(sub) woofer amp recomendation

[Sjef]

I'm looking for a very good amp to power my open baffle woofers. (30 to 150Hz) At the moment I'm using a 30W (50W max) class A hybride zero feedback amp wich sound very good as full range amp but lacks a bit power and control (high output impedance due to zero feedback)

My eyes fell on the following contenders:

1) the Crown K1
2) the Zappulse modules from LCAudio
3) an El cheapo second hand NAD 2200

Any others to look out for ? no plate amps please

[mwh-eng]

http://www.hsuresearch.com/

Throw out the speakers and buy the whole thing. You won't be sorry!

[Nelson Pass]

That doesn't sound like a DIY solution, effective as it might be.

The nice thing about sub electronics is that they (in some ways)
are really a lot easier than getting good sound out of mid and
high frequency electronics. The reasons are obvious and not
so obvious.

A good subwoofer power amp usually needs a reasonably good
damping factor, and of course feedback is a good way of
getting some of this. In my experience, this is one area where
chip solutions and Class AB amplifiers of the more conventional
type will give you want you want. (Your results WILL vary.)

The fact that you're using open baffle woofers puts you ahead of
the game, and places the emphasis on the crossover. Without
tooting my own horn (I don't expect you to buy this product), I
think you might benefit from the discussion of crossovers in the
XVR1 manual ( www.passlabs.com ), as it has a case example of
equalization and crossover for woofers which I have found
really useful. We have used similar thinking in the Rushmore,
which is winning awards all over, where the 1st pole of the
low pass crossover is down around 20-30 Hz and additional
poles are added at higher frequenccies..

You have to play with stuff a lot to get what you want, but you
won't be sorry. That said, any of the amps you name will
probably be fine.

[mwh-eng]

Seems like this frequency range (about 20 Hz to 150 Hz) would be well suited for a Class D amp with feedback.

For folks that like loud reproduction of the lower base frequencies and/or have large listening rooms, they may need an amplifier capable of a few hundred watts peak. For those that prefer listening to lower volumes and/or have small listening rooms, an amp capable of 50 to 100 watts peak may be adequate.

I have a mix of speakers; full range without low base, satellite speakers with good mids and highs, and a subwoofer with amp. I like subwoofers, but some folks think they are unnecessary. More than one or two ways to get good sound. Glad everyone has a choice.