Behringer A500 Amplifier: Objective Test Results

[jjgasp]

About a couple of years ago, being a happy recipient of the Parts Express Catalog, I saw the A500. At the time I was thinking of constructing The World's Finest Audio Power Amp (still a desire..) and, y'know, an A500 was cheaper than buying a chassis and power supply and plugs and sockets from DigiKey or whoever. So I bought one for sacrifice.

Then I thought - may as well see just how bad it is, and plugged it into my system (Linn Sondek LP-12/Rega RB300/Shure V15 MR; Linn Wakonda; Linn LK140; B&W 801-III) and - begod - it sounded better than the LK-140. Still did a few weeks later. Not only more relaxed pwoer, but better bass control. Maybe a little sweeter. Recognisably the same music, but.. nicer.

So I did the sensible thing, and bought 2 more (one per speaker, bi-amped) intending to keep the first as the sacrificial lamb. Had *serious* groundloop problems, resolved in time.

Just got an Integra DTC 9.8 preamp-processor. I expect to circumvent the groundloop solution by using the balanced outputs.. soon's I've bought more cable and plugs...

A whole new life - the A500s sound most excellent.

Thoroughly recommended.

Of course, my amp will be better - but don't hold any breaths

-- P

pyotr, do your first/early impressions still hold up? i also have an integra dtc-9.8, currently powered by the butler 5150, which i think sounds great but lacks a certain ooomph. my speakers are salk ht3's, which have 85db sensitivity and 8 ohm impedence.

 

[mtrycrafts]

pyotr, do your first/early impressions still hold up? i also have an integra dtc-9.8, currently powered by the butler 5150, which i think sounds great but lacks a certain ooomph. my speakers are salk ht3's, which have 85db sensitivity and 8 ohm impedence.

Do you have a sub? Maybe that is where you are lacking? That amp is 150 watts per ch, so I doubt it is lacking even with that 85dB sensitivity. In room that would be about 88.

 

[serenitynow]

Ground Loop Hum running Bridged

I was successfully running 1 Behringer A500 in Stereo Mode. I have just purchased another A500 and am now running both bridged in mono mode, one for left & one for right speaker. Since doing this there is a too loud hum coming from both speakers. I am using good quality RCA connectors, I know the balanced XLR would be better but my pre-outs are RCA only. Any easy solutions?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I was successfully running 1 Behringer A500 in Stereo Mode. I have just purchased another A500 and am now running both bridged in mono mode, one for left & one for right speaker. Since doing this there is a too loud hum coming from both speakers. I am using good quality RCA connectors, I know the balanced XLR would be better but my pre-outs are RCA only. Any easy solutions?

Are the two amps run from the same power feed?

Also, do an experiment if you cave any cable TV anyway connected through your audio system. Unplug all of those cables to the audio path, video(component or otherwise) running from the cable box through the receiver, or if not, any connection to the Tv needs to be disconnected and see if it still hums. You seem to have a classic ground loop issue.
You may also want to run a temporary grounding wire between component cases and see if that helps.

 

[mike c]

I was successfully running 1 Behringer A500 in Stereo Mode. I have just purchased another A500 and am now running both bridged in mono mode, one for left & one for right speaker. Since doing this there is a too loud hum coming from both speakers. I am using good quality RCA connectors, I know the balanced XLR would be better but my pre-outs are RCA only. Any easy solutions?

use an RCA to 1/4" TRS adapter or an RCA to XLR cable.

or

 

[captiankirk28]

This question my have been asked before but i didnt read all the posts (alot of them) but if i hook this up to m Pioneer AVR would it be adding the power to what i already have or do you just get the power from the Behringer? I can get one for about $120 and would like the power.

 

[mike c]

This question my have been asked before but i didnt read all the posts (alot of them) but if i hook this up to m Pioneer AVR would it be adding the power to what i already have or do you just get the power from the Behringer? I can get one for about $120 and would like the power.

the power on the pioneer would not be used if you connect the behringer A500 to the pre-outs of your pioneer. 120 bucks is a good price

 

[serenitynow]

Behringer A500 loud hum in bridged

Ok. Thanks for the input so far. I ended up buying an ART DTi Isolator/Stereo Hum Eliminator. The theory goes that it seperates input and output signal grounds, isolating the two amps and reducing hum/noise in the process. It also allowed me to input RCA and output XLR cables. Problem is it quietens one channel but cranks the other. Interestingly, if I use XLR in one and RCA in the other it seems to work, however the XLR channel is very quiet.
At the moment I am back to stereo on my original amp with some acceptable hum - both channels. I connected the new amp in stereo on its own, it definently seems noisier. Maybe there is an issue with the new amp? I hope not.
I don't know how half assed it would be to use one XLR and one RCA and crank the gain on the XLR to balance, not ideal. Getting desperate I guess.
I do miss the bridged power, it was VERY smooth - so I want it back!

 

[mike c]

try the adapter i attached a picture of, the 1/4" TRS ... it got rid of the slight hum i had.

 

[serenitynow]

Behringer A500 loud hum in bridged

OK. I think its the new amp I just bought. The other one I had seems fine in Bridged/Stereo, minimal hum, just noticeable.
The new one has loud hum Bridged/Stereo. Also, when testing it I am starting to get a few small shocks off it. It must have a problem. I aint touching it anymore in case I get Zapped. Oh the fun. Now I will have to try and get a replacement/repair. I have had the 1st one for a year with no problems at all. This one may be a lemon?

 

[mike c]

OK. I think its the new amp I just bought. The other one I had seems fine in Bridged/Stereo, minimal hum, just noticeable.
The new one has loud hum Bridged/Stereo. Also, when testing it I am starting to get a few small shocks off it. It must have a problem. I aint touching it anymore in case I get Zapped. Oh the fun. Now I will have to try and get a replacement/repair. I have had the 1st one for a year with no problems at all. This one may be a lemon?

probably. i have 4 with no problems whatsoever. but with the prices these are available for, i'm sure it happens.

 

[captiankirk28]

I was wondering if it matters that my SVS MTS-01
have a 6ohm rating and this amp says it will do 4 or 8ohm, is it ok to use on them?

 

[mike c]

I was wondering if it matters that my SVS MTS-01
have a 6ohm rating and this amp says it will do 4 or 8ohm, is it ok to use on them?

yes. in fact 6 ohm is cooler for the amp than 4 ohms.

bench tested, the A500 does 120w for 8 ohms and 180w for 4 ohms.

if I had to guess, it should do around 150w for 6 ohms.

 

[captiankirk28]

I will probley end up getting another one than and bridge them because my pioneer from what i have read gives me 180 watts X 7 for 6 ohms. i will be using the amp just for 2 channel music though, is their a way to hook them up so i dont have to use them all the time?

 

[mike c]

I will probley end up getting another one than and bridge them because my pioneer from what i have read gives me 180 watts X 7 for 6 ohms. i will be using the amp just for 2 channel music though, is their a way to hook them up so i dont have to use them all the time?

if you bridge the A500, the manual recommends only using 8ohm speakers on it. because when bridged, it already "sees" a 4 ohm load per channel. if you plug in your 6 ohm speaker, the channels will "see" less than 4 ohms and it will abnormally heat up the amp or it might trigger shutdown of the amp.

 

[captiankirk28]

Ok, do you think i will have really any benifit of this or should i be looking for something else?

I want to have alot of headroom.

 

[mike c]

if you need massive headroom but with the same bang for the buck as the A500, I would recommend the Behringer EP2500 - downside is that it has a fan, and it might be audible depending on how far the amp is gonna be to you.

MTS-01 specs
Nominal Impedance 6 ohms
Sensitivity 91dB
Power Handling 20W - 250W

personally, I think the A500 used in stereo mode is sufficient.

 

[captiankirk28]

Ok, well i will give it a try and see how it works, and if i need more i will get something else.
I dont really care how much it costs to a certian point, maybe i should just get something that has a 5 or 7 channel amp and be done with it.

 

[pmac]

if you bridge the A500, the manual recommends only using 8ohm speakers on it. because when bridged, it already "sees" a 4 ohm load per channel. if you plug in your 6 ohm speaker, the channels will "see" less than 4 ohms and it will abnormally heat up the amp or it might trigger shutdown of the amp.

Hello.
I have seen your posts all over the place, and have seen the pics of the speakers you have. May I ask now why you are getting all these other subs as well? Do you review them, or do you have a business? Or is your home just ultra disgustingly huge and have room for all these subs I have seen you with and are planning to get .
Please make sure you read the right tone here, I am just totally curious and am gloriously envious . Hope you dont mind me prying!

 

[mike c]

Hello.
I have seen your posts all over the place, and have seen the pics of the speakers you have. May I ask now why you are getting all these other subs as well? Do you review them, or do you have a business? Or is your home just ultra disgustingly huge and have room for all these subs I have seen you with and are planning to get .
Please make sure you read the right tone here, I am just totally curious and am gloriously envious . Hope you dont mind me prying!

i'm sick. sick with upgradeitis.

seriously though, no business, I wish I was, i'm just not getting what I want with every step of the upgrade ... which is why i keep upgrading. i have a feeling i'm close though

about the subs in my signature, i told the wife i'd sell them after I listen to them. shhhh. we'll see if i can deliver on that promise.