Subwoofer amp

[argonrepublic]

I am contemplating an amp for my studio subwoofer. I have a subwoofer output and a decent 4 ohm sub. I have access to two amps. One is a Marantz Model 16 with one bad amp for $100. The other is a Harman Kardon Citation 19. I dont need a lot of power but want the most accurate playback. My nearfields are powered by 50 Watts per channel. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and respected.
Thanks

[brucegseidner]

Great question.

I build the way Arthur Murray ballroom dancers dance, with foot prints painted on the floor. I can follow a schematic and I can solder. I know enough to be dangerous relative to the +/- of circuit topology. I would not be confused for an engineer.

What makes for a good sub-woofer amp? The sound of different amps is fascinating. Different topology, components, heck solder and wire create different qualities. Efficient/not efficient drivers, choices of cabinets, the question gets pretty open.

I like the way this thread has been started. I look forward to the advice and rationale between these choices.

But to open this a bit more, would I sit with a group of golden ears and distinguish a tube vs. transistor in an efficient sub in an appropriate box? Would I hear a difference between different transistor amps of different typologies?

Up top you can hear the difference between the same design with different caps or tubes, or output transistors.

Is this true below 100hz or is it just a matter of current?