Audio Research Tripath amps

geofstro · « **on:** 24 Jul 2004, 12:55 pm »

I've just joined the forum and been reading with great interest the threads on digital amps, such as the Carver ZR series with and without mods, the Panny XR45 and JVC receivers, plus the Teac and Powerwave and Sonic Impact amps.

Of course, none of these are made for the Audiophile market and so benefit from various tweaks to bring out their full potential.

The obvious candidates for ready made audiophile tripath amps are the Bel Canto and Tact amps, costing upwards of $4,000.

What I haven't seen any mention of here are the Audio Research multi channel and stereo Tripath based amps.

Perhaps they're too new to have been assessed by anyone yet; but it seems to me they should be strong contenders. The 150.2 Stereo unit is reasonably priced, I feel, considering it's coming from one of the most respected manufacturers of High end audio, ever.

Does anyone have any experience/thoughts on these?

Thanks

geoff

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jul 2004, 01:23 pm »

Welcome geoff,

AudioCircle member tvyankee happens to own a ARC 150 . Might take a look at his setup.... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=11874 and also a listening session at zybar's... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=11779&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

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geofstro · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jul 2004, 01:53 pm »

lonewolfny42,

Thanks so much, I'll check those out.

geoff

ABEX · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jul 2004, 06:36 pm »

I would not get into an expensive Digital Amp till the dust clears on their improvements. They are not as expensive to manufactuer and your buying a lot of cosmetics I feel. I would consider traditional designs which are well suited to your particular speakers and taste like Theta .Plinius and Sim Moon.

But that's just me!

geofstro · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jul 2004, 07:37 pm »

Abex,

Thanks. I agree it probably doesn't make much sense for me to spend too much on a digital amp at the moment, since in my case I'm only looking to use it to drive subs. I want something small that runs cool to do this, so started to get interested in one of the Carver pros.

After reading the glowing reviews here though, if I got a Carver ZR series amp, I'd have to try it on the main spkrs as well. Then I figured if I lliked it I'd be tempted to get it modded.

Once the cost of the mods are added on top, it wouldn't come to much less than an ARC 150.2 class T amp. OTOH there is the advantage of being able to do it in stages, exploring as I go along.

geoff

ABEX · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jul 2004, 07:55 pm »

Geoff:
If you are only looking for amps to drive subs I would look for amps that are on the used market that have a high Dampning capablity. After a certain point that spec does not mean much,but it's my understanding that given a high rating it tends to give the amp control for the sub.

Some amps I would consider are:
MUSE-You do not hear much about them any more,but they have super Bass Control. You can find great prices on them used.

Adcom which excels in that area,but not the topend to my ears and they are cheap used.

Aragon,Threshold are others. There is no reason to go to far into an amp for Bass.

I see SVS prefers Crowns to use which is a great amp also for Bass.

Plinius and Sim Moon Audio are newer amps ,but you'll pay more for them.

There are so many choices it would boggle the mind.You might have more than enough to spend on amps,but for Bass you can just as well by a used SS amp with plenty of power to control Bass Drivers. If it were me I would serach for the best price on the above mentioned amps and a few more to boot till I got a cost effective solution.

Good luck!

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jul 2004, 09:23 pm »

Hi,

Blaupunkt PA2150 2-channel Digital Amplifier

It does 400watts x 1 into 4ohms and would make a great subwoofer amp. You just have to get a power supply for it so it will work with a standard wall outlet.

There are a few guys on eBay selling them for less than $100 too. Add in a nice power supply and you could do this all for around $200 for a very killer sub amp.

It has a built in crossover too which would come in handy.

geofstro · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Jul 2004, 08:18 am »

That's an interesting suggestion, thanks. Been doing some reading up on these amps and if I can get over the weird idea of using a car amp in my home system, I may plump for one.

My only concern is RFI/EMI. I've read something about using ferrite beads and other devices; but I've no experience of this and wouldn't know where to put them.

Will look into it further though.

geoff

geofstro · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jul 2004, 09:49 am »

ABEX,

Thanks for all the tips on an SS amp to drive subs. I'll consider your advice carefully.

The Blaupunkt seemed an intruiging option, since I do want something that doesn't take up much room and runs cool.

Unfortunately the only guy on Ebay who was prepared to ship these internationally seems to have had his account removed from Ebay for some reason.