In the market for a new amplifier

[WmAx]

How expensive/technical is replacing the fan if I were to do that? Would it be inaudible after the replacement? I like to do as much quiet listening as I do loud so a silent operation is a must. Thanks

If the amp is on the other side of the room, with the silent fan replacement, then it is unlikely you could hear anything whatsoever. If the amp is sitting right next to you, it is probable you would hear it. With the stock fan, it's easy to hear from the other side of a 20' room. Replacing the fan costs about $8 plus shipping of the fan, and it takes about 20 minutes do the modification. You remove the amplifier cover, then remove the stock fan and shroud, and screw in the new fan. The fan is connected to the circuit board with a little plug like the ones you find in computers. The replacement fan will not have a plug; so you can either cut the wires to the old fan and use that plug or scavenge a plug connector out of an old computer.

-Chris

 

[mouettus]

The problem with behringer is that it is supposed to be the holy grail for power but many people are complaining that the units crap in their hands.

It is also not made for showing on your A/V rack in the rec room lol. Ugly as sin.

 

[tgoyette]

What do you mean cheap binding posts?

The binding posts for both the balanced connectors as well as the speaker wire felt flimsy to me. When placed snugly inside the balanced connector, the wire would slip out slightly, and would wiggle very easily. They just never fault very solid, especially compared to the strength of the connection to my emo pre.

As for the speaker connections, I'm not a fan of that particular style of binding post (Neutrik-style?). I like to use banana plugs, so I prefer the kind that extends backwards from the equipment as opposed to the side. Of course, I didn't know I had that preference until I had the unit so it is of no fault to the EP1500.

It is also not made for showing on your A/V rack in the rec room lol. Ugly as sin.

Aesthetics are a minor concern... I'm more worried about the unit breaking on me again.

 

[tgoyette]

If the amp is on the other side of the room, with the silent fan replacement, then it is unlikely you could hear anything whatsoever. If the amp is sitting right next to you, it is probable you would hear it. With the stock fan, it's easy to hear from the other side of a 20' room. Replacing the fan costs about $8 plus shipping of the fan, and it takes about 20 minutes do the modification. You remove the amplifier cover, then remove the stock fan and shroud, and screw in the new fan. The fan is connected to the circuit board with a little plug like the ones you find in computers. The replacement fan will not have a plug; so you can either cut the wires to the old fan and use that plug or scavenge a plug connector out of an old computer.

-Chris

Chris,
I appreciate the advice you are offering. I'm afraid that my listening is very near field, and also quite soft about half the time. This said, I don't think that pro amps are well suited to my needs. I should have researched the fan noise more prior to my purchase, the thing was just so damn cheap and I needed an amp... Now I'm kinda back to square one

Tim

 

[mike c]

As for the speaker connections, I'm not a fan of that particular style of binding post (Neutrik-style?). I like to use banana plugs, so I prefer the kind that extends backwards from the equipment as opposed to the side. Of course, I didn't know I had that preference until I had the unit so it is of no fault to the EP1500.

errr, the binding posts do accept binding posts that extend backwards ... you need to remove the plastic thingies as the center of the binding posts. the ones to the side are only for bare wire.

and from the pics, the A500, EP1500, EP2500 look like they have the same binding posts... i use banana plugs too ... they look and feel sturdy to me.

 

[tgoyette]

Mike you're right about the backwards accepting binding posts...oops

 

[WmAx]

The binding posts for both the balanced connectors as well as the speaker wire felt flimsy to me. When placed snugly inside the balanced connector, the wire would slip out slightly, and would wiggle very easily. They just never fault very solid, especially compared to the strength of the connection to my emo pre.

As for the speaker connections, I'm not a fan of that particular style of binding post (Neutrik-style?). I like to use banana plugs, so I prefer the kind that extends backwards from the equipment as opposed to the side. Of course, I didn't know I had that preference until I had the unit so it is of no fault to the EP1500.


Aesthetics are a minor concern... I'm more worried about the unit breaking on me again.

Well, my Ep2500 has no flimsy binding posts or balanced connectors, that is all I can say. If the EP1500 is like the EP2500, it accepts banana connectors no problem. On the EP2500, there is a plastic cover over the binding posts that you have to remove with 2 screws to expose them. Perhaps it's the same way on the EP1500. My EP2500 certainly has superior build/quality in all aspects (including the binding posts) compared to my Crown XLS amps, my Adcom 555 amplifier and even my old McIntosh MC754 units. Really, considering it's for home use, I don't know what I could ask for in addition, besides thinking it should come with a silent fan from the factory.

When you say nearfield, how close is the EP1500 to you?

BTW, when did you buy the Ep1500? If it is still under return period; I suggest the EP2500 for $50 more; it's a more flexible amplifier with far more headroom for almost the same price.

-Chris

 

[tgoyette]

My equipment is between my speakers, placed about 3' away from me. The distance will probably increase to about 6' when I move into our new place in a few months.

The unit has passed its return period of 45 days unfortunately.

I've found several nice looking used things:
Rotel rb 1080 - 600-700
Adcom gfa 5500 - 400-500
B&K st 1400 - 350
bel canto evo 200.2 - 800
or a new xpa 2 from emotiva for 800 (if i could find a used rpa 1 I would snatch it up for matching aesthetics and known quality)

 

[davidtwotrees]

The OP is obviously done with Behringer.......and pro amps, it would seem. As for replacing the fan, and cutting off cords, does that affect the warranty on a new unit? Also, not everyone is comfortable popping open the top on their electronics and fiddling about.........
The Rotel is a solid unit with no heat issues, or build quality issues.