[Housteau]

I wanted to get a few opinions and thoughts from the forum on which were some of the best amplifiers for bass?  I have a tri-amped system and recently replaced my older VTLs for the higher frequencies and that was a breath of fresh air, to say the least.  My mid bass amp is just as old and I was considering replacing it if I could actually do better.  My old Electron Kinetics Eagle 2a has always done a good job for me, and it may still be a tough act to follow in bass control.

[JoshK]

I've come to believe that the best bass amp is the one that best matches the tuning of your speakers and visa versa.  What I mean is that all speaker designers nowadays seem to assume that amps have a virtually zero output impedance (infinite dampening factor) and tune accordingly.  However, long ago this wasn't so, partly because the amps were tube amps with non zero output impedance and partly because T/S math wasn't around yet.

Some amps have variable dampening factor. Some diy'ers tune their speakers to a non-zero output impedance and some speakers arguably work best with non zero output impedance like stats. 

I am not convinced that super high dampening factor is always desirable, but it is more often desired given how speakers are commonly designed these days.  I think you are best off choosing an amp that works best with what you know about your speakers.  Does the impedance dip really low?  Does the phase shift rapidly near its low?  Is it ported, sealed, open baffle or other?

[opnly bafld]

Has the Eagle 2 been rebuilt?
http://eagle-audio.com/

$595
REFURBISHED EAGLE 2 SERIES INCLUDING 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3, 4, 10, 11, 400, & HC-
Factory service only. This includes all upgrades to the amplifier meeting the latest EKSC Eagle standards with a complete 2 year warranty. During the refurbish process about 105 parts on older amps and about 65 on newer amps are changed, replaced, or added. Each and every electrolytic capacitor is replaced with new components including the two original 80,000 microFarad main filters replaced by two new 120,000 microFarad units. This increases the main filter capacitance 50% to once again be some of the largest capacitors found in audio, improving bass and amplifier control. High frequency bypass capacitors are added to output transistors. An obsolete protection circuit is removed providing greater stability and cleaner high frequency. All feedback loop time constants are "retuned" to the latest EKSC values greatly improving all aspects of dynamic performance and stability. A higher current, higher gain drive circuit is installed lowering output impedance and "speeding up" the amplifier. This is done by converting the output stage amplifier from resistance coupled to direct coupled operation. Internal wiring is rerouted and reconnected for much lower ground noise. A shield is added to the transformer and then mounted using mechanical isolation "feet" on transformer legs. This reduces unwanted magnetic fields and eliminates the mechanical effects of magnetostriction vibrating the amplifier chassis. A new switch is installed and the amplifier goes into a 96 hour burn in before final calibration and testing. If all else is good, the finished amplifier is given a listening test to verify sound quality before cleaning and packaging to be shipped UPS to the purchaser. Class A operation to 1 watt. Because all parts which wear out have been replaced and the amplifier is brought to the latest standards, EKSC Eagle provides a two year transferable warranty on every unit.

Lin

[Housteau]

This is certainly worth considering.  Thank you.

[sak]

Over the last 10 years Russell at eksc has rebuilt /upgraded 6 eagle amps for me.If you have liked your old eagle 2 you probaly be extremely happy with the new version. the 2 400s I had were just converted back and upgraded to 2c prime amps and i use them to drive emerald physics cs2.3 in vertical bi amp mode and they are sweet amps. easily better than the wyred for sound amps they replaced including the 500 watt modules for the cs2.3 woofers.

You may want to consider calling Russ to discuss
 

[Tyson]

The best one I have ever heard is the audio-gd C10:



http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/amp/c10.htm - lots of cool info on what they differently to make it so good.

[gerald porzio]

Is this puppy wired for 120v/60Hz? One would think that would be pertinent enough to add to the hyperbole.

[beachbum]

Try auditioning a Nuforce Ref 9 SE V3 amp. Solid, tight, well defined bass, and all else to please the ears.

[Tyson]

Is this puppy wired for 120v/60Hz? One would think that would be pertinent enough to add to the hyperbole.

Yes.

[rollo]

Believe it or not Rotel makes amps that are truly underrated. Especially in the bass department. check out some used ones if you can find them. Older Levinson, Krell or Bryston  as well.


charles

[mfsoa]

I was suprised at the difference between a 600 watt Sunfire vs. Tommy's (Digital Amp Co.) Cherry amps (I think I've had a JR, a regular Cherry and the Plus at my place) when used to drive the woofs on my Vons (200 hz on down).

I'd have thunk that the Sunfire would do everything you'd want in the bass, but it was far bettered by the Cherries.

The Sunfire was big and wooly in comparison to the much tighter/better defined Cherry.

I now don't agree with the notion that you just get any 15 year old beefy power amp for bass duties because it doesn't matter for the bass. It does. (IMO)

-Mike

[jimdgoulding]

Believe it or not Rotel makes amps that are truly underrated. Especially in the bass department. check out some used ones if you can find them. Older Levinson, Krell or Bryston  as well.


charles

Somewhere on AC and three days ago, a fellow is offering his Kenwood L07 monoblocks for $500.00.  These are very stout amps (rated at 150w but with a good deal more in the tank and a high damping factor) and should drive and control most, if not all, outboard subs. 

[TomS]

Somewhere on AC and three days ago, a fellow is offering his Kenwood L07 monoblocks for $500.00.  These are very stout amps (rated at 150w but with a good deal more in the tank and a high damping factor) and should drive and control most, if not all, outboard subs.

Agree with you on this, having owned the whole Kenwood suite years ago myself (more than once).  I would be very careful buying them used as there is a whole cult following around sourcing and rebuilding these things (for good reason).  Like any interesting old vintage stuff, some or good, some are junk.  Transistor replacements for them, as an example, can be unobtainium.  When they're right they can be an awesome bass amp.  I used them on Dahlquists and loved them.

[*Scotty*]

In regards to the Sunfire vs the Cherry amps,there are watts you can measure on the bench and then there are real watts. Amplifiers that appear to measure well on the bench are frequently outperformed by amplifiers that don't appear to have as much rated power,yet another reason to listen before buying.
Scotty

[gerald porzio]

The operative word is "appear". This is a generalization. Amp that measure poorly frequently manifest the poor measurements in poor sound. W/o measurements the opinions of all audio rags, Ezines & audiophiles are equal. This equality & the the value of these opinions opinions are mutually inclusive.

[Vapor Audio]

I've never heard anything do bass better than the Ice 1000ASP based amps.

[Housteau]

Sorry for the late response, but I am at the CES (THE Show actually) and have just now finished with the break down of the VMPS room.  I am part of the crew for the live vs recorded demos that VMPS sets up.  These are all good suggestions and I am going to look into refurbishing my Eagle, assuming that the turn-around time is reasonable.

Everyone has their own favorite.  That is plain to see.  A lot may depend on the match between amp and speaker.  Most speakers have a fixed Q setting and so that match is very important.  The VMPS units I have have a fully adjustable Q that can be set to mate directly to your amp.  So, there are some considerations that I am free from, which allows me to look at other factors that may have more influence on my system.