BEHRINGER A500 REFERENCE POWER AMP 2 x 230W

sts9fan · « **on:** 13 Dec 2005, 07:43 pm »

What would be the down sides of a amp like this
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=248-749&ctab=4#Tabs

besides the coolness factor?

Rick Craig · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 08:02 pm »

Quote from: sts9fan

What would be the down sides of a amp like this
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=248-749&ctab=4#Tabs

besides the coolness factor?

There's a good review of this amp at the Audio Critic's online site. It costs $12.95 to subscribe but it's the best audio investment under $20 that you'll ever make.

srb · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 08:07 pm »

I've never seen one, but just looking at the specs...

1. THD is quoted at .1% @ 1kHz. 1kHz is a pretty easy frequency to amplify, what is the THD @ 20Hz - 20kHz?

2. 18.5 lbs weight is a bit of a light weight for a 160WX2 class A/AB amp (I am assuming it is not a class D or T)

That's all I can come up with. It certainly is inexpensive!

sts9fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 08:10 pm »

Quote

There's a good review of this amp at the Audio Critic's online site.

yeah I just read it and was wondering what the folks here thought.

sts9fan · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 08:20 pm »

Frequency Response: -0.3dB @ 10Hz, -0.1dB @ 20Hz, 0.0db @ 1000 Hz, -0.2dB @ 10kHz, 0.6dB @ 20kHz,-2dB @ 40kHz

138 watts @ 8 ohms @ 1000Hz @ 1.000% THD+N, both channels driven

120 watts @ 8 ohms @ 20Hz @ 0.030% THD+N, 1 channel driven

120 watts @ 8 ohms @ 1000Hz @ 0.025% THD+N, 1 channel driven

120 watts @ 8 ohms @ 20000Hz @ 0.045% THD+N, 1 channel driven

220 watts @ 4 ohms @ 1000Hz @ 1.000% THD+N, both channels driven

180 watts @ 4 ohms @ 20Hz @ 0.056% THD+N, 1 channel driven

180 watts @ 4 ohms @ 1000Hz @ 0.050% THD+N, 1 channel driven

180 watts @ 4 ohms @ 20000Hz @ 0.050% THD+N, 1 channel driven

Harmonics of THD are primarily 2nd order, with subsequent harmonics approaching or under -100dB.

Power output was tested from 0 degrees phase resistive load(results given above) and into other phase angles up to +/- 60 degrees. Little variation of output voltage occured, regardless of phase angle.

Horizons · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 10:22 pm »

Quote from: Rick Craig

Quote from: sts9fan
What would be the down sides of a amp like this
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=248-749&ctab=4#Tabs

besides the coolness factor?

There's a good review of this amp at the Audio Critic's online site. It costs $12.95 to subscribe but it's the best audio investment under $20 that you'll ever make.

Did TAC generally speak positively about the Behringer amp? I thought Peter was of the "all amps sound the same" club so I would assume they liked the Behringer as well as anything else they have tried.

Agisthos · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 08:57 am »

It would be interesting to see a proper comparison of these pro amps to the usual 'audiophile' fare. They certainly are cheap but I wonder whether they are designed with specs in mind for pro audio engineers rather than audio quality.

bhobba · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 12:24 pm »

Quote from: Horizons

Did TAC generally speak positively about the Behringer amp? I thought Peter was of the "all amps sound the same" ...

Yes he did - but with some small caveats. The response was .5db down at 20K and the distortion, while acceptable, was not as good as Behringer claimed.

And I think you may oversimplifying Peters position a little. He believes if audible differences exist then a cause can be found. For competently designed modern amplifiers that essentially means they all sound the same.

While the evidence of that school is compelling, and I have only heard differences when driving crappy loads, I am not ready to admit he is correct. I have seen articles by highly competent engineers like Leo Simpson and High Dean who claim otherwise - and I believe them. I have even seen reputable people who claim to pick differences in cables blind. I suspect using a highly revealing speaker in a setup you are familiar with by careful listening over time you can detect differences that will stand up to blind testing. I have ordered a pair of timepieces and hope to put this to the test eventually.

Having said all that I believe the old adage of spending an equal amount on the electronics as the speakers is now dead. Buy something like the Panasonic DVD and the Behringer then spend the rest on speakers is now a good option. Later you can upgrade once you can hear a difference.

Thanks
Bill

Horizons · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 05:23 pm »

Quote from: bhobba

... believe the old adage of spending an equal amount on the electronics as the speakers is now dead. Buy something like the Panasonic DVD and the Behringer then spend the rest on speakers is now a good option. Later you can upgrade once you can hear a difference.

I paid the $12 and read Peter's review. He seemed fair.

I agree with your audiophile priorities. I heard a system recently that completely changed my audiophile perspective. I heard the Linkwitz Orion speakers driven by CHEAPO Crown pro amps and fed by an iPod. Best sound I have ever heard by a mile.

Sintz · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Dec 2005, 06:49 pm »

Unless you're using the amp's volume controls as your preamp (direct line levels in), you'd may want to bypass them. Chances are, the pots used in those controls are of questionable design.

Just my constructive 0.02.