WTB: 300-400 watt solid state amplifier (4 ohm rating)-FOUND!

poseidonsvoice · « **on:** 25 Dec 2009, 05:52 pm »

Hi fellas,

I need a stereo 300-400 watt solid state amplifier (4 ohm rating) for a pair of subwoofers I am building. The amp cannot be more than 10 years old. Budget: < $500. I see a lot on Audiogon but many are >15 years old and I don't want that.

Thanks to mgalusha, my search is over, a nice Rotel 1080 for a bargain price

.

Best,
Anand.

gitarretyp · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Dec 2009, 06:01 pm »

Have you considered pro amps? Something like the QSC GX or Berhringer Europower series would work very well for your application. You will need to replace the fan with something quieter.

doug s. · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Dec 2009, 06:32 pm »

i have a nice, but plain looking home-brew hypex ucd180 amp that i took in partial trade for some speakers. i have no use for it. but, only 180wpc into 4 ohms. parts cost alone are likely >$500...

gitarretyp's recommendation to look at pro audio amps is a good idea, imo...

doug s.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Dec 2009, 09:10 pm »

Doug,

I wouldn't feel right about taking that amp from you and yes as you pointed out, I would like some more power than 180 watts!

gitarretyp,

That's the next option. I know there have to be some fellas out there that purchased a large Adcom, Rotel, Parasound, B&K, etc...amp out there in the past 5 years that wants to dump it!

Best,
Anand.

audio-heaven · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Dec 2009, 09:44 pm »

Hey Anand, have you considered class D? a pair of UCD400st modules would do the job nicely and they'd be cheap to run too

You might be able to pick something up second hand for $500.

douglesc · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Dec 2009, 10:01 pm »

Hi fellas,

I need a stereo 300-400 watt solid state amplifier (4 ohm rating) for a pair of subwoofers I am building. The amp cannot be more than 10 years old. Budget: < $500.

I see a lot on Audiogon but many are >15 years old and I don't want that.
==========================================================================

I Have a Adcom 5800 that I consider better than the 5802, I have owned both. It is not perfect but pretty good, nothing seriously bad(we're talking cosmetics here). I would take 450.00 + shipping. I live in Portland Oregon. Have original box.

mgalusha · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 02:24 am »

Anand,

I have a Rotel 1080. According to the Stereophile tests:

"Using the conventional 1% THD definition of clipping, the Rotel puts out 291W into 8 ohms with one channel driven (24.6dBW), 558W into 4 ohms (24dBW), and even 800W into 2 ohms (23dBW)! Considering its modest price, this is one powerhouse of an amplifier."

Shoot me an email if you're interested and we can figure out a price. I have the factory shipping box.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 10:25 pm »

Wow!

You guys are saweet!

Mike, Larkston, douglesc, you have pm's.

Audio-heaven,

I know exactly what you mean, but finding a Class D amp putting out that kind of power at my price is difficult. Best option since I'm a diy'er is to build a pair, however, I don't want to do that right now, i.e. too many other projects on my table.

Thanks fellas!

Anand.

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 10:44 pm »

anand, i suggested my ucd180 amp cuz i really think it would make a killer sub amp, even if a bit less power than you are looking for. and, i wouldn't mind even a little bit if you took it from me!

in any ewent, if you can get by w/250wpc, this class-h amp is a little over your budget, but might yust be the ticket - they mention contacting them for special pricing, so mebbe it's even cheaper:

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=146&products_id=669

doug s.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 10:50 pm »

Doug,

That Face Audio amp would be a dream. I am very familiar with Kevin's offerings and think he probably sells some of the best bang for buck subwoofer amps out there. $656 is above budget. I would be shocked if Kevin gets it into my budget, but it won't hurt to ask. Thanks!

Anand.

doug s. · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 11:28 pm »

oh anand, yust one more thing - watts isn't always the only issue - the ability to output current also comes into play. i used to use adcom gfa555's to drive my subs; they were replaced w/75wpc electrocompaniet aw75dmb's when i went to tubes; the adcoms are fine amps, (i still have one), especially for subs, but results were a bit better w/the ec's.

doug s.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 01:51 am »

You are mostly right. Whenever I see current ratings, I take a closer look. I study the reviews, especially from Stereophool (which they are somewhat good for). In fact, if you are building an amplifier or purchasing an amplifier for your subwoofers you need to know what kind of design it is, i.e. monopole, dipole, etc..., size of the driver, xmax, etc....Linkwitz has detailed it nicely here, and I also consulted John K who is intimately familiar with my U-frame subs to give me an idea how much voltage, current and at what point Xmax is the law of diminishing returns for max SPL.
Basically, at the lower end of the scale the design is xmax limited, then it is voltage limited and finally at much higher frequencies it is current limited.

Anand.