Soundcraftsmen amp with SDA-1C series

00p225
00p225 Posts: 100
edited August 2004 in 2 Channel Audio
Tuesday, thanks to Woody, another forum member, I should be getting a Soundcraftsmen PM840 Mosfet power amp which is rated at 205wpc into 8 ohms. Just wondering if anyone has ever run a similar combination. The SDA-1C's are a bit layed back which I like, but have heard the Soundcraftsmens are a bit on the warm side. I'm currently running a McIntosh MC2100 which runs 100wpc, and sounds very nice, but once in a great while I like to open the SDA's up a bit and even the old Mac just doesn't quite get it done, so I thought I'd try either a Hafler or Soundcraftsmen. Thanks for any thoughts/input.
Main System
Pre - Homebrew 12au7 tube preamp
Amp - Eico HF-87 with EHEL34's
Source - Modded Toshiba 3950
Interconnects - DIY Belden
Speakers - Polk SDA-1C

Basement System
Pre - McIntosh C-28
Amp - McIntosh MC2100
Source - Modded Toshiba 3960
Tape - Pioneer RT-707
Turntable - Thorens TD150MKII with Denon DL-160
Speakers - Pioneer HPM-100
Post edited by 00p225 on

Comments

  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2004
    I've used the same combo. Sounds very good. I tried this after having the 1C's hooked up to a much larger soundcraftsmen. Sounded almost as good but obviously didn't play quiet as loud. I thought they worked very well together.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • 00p225
    00p225 Posts: 100
    edited August 2004
    MadMax,

    That's just what I wanted to hear. So I take it the Soundcraftsmen is more on the neutral side? If so, that's what I'm looking for. I also noticed the Soundcraftsmens don't seem to have alot of headroom for there power ratings. The MC2100's typically bench at around 150wpc, so I'm not expecting a huge extra power reserve with the Soundcraftsmen, just a bit more oomph at louder levels. Hopefully it works out. Thanks again.

    Zane
    Main System
    Pre - Homebrew 12au7 tube preamp
    Amp - Eico HF-87 with EHEL34's
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3950
    Interconnects - DIY Belden
    Speakers - Polk SDA-1C

    Basement System
    Pre - McIntosh C-28
    Amp - McIntosh MC2100
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3960
    Tape - Pioneer RT-707
    Turntable - Thorens TD150MKII with Denon DL-160
    Speakers - Pioneer HPM-100
  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited August 2004
    My 10Bs love my PCR-800 which is a similar amp (and speaker actually). I've had them hooked to my MC-6100 integrated and in sounded good at lower levels but a little thick in upper bass and lower midrange areas. Not a bad thick (ie boomy), just a little too warm for my tastes.
    Make it Funky! :)
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    edited August 2004
    Soundcraftsmen amps have alot of headroom, and can drive seriously low impedances. You'll love the combo. I've owned quite a few of them and regret selling every one of them. The PCR that Gidrah speaks of is the 'commercial" version of the PM-840, essentially.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • 00p225
    00p225 Posts: 100
    edited August 2004
    I believe this your old amplifier that was sold to Woody?? I'm sure it was well cared for and will be put to good use in my home either in my main or vintage system. I would imagine the old HPM-100's would sound very good with the PM840 as well as the Polks. Regards.

    Zane
    Main System
    Pre - Homebrew 12au7 tube preamp
    Amp - Eico HF-87 with EHEL34's
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3950
    Interconnects - DIY Belden
    Speakers - Polk SDA-1C

    Basement System
    Pre - McIntosh C-28
    Amp - McIntosh MC2100
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3960
    Tape - Pioneer RT-707
    Turntable - Thorens TD150MKII with Denon DL-160
    Speakers - Pioneer HPM-100
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    edited August 2004
    Yes, it is. A great amp and very well cared for. Terrax has (had?) the other one. I used to run them bridged for 600watts rms for my then Bose 901's. Alright--stop the booing the Bose are gone already! :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2004
    I've heard you can plug the 901's directly into a wall outlet without harming them.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    edited August 2004
    Yeah, I witnessed that demo. They just hum really loud at about 60Hz....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • 00p225
    00p225 Posts: 100
    edited August 2004
    I heard of a gentlemen who tried to arc weld with his hafler dh-500, not sure if it panned out for him or not, lol.......I also remember people running 100 watt light bulbs with the old Mac's, not quite as punishing as trying to weld. Hmmmmmmm
    Main System
    Pre - Homebrew 12au7 tube preamp
    Amp - Eico HF-87 with EHEL34's
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3950
    Interconnects - DIY Belden
    Speakers - Polk SDA-1C

    Basement System
    Pre - McIntosh C-28
    Amp - McIntosh MC2100
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3960
    Tape - Pioneer RT-707
    Turntable - Thorens TD150MKII with Denon DL-160
    Speakers - Pioneer HPM-100
  • 00p225
    00p225 Posts: 100
    edited August 2004
    I know alot of people poo poo the old 901's, but one of the best nightclub systems I heard in the mid 80's using 2 pair of 901's. I remember looking up in the ceiling and being rather suprised as I never heard them sound that good in home enviroments. No one I knew ever had them setup right though. Heck it was tough to talk people into facing them the right direction. They always had them backwards...................
    Main System
    Pre - Homebrew 12au7 tube preamp
    Amp - Eico HF-87 with EHEL34's
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3950
    Interconnects - DIY Belden
    Speakers - Polk SDA-1C

    Basement System
    Pre - McIntosh C-28
    Amp - McIntosh MC2100
    Source - Modded Toshiba 3960
    Tape - Pioneer RT-707
    Turntable - Thorens TD150MKII with Denon DL-160
    Speakers - Pioneer HPM-100
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    edited August 2004
    In all honesty, I loved mine. With the right room and correct set-up, they are very "listenable." Most people don't configure/setup properly or don't have enough power to drive them correctly.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2