Amplifier recommendation...

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jencelo

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#1
Hi All,
I love the Pass Labs Aleph 3 sound (X series I do not) but my speakers, Sonus Faber Extrema, need some serious power.

My situation is weird so I cannot change my speakers. I love them, don't get me wrong but when I cannot give them what they should have, I feel sad keeping them. So, I am thinking someone built me cheaper but high power amp with modules such as Hypex or any other digital amp that can put out a lot of power. I have no idea about building an amp but I know someone who can do it for me.

I will be moving overseas so I do not want to carry a heavy/big amp with me. Digital amps can be light and small even at higher watts.

On the other hand, I can buy Cary Audio CAI-1 for about $700 (MSRP $2000) which uses IcePower (I think) and produces 125WPC or I can get a used Bel Canto S300iu which is 150wpc for about $1100 (MSRP $2200). Both of them are fairly light and small, especially the Bel Canto. BUT I am not even sure if 150wpc would do it for the speakers.

My question is which way should I go; have someone built it for me or don't bother and buy it used online such as Cary or Bel Canto?

Which digital amp chip does it sound close to Aleph sound? 🙂
 
#2
jencelo said:
Hi All,
I love the Pass Labs Aleph 3 sound (X series I do not) but my speakers, Sonus Faber Extrema, need some serious power.

My situation is weird so I cannot change my speakers. I love them, don't get me wrong but when I cannot give them what they should have, I feel sad keeping them. So, I am thinking someone built me cheaper but high power amp with modules such as Hypex or any other digital amp that can put out a lot of power. I have no idea about building an amp but I know someone who can do it for me.

I will be moving overseas so I do not want to carry a heavy/big amp with me. Digital amps can be light and small even at higher watts.

On the other hand, I can buy Cary Audio CAI-1 for about $700 (MSRP $2000) which uses IcePower (I think) and produces 125WPC or I can get a used Bel Canto S300iu which is 150wpc for about $1100 (MSRP $2200). Both of them are fairly light and small, especially the Bel Canto. BUT I am not even sure if 150wpc would do it for the speakers.

My question is which way should I go; have someone built it for me or don't bother and buy it used online such as Cary or Bel Canto?

Which digital amp chip does it sound close to Aleph sound? 🙂
Click to expand...

Hi,

I can make for you to order the module in class D capacity 800W, a frequency range 0-20kHz, sensitivity - 2V. One channel - 200USD without transfer cost. Can write on my e-mail: contact@svpremvs.cc

PS Also I can offer manufacturing lamp High-End amplifiers, but they are much more expensive.

Best Regards,
Vladimir Gorohov
 
#4
Thank you for the offer and recommendation.

When it comes to technical stuff, unfortunately, I am not good. I really want to learn how to make amps but since I am moving overseas and this will be used for good speakers (well for me at least), I do not want to mess up anything. I should start with small projects.

If I have an amp built, I would need a volume/preamp. I have read about George Stantscheff's Lightspeed Attenuator but I GUESS it is not Digital amp friendly, no?

I also want to ask this; I know Stereophile mentions a minimum watt of 75wpc @ 8ohms but I have heard from many people that these speakers show it is true potential at high powered amps. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to use a high powered amp with them so I cannot comment on that. Could someone tell me what kind of amp I should built/have for best possible match for my speakers. I mean technically.

You may find some good technical info about them at the link below:
Stereophile: Sonus Faber Extrema loudspeaker

Cheers!
 
#6
Also check out Anaview (formerly Abletec) ALC series, they make 150w and 600w monoblock modules with on-board power supply. Prices are reasonable, I ordered several (150w version) from Profusion in England and they sound really nice. You will need only to connect AC power and input signal...

ALC0300-1300

Profusion also carries this ECOTEC 250w plate amplifier:

http://www.profusionplc.com/pro/gex/pcatdtl0?ipartno=SDV1056-250

Looks OK, wonder how it sounds?
 
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#7
In your situation I would advise you to look at amps in the 400W range. Power is logarithmic, which means that doubling the power really is not much of a hearable difference (it's 3dB from a speaker), so those 125W amps are not really going to give you what you need.

Whereabouts overseas? If in UK I may be able to put an amp together for you.

I don't think anybody can say if any other amp will sound like your Aleph though.
 
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