Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: bearjew on December 09, 2014, 04:21:02 PM
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Ok, so I had this huge DIY project in mind for building amps, but as funds don't seem to be heading in that direction, I am re-evaluating the situation. I am considering a different route. I currently have a Sunfire TGA-7200 that I scored on eBay. My speakers require 6 channels, so basically I either use an amp like that, or buy 3 stereo amps. I have a few options, such as buying 3 Emotiva XPA-200's. One of the things that makes this appeal to me (other than the warranty, and it would look cool, etc.) is that generally a stereo amp performs better than an amp with 7 channels in it. Also, the Emotivas have less THD. Another angle I'm looking into are pro-audio reference amps. I plan on using this setup for working on movies and music, so flat response is ideal. Ironically, I know the ins and outs of digital audio, but pro reference amps aren't my wheelhouse, so anyone with knowledge of that, feel free to chime in (unless your solution for that is Behringer). Obviously, I'm searching for what everyone else is searching for: clean sound. I'm going to need at least 150w/4ohms per channel in order to get a good volume comfortably. This is based on the fact that the subwoofer of the speakers is a 6.5" JL 6w3v3-4.
So, to shorten things...
6 channels = one 6-7 channel amp (since 7 is more common), 3 stereo amps, or 6 monoblocks... something tells me monoblocks are out of the question.
150 watts at 4 ohms
rackmountable is definitely a plus
used for pro work; so i guess reference amps maybe?
as for reference amps, it seems like Crown and QSC are the bees knees out there; i'd like to see something other than those (besides behringer, which might be the lowest quality amplifier i have ever heard, and samson, who might be a close second to behringer).
thanks in advance guys; i realize this is a pretty broad question, but it should make for an interesting thread to see what you guys like
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BJ-I don't know what the cost of the amps you mentioned is, new or used. What is your budget?
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http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/4797016300.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/4797016300.html)
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http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/4797016300.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/4797016300.html)
Perreaux made some nice equipment.
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I'm partial to the emotivas obviously
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I'm guessing you're toying with an active 3-way system?
Here's an option you can fiddle with: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ma1260-multi-zone-12-channel-amplifier-60wpc--300-8150 (http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ma1260-multi-zone-12-channel-amplifier-60wpc--300-8150)
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If you're thinking of pro audio stuff I highly recommend the Crown XLS 1500, 2000, or 2500. You can google them for HT use. Work great and zero fan noise. Fans spin so slow they are dead quiet. Do not get the xls 1000....its has more floor noise.
Sound great (provided they gel with the rest of your setup). 2u rack space. Rca inputs too.
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Pass designed Class A amps to Emo and Crown. You can't get much further apart, IMO.
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Pass designed Class A amps to Emo and Crown. You can't get much further apart, IMO.
Sure...but he did ask about pro amps. And the Crowns have a following as HT amps. I've used them very successfully.
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I think that Perreaux may be Nicks amp. He had one for sale a while back.
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BJ, you need to play the lottery.
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BJ, you need to play the lottery.
Or just get rid of the other things sucking up stereo funds....wife, bad kids.... >:D
Of course I'm just kidding...well....maybe ???
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The pass design amps are on hold for now since the chassis sent them out of my price range. Right now I'm trying to keep within the price range of selling the tga-7200 if I even decide to sell it. I'm more or less weighing my options.
Adamg, I'm not actually toying with anything, I'm going to have my speakers relatively soon, and they're triampable. That Dayton has twice as many channels as I need haha
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The Perreaux is mine, PM me. Nick
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Well I'll second the Crown XLS on that note then, they've got rave reviews in the audio-phoolery community. They're workhorses.
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What's wrong with the Sunfire? Martin runs one in his set up and it sounds great! I know a lot of guys running those amps in stereo mode including me currently.
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I still swear by My Crown PS-400. Cools by convection (no fans) Reliable as gravity, and sound very neutral.
These workhorses powered many a theater, back in the 90's and into this millennium. They also look great racked up.
Can be had used for about 250.
You are more than welcome to an audition. I have an extra you can borrow for a weekend if you would like to try it out. or just bring a set of bookshelves and we can wire it up right here.
Cheers,
Andrew
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A really good friend of mine ran two modded version of this amplifier. It sounded incredible. One should do fine for your needs. Unfortunately he passed away and I don't know what mods he did. It was a royal pain to mod though, as a warning. Good luck!
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@Kingman -> and me, I have compared the Sunfire 400x5 in biamping mode through the JBL M552 xover to multiple high end amps and, at least in my setup, the Sunfire sounds as good. The only downside is that the elitist will accuse you of using home theater equipment in your systems ("you are putting chevy parts on a ferrari" and similar comments). Fortunately, all I care is how good the sound that the ribbons repreduce is, and to me it is good.
The Pass amps that courageous BJ is seeking to build look interesting and could be a home run, but my fear is building one (or worse 3!) and discovering they sound marginal or have a crazy untraceable hum that no one can tell where it is coming from etc. They could also be tough to sell if BJ is not happy with the result, so I have been harassing him to reconsider.
OBG
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You should get two emotiva XPA-3 amps! 3 x 330 into 4 ohms and then you can have one sexy amp sitting next to each sexy speaker.
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You should get two emotiva XPA-3 amps! 3 x 330 into 4 ohms and then you can have one sexy amp sitting next to each sexy speaker.
it's actually 300 dollars cheaper for me to buy 3 xpa-200's. the xpa-3 is a little overpowering for my needs also.
A really good friend of mine ran two modded version of this amplifier. It sounded incredible. One should do fine for your needs. Unfortunately he passed away and I don't know what mods he did. It was a royal pain to mod though, as a warning. Good luck!
what amp?
in the end, i think i'm going to leave the pro amps alone, at least for now; they might be a good secondary setup down the road. i think it's really coming down to sunfire vs. emotiva. it seems like a lot of people are prefering the emotivas these days. i got a buddy running xpa-1's, so i'm going to take a sunfire amp up to his place this weekend and check out both and see how i feel after. we shall see.
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I have recommended the Emotivas to people at work just starting in this addiction, and they all seem happy with the results. They have beefy power supplies and seem well made.
My Sunfire (aka Kitty) is doing great so not changing it for now.
OBG
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Oops, a cinepro.
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If you wait a bit Pepe will probably be selling off something.
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Does the Absolute Sound or Stereophile recommend anything affordable these days ?
The best sounding amps I own are low power.
My Electrocompaniet amp is warmer and sweeter than most tube amps and very musical but its only 40 watts and gets hot as a stove.
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Does the Absolute Sound or Stereophile recommend anything affordable these days ?
The best sounding amps I own are low power.
My Electrocompaniet amp is warmer and sweeter than most tube amps and very musical but its only 40 watts and gets hot as a stove.
I need at very minimum 50 watts at 8 ohms, and I'd need 3 amps, so yeah...
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the xpa-3 is a little overpowering for my needs also.
BJ you must be f**king crazy, you never have enough power ;)
Hope you are doing well, how's the misses?
Brian
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What's wrong with the Sunfire? Martin runs one in his set up and it sounds great! I know a lot of guys running those amps in stereo mode including me currently.
I would imagine your speakers will be 4ohm right? I doubt you'll need more than 400watts a channel. I agree that you should keep the Sunfire, see how it sounds with those new ugly ass speakers. :laugh:
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the xpa-3 is a little overpowering for my needs also.
BJ you must be f**king crazy, you never have enough power ;)
Hope you are doing well, how's the misses?
Brian
haha i always thought that too until now.
we are doing well; she's still adjusting to the mass amount of money i keep trying to sink into my stereo haha. really trying to wrap things up though; at least for now. i would like to find one solid, completed setup to enjoy. it's difficult though...especially when i don't have my speakers haha
What's wrong with the Sunfire? Martin runs one in his set up and it sounds great! I know a lot of guys running those amps in stereo mode including me currently.
I would imagine your speakers will be 4ohm right? I doubt you'll need more than 400watts a channel. I agree that you should keep the Sunfire, see how it sounds with those new ugly ass speakers. :laugh:
yeah; i'm starting to think maybe i'll hold onto it for now. i'm sure i'll like it more than having an ugly ass irish friend.
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Have you looked up the Cinepro yet? I think I recommend the 3k6
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Have you looked up the Cinepro yet? I think I recommend the 3k6
yeah; but i don't see one available anywhere
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2k5 should do fine. Hifishark.com is your friend.
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649149904-cinepro-2k5-5-6-channel-high-end-home-theater-amplifier/ (http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649149904-cinepro-2k5-5-6-channel-high-end-home-theater-amplifier/)
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but, but, that would be a home theater amp?
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Indeed. The one I have heard was modified and unfortunately I cannot give much feedback past that. Sounded better than Krell KAV 2250 amplifiers, Parasound, or Krell KAV 250a to me. Those are just other amps I heard in the mix.
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if it keeps sitting there by the time i'm ready, maybe i'll take a stab at it, but i think i'm going to hold until
a) my speakers are here
and
b) i see where my funds are at when the speakers are here. have a few things in the works suddenly that might result in me being back on track for the pass build. i'm really hoping for that... then once i have those, i need to buy a class a/b amp so i don't die during the summers haha.