Best used Amp can be purchased for < $500, to run SDA-2a's

JNinja

Hey guys, I'm running an Ashly FET-500 amp (400wpc) on my SDA-2a's ... what is the best amp for the job, that I can EASILY find used for under $500.... preferably:

>500wpc @ 4ohms
Of course Common ground

Thanks in advance.

tonyb

There is no "best amp", only one that sounds good to YOU. Throw out the idea that you need 500 watts too.

Parasound....as we've suggested before, is a good match with SDA's and Polk speakers in general. So is B&k...either can be had on the used markets for your price range.

boston1450

Im not sure about 4ohm Polks but the Adcom GFA-555 sounds wonderful on SDA-2b's & can be had reasonable. I run my 1c's on Denon POA-2200 @220wpc@8ohm & it is a beast. I recently hooked my 1c's to my 50wpc tube Yaqin for 1 week & it sounded sweet. There are so many options out there & like stated above its your ears. If your close to someone or audio store go take a listen. I too would love to try Parasound amps on my SDA's. Im sure others will chime in. Good luck & dont jump to soon

JNinja

Thanks guys, and I certainly won't be jumping too soon... I'm looking for something- to look out for. I understand the concerns of ear damage, etc. But I'm not interested. I understand the subjective value of sound, and that's why I named a price point, and denomination in wattage.

I can't remark on what I don't know, but it is very hard to imagine that there is a 100w, 200w, or even 300w, per channel amp out there that would sound 'better' to my ears with this setup.

I don't even think that my amp (Ashly FET-500) is the bottle neck in quality of sound right now... I think that the cap's and tweeter's (currently SL2000) are the weak points.

With that said, I want the ability to get louder than my Ashly will provide, while maintaining or better yet improving the quality.

I have RDO-194's on the way, and I'm excited...also, new thermal's for those who followed my other thread. So for now, I'm trying to make a reasonable plan to improve.

Thanks!

Nightfall

You want to go LOUDER? I don't feel like doing math but even at 1 watt it should be plenty loud. To gain a perceptible increase in volume you need to double the watts. You're going to have to find an 800 watt amplifier to gain 3db of volume. I can't imagine wanting to go louder than a 400 watt amp will provide but who am I to say.

Perhaps a pair of Klipsch would suit you better?

JNinja

No, I'm very happy with the SDA's. My problem, according to F1Nut, is that I'm clipping at a certain point. That point sounds AWESOME to me. I don't want much more sound, just a bit more, with a slightly better suited amp, with a better quality. Make sense?

It's hard to imagine though, that this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parasound-2250-250-Watt-THX-Ultra2-Two-Channel-Amplifier-/271910714965?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4f243e55

Parasound amp that claimed 385w, and costs $800-900 used, would be much of an improvement...however, I'm not discounting it- but simply stating that I CAN"T IMAGINE. Any experience?

JNinja

Again, I have no discount, simply stating my current thoughts

a story for you Dskip

I have had many car stereos in my like...crazy subwoofers, components, etc.

One was a 2,000wRMS 12" Audiobahn...just stupid loud, and ridiculous...it was ported in a custom built box, and upgraded components were needed just to hear the words of the song playing....

I've had many since...but...

recently I purchased, from Craigslist, for $100, a pair of Kenwood 12" subwoofers in a generic ported box.... they only cost about $40 a piece new, and have HIGH reviews... These woofers are so loud it's disgusting. 200 watts a piece, which is the lowest I've ever owned, and yet they have a vast range, and get REALLY loud...in fact, too loud. Never thought I'd say that. I've seen $2000 'bass systems' that don't compare, and would be embarrassed.

So, again, I'm not closed minded, but simply trying to get feedback.

tonyb

Car audio and home audio are worlds apart. If all your going for is LOUD, then get yourself some Pro speakers. Home audio is more focused on quality that quantity....most the time anyway.

Can't imagine myself the point of clipping sounding good. Usually the music starts to compress and fall apart at that point....if your listening that is.

cnh

Car audio is a minor inconvenience for me. Such a small space, so much noise outside. Especially since what I drive is NOT in the Luxury super damped model class! Actually, I've ridden in such vehicles and they're not that quiet. That's why all the car audio guys are blasting all those MONSTER Subs in the trunk.

If you're a LOUDNESS freak, your hearing will not last very long. Remember those EARS are your INSTRUMENTS. Don't abuse them with mad volume and probably distortion as well. As Dskip has said, it's not all about the watts or simply about how many watts. (For me, one of the absolute requirements of a great two channel system is that it can play at lower volumes and STILL sound very good-not MANY can do that, very few, in fact).

The Parasound featured above should do you and give you some good quality sound!

With tonyb, B&K also a good choice. Most 200 watt a side amps @ 8 ohms will put out 325-400 watts into a 4 ohm load.

JNinja

tonyb wrote: »

Car audio and home audio are worlds apart. If all your going for is LOUD, then get yourself some Pro speakers. Home audio is more focused on quality that quantity....most the time anyway.

Can't imagine myself the point of clipping sounding good. Usually the music starts to compress and fall apart at that point....if your listening that is.

I think you missed my entire point...

polkfarmboy

Spend a little more and get some wyred4sound monoblocks if you a thrill seeker wanting extraordinary loud spl levels with great high quality sound.

Polkie2009

Cnh makes a very valid point above about taking care of your hearing, last thing any of us want to do is damage it and no long can appreciate the nice audio system we've worked and saved to build. Those extra dbs aren't worth it. I too suggest trying a used Parasound amp such as a HCA-1200ii or HCA-1500, both have about 380 watts per channel at 4 ohms. Having some experience in pro audio field , I do know that Ashly made some of the better pro audio studio equipment in it's price range. Sure, there was better studio gear, but like high end stereo hi-fi gear, it costs a lot more.

msg

tonyb wrote: »

Home audio is more focused on quality that quantity....most the time anyway.

Can't imagine myself the point of clipping sounding good. Usually the music starts to compress and fall apart at that point....if your listening that is.

I was trying to find a way to describe this effect, myself, earlier on in this thread. whenever I listen at really loud levels, even when it's relatively clear, I've noticed something weird happens in my perception of the music, and I've noticed that it's not particularly enjoyable for very long. I think "flattened" is a good descriptor, and probably along the lines of what you're describing here, Tony. the experience seems "unreal" in a way. it loses something. it's a novel experience for sure, the physical impact that kind of sound has on a body - talking full range wall of sound, not just bass - but just not something I particularly enjoy for long periods of time. bottom line is there seems to be a point at which the volume makes the experience... I don't know, meaningless? gray? just lacking? and actually begins to negatively impact the overall experience. this is what I find, anyway. don't get me wrong, I do like music loud at times, but for the most part, not this kind of overall super high SPL loud. I have a regular listening level, and it's usually modest to moderate at most because I've come to appreciate the quality of the presentation, and not just the volume and physical impact, and this seems best appreciable at these lower to moderate listening levels. there can be a nice balance here. kind of hard to describe, but you just know it when you're experiencing it - it moves you.

edit - hehe, sorry for my unsolicited opinion there
I just reread one of your posts @JNinja , and realize that your particular goal seems to be for louder than what you have but still clear. my spiel probably isn't particularly applicable in this case; I got a little carried away after reading the other contributions and went off on a bit of a tangent that may not be applicable to your question/goals. I didn't start off that way in audio. I used to just want loud and clear, but in my case, that was just because I hadn't had any other experiences.

Dennis Gardner

I agree with others above. I know the excitement that Jninja is looking for with great sound at extreme levels for short bursts during your favorite passages, but to get that affect any louder isn't with SDA 2s above 500WPC. Those levels are best reached with the larger SDA models like the 2.3 or SRS with that type of power. The lower bass extension will allow more impact to be felt without breaking up or compressing the top end. It takes more drivers or powered subs to do what you are asking. The 2s are nice, but not up to the task.

If quality sound is the goal at 80-90% of the speakers max volume, look into quality home model amps. I get that out of my SDA 1 Cs with Odyssey Stratos power at 150 watts per side in my 13x16 room.

JNinja

Very good feedback guys, thanks!

ambiophonics

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet but the input sensitivity is often different for pro amps vs home amps. Your amp (ashly fet 500) most likely needs a +4db signal to reach full output and its likely your pre/receiver/whatever is sending a -10db signal. Something to think about.

leftwinger57

I'm going to 2nd w/ the Adcom. I also own a 555 and what you get is 200wpc a side of instant gratification used for $3/350 all day day long and SDAs love um. Some say it's a bright amp, that I don't know and if it is on that edge you could always tone it down using controls on your pre/amp. All my controls were flat even and never considered my amp overly bright. As most already said you certainly don't need 500 wpc unless you have the biggest living room in housing history.

boston1450

I agree lew. I ran mine the same & what people said wasnt the way i heard it. Im not sure why buy the Adcom didnt sound good on rta15's at all. But pure bliss on sda's. I dont think he would like it though. By reading some or his responses i think he wouldnt. I say Parasound.... With Adcom i could listen to hours at 9-10 - 10being loud on dial. But everyone ive came across here looking for that kick a$$ loud blow your earballs out isnt gonna get it from the 555. No disrespect cause i find it to be a awesome amp & to me it goes way loud enough even at those levels.11 on the dial makes me want to throw my head against the wall & smarten up before i hurt my ears or speakers

trav0810

I really like the sound of the Carver TFM42/45 with the SDA's. PLENTY of power and a very smooth, non-fatiguing sound.

Schurkey

ambiophonics wrote: »

the input sensitivity is often different for pro amps vs home amps. Your amp (ashly fet 500) most likely needs a +4db signal to reach full output and its likely your pre/receiver/whatever is sending a -10db signal. Something to think about.

Thanks for that. You saved me a lot of typing. 500 watts delivered to those speakers should make the drivers jump out of the cabinets, and his eardrums smack together in the middle of his head.

JNinja

Is there a pre-amp that will give me that +4 db?

polkfarmboy

I think a cary spl03 has that function?

Nightfall

Anything Cary is surely going to be out of his price range.

transchris

My sda'sare powered by an emotiva xda3, ,,very nice match!!! And plenty of power!!!

Braddles63

Im using Emotiva XSP1/XPA2 combo with my SDA CRS+ and I'm impressed with the results. Would like to try a Parasound at some stage but thats more $'s i don't have atm.

daddyjt

I think the heart of this discussion is not amplifier POWER, but amplifier HEADROOM. Headroom is an amplifier's ability to substantially (2x-3x) increase it's power output for brief periods of time, to adequately handle transient peaks in the source material. The presence of headroom is what leads an amplifier to be described as "open", "Fast", "Airy", or any number of superlative adjectives. I know, headroom IS power, but there is a difference.

The relationship between power and headroom is analogous to the relationship between strength (muscle), and adrenalin. A bodybuilder, with a substantial amount of muscle mass (Think class A or AB amplifier) has high strength, and is stronger than the average person. Now, imagine the average person. Not nearly the muscle mass or strength, but under the influence of adrenelin, can be far stronger than the bodybuilder, for short periods of time.

All things being equal, a 300w amplifier with 3db of headroom is preferable to a 500w amplifier with little to no headroom. Music through reasonably efficent speakers will sound exceedingly loud at constant power output of 30~40 watts. Volume is percieved So let's say you have an average SPL of 100db, at your listening position, with 40 watts:

40w = 100db
80w = 103db
160w = 106db
320w = 109db (approximate percieved doubling in sound volume)
640w = 112db
1280w = 115db
2560w = 118db
5120w = 121db (second approximate percieved doubling in sound volume)

A couple of things to note - A 500w amplifier with little to no headroom will be 100w into clipping, before a 300w amplifier with 3db of headroom starts to clip. Also, chasing higher SPL becomes more and more dificult, due to the logrithmic nature in increased amplifier power required to achieve higher SPL.

This is an exceedingly simplistic breakdown - there is a ton of math behind the actual calculations, and the above is an aproximation.

george daniel

Belles 150 Hot Rod

GlennDog

I'm late to the party, but this is in your price range. NO Afil

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ele/5129009579.html

EndersShadow

@JNinja

Where are you located?

JNinja

GlennDog wrote: »

I'm late to the party, but this is in your price range. NO Afil

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ele/5129009579.html

Not enough power

JNinja

EndersShadow wrote: »

@JNinja

Where are you located?

Albany, NY