Hi I am using a David Tilbrook designed AEM 6000 power amp (that I made from a kit many years ago) powering some Acoustat Spectra 11 hybrid electrostatic speakers.
My upgrade plan is to initially bi-amp these speakers and later experiment with using an active crossover.
I have been pretty pleased with the AEM 6000. Over the years I have plugged a number of mid to high quality amps into my system and have never been dissappointed with the AEM 6000. My suspicion is that it is a fairly clean and faithful amp with not too much colouration. Coupled with the Acoustats it provides fantastic stereo imaging and placement of intruments which I really like.
...But because I assume much better kits are available today I will probably relegate the AEM 6000 to driving the woofers.
My main source is a PC duke box playing uncompressed wav files out through an SPIDF port to a Meridian DAC and into a Audio Reasearch LS7 preamp and then to the AEM 6000 and the Spectra 11's
Can any one make some recommendations on what would be a very high quality kit that I could use to drive the Acoustat electrostatic panels.
Keen to purchase as a kit rather than just buy PCBs and make it up as I don't want the hassle of sourcing components and my skill level is moderate.
Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.
My upgrade plan is to initially bi-amp these speakers and later experiment with using an active crossover.
I have been pretty pleased with the AEM 6000. Over the years I have plugged a number of mid to high quality amps into my system and have never been dissappointed with the AEM 6000. My suspicion is that it is a fairly clean and faithful amp with not too much colouration. Coupled with the Acoustats it provides fantastic stereo imaging and placement of intruments which I really like.
...But because I assume much better kits are available today I will probably relegate the AEM 6000 to driving the woofers.
My main source is a PC duke box playing uncompressed wav files out through an SPIDF port to a Meridian DAC and into a Audio Reasearch LS7 preamp and then to the AEM 6000 and the Spectra 11's
Can any one make some recommendations on what would be a very high quality kit that I could use to drive the Acoustat electrostatic panels.
Keen to purchase as a kit rather than just buy PCBs and make it up as I don't want the hassle of sourcing components and my skill level is moderate.
Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.
stueyh said:
Many thanks for your suggestion this looks like exactly the type of thing I am after. I have also had a look at the Apen amplifier kits
http://www.aksaonline.com/
Have you made any comparisons between your amplifier and any other amps?
Please check out http://buy.id.ebay.com/buying/id/di...zer-X8-800W-RMS-Monoblock-Power-Amplifier-DIY
Please notify that Power output stated there is 'out' of common sense.
Please notify that Power output stated there is 'out' of common sense.
Exstatic said:
I've been into valve amps so I'm comparing it with the various amps Ive had and I'm very happy with the SKA. The service you get is fantastic.
I'm sure that I read in the instructions that the amp modules are particularly effective with difficult load speakers, I'll see if I can find the actual text.
exstatic
Have a look at the Silicon Chip ULD2 kits available locally from Jaycar. You would need to source your own metalwork, though.
Alternatively, Altronics in Australia has a complete kit available for an earlier 100W/Ch. amplifier.
http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K5155
These days, the 6000 would be better suited to low end use due to it's degree of "warmth", leaving later bipoar designs to attend to the rest of the spectrum. Having built a 6000 , I can understand your reluctance to part with that big heavy black box !
(240W RMS/Ch. into 8 ohms)
SandyK
Have a look at the Silicon Chip ULD2 kits available locally from Jaycar. You would need to source your own metalwork, though.
Alternatively, Altronics in Australia has a complete kit available for an earlier 100W/Ch. amplifier.
http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K5155
These days, the 6000 would be better suited to low end use due to it's degree of "warmth", leaving later bipoar designs to attend to the rest of the spectrum. Having built a 6000 , I can understand your reluctance to part with that big heavy black box !
(240W RMS/Ch. into 8 ohms)
SandyK
Exstatic said:
The SC UD 100W may not be the best choice for your Acoustat's because it's best suited to 8 ohm loads. The latest version '2' employs Motorola drivers + new thermatrak output devices in double EF configuration which would be better driving lower impedances. Of course I'm presuming here that your Acoustat's are 4 ohms nominal or below, which may or may not be correct.
FWIW I have several amps including a 200W commercial amp, an original fully working AEM6000 and a highly modded 100W SCULD design. Apart from the slightly warm sound as pointed out by SandyK the aem 6000 actually stacks up quite well against today's DIY SC kits as sold by Jaycar & Altronics. In fact if you have difficult to drive speakers then you may struggle to do much better. I would definitely look at the AKSA & SKA kit's if you're looking at buying a full kit locally. Obviously the best choice will be the one that meets your budget and delivers maximum bang for buck with your speaker system.
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