Bass heavy amp? Or just the way it should have been?

Jetmaker737

Looking for some experienced commentary on this question.

I bought a new amp and put it in my system a couple of days ago. The amp is an Aragon 8008 MkII. Which is identical to the 8008BB, if you're familiar. A highly rated amp from what I've read. The rest of my system you can see in my sig, including my prior amp, an Emotiva RPA-2.

Now here's my question. With this Aragon amp I'm hearing considerably more bass. It's well defined, not bad sounding, but just more of it and more forward in the music.

So is this just bass I was missing with my old amp or is it possible that the Aragon could be accentuating the bass?

Thanks,
Jet :cool:

speakergeek

I'll take a stab at this one and say that you are probably getting more juice to the woofs, and there by getting more bass. It's remotely possible the amp may not have a flat FR and may be accentuating the bass a little.

nooshinjohn

It could be that you are just used to the performance of the Emo. I am going through a bit of that now with my big Sunfire out for service. I find that the bass is not as powerful and the overall sound is not as detailed as it was. It is my bet that your soundstage has gotten considerably deeper and your speakers are getting the current they need to really start living up to their full potential. The Aragon is a considerable improvement over the Emo in my opinion. Give it a couple weeks and then try listening to the Emo again... you will put the Aragon back in ten minutes or less.

inspiredsports

nooshinjohn wrote: »

The Aragon is a considerable improvement over the Emo in my opinion.

This is the correct answer to the OP's question.

thuffman03

I hope this does not turn into a Emo and other amp fight thread on our hands here soon.

From what I have found in my 2 years or so in higher end audio is that each amp will sound different. The question is weather you like the sound of the Aragon over the Emo?

Trust your ears and go with what you like. In my case it happens to be Sunfire. In others it is Emo or whatever. There are people on this forum that have gone from amp to amp to amp and finaly get one that sounds good to them.

Jetmaker737

thuffman03 wrote: »

There are people on this forum that have gone from amp to amp to amp and finally get one that sounds good to them.

That's kind of my plan too. May take awhile! Sunfire is on my short list, but I couldn't pass up the Aragon when it showed up on A-gon

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1265842653&/Aragon-8008-MK-II-Stereo-Ampli

I've had a chance tonight to really sit down and play a few familiar CD's on this amp and I'm really liking it. That's a good idea to listen to it a couple of weeks and then switching my old amp back in for a final check. I'll try it.

Hawkeye

Jetmaker, are you a structures guy? I am one with one of your competitors:D Amps are like bucking bars. They all will put a shop head on the rivet but some are just the right shape and weight for the spot your hitting.

As you try different amps, pres, wires or whatever, each will exhibit a strength or weakness. The fun (read expensive) part is trying all the variables until your satisfied, which in most cases is never:eek:

Gordon

Jetmaker737

Hawkeye wrote: »

Jetmaker, are you a structures guy?

Yes, I do have a bit of Structures experience! I also dip my toes in other parts of the airplane (Aero, Propulsion, Systems, ... even Payloads). I've been around a few bucking bars so your analogy is a good one for me. :cool:

hoosier21

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

So is this just bass I was missing with my old amp

yes.

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

or is it possible that the Aragon could be accentuating the bass?

no..

heiney9

^^^ What he said!

These are the kind of differences you notice when you start getting past entry level stuff. Aragon makes nice sounding gear. It was on my short list for a long time.

Enjoy

H9

P.s. Russ, how do you like the Monarchy's SE100's vs. the SM70's you had?

turbopantera

It is hard to tell what made your change. It is possible that the old amp had poor low frrequency response, or had poor control of the woofer not being able to drive it effeciently. The new amp can have more power, better low impedence drive, or can actually have worse control of the woofer making bass muddier and appear enhanced.

One way to tell is to play music that is very drum intensive. Drums have highly dynamic signals. Listen to each amp and decide if the bass seems to ring on after a drum hit or if it dies out well. Listen to dynamica and see which one has more punch or feel in the chest. An amp with good control and response will be dynamic, have no ringing and wide dynamics that translate the sound to a feel. My recent amp change while seemingly to have less bass, is actually a better quality bass.

Hawkeye

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

Yes, I do have a bit of Structures experience! I also dip my toes in other parts of the airplane (Aero, Propulsion, Systems, ... even Payloads). I've been around a few bucking bars so your analogy is a good one for me. :cool:

Congrats on your first flight! If I have right company:D

Gordon

Jetmaker737

Hawkeye wrote: »

Congrats on your first flight! If I have right company:D

Gordon

Thanks!... only a couple of years late :rolleyes: