500W of ICEpower for USD$100, deal or not?

[seanny]

The rating gets worst the more you stare at it.
Lower power for 115V
Continuous power of 60-70W

I’m getting 1 to play with. Possibly hooking up 2 8 ohm sub to get decent peak power.

 

[BrianinBuffalo]

60W as a stereo amp, but 225W BTL. Just use them as monoblocks. In my experience, monoblocks sound better. That's why I'm using it BTL.

The data sheet you show seems to have a typo. The pdf data sheet page 8 shows the minimum load impedence in BTL mode is 3 ohms, not 6 ohms. It has minimum asymetric SE loading of 2 & 6 ohms.

I got the screen shot directly off the ICEPower website today. I was looking for a replacement of a Rotel Power amp that pushes 130 WRMS per channel. There are newer ICEPower modules available like the 1200AS2 but are too expensive for me at this time. I am looking forward to the review of your mono blocks. If you are happy with them I may possibly reconsider. Thanks for your replies.

 

[hifiamps]

The argument is that music doesn't require continuous power. Also, the 125 has better continuous output BTL into 8 ohms (200W) vs 4 ohms (70W). Nelson Pass says, it's the first watt that matters most. And 0.002% THD+N at 1W into 8 ohms is very good. Note that distortion is greater at higher frequencies, like all Class D amps.

 

[BrianinBuffalo]

I was looking at building a Nelson Pass Amp Camp Amp. I am really curious about them. He does not like negative feedback but has no problem with 2nd harmonic distortion. I really wonder if it is a gimmick "the first watt' or not.

I really need to get off my butt and build an amp!

 

[menlobob]

I got the screen shot directly off the ICEPower website today. I was looking for a replacement of a Rotel Power amp that pushes 130 WRMS per channel. There are newer ICEPower modules available like the 1200AS2 but are too expensive for me at this time. I am looking forward to the review of your mono blocks. If you are happy with them I may possibly reconsider. Thanks for your replies.

I’ve already built a dual monoblock amp with 125asx2 modules as well a stereo amp with a single module. They sound fantastic and the monoblocks have plenty of headroom. Look back a few pages and you will see my builds.

Also the vodos I ordered arrived last night so I’ll have some listening impressions later today.

 

[BrianinBuffalo]

I’ve already built a dual monoblock amp with 125asx2 modules as well a stereo amp with a single module. They sound fantastic and the monoblocks have plenty of headroom. Look back a few pages and you will see my builds.

Also the vodos I ordered arrived last night so I’ll have some listening impressions later today.

It was your thread that interested me initially. Thank you for your reply. I look forward to your listening impressions.

 

[e_fortier]

I cancelled the order after studying the specs and it could not replace what I have. The amp is really rated at 60 watts RMS into 8 ohms according to ICEPower website.

View attachment 778565

60W vs 125W, could you tell the difference? But of course it depends on your need. For me 40-50W is more than enough.

 

[BrianinBuffalo]

60W vs 125W, could you tell the difference? But of course it depends on your need. For me 40-50W is more than enough.

My 115 pound Phase Tech's (PC 10.5) suck all the power they can get. I have clipped lesser powered amps and replaced tweeters on these sound pigs. In my forties I thought it was pretty neat. Well into my mid fifties I am enjoying some book shelf speakers (hivi 2.2 DIY - Swans - Frank Hale) that require much less power. I will probably get a sub once I sell the PT's (currently available on Craigslist in Buffalo).

One thought is to use three amps (two mono blocks) with an electronic crossovers (marchand out of Rochester) and build a passive sub.

 

[chermann]

For me it shows that Newegg still has stock. It's this same eBay seller Beach Audio out of Brooklyn, NY. It says more than 10 available. But $46.29 shipping to Austria. You get the volume discount pricing at Newegg.

hi


still to much!


i tried the ebay..yes its available but:
188,10 2 pcs
74,90 shipping
77,02 import charges


340 Euro...


reading again this thread:ICE-Power-50ASX2 Volume control


you need the RTX buffer because of the low (8k input impedance)

chris

 

[hifiamps]

Hey menlobob, have you had a chance to listen to your amps? My amps are arriving on Tuesday, and I hope the preamp boards are quiet and transparent. I am currently using an Allo Boss to drive my 500ASPs. The TI PCM5122 DAC has 1k output impedence, and doesn't seem to have any difficulty driving them.

 

[BrianinBuffalo]

Hi Menlobob;
Like hifiamps I am eagerly awaiting your review of the amps. My concerns are 1) phase shift above 6k and 2) they are not powerful enough at 8 ohms for my needs.

The price is pretty good though.

 

[mortron]

I didn't want to spend more money but it's seeming like I might have to grab a pair of these

 

[wilbur-x]

My earlier experience with 125ASX is that they have a strong heart. They managed to drive low ohm Magnepan easily. The membrane (foil) even slashed against the grid when playing far too loud. Many power amps appears to go out of breath when it comes to older Maggies.

 

[mga2009]

I finally received my Feather Amp.

I received late at night so I could not make any extended listening.

It's build quality it's quite good (Made in Taiwan not China). It's indeed an ICEpower 125asx2 module.

I only took it apart to switch the pins to 220Volts (default is 110Volts).

Both input (3.5mm jack and 1/4 TRS) both go to the pre-amp board.

The fan is a 40mm 24v 20mm thick and it's not always on.

I am uploading pictures of the preamp, later I will upload pictures of the whole amp disassembled.









photo sharing

Looking forward to the expert's comments on the preamp.

 

[mga2009]

Here are full size pictures.

 

[hifiamps]

Thanks for the high res photos. The opamp is an NJM4580 which based on descriptions in DIYaudio is an "also ran" to "ghetto blaster". Could do better. Replacing it may be a challenge, because of the surface mount size, and finding replacements like an OPA-2132 in the same package. But, I'm no expert in swapping surface mount chips. We may be stuck with it. Hope it sounds good in the circuit.

 

[hifiamps]

This review of the 4580 sounds better.

 

[Bearman]

It would be nice to know what those pot values are and put in a dual pot instead. Listening now on a stock FeatherAmp. Not bad sound. Don't know if I like it any better than my TPA3255evm board or not, time will tell... but the small size is appealing.

 

[menlobob]

Hi Menlobob;
Like hifiamps I am eagerly awaiting your review of the amps. My concerns are 1) phase shift above 6k and 2) they are not powerful enough at 8 ohms for my needs.

The price is pretty good though.

Sorry my wife was sick all weekend so I haven't had a chance to get them hooked up.

 

[hifiamps]

It looks like two stereo pots with the top PC leads cut off. Can't read the value in the pics. So you could pull one pot off the board and wire from the top contacts for a stereo control.