Need to pick an amp

[zumbo]

Under the best of circumstances (completely even load between HF and LF section) it would be identical.

Under anything other than completely even lad two XPA-1's would be superior.

Looks like you have talked us, I mean, you into it. Heck, for a minute there, I was about to click BUY.

No, I will not be disconnecting the multi-thousand-dollar crossovers in these $15k speakers

100% understood.

 

[JerryLove]

Now you know you're eventually going to buy a pair of XPA-1s anyway so why put off the inevitable.

I have the same addiction and have an XPA-2 due here monday. There goes most of the money I had saved for a new super sub for the family room.

If money weren't an issue: I'd be running McIntosh's. Their 1-ohm operational 500WPC came up on Craigslist here recently. But it was still >$2k.

Actually: in a perfect world I'd use a pair of their 1.2kw monoblocks.

 

[zumbo]

In a perfect world, I would prefer 28b's.
http://bryston.com/28bsst_m.html

 

[JerryLove]

Looks like you have talked us, I mean, you into it. Heck, for a minute there, I was about to click BUY.

While two XPA-1's are superior to two XPA-2's in this case, that does not mean that I'm going to use XPA-1's.

In fact, if I am forced to buy as blind as I am now, I would gamble on a single XPA-2 working. I am a little unhappy that Emotiva only technically lists their amps to a 4ohm load, and with the 801's taking 1kw, I'm not in love with a 300WPC amp, but I do have budget limits.

If I *must* spend $2k, then it's unlikely I will proceed right now. I'll likely wait at least until I finish the review of the GMA's (on top of all else, I've had the flu, so no work on that in more than a week), and sold them, and gotten a few more paychecks before I consider that.

 

[JerryLove]

In a perfect world, I would prefer 28b's.
http://bryston.com/28bsst_m.html

Odd that their tech sheet doesn't mention ohm loads.

 

[Kitsum]

My speakers are amp killers at 84db, 4 way and dip to 2 ohms at 90Hz. No way i could get very loud with consumer amps without tripping the protect mode. I got a used QSC RMX 4050HD (conventional power supply, 3 step class H, 800RMSWpc at 8ohms, 1600W at 2ohms,65lbs), modded the fan, and I'm a pro amp convert. Great sound, VERY high end and no hiccups running 24/7.

 

[zumbo]

What about an xpa2 for the high-end.

Woofers parallel on a xpa1.

 

[jostenmeat]

Outside of what I find to be an extremely bright display and on-light, I really like my Crown XTi amp. Their most powerful, XTi6000, is going for 1.5k right now, I know I know way past budget, but I think it might* be a good price (compared to what it usually goes for)? Just wanted to throw that out there. I don't know . . .

Product spec sheet says:

Stereo 2ohms 3000W per ch at 1% THD.
Stereo 4ohms 2100W, per, .5%
Stereo 8ohms 1200W, per, .5%
mono 4ohms, 6000W at 1%.
mono 8ohms 4200W at 1%.

I really like the free BandManager software too. Very cool considering that it's free. I plug a usb/laptop into it, have 20 presets to play with, can add all kinds of notch filters, varying Q, shelf filters, separate EQ per channel (or at least defeat for any certain channel), and other things.

My XTi2000 was had for $500.


EDIT: ok just take one step down to the XTi4000, and it's only $800. 1200W per channel at 4ohms.

http://www.amazon.com/Crown-Digital-Power-Amplifier-Watts/dp/B000FL1O5O

 

[jostenmeat]

Well I have the older 801 series 80 which are not as efficient as yours and I use a Crown cts-600 that is 300w per channel and they will blow me out of the room so I wouldn't think you should need more then something like that.

Crown baby.... Crown.

As a case in point: I have a 402d that I picked up on a lark, it will run 2 ohm stable at 450 watts / channel. I have a Parasound HCA 1000A. After some extended listening the 402d has more authority and slam than the Parasound. All this mumbly jumbly about finesse, separation, wider soundstage? The only thing the Parasound does better is a lower noise floor. This is on Zaphs ZDT3.5's and some JBL EL90's. I will try again on my Statements when they are built.

Ok, I guess I'm just dog-piling on the Crown rec.

edit: I can't recall with 100% certainty, and I don't know if the guy was full of it, but a fellow at AVS once told me that the Yammy PS series weren't ideal for sub/bass applications (was looking for something to power my TH sub). I have no idea if this is true in the slightest, but something for you to investigate.

 

[KEW]

Why not bridge two Behringer EP4000s for a mere $370 each?

 

[zumbo]

What about an xpa2 for the high-end.

Woofers parallel on a xpa1.

No channel separation. My bad.

And you don't want to spend that much.

 

[GranteedEV]

The Hypex guys are very open and easy to talk to, I recommend getting in touch with them and discussing your goals. You'd have to do a bit of soldering work as these are DIY amps though, but I think the end result will be worthwhile. 2xUCD700s perhaps? Granted if you went the monoblocks route that would probably cost as much or more than XPA-1s but a regular 2ch amp might work out.

On a side note, I've read that the N801s require a very large room. Perhaps it's time to take that all-important step and get a CEDIA/THX installer to build you a dedicated listening room?

 

[bobs]

Your goal is very achievable. Get an Amp from AB International.
http://www.abamps.com/
It plays on 2 Ohm all day, no problem. Bob now builts Cinema amps, with three or four channels. The three channel one puts out 1500Watt/4 Ohm sine wave.
Maybe ask these guys, they simply sell the 6 Channel version (which are three stacked two channel amps in one case):
http://www.highendzone.com/amps.shtml
These are all "Pro Audio" Amps. The design is very clever, there are fans but these only come on under VERY high load. I have a six channel Verastarr amp which was built by ABAmps, bridged for the three fronts. The amp barely get's warm. If I really crank it, then sometimes the fans come on.
Since it's bridged, the amp "sees" my 4 Ohm speakers as a 2 Ohm load, but it plays all day without any issue.

 

[JerryLove]

Your goal is very achievable. Get an Amp from AB International.

AB doesn't seem to have any for sale (they reference their eBay store which has no items), and the Cinema 6 is out of my price range.

Awesome looking amps though.

 

[GranteedEV]

How about one of these babies:

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=146&products_id=670

The only caveat is the same proamp "fan noise issue":

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=976373

 

[JerryLove]

How about one of these babies:

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=146&products_id=670

It has the advantage of stating 2-ohm support. Other than that: how do you feel this is superior to the less expensive XPA-2?

That said: Emo prices are up and I'm not gonna buy off-sale. The whole thing is just on hold for now.

 

[Pyrrho]

Here's the speaker: http://www.stereophile.com/content/bw-nautilus-801-loudspeaker-measurements

It wants a lot of power, and spends a lot of time at 3ohm

There's no way I can afford to amp it the way Stereophile chose to do it. The question is: what can I get away with without sound quality being limited.

I'm hoping I can get away with no bigger than http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

Obviously I'd love to run 4 XPA1's, but the budget will in no way allow that.

Suggestions on what will properly power these monsters? So far I've gotten improvements everytime I throw more amp at them. Based on my current LF response: I think I haven't hit what they really want yet.

Heck: I've considered http://www.peavey.com/products/browse.cfm/action/detail/item/116951/IPR™ 4500.cfm , but it scares me.

New, I can't think of a better choice than the Emotiva amplifier you mention for its price point. Used, I would look at a Crown K2 power amp. No fan, so no fan noise, and plenty of power even into 2 ohms.

http://www.crownaudio.com/gen_htm/legacy/legacamp.htm

You can look at several pdf documents regarding the K Series there.

 

[just-some-guy]

I actually own 2 sets. One of 801 Series2's, and the other of Nautilus 801's.

these are $7000+ each ? and you wanting to cheap out on amps ?
i don't get it.

(not trying to be a jerk. just wondering)

 

[JerryLove]

these are $7000+ each ? and you wanting to cheap out on amps ?
i don't get it.

(not trying to be a jerk. just wondering)

I have the money I have. $4k is a lot to spend.

I got the speakers from a lot of time on Craigslist. I paid nowhere near retail.

 

[just-some-guy]

I have the money I have. $4k is a lot to spend.

I got the speakers from a lot of time on Craigslist. I paid nowhere near retail.

ahhh, i see. yeah 4g's is a lot. especially for a luxury.

i see your in tampa. with the real estate market there the way it is . i can bet there are some good deals to be had. no deals on amps ?