Power amps

[monkfish]

I'm using a Caiman as DAC and PRE, what power amps are you using please ?, I have a pair of Tannoy Cheviots and was previously using a pro mosfet 100w studio amp which sounded great.

Unfortunately it was quite old and is now malfunctioning, I bought a Behringer A500, which is powerful (very), but the old mosfet was better, a more flat sound from the A500 and less bass, I would be grateful for your experiences and findings.

[walpurgis]

Currently driving my Cheviot II speakers with a Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro power amp. It sounds amazingly good.

If you want a cheap but very effective option. Try a second hand Denon PMA-350SE. It drives Tannoys extremely well, has plenty of grip and punch and sounds pretty refined, with excellent clarity. I've used one in my system several times.

[Haselsh1]

I'm currently (Geddit) using a Samson Servo 600 studio pro power amp with straight connections and no preamp. Absolutely lovin the slam and grunt from this amp into KEF Q500's.

[monkfish]

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming, the A500 has power in spades, but not as musical to me as other amps tried, I used an Amptastic Mini-1 as the power amp for a while and it is remarkably good but only about 15-20w max, I have a couple of Avondaled 250's in storage but there was a gain problem with the 250's and the Caiman.
The amp I was using before it gave up the ghost was a Stellar Fet-1, a lovely musical sounding amp with plenty of power.

[Macca]

Have you considered getting the mosfet amp fixed? Jez Arkless could probably sort it for you, maybe even upgrade it as well.

[monkfish]

Have you considered getting the mosfet amp fixed? Jez Arkless could probably sort it for you, maybe even upgrade it as well.

I actually have two of them and both are goosed, a mate who is an ex TV repair guy tried to fix one by installing new transistors but that failed to repair the problem, someone to have a look at them would be great and I do intend to, I thought about finding someone local as they're a bit heavy for posting but if that's the only way I will.

[Gazjam]

Used the Amptastic Mini-1 myself as a poweramp for a while, really responds well to a good linear power supply, think I had it set around 13V.
Great wee amp but as you say, 20 watts or so so not a powerhouse.

My speakers though are 94db efficient, so had plenty of volume with it and only fell apart when you were really driving it. In its performance envelope and in a smaller room can do great things.

Nowadays I've gone the valve route, a 300B SET power amp into an active Pre, which weirdly despite being 8 watts per channel sounds WAY louder, dynamic and ballsy than the Amptastic. Not entirely unexpected though.

For me, now, valves are the only way but can be a dark rocky road to travel. :eyebrows:

Had the A500 in for a while too, bit of a brute and sounded "ok" but not the last word in refinement.

[Haselsh1]

Had the A500 in for a while too, bit of a brute and sounded "ok" but not the last word in refinement.

Yep, definitely not the last word in refinement but then I used to do valves and left them behind for something more exciting and raw. As usual, each to their own.

[Arkless Electronics]

I actually have two of them and both are goosed, a mate who is an ex TV repair guy tried to fix one by installing new transistors but that failed to repair the problem, someone to have a look at them would be great and I do intend to, I thought about finding someone local as they're a bit heavy for posting but if that's the only way I will.

I can probably fix them yes ;)

[PeteC]

Keep a look out on eBay, you might get lucky. I got a Krell KAV300iL a couple of years ago for £1000. Built like a tank. It's absolutely clean and clear, no audible noise and very revealing. Although powerful it it very clear and able to reproduce delicate sounds at low level. The apparent sound quality remains the same regardless of level. Other makes of high quality amps also come up from time to time. Just a question of being patient enough to keep on looking! Also it maybe worth looking at http://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/

[spendorman]

Getting very good sound using this into BBC Rogers LS3/6:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-3-to-18V-TDA7266-Power-Amplifier-Module-Double-Channel-5-15W-CF-/272159153887

I wonder if there is any cheaper, new, good quality amplifier. Power supply is an from an old laptop, 16V.

[struth]

Thought my amps were cheap lol... Cant buy a pint for that!

[spendorman]

And that includes the postage! Even the volume control seems fine, good tracking balance between the two channels.

I have increased the heatsink by adding on an old one from a computer processor.

[PeteC]

Used to work at the BBC. They used these as monitors in the radio recording channels. If I remember correctly the amps were Quad 50Es. Just a little rough sounding, but you really do need that, or more power, to leave a bit of headroom. The Quad 405 was used later to drive LS5/8s, but here it was with an active crossover arrangement, one channel for tweeter, the other for bass/midrange. Now they did sound very good! A refurbished Quad might suit, or perhaps you can find a class A amp, they sound very smooth, but with all detail present.

[spendorman]

Used to work at the BBC. They used these as monitors in the radio recording channels. If I remember correctly the amps were Quad 50Es. Just a little rough sounding, but you really do need that, or more power, to leave a bit of headroom. The Quad 405 was used later to drive LS5/8s, but here it was an active crossover, one channel for tweeter, the other for bass/midrange. Now they did sound good! A refurbished Quad might suit, or perhaps you can find a class A amp, the y sound very smooth, but with all detail present.

I have plenty of amps with more power, including some that you list, 405-2, also have Quad II's several 303's, Radford STA25 III, A&R Cambridge A60, Technics amps, Pioneer amps, Rogers amps, etc. etc. But, These speakers are used on my computer and run all day and evening, mainly at lowish volume, so something cheap to run is what I'm using.

I think that the 405-2 uses a fair bit of power just idling, could be over 30W, can't remember exactly. I do remember that Quad II use 90W each idling.

I know I'm mad, but I enjoy it.

[PeteC]

Never occurred to me to save power! Just want the best sound. My current amp uses 20W in standby, saves waiting ages for it to warm up properly.

[Barry]

Mine each use 400W idling, yet only produce 25W of acoustic power. Oh, the joys of pure class A amplification! :rolleyes:

[spendorman]

Mine each use 400W idling, yet only produce 25W of acoustic power. Oh, the joys of pure class A amplification! :rolleyes:

No problem in winter, power is not wasted, just heating room.

[Macca]

Or in 'summer' if you live in the UK anyway.

[Barry]

Or in 'summer' if you live in the UK anyway.

In the summer, I switch over to my "summer amps": Quad 510 monoblocks.

[struth]

need several of them up here :steam:

[Macca]

You are a lot further south and 500 ft closer to sea level than me so probably a bit warmer there. Amp heat is rarely wasted here.

[danilo]

Getting very good sound using this into BBC Rogers LS3/6:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-3-to-18V-TDA7266-Power-Amplifier-Module-Double-Channel-5-15W-CF-/272159153887

I wonder if there is any cheaper, new, good quality amplifier. Power supply is an from an old laptop, 16V.

Do those have the typ chi fi turn on Shorrrrch sound and the turn off unpleasantness as well ?

[spendorman]

Do those have the typ chi fi turn on Shorrrrch sound and the turn off unpleasantness as well ?

I turn on and off by switching the power supply on and off, no noise at all. Just tried it to be sure.

[Macca]

I've heard chip amps sound wrong too but the last one I heard sounded very good. I think people often clip them or use speakers that are too tough a load for them.

[spendorman]

Well, this one is pretty good, better than many other amps. The speakers I'm using a pretty revealing. Ideally, a little more power might be handy on rare occasions for these speakers. This amp gives about 15W RMS per channel and the max recommended input for the LS3/6 is recommended as 25W RMS, although mine can take a fair bit more due to the replacement bass units.

[RichB]

I still use a chip amp to quite good effect. Decent valve pre does wonders though...

Not many complaints from the Croft/Amptastic pairing at the last NEBO.

[Macca]

I still use a chip amp to quite good effect. Decent valve pre does wonders though...

Not many complaints from the Croft/Amptastic pairing at the last NEBO.

That was the one I was thinking of. I tried hard to fault it but I couldn't ;)

[TAD12]

Hi there.

I'm also using the latest Caiman 2 with all the mods as a pre amp. Using with 4 Temple audio Monblocks, driving refurbished Mission 753's. These classic speakers were rebuilt using Monacor Units throughout. Also have a pair of old REL q50's for the bass. Again overhauled a couple of years ago with new bass units and retuned power units by B.K. Electronics in Southend. Great job.
Power supply for all units is custom made DC3 by Custom Hifi Cables in Leeds, no compromises with that unit. Anyways I've had the speakers since new, which is about 20 years. The refurbs probably cost more than buying new but I like the sound.
Optical connection from Cambridge Audio player to the Caiman. I'm expecting the new Caiman SEG soon, so if anyone wants an update as to what the improvements are like then I'll gladly submit further observations.

Happy listening.

Tad.

[monkfish]

Hi TAD
I would welcome your findings with the new Caiman SEG, I have a gatorised Caiman and am thinking of the SEG myself (once I get the power amp side of things sorted).

On the power amp side of things, anyone have experience of Crown K2's ?

[wee tee cee]

The temple mono blocks are a great choice-well worth a try. I ran mine off a car battery-very low noise floor and when impedance matched to your speakers work really well.

Ive ran pairs and four into single drivers by splitting the signal. The extra pair just bring more control and attack.