Pro amps for home audio

organ · November 2005

Still looking for a high powered ss amp for my LSi9. I can't use the NAD anymore because I let my parents borrow them.

It seems like you can get a huge amount of power output from these pro amps for very little money (compared to exotic audiophile stuff). Eventually, I'll have to find an amp for my LSi. Those Crown amps look pretty cool and have a lot of power at low prices. Anybody ever try pro amps at home? I don't want to spend much because my reference system is the Klipsch & tube set up. The LSi system is something I'll use once in a while.

Maurice

cmy330go · November 2005

A guy I used to work with is a long time audio nut, and a huge Magnepan fan. He currently runs his pair of 2.6s off of 2 new QSC pro amps (bi-amped). I can't remember exactly which model he has however I remember the stats were very impressive for the $$$, and he just can't seem to quit talking about them. I recently had a chance to take a look at them at Guitar Center. They appeared to be really well built. If you have a Guitar Center or another dealer near you I really think they would be worth checking out.

Oh yea here is a link:
http://www.qsc.com/

Dave

organ · November 2005

Awesome. Thanks for the help. I'm going to check out some musical instruments/pro audio shops when I have time.

I'm still confused as to why pro amps are so much cheaper than audiophile amps

. Are we paying extra for the name? I mean, you can get more power output than a Krell at 1/10th the price. These companies know that audiophiles are willing to pay top $ and many DJ's are tight on cash.

Maurice

cmy330go · November 2005

organ wrote:

I'm still confused as to why pro amps are so much cheaper than audiophile amps

I'm unclear on this too. The guy I mentioned before used to run his magies off of two OLD crown pro amps. I got to spend about 2 hours one day listening to it, and I must admit it sounded great. He claims it sounds much better now, and I really have no reason not to believe him.

If you get a chance to listen to some pro amps on your 9's please keep us posted of your opinions. I myself have been considering some QSC pro amps for my HT system, and would really appreciate your thoughts.

organ · November 2005

No problem. I will look into it as soon as $ is available. I'm very excited about it. I think the huge power reserves will really upen up the 9's. I'll be using the tubed ASL as pre.

cmy330go · November 2005

For a little over a year I ran my LSi9s on a parasound halo p3/a23 combo. At 4ohms the a23 runs 200w and 45amps peak per channel. I was always blown away by how full the 9's sounded with this setup. They really sounded more like a tower than a bookshelf. There is no doubt that these speakers love power.

Although I have to admit that I haven't noticed much of a loss since swithing to my tube integrated (55w/ch). Must be that "tube power" they always refer to.

Enjoy the hunt!

madmax · November 2005

Just consider the fan noise. The pro amps I had, two carver PT-1250's, had everything you could ever want in dynamics. If your friend listens loud he is probably very impressed more by the dynamics than anything else.
madmax

PolknPepsi · November 2005

I know a couple guys who are using Pro Amps with their speakers and they are very content. I would like to try a convection cooled Crown K1 or K2 with my mine, I hear they are controlled with complete authority.

Early B. · November 2005

Never tried it, but I'd love to hear the results of a shootout between a pro amp and a couple of home audio amps. Conventional wisdom says pro amps focus on high power, not SQ, per se, so generally speaking, home audio amps should sound better due to the use of higher quality parts. I dunno.

ohskigod · November 2005

Early B. wrote:

Never tried it, but I'd love to hear the results of a shootout between a pro amp and a couple of home audio amps. Conventional wisdom says pro amps focus on high power, not SQ, per se, so generally speaking, home audio amps should sound better due to the use of higher quality parts. I dunno.

I've heard some great sounding pro amps. it not that they dont focus on sound quality, its just not the primary function of the amp. they are made to throw serious power, for long periods of time without crapping out. sound quality can vary just like home amps. yeah, the fan noise is a friggin issue. I would go this route if I needed to get a solid amp that can drive a difficult load, but was light on funds. If my Carver ever dies, I probably would go this route until I saved up for the amp I really wanted.

jrlouie · November 2005

I've ran a pro-audio amp on my Lsi15's for about a year now. I love it, but that might be because previously I only had an AVR hooked to them. I guess my problem is that I have no basis for comparison since I've never ran them on a regular power-amp. I've been wanting to pick up a used multi-channel power amp, just haven't found exactly what I want. I know I want something with some with some grunt behind it.
But I do know I think it sounds great. I have never been able to push my amp into clipping. I think it runs 325 watts per channel at 4ohms.
It has a fan, like madmax mentioned. I just opened up the case and unplugged the fan so I don't have to listen to it. I've had no problems with it over-heating, probably because it doesn't get any type of abuse like DJ use would put on it.
It's a Crest Audio vs650.
http://www.crestaudio.com/media/pdf/vs650_5-20-97.pdf

Maybe you'd like to buy it and push me in to the multi-channel amp purchase ?

ohskigod · November 2005

jrlouie wrote:

I just opened up the case and unplugged the fan so I don't have to listen to it. I've had no problems with it over-heating, probably because it doesn't get any type of abuse like DJ use would put on it.

The fan, as far as I know, is needed when they are put in those DJ cases which have little ventilation and the fan is needed. in a home audio rack, which is usually more open, disconnecting the fan is the way to go.

steveinaz · November 2005

An anology:

Pro Amp: Humvee (less refined but durable and built like a tank)
Home amp: Jeep Grand Cherokee (more refined, better handling, not made for full-time ground-pounding)

One gives you go-anywhere hardcore durability, one gives you refined, precise driving.

Eric W · November 2005

I'm pretty familiar with the pro-audio side of things. As mentioned, fan noise is a consideration. More intelligent pro audio amps (i.e. Crown Macro-Tech) have fans that react to the load placed on them. Another consideration is transformer noise, usually their transformers are huge and emit a noticeable hum into the room. Some of them are downright loud Sometimes they can be picky with using an unbalanced input. But dollar for dollar, pro audio amps are hard to beat. Good brands include Crown, Crest and QSC.

unc2701 · November 2005

Good analogy, but I'd change that to mil-spec humvee. Any long trips and you're gonna be sore.

That said, I've had some good results using them as sub amps.

polksda · November 2005

Don't do it. IME, pro amps are not the same as true home audio amps. They may kick out more wattage, but the sound isn't as clean, nor is the soundstage as deep.

See my experience here (further down in the thread):

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24897

organ · December 2005

Thanks for the help guys. If I can't find a good amp on the FM forum when I'm ready to buy, I will go pro. I noticed a lot of pro amps have knobs. Do they also function as an integrated amp?

unc2701 · December 2005

That just controls the gain... so yeah, you could just plug your source straight in, but you won't be able to reach full power (200mv input vs 4v expected)

steveinaz · December 2005

If you want BIG power and good sound, look at Soundcraftsmen amps on Ebay. They are what I call "semi-pro" amps. Some models have 1/4" phono plug in/out's some have standard RCA. I use to run 2 PM-840's bridged for 600 watts/rms, 1200 watts peak when I had my power hungry Bose 901 VI's.

Wardsweb · December 2005

Have you ever thought about the Carver A-760x ? I used one to run my Martin Logan CLS electrostats for years. It is 380 watts per channel into 8 ohms and over 1000 into 2 ohms. The amp is good down to one ohm. Before the 760 I had tried the A-500x which worked but to hard in my opinion. The TFM-35 and m1.5t I could send into clipping at will. The best sounding amps I ever used were the Ampzilla2000 mono's a friend lent me, but alas, way to much money for my cheap self (can I cay cheap and Martin Logan in the same thread :rolleyes: ) Anyway, you get the idea. There are some nice "home" amps that will do the job better and for not a whole lot of money in comparison to pro amps. That and you don't want to see where the name "Flame Linear" came from while hooked to your speakers. my 2 cents

organ · December 2005

Unc,
Oh, that's what I thought. I have a pre amp anyway so it wouldn't be a problem.

Steve,
Yeah, I remember seeing those SCF amps. They're big and look like they have an excellent power supply with plenty of reserves. I will look into it.

Wardsweb,
I don't think I'll be going Carver because $ is an issue. I don't plan to spend much on the LSi9 rig because I like my tube/horn system a lot more. If I see one used at a good price I'll jump on it. The 760 sure has a lot of power. I have to keep searching because I want to set up the 9's and be done with it.

Nice to have you back:) I haven't seen you in ages.

Maurice

Pro amps for home audio

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