Someone tell me about Icepower amps

mhartman29

How would the NHT Power5 compare to Slow's D-Sonic 2500-7? I see Garra has a power5 for sale in the FM. If they are fairly comparable, I'd like to check out Slow's to see what an icepower amp sounds like. Seems like a lot of power for the money!

SolidSqual

I just sold mine for the Emotiva XPA-2 and am fairly certain I will not be looking back.

mhartman29

Solid, could you elaborate? You mentioned you loved yours in an earlier post. So what improvement do you find with the xpa-2 over your previous icepower amp? Was it the Power5?

Gaara

mhartman29 wrote: »

How would the NHT Power5 compare to Slow's D-Sonic 2500-7? I see Garra has a power5 for sale in the FM. If they are fairly comparable, I'd like to check out Slow's to see what an icepower amp sounds like. Seems like a lot of power for the money!

Slow's D-sonic is a step up. If you are familiar with icepower the Power5 uses 2 500asp modules and 3 500a modules. The way it is setup all the modules share the power supply. This is the reason it is rated at 200wpc instead of 250, yet when Home Theater magazine reviewed it all channels driven at .1% distortion it output 250wpc.

The 2500-7 on the other hand uses 3 1000asp modules and 4 500asp modules. The 1000asp is a nice step up from 500asp sound quality wise, and is also 2x the power at 500wpc.

That said if you wanted to hear what a Power5 sounded like you could use the 4 channels that use the 500asp modules. It is a great amp and the reason I am selling has nothing to do with sound quality.

SolidSqual wrote: »

I just sold mine for the Emotiva XPA-2 and am fairly certain I will not be looking back.

You sold them before you got the Emotiva? How will you know which is better if you can't compare them level matched side by side. I thought your speakers were made for icepower, guess not.

SolidSqual

mhartman29 wrote: »

Solid, could you elaborate? You mentioned you loved yours in an earlier post. So what improvement do you find with the xpa-2 over your previous icepower amp? Was it the Power5?

I heard a friend's XPA-5 on my system and couldn't believe what I was missing in terms of dynamics, musicality and bass. It even brought my system closer to neutral in the highs. Honestly, I won't be going back.

SolidSqual

Gaara wrote: »

You sold them before you got the Emotiva? How will you know which is better if you can't compare them level matched side by side. I thought your speakers were made for icepower, guess not.

My friend has an XPA-5 that I hooked up to my system. the XPA-2 is supposed to be even better.

The CS2s are not made for ICE, they are just marketed that way because ICE amps are relatively cheap to setup for vertical bi-amping. Also, ICE amps are introduce little noise into the signal which is great for speakers with 100dB sensitivity. That being said, if you do a search online, you'll read about people with Tube, Class A, D, A/B and Set amps on these speakers in various combinations.

goingganzo

it is all you want.
class a amps sound awsome but are not eficient and prooduce alot of heat. but are awsome.
class a/b is a push pull with has more THD than class a but is more efeshient and produse less heat but dont sound as smoth. class d amps is like compareing cd's to vinal

skykeys

SolidSqual wrote: »

I just sold mine for the Emotiva XPA-2 and am fairly certain I will not be looking back.

So SolidSqual, what was it you sold in favor of the Emotiva?

Interesting comparison between what you say about ICEpower amps, and SlowCar's experience with his D-Sonic. I'm very interested in this topic. If you read the "Storm fried my stuff" thread, you'll know why.


The problem for me is, even if I wanted it, the Emotiva equipment won't fit in my cabinet. So I am almost forced into the ICEpower Class D type amps. And at this point, I don't know of a good preamp that will fit either.

Thanks.

SolidSqual

skykeys wrote: »

So SolidSqual, what was it you sold in favor of the Emotiva?

Interesting comparison between what you say about ICEpower amps, and SlowCar's experience with his D-Sonic. I'm very interested in this topic. If you read the "Storm fried my stuff" thread, you'll know why.


The problem for me is, even if I wanted it, the Emotiva equipment won't fit in my cabinet. So I am almost forced into the ICEpower Class D type amps. And at this point, I don't know of a good preamp that will fit either.

Thanks.

Sold my Bel Canto S300 pair. Don't get me wrong, they are great sounding amps. They sound better than a lot of Class A and other SS out there, but look at how much they cost. IMO you could get a better Class A or A/B for the same cash. If heat and size is an issue then Class D is a no brainer. It will be a excellent compromise between performance and necessity that would otherwise be not possible with any other class . . . except maybe T-amps or one of Gaara's other specialty amps.

Also, open up a D class amps when you get a chance. There's not much in there. You will be left asking what exactly you paid for. Talk to Gaara. He's got a great system and is pretty much Polk's major advocate for this new technology. Plus, he does it with economic ease!

Gaara

SolidSqual wrote: »

The CS2s are not made for ICE, they are just marketed that way because ICE amps are relatively cheap to setup for vertical bi-amping.

I will have to do more research on the CS2s. Every time I read about them the owner has icepower amps, so I assumed that was the best amp for them, plus their is that glowing review from Dan Wright. Thanks for the compliments. I have spent a lot of time with various digital amps and always go for the best value.

As for my other gear, I doubt more then 10 members on the board even know what a BPA200 is. Sad, since it is one of the best amps I have ever heard...and cheap to. Maybe Ben will change that with his new business venture.

skykeys wrote: »

The problem for me is, even if I wanted it, the Emotiva equipment won't fit in my cabinet. So I am almost forced into the ICEpower Class D type amps. And at this point, I don't know of a good preamp that will fit either.

If you know where to look you can get some nice gear cheap. For example the Bel Cantos SS just sold, you can get a pair of almost the same amps for less than the 1/2 the price he sold em for.

Whats the constraint, just the 15in deep? I would say Power5 but its 17 deep, hell I am selling one since my rack is only 12in deep. You could go D-Sonic but they are kinda pricey, Wyred won't fit, Rotel 1085 should fit (but doesn't get the best reviews), then there is a slew of monoblock amps you could do.

As for pre, B&K Ref50 is <12in deep. Many use it on here, its phenomenal but won't decode newer formats, no HDMI in. You could get one for <$700 nowadays, retail was $3k.

skykeys

SolidSqual wrote: »

Sold my Bel Canto S300 pair. . . except maybe T-amps or one of Gaara's other specialty amps.

Also, open up a D class amps when you get a chance. There's not much in there. You will be left asking what exactly you paid for. Talk to Gaara.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I have in fact conversed on this topic previously with Gaara. At that time, I was not in any rush to make a move. Now, since I am without a stereo, my timetable has been moved up.

In terms of "asking what you paid for", I guess you're paying for the innovation and the design of ICEpower and similar technologies. As they proliferate, the price should come down.

Nuforce on the other hand is a proprietary switching technology. The write ups on their site and the reviews I've read - particularly of their relatively newer V2 line, are very positive. I like what I read. But they are also way more expensive. I'm not sure if proprietary gains you better technology - that pays off in better sound, or if it's just a way for the vendor to charge more money. They supposedly have a trial program, so I may look into it, bite the bullet and engage in the hassle of hooking up equipment to test it and then unhooking it.

Regards.

skykeys

Gaara wrote: »

. . . If you know where to look you can get some nice gear cheap. For example the Bel Cantos SS just sold, you can get a pair of almost the same amps for less than the 1/2 the price he sold em for.

Whats the constraint, just the 15in deep? I would say Power5 but its 17 deep, hell I am selling one since my rack is only 12in deep. You could go D-Sonic but they are kinda pricey, Wyred won't fit, Rotel 1085 should fit (but doesn't get the best reviews), then there is a slew of monoblock amps you could do.

As for pre, B&K Ref50 is <12in deep. Many use it on here, its phenomenal but won't decode newer formats, no HDMI in. You could get one for <$700 nowadays, retail was $3k.

Thanks Gaara. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind. What are the sources/links/places to look for good deals on equipment? I know we've talked about Nuforce before, but do you have any updated information about that equipment? It does really intrigue me. What are the t-amps that SolidSqual referred to? Can you give me any info on those? Btw, what amps and AVP units actually fit in your 12 in. deep space?

Yes, my constraint is 15 inches. I "might" be able to take the back off of my cabinet and gain a couple inches, but it's a matter of convincing my wife, so it's not likely. And if I can find equipment that fits, all the better. No room for several mono-blocks. I need a multi-channel amp.

I'll check into the B&K stuff. At this point though, it may be worth waiting for new lines that support HDMI and the lossless HD audio formats. <== That may be my time factor.

To review: I have a 5.1 setup in my family room, plus two speakers in my dining room for which I like to pump the same music, when I'm having a party. That's why receivers like my recently storm-fried Yamaha RX-V620 are a good fit. I will need preamp/processor units that can do the same thing. I would pick up a Yamaha RX-V663 just to use as a preamp, but I don't think it will fit. :mad: Speakers, all Polk: LC265i (front L & R), LCi-RTS-C, LC80i rear L & R, and two old M5s for the dining room.

Thank you much.

Gaara

What are the sources/links/places to look for good deals on equipment?

Forums. You can find lots of good info on AudioCircle, AudioAsylum, AVSForum, and DIYAudio among others. I spent ~1 month before I bought my current amps doing research, so I learned a lot in the process. Then I went out and got some hands on knowledge by buying a slew of amps and comparing them.

There are lots of values out there, and lots of overpriced gear. As you should already know most IcePower modules are plug+play, all the mfg needs to add is connectors, a case, and some wires. There are some variations (like PS Audio's GainCell IcePower) but I won't get into them unless you want me to.

Because of that many "noname" brands are great values since they are nearly identical as much more expensive name brand models. Ex. Bel Canto Ref1000s use the stock 1000asp modules, so does the Rotel 1091 and D-Sonic M500s. Bel Cantos retail for $4000, Rotel for $3000, D-Sonic for $1950.

I know we've talked about Nuforce before, but do you have any updated information about that equipment?

Nope. I haven't done any research on Nuforce recently.

What are the t-amps that SolidSqual referred to?

Not sure. I have tried a few lower powered t-amps, such as the T-amp, Super T, and Trends TA-10.1. None would be good for HT. The Audiosource Amp 7t is supposed to be quite good for cheap, 200wpc of Class T, supposedly designed by Carver.

Btw, what amps and AVP units actually fit in your 12 in. deep space?

My pre is the B&K Ref50, had it for ~5 years now, still don't feel a need to upgrade. My EVS 500Ms are 12in deep, but those aren't in the rack. The surround amp is a BPA200 gainclone, ~200wpc into my 4 surrounds, and its only 12in deep. You won't find much on it though, it is a custom made amp by Tim Rawson...he does phenomenal work.

Yes, my constraint is 15 inches.

Thats rough, its tough to find a pre/rcvr thats 15in deep. If you find one that does the new formats + HDMI you let me know.

skykeys

Thank you very much Gaara.

Now that you've mentioned EVS, I do recall checking them before. Do you know why they discontinued their ICEpower amps?

Gaara

skykeys wrote: »

Thank you very much Gaara.

Now that you've mentioned EVS, I do recall checking them before. Do you know why they discontinued their ICEpower amps?

Ric was supposed to have some new type of amp coming out, haven't heard anything about it recently. He seems busy with his new 32bit AKM dac mods and new audio format he has been working on.

Oh well, I love my 500Ms. Like the Bel Cantos but 1/2 the price and modded to boot.