Pro Amps

PolknPepsi

Has anyone used or is now using any of the "Pro Amps" for their system?

I have read about Crown - QSC - Carver pro being used as the power amp for their system with good results. They seem to be somewhat more affordable and the watt ratings are up there too. Some have audible cooling fans that can be disconnected or modified to quiet them down a bit. A couple higher dollar units are convection cooled and no fans are used at all.

I'm just curious if anyone heard them or used one because I am considering trying one of them out.

madmax

I had two Carver PT-1250's which I liked a lot. If you want super high power at a reasonable cost you can't beat them! Just be careful, some models are very hissy, others are quiet. Remember, for pro use no one cares if they are hissy or not.
madmax

PolknPepsi

Mmmmm,

I'll keep an ear open for any hiss when I audition one. Thanks.

jrlouie

I use a Crest Audio pro amp. High power. This one has nearly no hiss. I'm happy. Major improvement over my AVR.
One day when I can afford it I'll buy a regular 5 channel-power amp. The pro-amp will do for now

BobMcG

There are exceptions to every rule but for the most part you won't find too many people who are into high end audio, running serious 2-chan rigs using pro-amps. It's just not their forte. They are better suited for PAs and creating a lot of sound rather than really high quality sound.

F1nut

What Bob said.

Mazeroth

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=418666&page=1&pp=30

F1nut

I read some of the posts from your link. I can understand how going from a 70wpc receiver to anything with power would certainly be to your liking. However, I stand by my opinion that pro amps are not known for high quality sound. Bottom line, if you like it, that's all that matters, enjoy.

PolknPepsi

Thanks for the link, a month or so ago I ran into that thread at the AVS forum. I've also heard and agree what F1nut said.....

Mazeroth

I should bring my Crown 402 to Polkfest so you guys can take a listen

BobMcG

MAZ,

You like everyone else is free to use what you have at hand, like best or can best afford or have better access to, prefer to use or what have you. The purpose of my post was not to insult anyone and their choice of equipment by any means nor insinuate that their system would suck if it was using a pro-amp on it. However, I stand by my post as it was written.

There are alot of people seriously into 2ch audio who are on the lookout for ways to tweek and fine tune their systems to squeaze every last ounce of performance out of of them and their listening rooms. One "common" trait (rather than just a tweek) among higher end systems is the use of amps designed for dedicated home stereo use.

In most cases the building of of dedicated home stereos is an evolutionary process done over years. Yes, there are probably a lot of systems that have started out using pro-amps but you can bet in most cases in the long run eventually moved on and up to using amps made with dedicated home stereo use in mind.

madmax

BobMcG wrote:

Yes, there are probably a lot of systems that have started out using pro-amps but you can bet in most cases in the long run eventually moved on and up to using amps made with dedicated home stereo use in mind.

This was me for sure. I used to have about 10KW on tap. Now I have 60 watts from tubes and will not go back. I must say that a few months ago I hooked up some big power again and had a blast. (literally)... Now I'm back to the tubes. Pro amps are VERY suitable for killer HT systems and even 2 channel systems. At least for awhile. Everything has its place.

madmax

Mazeroth

Bob,

Why is your post directed at me, and with my name in CAPS? I posted a link to a thread I started on AVS and I made a reply that I should bring my amp to Polkfest so people could take a listen, nothing more. I never once said pro amps were better than "higher end" amps. Hell, I don't even use my Crown for my mains any more. Right now I'm using a Panasonic SA-XR25, which actually sounds better than the Crown, IMO. I'm using my Crown on my subs.

For my line arrays I'm using two Sonic Impact T-Amps that deliver 10wpc on their best day, which I paid a whole $22 for, each. Given they're 98db/1w efficient, they don't require much power at all. Did I mention they're 6ft 2in tall?

madmax

PolknPepsi wrote:

Mmmmm,

I'll keep an ear open for any hiss when I audition one. Thanks.

Oh, and don't let the 1/4 inch inputs put you off. RS has nice gold plated adaptors which convert to RCA jacks. Very simple connector adaptors with no wires. Very little loss using them.

madmax

steveinaz

Soundcraftsmen probably falls into the category of "pro" amps as well. I had a number of Soundcraftsmen amps thru the years that were wonderful; A5002, PCR-800, PMS-840 to name a few. They are utilitarian by nature; kind of like comparing a big-block chevy to a finely tuned Ferrari. They both get the job, but one of them does it in sheer luxury.

2+2

Mazeroth wrote:

For my line arrays I'm using two Sonic Impact T-Amps that deliver 10wpc on their best day, which I paid a whole $22 for, each. Given they're 98db/1w efficient, they don't require much power at all. Did I mention they're 6ft 2in tall?

Maz, what speakers are these? Klipsh or are you the one that made his own speakers.....??That is some efficiency!

PolknPepsi

madmax wrote:

Oh, and don't let the 1/4 inch inputs put you off. RS has nice gold plated adaptors which convert to RCA jacks. Very simple connector adaptors with no wires. Very little loss using them.

madmax

Thanks for the tip.........

.....or I could use what I have for longer (yuck) and save towards something with tubes....

Mazeroth

These speakers:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27913&highlight=line+array

Here's my next project:

http://www.mfk-projects.com/rs_dipole.htm

I'll be using the new Dayton RS28 tweeter and the new Dayton RS 10" subwoofers with this project. If they sound even 80% as good as the Linkwitz Orion I'll be absolutely floored.

PolknPepsi

Maz,

What amp will be powering them?

I can appreciate wood working skills like yours....having built a few cabinets for our home...

Those speakers remind me of a very high dollar one called a "Pipedream" I recently saw online.

I just realized YOU are the one who started that huge thread over at the AVS forum....Congratulations!

Mazeroth

The amp for the new Dayton RS dipoles? I will be using two Panasonic SA-XR25 digital receivers. I'll be using the 5.1 inputs on the back of them. Each speaker will receive 4 channels of amplification. The tweeter gets its own, the two mids share a channel, and each woofer will get its own channel. Each channel will be 4 ohms so that Panny should have no problem outputting 75x4 or more. The other nice thing is the Behringer DCX2496 active crossover I'm using requires a separate volume control, but when using the receivers that's a built-in feature. A lot of guys are using the Panasonics to do this and the outcome is awesome, and cheap.

Yes, the Pipedream is a very fine speaker, but also VERY costly, and not worth it in my opinion. You can build a line array that will rival those for around $1500 with active crossover. If you can step the budget up to $2500 you'll have no problem annihilating them.

Yes, the amp thread I started on AVS has gotten pretty notorious. Even though I've only posted about twenty times on it everyone knows me from there. "Oh, you're the guy that started the "grinning" thread on AVS"...can't count how many times I've read that. :rolleyes:

BobMcG

Maz,

I didn't put the three letters in caps previously on purpose. I didn't even notice it until I just looked up this thread again and read your post.

I addressed the begining of the post to you because I thought you had taken offense to my previuos post and I wanted to make it clear I wasn't out to blast anyone's system. I'm quite familiar with systems using quality pro-amps in them and was putting their use in perspective.