Am now a believer in pro amps

[agent.5]

Originally posted by pinkmouse
The only problem of using pro amps that I can see is that it's not as satisfying as building your own.

But if you bi-amp or tri-amp, you can just use the pro amps for bass, and build something for the mid and treble. Considering the cost of building something like a Behringer EP-2500 (2400W) for bass when you can get one on Ebay for like $225, I think pro amp is a pretty good option.

[thylantyr]

Originally posted by pinkmouse
The only problem of using pro amps that I can see is that it's not as satisfying as building your own.

It's hard to build your own when the cost to build
greatly exceeds to the cost to buy *if* you want similar
build quality.

For instance, my monster PCB layout, 4 layer 28 power
transistor 1kw amp will cost a few thousand just to get
PCB's made to be on the same level as high end audio
with great build quality... So, now you have a monster amp,
cool, but on the same token I can design a audio system using
off the shelf items for much less. If the system speakers
are not ultra demanding, I can use eight $250 proamps for
a 7.1 HT system where each amp is bridged for uber headroom,
$2k cost. Cheaper than my uber amp PCB's, imagine the
heatsink extrusion costs, component costs, chassis, transformer,
yikes.

I like DIY amps like the rest and if money is no object,
there is satifaction in creating this. An alternative that might
give you greater satisfaction is to DIY speakers and just
buy the amps as the reward is greater without punishing
your wallet.

That's why I abandonded my DIY amp quest, not worth it
unless I get rich and it would make a nice hobby for a bored
person.

People on the solid state forum keep seeing DIY amps
to improve their sound when in fact, they are playing
golf with the wrong set of sticks. They should build amps
for pleasure and results, but the SQ of the sound system is
mainly determined by the speakers as long as the amp
has the power to drive the speakers well.

[RobWells]

Hey Al,

You don't see many diy amps in the 100w+ region. A shame for the bass addicts



Rob.

edit : the 2 posts above appeared while I typed this one.

[agent.5]

I like DIY amps like the rest and if money is no object,
there is satifaction for creating this. An alternative that might
give you greater satisfaction is to DIY speakers and just
buy the amps as the reward is greater without punishing
your wallet.

That's why I abandonded my DIY amp quest, not worth it
unless I get rich and it would make a nice hobby for a bored
person. [/B]

But you can't get good SET amps cheap; so building your own is not a bad option.

[ShinOBIWAN]

Originally posted by pinkmouse
The only problem of using pro amps that I can see is that it's not as satisfying as building your own.

It great fun to build the amps and associated electronics but I always get stuck on the enclosures. Its a square box FFS but can I hell as like finish one that I'm happy with.

Because I love the electronics assembly I've decided that if I'm going to ever actually have a 'finished' amplifier I'm going to have to resort to buying enclosures.

I've found a couple of manufacturers of note and if it weren't for shipping costs they'd be very reasonably priced in light of the effort and tooling required to roll your own to the same standards. For me its worth spending a few quid more to avoid ever having to deal with the metal working issues I have.

[agent.5]

I can only speak from my experience of the Behringer EP-2500 that I have: I replace the stock fan with a silenx super quiet fan, you can't hear the fan if you are 10 feet away.

The transformer is kind of tiny. So someone can always modify it with huge transformers plus choke input filters.

[thylantyr]

Originally posted by agent.5

But you can't get good SET amps cheap; so building your own is not a bad option.

True

I'm talking worse case ... 'power amplifiers' DIY costs.

[RobWells]

Why not just build them 'ugly' and hide the amps ?

I hate looking at any equipment - mines in the next room.

Rob.

[agent.5]

Originally posted by thylantyr


True

I'm talking worse case ... 'power amplifiers' DIY costs.

We are in complete agreement here. Use pro amps for the bass. But I think nothing beats a good SET for mid and treble.

[pinkmouse]

Originally posted by thylantyr
It's hard to build your own when the cost to build
greatly exceeds to the cost to buy *if* you want similar
build quality.

I agree completely. It's even worse for me as I have connections in the business and can get very, very good deals on s/h pro kit...