Need an amp recommendation for SDA SRS 2.3

Iamtheslime

Hey there, I've been reading through many of the forums, but haven't seen one that addresses my issue precisely - I apologize if I've missed it.

My knowledge of amps is quite limited. I'm looking for an amp recommendation for SDA SRS 2.3 set which will be located in a 25 * 15 foot room. From what I read, I need a common ground amp, and, also from what I've gathered, should be 200 watts or more - assume this means in total, not per channel.

Looking for advice - I've got no brand loyalty - my budget is between $1 and $2k, and I'm willing to search for used models.

Thanks !

Schurkey

Iamtheslime wrote: »

My knowledge of amps is quite limited. I'm looking for an amp recommendation for SDA SRS 2.3 set which will be located in a 25 * 15 foot room. From what I read, I need a common ground amp,

You need a common-ground amp OR you need a proper isolation transformer in the SDA interconnect between the speakers. The isolation transformer seems to be the preferred choice IF (big IF) the transformer is stout enough--700 to 1000 VA is the new "standard". Searching for "Dreadnought" or "Dreadnaught" will provide you with hours of reading enjoyment. Yes, I'm partially to blame for the mis-spelling and therefore the requirement for double search terms.

Iamtheslime wrote: »

from what I've gathered, should be 200 watts or more - assume this means in total, not per channel.

Adding all the channels together to obtain a huge "watts" rating is a hateful disgrace. It should be illegal. It serves no purpose other than as an excuse to print a larger number in the Best Buy advertising section. While I don't necessarily believe you "have" to have 200 watts/channel, that's what I've gone with. Of course, that's 200 watts/channel into an 8-ohm load, and SDA speakers tend to be rated as 4- or 6-ohm nominal loads. Ideally, your amplifier would put out 50% more power into a 6-ohm load compared to 8 ohms, and double (100%) more power into a 4-ohm load. The SRS 2.3 is a 6-ohm nominal load.

Iamtheslime wrote: »

Looking for advice - I've got no brand loyalty - my budget is between $1 and $2k, and I'm willing to search for used models.

There's heaps and piles of suitable amplifiers. There's multiple integrated amps, and very few receivers that will work well.

I bought Aragon amps, and added a jumper cable between the negative terminals to produce a "true" common ground. Some Adcom amps are common-ground, others require the same sort of jumper cable--as with some Parasound amps. None of that matters if you install the isolation transformer (Dreadnought) as you can use any amplifier having appropriate power output. If you do not use the isolation transformer, you CAN NOT use any bridged/balanced amplifier, you CAN NOT use an amplifier where one channel is run in reverse polarity (certain Carver amps, and others); and as said, some non-bridged/balanced amps will require a jumper wire across the negative terminals.

Best to confirm here whether a given amp is suitable if you're not using the isolation transformer.

Irrenhaus

Hi

Welcome to the forum. I have a set of SDA 1C and have use Parasound 2125(125wpc) and Adcom 585(250wpc) with no problems as they are common ground.

Just so you get an idea if you look on the used market.

Cheers

gudnoyez

I Run my 2.3tls with an Adcom 555II with great results, it barley breaks a sweat and I tend to turn it up quite a bit, lots of amps available with that budget of yours.

Iamtheslime

Wow, thanks everyone - that's a lot of great advice and quick - appreciate it !

chandler9a

I have used an Adcom 555 and NAD 218 on SDA 2.3's over the years and they work great. I currently use a B&K Ref. 200.2 on my SDA 1C's and absolutely love it, if you can find one, I highly suggest it.

Your budget is much higher than the B&K will run you so I would look into mods for the speaker or other gear upgrades with the rest of the money.

leftwinger57

I run 2Bs w/ my Adcom GFA-555 200wpc. Plenty of clean instantaneous solid state power and common ground if series 1. Going for $300 and some change all over the place. Your pre/amp will be just as important don't skimp on that either.

Iamtheslime

OK - should have explained, I'm in Canada, and hence the budget and availability of used equipment is less than one might expect. I did find some Adcom GFA 555, and GFA 555II with prices of $350 US to $1,200 US respectively. Also, I saw a Parasound HCA-1500A 2 channel High Current Amplifier and Parasound p/hp-850 stereo Pre Amplifier available locally for a good price app 600 US equivalent - but I can't determine whether the Parasound would be common ground or not ... anybody know ?

Eventually when I get up and running, I'll look into the AI-1 Dreadnought solution so I could try different non-common ground amps.

motorhead43026

The Parasound is common ground. The 1500 is a nice amp, that would be my choice. I am not familiar with the 850 pre.

Iamtheslime

Thanks motorhead43026

gdb

I currently have 2.3TLs hooked to a Carver TFM-35 (250wpc) that sounds pretty good to my ears. I haven't performed any modifications or tweeter swaps yet. Also, I just might go back to running some SRSII's pin/blade and put the 2.3's up for "adoption". I have to get Rolland to refurb a TFM-55 soon, too.

Mikey081057

Parasound and Polk makes some nice KoolAid

I currently run my 2.3's with a Parasound A21. Plenty of juice... and really mates well. I have also used an A23.... Trust in Skip.... He won't steer you wrong...I am sure the Halo integrated would do the trick as well.

Iamtheslime

Thanks all for the info Polk folks - I'm new to all this, and finding this forum extremely helpful. As an update, I picked up the SDA's and the parasound amp/pre amp and they sound great together. I'm not anywhere near done yet, and plan to try a few different amp/speaker combos to try to find the "perfect" combination - and have some fun playing with all the gear along the way. More novice questions will follow, I'm sure. Thanks again, much appreciated.

voltz

DSkip wrote: »

By amp do you mean stand-alone amp or an integrated amp? I think you should strongly consider the Parasound Halo Integrated.

Just heard this amplifier with the SDA 3.1's and they are a perfect match!

cstmar01

Ran a parasound 2200 with SDA SRS and loved the combo. While I had the older less refined version it still did a great job and picked up for around $500 bucks.

Mr_Hz

There are a lot of recommendations for Adcom and Parasound, both very well respected and performance capable amp manufactures. Let me add two... one being on the upper end... Bryston 4BSST2 (squared)... not only incredible reviews (and there are many outstanding reviews!) and no expense spared (as reflectedin its $5k New price, and ~$3K - $4K used resale price) - plus 20yr manufacturer's warranty! I own other Bryston equipment (DACs and headphone amp) and solidly believe they do not put out sub-par equipment. I will be the first to admit Bryston prices are definitely a pain point.

... or looking at the mid 80's Yamaha M-80/85 or Yammy MX-1000U amps that had incredible performance for their price point, in fact besting some of the American amps of that era. Their only ding was they were from Japan, and looked down on. Of course, going with a Yammy that is now 30 yrs old is a crap shoot, but Legendary Amps out of FL can refurbish these units to better than new, and their sonic performance is quite incredible! Cost of used amp ($200 - $500 generally on FleaBay) plus refurb costs make them a viable option, given their performance envelope and sweet, natural sound!

Plus you'll have a classic 80's amp to go with your classic speakers from the same era! Party on, Garth! Rock on, Wayne!

Just another viewpoint to consider....

BTW... I have both Yammy amps mentioned (M80 & MX-1000U) and both refurbed by Skip @ Legendary, and I am a very, very happy camper!

M80/85 & MX-1000U general specs:
250 Watts (8 ohms) from 20 to 20,000 Hz at no more than 0.003% Total Harmonic Distortion
290 Watts (6 ohms) from 20 to 20,000 Hz at no more than 0.007% Total Harmonic Distortion
330 Watts (4 ohms) from 20 to 20,000 Hz at no more than 0.02% Total Harmonic Distortion
Dynamic Power per channel (IHF) 1 khz
8 ohms/6 ohms/4 ohms/2 ohms 380W/480W/640W/850W

Quite respectable!

A snippet from Legendary Amps website:
All amps run warm, as normal, and sound outstanding, the way these very unique amps were meant to sound, as many customers have said to me, "I hear clarity of instruments and sounds from these amps that I have NEVER heard before on any previous amps I have owned."

Iamtheslime

Thanks for the comments Mr. Hz - totally agree with the yammy recommendation. In fact, back in the day, I had a pair of Polk 10B monitors and a yammy (700 something ??) and they sounded great - normally. However, at several points in time (generally - 100 some odd people in student living meant for 8), seemed like the amp wasn't quite up to it. The ones you're using and recommending were probably what I needed for these occasions. Rock on !!!

nooshinjohn

Sunfire signature series or the later TGA series would get my vote because you can use the rear surround channels to drive the MW's and the front channels on the tweets. That would be good for 800 WPC and sounds stellar for that budget.

nooshinjohn

You cannot sell here with less than 100 posts lunatic...

nooshinjohn

Looks like an offer to sell to me, given you have a price in your comments. I have a pair of granite tube amps for 10k that sound amazing, but I'm not selling.

F1nut

raginglunatic wrote: »

I am not selling it. Just mentioning I have it.

It's not often that one sees a lie that bold.

F1nut

Would you like to buy a vowel?

TennMan

raginglunatic wrote: »

Yes but you are also violating rules of this hospitable online forum.. please complain about such grave misconduct to forum administration or send me such messages privately. This thread is about amp recommendation for polk 2.3. So write up something along those lines. Let's not trash threads with useless whining. Only laconic responses to the point. Have good day son

Well now aren't you special. You break the rules by trying to sell something when you have less than 100 posts and then you try to lie your way out of it. Now you are lecturing a long time member of this forum, with over 33,000 posts, on how he should conduct himself on this forum and what he is allowed to post. That is ridiculous. Yes, this is a hospitable online forum but only to people who follow the rules.

tonyb

raginglunatic wrote: »

Most important is that my mx1000 will smoke your gfa 555. I was replying to the other kid with 14k posts.

I guess the name fits eh.

The other "kid" is no kid, and he doesn't have Adcoms but some mighty fine tube mono blocks that are light years ahead of the MX1000.

You might do well to lower the rhetoric a bit.

nooshinjohn

The selective editing taking place in this thread... Once again another troll being coddled.

tonyb

raginglunatic wrote: »

U must be from another country. An imigrant. In usa you say the name reflects his conduct. Or his conduct is very reflective of the name
It's audiophile forum for Jesus Christ's sake. Try to be a bit more refined in language than truck driver

LMAO.....If I wanted to be more refined, I certainly wouldn't be looking at a MX1000 for my purposes. You are certainly entertaining, in an obnoxious, annoying way. lol

motorhead43026

^^^What he said^^^

sfosselman

I use an Emotiva XPA-2 with great results with my 1C's....Great bang for your buck amp

F1nut

tonyb wrote: »

LMAO.....If I wanted to be more refined, I certainly wouldn't be looking at a MX1000 for my purposes.

Game, set, match!

ken brydson

EV Wiener...

Nightfall

F1nut wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

LMAO.....If I wanted to be more refined, I certainly wouldn't be looking at a MX1000 for my purposes.

Game, set, match!

Remember when I told you Yamaha isn't very popular here?