Amp quandry...what do I do!!!
Comments
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Pear --
Can you at least take the Rotel home for a test drive? Nothing to lose. Besides, I'd be interested in your impressions of it.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Pear --
Can you at least take the Rotel home for a test drive? Nothing to lose. Besides, I'd be interested in your impressions of it.
Early - I'm going to inquire next week about a home trial, I'll keep you posted.
I found the specs on the Classe CA210 amp & the other fellow was not correct in his findings. Here's the correct specs: 8ohm load/200w - 4ohm load 400w. Now that's a lot better looking amp, I might just have to give a listen to. But I'm still worried about it being able to handle my speakers."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
I can only tell you that the Classe amp that I had was the best sounding SS amp I've ever heard.
Plus, you could jumpstart a Greyhound bus with that thing. Unless you are trying to run a couple pairs of Apogee Scintillas, I wouldn't worry about it.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Didn't Zero also sell that amplifier? I bet it was a life changing event for him too.
Zero never sold his H20, at least as of a few weeks ago. He uses it during his reviews that he does for Affordable Audio, the most recent review where it is mentioned is in this month's issue.I am waiting for Gaara to step in, he is our resident class D afficionado.
They sound like a winner, no pun intended. I read the 6moons review. http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/h2o/m250_2.html.
I can't speak for the amps, but the reviewer does have taste when it comes to his speakers
Venom
Don't know to much about this amp as it has never interested me much. They use the A modules which don't include the SMPS like the ASP modules do. They seem to go the route of massive overkill in the power supply, which works for some.
I personally wanted amps with the ASP module because I like simpler signal paths. With everything integrated there is a very short signal path and not much in the way of the sound. Not to mention the SMPS is extremely efficient and generates close to no heat, plus is very small so you can have 7lb monoblocks putting out 500wpc+. I do respect Zero's opinion alot though, his opinion led me to purchase my SIA Rothschilde A2s and my Monarchy SM-70.
As for the review, Srajan didn't seem to fall in love with these amps as he did with the Bel Cantos. Last I checked he used the Bel Canto S300 for his Gallos, and fellow Gallo owner John Potis uses the Bel Canto REF1000s. -
Hey Jared, I think we both just need to get the Spectron Musician III and be done with it. Even though I keep hearing that the MCormack DNA500 is The amp to beat. At $7k it better be.
Venom -
Phil, it was a Rotel, it's damping factor was rated at < 1000, it wasn't that good. I've heard the RB1090 more than once, it may be the best they make, but I wasn't impressed. Don't get hung up on specs.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I think it would be very interesting to try the Rotel & the Classe side by side in your home. You can probably get a 30 day on both. The Classe amps are in a class of their own and if you find that one to be the better amp, you are really a couple of steps closer to your "dream" amp.
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I think it would be very interesting to try the Rotel & the Classe side by side in your home. You can probably get a 30 day on both. The Classe amps are in a class of their own and if you find the Classe to be the better amp, you are really a couple of steps closer to your "dream" amp.
BTW Jesse I didn't know that a high damping factor could cause woofer control problems. I always thought that the higher an amps damping factor the better it could control speakers. I remember a damping factor of over 100 was good but below 20 was very poor. Could I have been high on acid during that class too? -
I remember a damping factor of over 100 was good but below 20 was very poor.
I believe that is correct. However, it seems one can have too high a damping factor and that 200 is more than enough.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Zero recommended the H2O Signature to me. He and I had a few PMs and I am utterly convinced I need this amp sometime in the future.
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Zero also recommended the H2O Signature 150 or Nuforce 9.02 to me for my Dynaudios. I want to upgrade my B&K amp but I'm gonna wait till next year.`
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Hey Jared, I think we both just need to get the Spectron Musician III and be done with it. Even though I keep hearing that the MCormack DNA500 is The amp to beat. At $7k it better be.
Venom
Venom,
I toyed with the idea for a while...until I realized that they sell for $4k used on Agon. Anthony Gallo has pots of money to spend on his Refs but I sure don't, I can't ever see myself spending more then 2k for a amp. What are you doing for a amp now, did I read correctly you purchased a Trio?SolidSqual wrote: »Zero recommended the H2O Signature to me. He and I had a few PMs and I am utterly convinced I need this amp sometime in the future.
Keep us posted when you pick one up, I would love to hear your impressions of it. To bad you can't do a comparison between it and a cheaper IcePower amp like the Trio you just unloaded. -
Venom,
I toyed with the idea for a while...until I realized that they sell for $4k used on Agon. Anthony Gallo has pots of money to spend on his Refs but I sure don't, I can't ever see myself spending more then 2k for a amp. What are you doing for a amp now, did I read correctly you purchased a Trio?
I agree, it is nice to have a goal in site but that is too much for my budget as well. I did see one for $2300, but was not ready at the time. I am still using the Krell and the Butler back and forth. I picked up the Trio because I heard great things about it and wanted to see want Ice can do. Especially that it can run all day cold, like my Butler. I may end up using it for my surrounds (Dues) you are familiar with, I am sure it will keep those in line, if not my 3.1's. Are you still using the Earthquake?
V -
Troy, did you have an OLDER Classe amp ?I can only tell you that the Classe amp that I had was the best sounding SS amp I've ever heard.
Plus, you could jumpstart a Greyhound bus with that thing. Unless you are trying to run a couple pairs of Apogee Scintillas, I wouldn't worry about it.
BDT
I have a friend with Vanndersteen 5 A's and he is totally into David Reich and Classe.
He claims the OLD DR series amps are the best.
Just wanted to get your thoughts ? -
I know a guy who bought the New Force amps.Zero also recommended the H2O Signature 150 or Nuforce 9.02 to me for my Dynaudios. I want to upgrade my B&K amp but I'm gonna wait till next year.`
He has the big Melos Audio amp, great amp, when it isn't broken.
He liked the new force amps.
he had a Spectron Musician, unreliable but he says awesome amp when it worked.
He still talks about the Spectron, misses it.
Unfortunately he said it spent too much time back at the shop. -
The NuForce amplifiers sound like they should be put back in the box, but that's just me.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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They never did a lot for me either, the nu forces.
I just have a friend raving about them, but you know how that goes ?
Speaking of amps, I heard a modified Parasound HCA 3500 driving big Soundlabs.
I was very impressed.
The guy actually sold his big Atmosphere OTL's, kept the modified Parasound 3500. -
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I say go for the one you REALLY want. Next month, do the same...
Vinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... -
I agree, it is nice to have a goal in site but that is too much for my budget as well. I did see one for $2300, but was not ready at the time. I am still using the Krell and the Butler back and forth. I picked up the Trio because I heard great things about it and wanted to see want Ice can do. Especially that it can run all day cold, like my Butler. I may end up using it for my surrounds (Dues) you are familiar with, I am sure it will keep those in line, if not my 3.1's. Are you still using the Earthquake?
V
The trio is a good little amp, I kinda regret selling mine. It has the Ice "sound" but isn't the best implementation of it, but of course that goes without saying as it is one of the cheaper icepower amps.
Nope the Earthquake has been in my basment for a couple months now, I did a comparison between it and the EVS 500Ms (using the highest powered IcePower module) and I much preferred the EVS. Great little amps, 2x the output of the cinenova yet 1/10 the weight and around 1/5 the size...and they run cold even after hours of heavy use. -
The trio is a good little amp, I kinda regret selling mine. It has the Ice "sound" but isn't the best implementation of it, but of course that goes without saying as it is one of the cheaper icepower amps.
Nope the Earthquake has been in my basment for a couple months now, I did a comparison between it and the EVS 500Ms (using the highest powered IcePower module) and I much preferred the EVS. Great little amps, 2x the output of the cinenova yet 1/10 the weight and around 1/5 the size...and they run cold even after hours of heavy use.
I see you sold the SA, congrats. I have a Cary Cinema 6 coming tomorrow too. I think I am just an amp ****...Use em, and send them on their way. -
Amen amp ****.
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I am more like an amp pimp...get em in my system...use them myself for a while...let my friends try em out...then just sell them for cash...sometimes just trade them with my friends.The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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I get jealous if other people use my amp, so it stays home with me.
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Ok - back on track here! From my original post I mentioned my "Dream amp" as a MAC MC402. Well things have changed a bit. I still drool when I think about it but I've also been looking at other quality amps.
Here's my list so far: not in any particular order.
Classe' CA201
Bat VK-500 w/ Batpak
PASS Labs X250
Rotel RB1090
ML #29
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the above mentioned amps, especially if you have 1st hand listening experiences with one. It's just so hard to find them at a dealer to get your ears on.
Thanks to Jesse for steering me in the right direction & to Ted for his feedback on the BAT (sounds like he really likes it).
My quest continues!!! "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
The PASS Labs is the most interesting out of that bunch.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Pearsall,
Add the McIntosh 501 mono's to that list. These may be one of the more versatile amplifiers in McIntosh's line-up when it comes to matching a wide variety of loudspeakers. Pretty good sound to boot.
Without a doubt they are superb, well over my budget but droolig doesn't cost you a dime!! "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
May I ask how it is implemented differently?Is it using a linear power supply instead of a switching supply?The trio is a good little amp, I kinda regret selling mine. It has the Ice "sound" but isn't the best implementation of it, but of course that goes without saying as it is one of the cheaper icepower amps.
It's incredible how cool these things run.I have an ICE ASP250 driving subs and just recently built an amp with a pair of the HYPEX UcD 180 modules.Both just slightly warm even when driven hard......they run cold even after hours of heavy use.Testing
Testing
Testing -
Phil,
You may want to add the Mccormack DNA-500 amp to your list. I have no experience with this amp but in all my research everywhere, this is called one of the best sub $10K amps around. They are $7K new but show up sometimes for under $4k used, in the same ballpark as your Mac. Just a heads up. There is one on the Gon now:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1197672296
Venom -
If you ask about 5 specific things, you'll get 20 other suggestions.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
