300 WPC for less than 2 Grand

8thnerve · « **on:** 9 Dec 2004, 08:04 pm »

There seems to be little out there in this field, so let's see what all of us can come up with.

300 Watts per channel minimum, $2000 maximum (MSRP), and this is for two channels.

I'll start with one we all know:

Carver Professional ZR-1600

What else is there?

woodsyi · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 08:09 pm »

Nathan,

Is this for subwoofer only or for full range speakers? For sub only, pro equipments like Crown K2 covers that range for ~$1150.

zybar · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 08:32 pm »

Quote from: 8thnerve

There seems to be little out there in this field, so let's see what all of us can come up with.

300 Watts per channel minimum, $2000 maximum (MSRP), and this is for two channels.

I'll start with one we all know:

Carver Professional ZR-1600

What else is there?

I greatly preferred the Sherbourne products over the Carver. The list is way under $2k since the 5 channel version goes for $2k.

George

Occam · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 09:47 pm »

Well you didn't say into what load.
Howzabout, 275wp int 4 Ohms @ 0.07%THD for $300 delivered
about 200wpc into 8 Ohms, as above

The Samson Servo 550
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Servo550/

Caveats -
1. I've not heard it, but I have heard its little bro, the Servo 260 which is a very good amp regardless of the price, $200 delivered. The 260 sounds best through its single ended RCA inputs, which bypass the balanced to single ended opamps.
2. The 550 does not have single ended inputs. As the balanced to se board and input attenuators connect to the amp board via removeable connectors, you'd need to add RCAs and connect to the ampboard connector.
3. I've the schematics to both and they've done an amazing number of things right, They only differ in rail voltage and pairs of output transistors. The circuit is easily enhanced and improved with minimal effort.
4. And the biggest thing against it..... It doesn't cost enough.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:08 pm »

Nathan,

The AudioSource Amp 3 is 150 watter for $599.00 list (and always available for 30-50% less it seems). Best of all it can be bridged to 400watts

It accepts rca's only, has (awful sounding) front mounted volume controls and drives low impedance loads with aplomb. Mine serves duty as my (passive) sub amp quite well in bridged mono. Tough to beat for the $225 delivered (used) I paid for it.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_5_1/audiosourceamp3.html

They have an updated Amp 300 model coming out that has slightly nicer cosmetics later this year. It's a real well made power amp for the money.

doug s. · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:15 pm »

Quote from: 8thnerve

There seems to be little out there in this field, so let's see what all of us can come up with.

300 Watts per channel minimum, $2000 maximum (MSRP), and this is for two channels.

I'll start with one we all know:

Carver Professional ZR-1600

What else is there?

qsc
http://www.qscaudio.com/
art
http://www.artroch.com/

these are two pro-audio companies i have heard good things about...

doug s.

rosconey · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:18 pm »

klaus has his new digital amps available i think-
might want to give them a call

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:28 pm »

You might try to find some NAD 218ThX Amps. In bridged to mono mode they put out over 700 watts. I've had a pair of them for almost 9 years and never had any problems. Once in a while they show up on ebay or audiogon. Cheap too!!

Cheers
Charlie

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:32 pm »

Never heard this model but I'm planning to use it for my custom sub project when I get around to it.

http://www.behringer.com/EP2500/index.cfm?lang=ENG">Behringer EP2500 450watts x 2 at 8ohms, .1%THD. Weighs 36lbs so it must have a reasonably decent power supply. I can't imagine it would be all that hard to improve either. A few BG caps here 'n there, new hexfreds etc

Since I plan to use it for my subs, I'm not worried about sound quality over 100Hz and in the future, if I need more power, I will just get a second unit and bridge them.

R_burke · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:35 pm »

Adcom GFA5802
Rotel 1090

Close - Parasound Halo A21

jgubman · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 11:07 pm »

Earthquake CineNova 3 channel amp, 300W @ 8ohm and 600W @ 4ohm. "MSRP" on it is slightly north of $3k, however every Earthquake dealer I've talked to sells them for less than $2k. Very good amp for the money, never had a problem with it.

I'll also recommend John Chairguy's Amp3. I have it currently powering my rear surround speakers and it works very well. It does have a slight hum that doesn't seem to be a ground loop (none of the other amps on the same circuit have the hum and it doesn't go away w/ a cheater plug). It is however very flexible and cheap.

Inscrutable · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 08:36 am »

Used Citation 7.1 delivers 450 wpc x 2 @ 8 ohms in bridged mode (it is a 4-channel amp). Can get for < $1000. Little brother 5.1 does 300 wpc and goes for ~$600.

8thnerve · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 01:58 pm »

To clarify: Full range use, 8 Ohm load. Also, I know there are a bunch of Pro-Audio amps out there that fit the bill, but most would agree that they wouldn't be satisfied with them for hi-fi use. The Carver is an exception as it is quite good due to the Tripath implementation. If you have heard one that is actually very good sounding for full range use, please list it!

So it seems so far we have:

Carver Pro ZR-1600
QSC PLX 2402
Adcom GFA 5802
Rotel RB-1090

The others mentioned did meet the qualifications, or the poster was unsure of their sound quality. Some good ideas though, esp. on older products.

Has anyone used the QSC PLX 2402? They say it uses "PowerWave" technology?

rosconey · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 02:33 pm »

granted no one has heard the new odyssey digital amps-
klaus spent alot of time on them to get a "audiophile sound"
that alone would make me consider a listen to his digital stuff-

doug s. · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 04:01 pm »

Quote from: 8thnerve

To clarify: Full range use, 8 Ohm load. Also, I know there are a bunch of Pro-Audio amps out there that fit the bill, but most would agree that they wouldn't be satisfied with them for hi-fi use. The Carver is an exception as it is quite good due to the Tripath implementation. If you have heard one that is actually very good sounding for full range use, please list it!

So it seems so far we have:

Carver Pro ZR-1600
QSC PLX 2402
Adcom GFA 5802
Rotel RB-1090

The others mentioned did meet the qualifications, or the poster was unsure of their sound quality. Some good ideas though, esp. on older products.

Has anyone used the QSC PLX 2402? They say it uses "PowerWave" technology?

brian cheney likes the qsc amps for subs; i believe wayne of bolder cables has tried them full-range, & says they are decent. re; the art amps i previously mentioned, these dirt-cheap amps seem to have garnered somewhat of a cult following, after mods, similar to the art di/o dac...

doug s.

8thnerve · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 04:16 pm »

Quote from: rosconey

granted no one has heard the new odyssey digital amps-
klaus spent alot of time on them to get a "audiophile sound"
that alone would make me consider a listen to his digital stuff-

I like the Odyssey products a lot, but have no info about this amp, re cost, power, etc.

8thnerve · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 04:17 pm »

Quote from: doug s.

brian cheney likes the qsc amps for subs; i believe wayne of bolder cables has tried them full-range, & says they are decent. re; the art amps i previously mentioned, these dirt-cheap amps seem to have garnered somewhat of a cult following, after mods, similar to the art di/o dac...

doug s.

I only see amps from Art that are less than 200 Wpc, and I am looking for 300 plus. Did I miss one?

ctviggen · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 05:05 pm »

Here's one (ATI) at 300 wpc at 8 ohms, 450 wpc at 4 ohms:

http://www.ati-amp.com/at3000.html

The 2-channel is $1995.

ctviggen · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 05:09 pm »

Oh, as for sound quality, I don't know. Some have liked the sound of this amp, but I haven't heard it (it was on my short list some time ago for surrounds -- not mains, but I never ordered it to hear it).

jpsartre · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 05:11 pm »

You can find a used Spectron Musician II digital amp for less than $2K. 500W/ch into 8 Ohms.

Also, if pro amps are an option look at the Crown K2, also 500W/ch into 8 Ohms, can be had new for $1400, used for $700-$900 (transferrable 3 year warranty).