New PS Audio Digital amps

Tbadder1 · « **on:** 10 Nov 2005, 04:22 pm »

Anybody hear these? How do they compare to the NuForce amps? Right now I got a chance to buy 500 watts per channel for only two grand, but I won't be able to audition them. Thanks in advance.

-Richard- · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 09:18 pm »

Hi Tbadder1,

If there is a return policy...which translates essentially into an in-house audition...
then you have nothing to lose...

Otherwise be cautious...there are many products out there...and
synergy should be your primary concern and consideration...

My advice...and you will receive an endless stream of advice here...
is to go with a minimum of watts and highly efficient speakers...
that is the future...and the past...but we must first practice sensitivity
in our listening...it took me quite a few years...and I will never go back...

Best of luck...

-Richard-

Rocket · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 11:15 pm »

Hi,

I wouldn't buy one unless i could hear it in your system. I have a ps audio hca - 2 which was well reviewed and thought it was thin sounding, had the lightest bass i've heard and wasn't satisfying musically.

Regards

Rod

suits_me · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 11:23 pm »

The folks at PS Audio have a long and influential track record in the industry. (They didn't start with power conditioning.) The new gain amps (that's what you're talking about, right?) haven't gotten much press and are sold on audio advisor at one discount or another from list, so they don't seem to have caught on at all. The web site is vague on the technical details of their claimed to be revolutionary side stepping of classic volume control problems (a pot, or whatever, throwing away gain.)

I don't want a big amp like that, but taking all the above into account if I could get the 100 wpc integrated with the gain cell at a great price I'd personally go for it unheard over any of the others I'm considering in the market. The gain cell claims would have more applicability to the integrated than to a pure amp, obviously, since the integrated adjusts the spls comin' out of your speakers....

Do you have any better options than the PS Audio? Do your speakers, room and listening habits require that much power? Because even if the amp is a great deal it still might not be appropriate for you in particular, except in the sense that a great deal can be a hedge against any depreciation when and if it's time to sell.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 02:45 am »

I always get the idea that the marketing message from PS Audio is a lot better and more enticing than the actual offerings.

I had a Power Plant 300, Ultimate Outlet and top-of-the-line Power Cord (whatever they were called).....I felt all of them were below par for what they fetched.

Still, I love reading Paul's inventive spin on things....he's got some interesting ideas (some re-hashed and gussied up, some somewhat new) from time to time.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 05:17 am »

Quote from: Tbadder1

Anybody hear these? How do they compare to the NuForce amps? Right now I got a chance to buy 500 watts per channel for only two grand, but I won't be able to audition them. Thanks in advance.

Tbadder1,

bhobba · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 05:31 am »

Hi Tbadder

I suspect these are for your SP continuums? If so then what I would recommend is to get a simple Panasonic XR55 to start with which would cost you all of about $230.00 in the US. Audiophiles have reviewed those amps well - see
http://www.newformresearch.com/alles.htm
They are the same amps as the XR45 - except the XR55 allows bi amping - a big plus IMHO. After that you can audition amplifiers to find the one you like that suits your listening habits and if you should bi amp etc. Choosing amplifiers is no easy task and will require a considerable amount of time listening in your own system. You can get all the advice you like - but in the end you must be the judge. You have chosen a fine speaker. Spend a little more time to get the right amp and you will be very happy.

Thanks
Bill

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 06:00 am »

I'd keep an eye on this thread..... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=22838

bhobba · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 06:41 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Quote from: Tbadder1
Anybody hear these? How do they compare to the NuForce amps? Right now I got a chance to buy 500 watts per channel for only two grand, but I won't be able to audition them. Thanks in advance.
Tbadder1,
I'd wait till you get your speakers...then you'll know what you might need. [/list:u]

Yes. However if he does not already have an amp the Panny would be OK to get it working. I know once you have bought something like that you are itching to use it. Then he can audition amps to get the exact one right for him

Thanks
Bill

nickspicks · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 12:19 pm »

wow..i've never heard anyone complain about the hca2. especialy the bass. that is their strong point from what i've read.

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 03:03 pm »

You guys who know I'm getting my new Continuums are correct in your assumptions. The Continuums need power evidently and if my Clayton S40 doesn't work I need a back up plan. The PS Audio is one of those high power low cost amps that are hard to come by, hence my question. What I'd really like is a Belles Reference 350A, but that's outta my price range for the forseeable future. Strangely enough I'm really in Richard's camp on this one. The future is low watt high efficiency, and my purchase of the Continuums really goes against my own philosophy.

Bob Wilcox · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Nov 2005, 12:34 am »

Quote from: nickspicks

wow..i've never heard anyone complain about the hca2. especialy the bass. that is their strong point from what i've read.

IMO, this amp has a voicing bump in the midbass that is complimentary to speakers with low bass response limitations. Used with wide range speakers or in a bass trapped room, bass response could seem weak.

Bob

bhobba · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Nov 2005, 01:06 am »

Quote from: Tbadder1

You guys who know I'm getting my new Continuums are correct in your assumptions. The Continuums need power evidently and if my Clayton S40 doesn't work I need a back up plan. The PS Audio is one of those high power low cost amps that are hard to come by, hence my question. What I'd really like is a Belles Reference 350A, but that's outta my price range for the forseeable future. Strangely enough I'm really in Richard's camp on this one. The future is low watt high efficiency, and my purchase of the Continuums really goes against my own philosophy.

The claytons will work fine - IMHO it is simply a bit pricy. The continuums produce 91db from 2.81v which is not low effiecncy. It will easily produce a max spl of 108 db from the Claytons at the spekers which is about what installers claim is rarely exceeded. Some guy here was running a 95db speaker from an under 2w amp - running your speakers from 8w should be fine. Try the Charlize on them
http://diyparadise.com/charlize.html
At $90 what have you to loose? Do not be swayed by some guys cliaming you need humungus power - you be the judge of that yourself.

Thanks
Bill

Rocket · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Nov 2005, 01:15 am »

Hi Nickpicks,

May'be i need to have a hearing test

as i just don't understand how anyone could say the hca - 2 is a great sounding amplifier.

I eventually had it modded by a friend who lives in the states who replaced 40 odd components i.e. blackgates in the signal path, nichicon gold caps in the power supply. It sounded a lot better and the bass improved. It has taught me not to believe reviews anymore.

I wouldn't buy a product unless it had a return guarantee as who wants to get stuck with a dud like i have in the past. I'm now using a SOA and it sounds very good and the best part is it doesn't have to be modded and i have a 5 year australian warranty.

Best wishes

Rod

nickspicks · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Nov 2005, 02:11 am »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Nickpicks,

May'be i need to have a hearing test as i just don't understand how anyone could say the hca - 2 is a great sounding amplifier.

I eventually had it modded by a friend who lives in the states who replaced 40 odd components i.e. blackgates in the signal path, nichicon gold caps in the power supply. It sounded a lot better and the bass improved. It has taught me not to believe reviews anymore.

I wouldn't buy a product unless it had a return guarantee as who wants to get stuck with ...

i'm just surprised. i have several friends w/this amp, and they rave. stereophile gave it a class A rating...and I typicaly agree w/most of their reviews when I get my hands on a particular piece they have covered.
huh.
and i'm planning on getting one eventualy, now that they are dirt cheap used. thinking of tossing a nice tube pre in front of it to fatten it up a bit.