Small power amp with balance inputs

[Loke]

I am looking for a small power amplifier for side speakers. The amplifiers should have balanced inputs, with XLR connectors. The AIBBC HF-2050 might be a suitable candidate. Anybody that knows this amp? Actually, I would prefer two monoblocks instead of a two-channel amp, but small ones with balanced inputs are hand to find. Whether it is class A/B or D is not so important, but the sound quality is.

 

[slipperybidness]

I am looking for a small power amplifier for side speakers. The amplifiers should have balanced inputs, with XLR connectors. The AIBBC HF-2050 might be a suitable candidate. Anybody that knows this amp? Actually, I would prefer two monoblocks instead of a two-channel amp, but small ones with balanced inputs are hand to find. Whether it is class A/B or D is not so important, but the sound quality is.

Why do you think you need balanced inputs? Do you have some EMI/RFI interference that you are trying to eliminate? Don't solve a problem that you don't have.

If this is for home audio, normal unbalanced RCA connections are good enough for 95% of users.

I would not consider balanced inputs as the primary feature for choosing an amp. Personally, I would steer clear of that AIBBC

 

[Loke]

Balanced cables are superior to unbalanced, and I never bay equipment with phono plugs. Yes, I use fairely long cables. But balanced is only superior if done right: the transmitter must have the same output impedance on both lines, and the receiver must have a differential amplifier, also with closely matched input impedances (like an instrumentation amplifier). Otherwise one cannot obtain a high CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio), which is required to suppress interference. A lot of equipment (consumer and semi-pro) with XLR connectors do not satisfy these requirements, so I always try to check before I buy something.

Apart for us (possibly) disagreeing about the merits of balanced cables, is there any other reason you will advise me to stay away from the AIBBC amp?

 

[slipperybidness]

Balanced cables are superior to unbalanced, and I never bay equipment with phono plugs. Yes, I use fairely long cables. But balanced is only superior if done right: the transmitter must have the same output impedance on both lines, and the receiver must have a differential amplifier, also with closely matched input impedances (like an instrumentation amplifier). Otherwise one cannot obtain a high CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio), which is required to suppress interference. A lot of equipment (consumer and semi-pro) with XLR connectors do not satisfy these requirements, so I always try to check before I buy something.

Apart for us (possibly) disagreeing about the merits of balanced cables, is there any other reason you will advise me to stay away from the AIBBC amp?

I have never heard of that brand, it just doesn't do it for me. I would personally prefer to stay with well known brands that have a proven history and after the sale support.

Yes, ON PAPER the balanced connections (and really as you mentioned, you really want balanced topography from input to output and not simply balanced connections) is indeed superior to unbalanced/single ended connections.

But, in the HOME environment there is rarely an AUDIBLE difference b/w the 2 connection types, with several caveats about interference, cable length, etc. But, as I mentioned, I'm the type of person that doesn't go looking for problems to solve. Unbalanced have met my expectations so I personally have no need to go to XLR just for the sake of going to balanced XLR.

Since you seem to be knowledgeable on the topic of balanced vs. unbalanced, it's your decision to make. I just wanted to be 100% certain that you weren't making this decision based on some marketing BS!

In the home environment, there are some advantages to XLR, even if not audible advantages. The XLR connections are nice due to the fact that they will typically give an audible "click" when the connection is seated properly, and the connection is more secure.

 

[j_garcia]

Noise rejection may be an issue in pro audio when you are are say on a stage with hundreds of lines running. In a home theater, interference is basically a non-issue even for line level connections, so the main benefit of XLR is sort of moot. I like XLR, but haven't found any real benefit to it in a home environment.

 

[Loke]

I generally agree about the merits of buying something with a known track record, but I am also willing to try new products. There is both cheap/doggy and very good Chinese product. I have a pair of Xindak mono blocks that I am very happy with (bal inp. of cause) But now I am looking for some decent power amps for side speakers. I am going to use them for ambience with classical music, not ping-pong effects. So I do not need a lot of power. I mostly use pro equipment, so I do not want to mess with phono plugs.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I agree with you about XLR connectors; they're just simply superior, end of story. For a relatively inexpensive power amp that supports XLR, what about the Crown XLS 1002? It's not an esoteric little mono block, but it looks like a much better value for $299 than that AIBBC thing. Of course, if you're in the every-amp-sounds-overtly-different camp, you're on your own.

 

[Loke]

Thanks for the input. I just remembered that Vincent has some reasonably priced monobloks, called SP-997, which might be suitable. It would be interesting to compare them with the Crown XLS 1002.