Best Amplifiers for SDA SRS?

jtconnell
jtconnell Posts: 65
edited July 2003 in Speakers
I was wondering what the concensus was (if there is such a thing) on the best way to power the SDA SRS. I'm running mine with a Luxman R-117 receiver which seems to do the job, but I'm wondering if bi-amping would improve things. Thus far, I've looked at Adcom GFA monoblocks, some Carver M series products and Yamaha M-85s. I've also thought about Luxman M-117s. Any thoughts?

Jason
Tour2ma: Note to self: Talk to Justin about changing jtc's rank to "part-time, distant, **** second cousin, Polkie"...

jtconnell: "That's LUCKY, part-time, distant, **** second cousin Polkie to you Mr."
Post edited by jtconnell on
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited July 2003
    Twin Krell KAV-250A running in "bridged" mode at 1000 watts each (into 8 ohms). Cost = $1500 each used.

    Of course, any higher Krell would do an even better job.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited July 2003
    Don't forget, if you use monoblock amps, you will have to tie the grounds of each amp together to simulate a "common ground" amp. Be sure to check with the amps manufacturer to make sure no problems will be caused by connecting the grounds together.

    If you look back through some of the old posts, You will find that the concensus is that you need a minimum of 200 watts of clean, high-current power to make your SDAs begin to wake up. The more power the better.

    I would be careful using bridged amps. Some amps double their distortion and noise characteristics when switched to bridged mode. This can translate to a "harder" less detailed sound.

    I tried bi-amping my SDA SRS 1.2TLs with two Adcom GFA-5802 amps. I liked the single amped sound better. The imaging was more solid and the sound was more detailed. This was the exact opposite of what I expected. However, when I bi-amped my 1.2TLs using two Adcom GFA-5500 amps, the bi-amped sound was dramatically better (better imaging, better detail) than the sound with one GFA-5500. However, the sound produced by the bi-amped GFA-5500s was not as good as the sound of a single GFA-5802. Bi-wiring my 1.2TLs made the soundstage and imaging less focused and precise.

    The results you get from bi-wiring/bi-amping depend on a lot of factors like amps, source components, cables, etc.

    Have fun experimenting. Let us know what your results are and what amp(s) and cables you decide to use.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    My 1.2TL's amplified by one Adcom 5802 biwired:)
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    My 2-channel Rig;)
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    With the grilles on...
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited July 2003
    Hey cuz,

    Where are the wires??? ;)

    Jesse
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited July 2003
    dangit har, in each room do u have a different setup???????
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    Wires or cables under and inside the baseboard and carpets:)
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    Attachment expired~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited July 2003
    *sigh* I have all these little speakers and you have these speakers that could have their way with mine and then laugh! hhahhahah! Love that adcom amp!!! Huge ****! NICE!!!!!!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • SPEAKER7
    SPEAKER7 Posts: 355
    edited July 2003
    nice pics!........it's making me wanting my own 2ch rig even sooner...


    dc.:D
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  • jtconnell
    jtconnell Posts: 65
    edited July 2003
    Great rig Har! I was looking at the Yamaha M-85. A pair of those can be had for $600 - $800 or so. They put out 260W/CH so I was thinking about getting two and bi-amping. It looks like the concensus so far though is the Adcom. I also was looking at Carver Silver Seven ts at 575W/CH. Any thoughts on these? The THD on those seems a little high, but I've got no experience with Carver products. BTW, anyone know anything about Van Alstine
    audio products? They make hybrid tube amps and their pitch is very convincing.
    Tour2ma: Note to self: Talk to Justin about changing jtc's rank to "part-time, distant, **** second cousin, Polkie"...

    jtconnell: "That's LUCKY, part-time, distant, **** second cousin Polkie to you Mr."
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited July 2003
    As for those high THD levels, humans (real humans) cannot discern THD figures as high as .5%. There will probably be someone who comes along and says they CAN discern lower levels than that. They will be full of **** (or not human).

    You can get figures like the mid-fi receivers of the 70's and 80's (.009% or less) by adding massive amounts of negative feedback into the design, which is NOT a good thing. Trust your ears, not the figures, and give those Carver amps a listen.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)
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  • SDA SRS 1.2
    SDA SRS 1.2 Posts: 255
    edited July 2003
    Here's another endorsement for Carver :D
    Main System: Polk SDA SRS 1.2 Speakers, Sunfire Signature 600~two Amp, Carver C-16 Preamp, Carver TX-11b Tuner, Marantz 6350Q TT, Philips CDR-775 Recorder, Teac V-707RX Cassette Deck, Signal Cable Double Run Speaker Cable

    Upstairs Den: Marantz 2325 Receiver, Marantz 5220 Cassette Deck, Marantz HD-880 Speakers, Marantz 6370Q TT

    Exercise (Kabuki speaker) Room: Kenwood KR-9600 Receiver, Pioneer CS-99a Speakers, Sansui SP-X9000 Speakers (not pretty, but LOUD! :) )
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited July 2003
    I have to give Carver props, too.

    I have a Sunfire Ultimate Receiver (7.1 @ 200 wpc). Made by the same man. OUTSTANDING.

    I think I am going to look into some Carver to drive a pair of SDA 2B's I just got.
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  • Steve@3dai
    Steve@3dai Posts: 983
    edited July 2003
    Har, where's the sources?
    LSi 9/C/FX
    Arcam AVR-200
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    Sources are in the basement. Exactly under that Sub and the amp. I don't want to overcrowd my 2 channel listening room because I have only a little space for this rig:)


    har
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited July 2003
    so how do you control the sources?? whats another componet on the amp?
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    I am using Adcom GTP 830 pre-amp with infrared remote
    control :)

    I can control it easily...cool huh:D

    Har
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  • peckgary
    peckgary Posts: 37
    edited July 2003
    I was wondering are you having to use an isolation transformer on your SDA cable with the Adcom 5802?
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  • har_navalta
    har_navalta Posts: 957
    edited July 2003
    With or without the isolation transformer will be fine. I never experience any problems with the Adcom 5802 on my SDA's.
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  • peckgary
    peckgary Posts: 37
    edited July 2003
    Thanks for the information. I have a adcom 5500 and 2 pairs of SDA 2B's. When I first got the amp, it did not sound right, so I made a new cable with an isolation transformer in it. It sounded better but not as good as when I had my Adcom 555II. I just read your post and put the original cable back on with out the isolation transformer on it and it sounded really good again. I am not sure why it sounds better now. Maybe the amp need a little time to break in. I just ran the amp for about 30 minutes at about 90db and it was still room temperature, so I am assuming it must be a common ground amp.

    Some days I get so confused :-)

    But I guess that is what is fun about this hobby. The never ending tweaks.
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