Jump to content
IGNORED

Best Sounding Class A/AB 3,4 Channel SS Power Amp?


Recommended Posts

I’m hoping to build a 3.3 system for DVD/BD movie sound; also for CDs and high res downloads. The three Rythmik F12 sealed subs are needed as my main speakers won’t do much above 90db SPL below 100Hz. And as my sources are all digital, the multiple subs and DIRAC Live for Windows should provide very smooth bass response, prior to what corrections I can make acoustically.

 

I have First Watt J2 and F4 amps, though the latter would need to be driven by my Don Sachs 6SN7 preamp. But those hot running Class A amps would be impractical for movie and TV sessions, so I’m looking for a high performance multichannel poweramp. But as my room is only ~ 2850 cu ft, the main speakers are at least 93db SPL/w/m and the center speaker nearly as sensitive, this MCH amp need not exceed much above 50 wpc, especially if a fourth channel can be bridged to drive the center speaker. Of course, wpc like this would be huge overkill.

https://emotiva.com/collections/x-series/products/xpa-dr3

 

Ideally, the amp will be biased to run in a Class A mode at low listening levels, which given >90db speaker sensitivities could often be the case.

 

And the amp must have balanced inputs as 8 channel DACs like the Okto DAC 8 Pro don’t perform well feeding unbalanced loads. Adjustable input level controls a plus.

 

Budget ~ $4K.

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Used Pass X5

 

an oldie but good and if you feel inclined could even send it back to Pass for recapping and still be in budget.  I did this with mine a couple of years ago. 
 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbb58i-pass-labs-x5-5-channel-power-amplifier-67941-multi-channel-amps
 

 

QNAP NAS w/minimserver, iBuypower  i7 13700kf,  RTXa5000 24g GPU, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS minimal server, HQPe v5 x64 avx2, HQPDcontrol4,  HQPlayer Client iOS, mconnect playerHD, JplayiOS, Daphile on Asus PN-51-s1 (AMD 5700u) in Akasa fanless case, NAA 5.0.0 image on Fitlet2 , Lampizator Big 7 MKII Balanced, Holo Spring L2 V3, Placette Balanced Passive Linestage, Pass XVR1, Pass X5, Pass XA 100.5’s, PSB Stratus Gold(i)’s, Vandersteen 2wq’s.

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...