[ratso]

any recommendations? the only one i can find is gallo's and it's REALLY expensive (for me anyways). it would need to have an adjustable gain and adjustable crossover. anyone know of any? (i currently am using dual BPA's from emotiva - work and sound great but only 75wpc).

[BradJudy]

How about this puppy: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-810

It's a shelf/rack mount version of their 1000W plate amp.  IIRC, this (or one of the variations) is the amp that VMPS has been recommending for their passive subs. 

[ratso]

yeah! that's great, only i would need 2... (i have 2 subs). any one else?

[Mountain-ear]

You could check out the RBH SA-200.  I've never used it, but it might fill the bill and it has some interesting features -- more front-panel controls than most, high level and line level inputs, a dimmer for the panel lights, etc.  Saw one on eBay recently for $250. 

I personally had good luck with the NHT SA-3.  Although it is no longer made, you will also see these on eBay from time to time.  I sold mine a couple of years ago, but I wish I had it back again.  It did a very nice job driving my Dahlquist DQ-1W subwoofer with its 13" driver.

[NewBuyer]

I second the NHT. Best external sub amps I've heard for the price.

[Tubo]

For many years I have been using an Adcom GFA-555 to power two passive subs in my living room system. Very powerful, musical and goes very deep with authority.

In my bedroom system I use a NAD 2600A, bridged, to power a singly passive sub. Also very powerful, musical and deep.

While both these are full-range stereo amps, they work very well as sub amps and are hardly stressed. Both can be found in the used market at reasonable prices.

[Tubo]

I should add that I use external crossovers with my (full-range) amps. A Dahlquist LP-1 in the living room and a Paradigm X-30 in the bedroom. These can be adjusted for crossover frequency and gain. The Paradigm can be found in the used market for reasonable prices, the Dahlquist rarely and at a much higher price.

[Housteau]

How about this puppy: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-810

It's a shelf/rack mount version of their 1000W plate amp.  IIRC, this (or one of the variations) is the amp that VMPS has been recommending for their passive subs. 

I am using two of these since they are mono amps.  They do an excellent job and I am quite pleased with them.

[gitarretyp]

You might take a look at some of the pro amps by Behringer and Crown (also available at parts express). Crown's XTi series has built-in crossover and EQ. With the Behringer, you'd need a separate crossover. Something like a used behringer dcx2496 could provide crossover and eq functions.