High power amp recommendations for SDA-SRS (blade/blade)

sbb2112 · January 2017

I am looking to gain some headroom from where I am. Trey is just about done with the new crossovers and I've searched and found a couple threads on the subject but nothing recent. I have a Mac now at 300 wpc but was looking for maybe 450+ in a common ground amp. I am told that a Krell Duo 300 would fit the bill but was curious if anybody had suggestions. Have not heard the Krell but there are a couple on Audiogon.

michaeljhsda2 · January 2017

The McIntosh will provide more than enough power. SDA's are an easy load to drive contrary to popular opinion.

pitdogg2 · January 2017

Bladed original SRS's are 4 ohm correct? So is the Mac 300@ 4ohm?

sbb2112 · January 2017

The mac has 3 sets of taps. 8 ohm,4 and 2 ohm. The output rating is the same on all 3 i am on the 4 ohm taps and don't activate the power guard lights but it seems that the output noses over when i get close to the rated output so it may be starting to kick in. The issue is with music that has a lot of range, Pretty noticeable. Maybe the crossover upgrade will be a difference.

F1nut · January 2017

Very, very different sound signature between those two brands.

sbb2112 · January 2017

Tough to get to lay ears on a Krell in my area. It was suggested to me by a dealer near a friend. My buddy told him what I was interested in and he called me. He is 2K miles from here so not really a short trip

Schurkey · January 2017

sbb2112 wrote: »

I have a Mac now at 300 wpc but was looking for maybe 450+ in a common ground amp.

The difference between 300 watts and 450 watts is about one-and-a-half dBW.
If you already have 300 watts into 4 ohms, and that isn't enough, I'd think you'd better be looking at 600+ (3+ dBW) into 4-ohms, to get a reasonable improvement. More would be better.

The question I'd be asking is "Is my amp working properly" because 300 watts seems like a lot of power. How big is your room? "Lively" or "dead"?

tonyb · January 2017

Nothing wrong with that amps power. Look elsewhere in your system but first wait until you get the speakers crossovers burned in before making assessments. Your problem can very well be the room, cabling, your source component, which all have an affect on the sound your hearing.

sbb2112 · January 2017

I found a post here where a pair of Bryston 7B amps were strapped together with the SDA-SRS's with no report of problems. Those are 600W amps. That might be an option. The Krell Duo 300 is rated at 540W at 4 ohms. So, yes the 450 wouldn't be much better over the 300. Trey says my crossovers will ship on Monday. The room is fairly well treated, carpet, 2 bass traps on sidewalls, 18X16X9'. Belden 5T00UP Speaker Cable, GLS Audio XLR interconnects, Tributaries T200 power conditioners.

tonyb · January 2017

Again, you have plenty of power on tap for those speakers with the Mac. Could also be you just are not tickled with the Mac's presentation. Don't just assume throwing watts at those speakers will wake them up.

Also, your cabling needs work. MIT, Acoustic zen, Wireworld, Harmonic Technology, Audioquest, Kimber....some of the better cabling companies to search for on the used markets.

Wait until you get the crossovers installed and burned in before making judgements. What are you using for a source for your music ?

sbb2112 · January 2017

Using the Oppo-103d with a usb HD with all the files in flac format. Fed thru the Marantz. I should see or be able to tell a lot about things in the next couple weeks.

sbb2112 · January 2017

I have been wrestling with all the possibilities of how to make the old girls sing again and really appreciate the help. The many thoughts really save me from a lot of missteps and I guess maybe help others from the same. I'll keep posting my progress

tonyp063 · January 2017

If you look carefully, the commentators are preaching patience.
I'd advise you to embrace & heed that advise.

sbb2112 · January 2017

I've got lots of patience, more than funds. There is good advise here, planning for where to head next. Looks like cables may be something to budget for next more than a bigger amp. Maybe later.

tonyb · January 2017

Make sure you test all the drivers too to make sure they are working properly. Last thing you need is to find out a tweeter or 2 have gone south or a mid is frozen. Hopefully the poly switches too were removed.

Moose68Bash · January 2017

If you get to the point that you want more power, you might want to look at this Perreaux vintage amp, which has been on eBay for a few weeks, now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perreaux-PMF-5150B-Power-Amp-2-CH-500-Watts-per-Channel-Mint-Cond-120v-or-220v-/222275240918?hash=item33c0a303d6:g:Lf8AAOSwPCVX-nBh

I use Perreaux electronics -- vintage and new -- with my SDA 1Cs and SDA SRS 1.2tls -- both with crossovers modified by Trey.

The amp is rated at 1000 watts RMS into 4 ohms, and from personal experience I can say that Perreaux amps from the 1980s are conservatively rated.

I think the Polks and Perreaux amps/preamps match up well, but of course, that is matter of individual taste. The amp on eBay is the one with which I first auditioned SDA SRSs and my memories of the sound were what drove me back to the SRSs many years later.

The eBay seller claims that it is in "mint" condition, which it is not -- the power switch (a rare weak point in vintage Perreaux amps) and the plug on the power cord have been replaced.

BTW --I have no affiliation with the seller.

sbb2112 · January 2017

Well I am awaiting the new crossovers and have measured the output from the amp with a voltmeter. Everything seems appropriate there. I am not deaf. Everything there OK too. I found a chart for estimating SPL and everything there is off by about 15db. I have the gear at the opposite end of the room and the speakers at the other end. The cables are 40 ft. long. I can either move everything and have short cables, move the 2 channel amp and have short speaker cables and long XLR cables or leave as is.

ptrooper · January 2017

If your pulling the drivers and everything out in the very near future, i highly recommend installing Larry's rings at the same time if you haven't all ready!
Larry has just put a warning order out around a week ago regarding his rings and i can honestly say you won't regret it.

High power amp recommendations for SDA-SRS (blade/blade)

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