Quality, Value and Performance are
outstanding.

Similar Products Used:

Anthem, Carver, B&K etc.

Power, power, power ...

Must wear Home Depot back belt to move ...

My ATI 1506 amp sounded soooo good when I first hooked it up I was reluctant to try the bridge mode. I mean, 450 watts into my Totems? I was thinking melt-down. But
this amp is so well made, the power so pure, that the bridge
mode was just another dynamic leap in sound. Unbelievable.

I have this amp driving five pairs of speakers in my house.
No home theatre, my friends. Just audio: Coltrane wailing in every room. (When the wife and kids are gone ...)

I'm not an audiophile, just a simple jazz fan who, thanks to Ed and Paul, found the amp of his dreams. This baby is
so big I had to stand it on its face (on two x fours) in
my cabinet. Makes quite a statement!

P.S. The people at ATI are super, too.

Similar Products Used:

none

High power, ability to bridge, cool industrial look

So freakin' heavy, kind of difficult if you have to move.

I owned this amp for about 6 months and it drove Vandersteen 2CE's using Kimber 8TC. Preamp was a Creek OBH-12. I thought this amp was pretty good, but lacked something on the high end. It was adequately neutral, with good bass, decent high-end extension, just sounding somewhat sterile and less than airy in the high's. Not really too rich or particularly lively in the midrange either. None of these are really faults with the amp- I just didn't think it sounded all that great. The situation in the bass and midrange improved greatly with bridging- then this beast kicked ass. After bridging, this amp had a richness and depth which really felt good, but I'd say the high-end got a little thicker sounding, and lost a lot of extension and air. I found I only liked listening to it bridged, but I couldn't afford another one, and had nothing powering my rears! So, in the end, I sold that humongous amp, and bought a Sunfire, which I liked better, even though it couldn't match the midrange and bass of the ATI when bridged- I think very few amps could.

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire Stereo, Marantz MA500, Marantz MA700