Niles SI-1650

[deathfalcon]

Is this amp the top of the line?
From what I've read this is one of the best home amps out there, but I've never used one.
Has anyone had any experience with this amp? If so, is it reliable?

 

[Seth=L]

I used to own a Niles SI-275 and I wish I still had it. Remarkably stable amplifier. Despite only being 75 watts a channel I was never able to run it out of steam.

As to your question, it depends on what you're planning to use it for. If it's for a multiroom sound system, then yes, it's a very good amplifier for that purpose. It's very low noise and can sustain large amounts of current. If you intend to use it as a home theater amplifier, I recommend looking elsewhere. This is a home integration amplifier, it's not designed with home theater in mind.

Simply put your question without context is like asking if a Caterpillar earth mover is a top of the line vehicle, when what maybe you're looking for is a luxury vehicle.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Seth - you might want to read this thread first:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/what-would-you-do.93661/

Niles amp is a step in right direction, but far from complete solution OP is after, thou he doesn't fully understand the scope of it.

 

[deathfalcon]

[/QUOTE]Niles amp is a step in right direction, but far from complete solution OP is after, thou he doesn't fully understand the scope of it.[/QUOTE]


You're right, i don't fully understand the scope of it, which is why I'm posing these questions. I do think I'm on the right track, but my job is usually more in IT than it is A/V, so I'm making due with some heavy research. Nothing beats experience, so i thought I'd turn to the forums. So far, its been a very unhelpful experience. LOL. So, I've just kept researching.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You're right, i don't fully understand the scope of it, which is why I'm posing these questions. I do think I'm on the right track, but my job is usually more in IT than it is A/V, so I'm making due with some heavy research. Nothing beats experience, so i thought I'd turn to the forums. So far, its been a very unhelpful experience. LOL. So, I've just kept researching.

Ok so say you're in IT. What are you asking is an equivalent asking help and advice to build 20 Racks Datacenter while have near zero knowledge in it. You should have some idea of scope such task entails.

Would it be really helpful if someone says something like "HP is top-of-the-line!" , Or "just use cisco" ???

No, not even near.You might be able to do it, but most of members of this forum would even know where to start.

Forums are to help people, and see my "Likes Received" I am not here to troll people, but to help, however every once in while comes by person like you - very enthusiastic, yet completely clueless.If WE do provide you positive encouragement and a bit of guidance - you'd probably build SOMETHING. But this something would be a disaster or likely a fire hazard.

Don't get too emotional or upset with us. Honestly we are trying to help you by guiding you towards A/V professional. If you would be asking much smaller scale project - maybe 2-3 zones - I'd say - tackle it yourself and products like niles would be it, but if this project is like fireworks - your project is like Moon rocket

 

[markw]

You're right, i don't fully understand the scope of it, which is why I'm posing these questions. I do think I'm on the right track, but my job is usually more in IT than it is A/V, so I'm making due with some heavy research. Nothing beats experience, so i thought I'd turn to the forums. So far, its been a very unhelpful experience. LOL. So, I've just kept researching.

As a professional, you should know that you don't stumble on that title from simply trolling forums. You insult other professionals in other fields. That's like saying "tell me all you know about "IT" in five minutes. I've got the time". And, yes, some of her are in IT.

You might try reading some books on this subject instead of asking others for this complex problem. Maybe then you'll know what you're asking. so far, it's fair it's fairly obvious you have no clue what you're up against.

Trust me, you're not doing your friend any favors.

Or, to drag up an old chestnut "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

 

[deathfalcon]

I get that, My thing is that i do have an idea of the scope, i get it. I'm not super enthusiastic about this, its a task that got assigned to me at my job. And I'm not clueless. I've invested hours and hours of research into this. I've already wired the house and I've chosen the speakers and I've gotten everything mapped out as far as my current knowledge will allow. This is why I'm choosing the Niles 1650. Two of them, actually. Its a fully configurable system with a matrix that i need to complete the project. I've got volume controls that will match the impedance of the speakers. I am only going to have three different listening zones. the inside of the house will always play the same thing over every speaker because thats the way the guy wants it. the garage and the front and backyards all have different listening zones and ive calculated the amount of wattage i need for each speaker to reach 90dB at 3 meters. I'm not just stabbing at the night sky here, I get it. So, with that, is it such a big deal to ask if I'm on the right track? Is it so bad to inquire about the experience some of you may have had with this amp?

 

[markw]

To start with, assuming there is one stereo pair in each room, you'll need two channels per room. So, two of these will be able to handle sixteen speaker pairs, or rooms.

That's one problem solved. Now, what " fully configurable system with a matrix" systems have you looked at. Actually, I'm at a loss here. Can you provide a link to a .pdf on it?

 

[deathfalcon]

This is the .pdf for the Niles SI-1650 user manual. It has what you're looking for about the matrix.

http://www.nilesaudio.com/docs/manuals/9901255-Rev-A-SI-1650_Manual.pdf

 

[markw]

I know the Niles. It's a great amp, but it's only an amp. It's that " fully configurable system with a matrix" thing that's going to be the death of you. It provides simple diagrams for you to follow.

A multi-zone receiver or two would be my suggestion and the amp has instructions and diagrams for that, but your other thread has other ideas on that. You might want to concentrate on that one.

 

[Seth=L]

Seth - you might want to read this thread first:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/what-would-you-do.93661/

Niles amp is a step in right direction, but far from complete solution OP is after, thou he doesn't fully understand the scope of it.

Ah, saw that thread, did not realize it was from the same poster.

 

[slipperybidness]

A multi-zone receiver or two would be my suggestion and the amp has instructions and diagrams for that, but your other thread has other ideas on that. You might want to concentrate on that one.

+1

Personally, I just don't get the "whole house distributed audio" thing.

It's just more hassle, IMO!

I prefer a receiver or a pre-amp/amp in EACH ROOM. Heck, maybe even 2 or 3 rigs in my man cave alone

 

[markw]

Personally, I just don't get the "whole house distributed audio" thing.

It's just more hassle, IMO!

Really. Please note that no mention has been made about controlling the source from anywhere else but one central location. But, in his defense, maybe that's not an issue here.

 

[RichB]

I have used the Linked Zones in J River to stream to a DAC and 2 DLNA sources and it works fine for those whole house moments.

J Remote is a great iPad app that allows dynamic linking.
I have never had any problems.

FWIW,

Rich