Need bigger amp for SRS 2.3 tl's

Philpfeif
Philpfeif Posts: 25
edited July 2005 in Vintage Speakers
I am checking eba* for amps and I saw an Adcom and a Carver that both looked interesting. The Adcom is a GFA555 with an output of 325 watts at 4 ohms and the Carver is a TFM-55X with an output of 500 watts at 4 ohms. I know the Adcom will work but I know nothing about the Carver. Is it worth considering? Thanks in advance.
Phil
Post edited by Philpfeif on

Comments

  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited July 2005
    The TFM* (to some extent, most Carvers) match the SDA quite well, based on previous discussion in CP. However, I use neither Carver nor Adcom with my SDA SRS 2.3.

    -fredv-
  • Philpfeif
    Philpfeif Posts: 25
    edited July 2005
    What do you use?
    Phil
  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by Philpfeif
    What do you use?
    Phil

    I drive my 2.3 with a McIntosh MC-2002, 200wpc at 8ohms and 300wpc at 4ohms. My 2.3 is rated at 6ohms. I think the 2.3TL is rated at 8 ohms. Depends on your play style, I think any of those 2 amps that you mentioned are quite adequate. You start with one first. If you need more power later, add one more and run in bi-amp set up.

    -fredv-
  • Philpfeif
    Philpfeif Posts: 25
    edited July 2005
    Thanks for the reply. I just checked the data sheet and sure enough the 2.3TL's are 8 ohms. I guess I have to rethink my whole approach.
    Phil
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,592
    edited July 2005
    Wrong. The spec sheet says "compatible with 8 ohm outputs." The 2.3TL's are nominal 6 ohm loads.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited July 2005
    I have no way of verifying this, but was very recently told by a fellow that has been dealing in Carver amps for 20 years that the 'true transfer function' was removed from the "X" and later A series Carver amps to offset the cost of THX certification. He advised staying with the 45/55 model. I have a TFM-35X driving a pair of SRS 2's and it sounds good to me.

    Also beware there has been some possible shill bidding to drive the price up on the 55X's (the one that pulled $760). There was a seller that claimed to have a well cared for, power regulated 55X that had bought the unit just 45 days prior off Ebay. As always, let the buyer beware.....
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    Wrong. The spec sheet says "compatible with 8 ohm outputs." The 2.3TL's are nominal 6 ohm loads.

    I got my info from Polk's website which posts nominal impedance 8 ohms to all SRS TL's. Sounds like the website is wrong.

    Phil, try searching for "SDA carver common ground" and "SDA adcom common ground" in CP forums. A lot of good discussions on the carver/adcom amps and SDA. They can be very valuable to your amp hunting.

    Good luck,

    -fredv-