Lab Gruppen E8:2 Amp

Gordonj

Gordonj

Full Audioholic
Ok, so, i just received a new Lab Gruppen E:8:2 amp from the factory to play with. This happens to be the new series from Lab that is based around a D class approach to amps. While there are now more and more D class amps out there, this one has sparked my interest. Why? well, because it is only one rack space and has some impressive specs to boot.

A closer look at the specs:

400w @ 8ohms both channels driven
THD 20 - 20kHz @ 1W = <0.1%
THD at 1kHz and 1dB below Clip = <0.05%
STN = 112dBA
Ch Separation = >70dB
Input Imp = 50dB
Gain in Hi-Z mode = 35.2dBu
Gain in Lo-Z mode = 30.3dB
Current Draw 8ohms 400W both ch driven = 2 amps
Total BTU/hr 8ohms 400W both ch driven = 164

Street price = $750.

Other impressions to follow once i break it out of the box to play with.....:D

Gordon
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
That does look impressive.
But why no 4 ohm specs?
 
Gordonj

Gordonj

Full Audioholic
That does look impressive.
But why no 4 ohm specs?
Well, only because I did not quote them....

Actually in Lo-Z mode the amp will do 400W @ 4 and 2 ohms!!

I have not had a chance yet to play so more to follow.

Gordon
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
That is a nice looking unit - talk about low profile. Let us know how you like it and tell us about fan noise (often the biggest concern for pro amps).

Looks like a company making some unique decisions!

E Series Introduction | Lab.gruppen

I've never seen this before:
Flexible – IntelliDrive delivers similar power per channel at 70 V, 2, 4, 8 and 16 ohms
 
G

ghg

Audiophyte
@ Gordonj

Hi

Any comments regarding the unit so far ?

My concerns:
The little fan, looks like the ones from PC graphics cards and small Ethernet switches,
and yes, they tend to fail and/or getting loud with age.

There is no ground lift, so balanced source i/o seems to be a must ...

Well,nevertheless, I really consider 1x 12:2 and 2x 4:2 for my 5.2 setup,
sold my TAG Mclaren gear, recently.

BR

Gary G.
 
Gordonj

Gordonj

Full Audioholic
@ Gordonj

Hi

Any comments regarding the unit so far ?

My concerns:
The little fan, looks like the ones from PC graphics cards and small Ethernet switches,
and yes, they tend to fail and/or getting loud with age.

There is no ground lift, so balanced source i/o seems to be a must ...

Well,nevertheless, I really consider 1x 12:2 and 2x 4:2 for my 5.2 setup,
sold my TAG Mclaren gear, recently.

BR

Gary G.
Hi Gary,

Unfortunately, I have not had even a moment to pull it out of the box yet.... Give me another week and I will hopefully start playing some. This week is crazy and I wont even be home any night until after 10 :(

I will let you know soon.

Gordon
 
B

Brian Skaggs

Enthusiast
These amps are great for home theater.

I have used QSC CX series, the DCA series previously as well as consumer amps. What I like:
Auto standby using less than a watt - no more switches
Aysmetric loading - example -can use 50 watts on one channel and 350 on the other (4:2 model). In my setup I put my left tower and left surround on one amp, right on another. This gives me more power to larger more distant speaker and less to closer on wall. PLUS any crosstalk to same side and essentially monoblock when in 2 channel use.
Cool - these generate almost no heat. Beyond start up the fan is usually off or too slow to hear (I sit 6 feet away).
Fan - little fan, easy to switch out. The 4 channel version have two little fans for more airflow at even slower/quieter speeds
Size - one rack unit, great for additional speakers for Atmos, etc
Connectors - no screw down barrier strips. Connectors easily take big or small wire and slide in and out, cheap replacements.
Efficiency- 1 run 12 channels on one 20amp circuit with extra capacity.
Price - Can be picked up pretty I expensively new or used.
Protection - clipping, etc
Hum rejection- had ground problem after switching from emotiva to marantz with QSC amps and had to disconnect amp side sheilds. No problem with the Lab Gruppens

Dislike: had one unit that fan had a little rattle or squeak
Front panel- it is a brittle graphite like metal prone to cracking, chipping, etc. You don't want to tighten down in rack with cordless drill, etc
Prefer light meters, not just indicators
Availability- not tons of these out there to buy used.
No specific manual for the four channel s (aysmetric loading applies only to channel pairs)
 
thaddeussmith

thaddeussmith

Audiophyte
Can you help me understand the attenuators? When using an AVR (Denon X-3400h), should I have the dial closer to -infinity or 0? This seems backwards to the gain dials on most other amps and I'm struggling to wrap my head around the way they describe it.

Attenuators - Range is 0 dB to -infinity; vertical is -10 dB. Amplifier
sensitivity is 4 dBu with attenuator at 0 dB and 14 dBu at -10 dB.
 

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