Amplifier Suggestions too!

[gvasale]

you're mixing apples and oranges to include band rehersal with the other apps.

[martyh45]

Check out Crown XTI2000 digital amps for the bottom end
http://www.fullcompass.com/brand/CRO...mplifiers.html

I know a guy who has installed and maintains about 100 of them and he is happy with the performance. I have heard more than a few of the installs (all using JBL speakers) and they have all of the slam a guy could want. The feature set should help with integrating them. I should say I do not like these amps on the top end. They sound digital to me, there is a certain sense of space and extension that they are lacking compared to good hifi amps. I would look at some restored tube amps for the 80Hz up range. Altec would be cool and despite the fact that they have been run for years upon years they were built to last. 1569s or modified 1570s would do the trick but the latter will definitely blow the budget. You could also look at HiFi tube amps and use a pair of transformers on the input. Jensen, Lundahl and Sowter make input transformers that would work well.

[Steve Mac]

Originally posted by gvasale:
you're mixing apples and oranges to include band rehersal with the other apps.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm making a fruit salad.

[Steve Mac]

Originally posted by martyh45:
Check out Crown XTI2000 digital amps for the bottom end
http://www.fullcompass.com/brand/CRO...mplifiers.html

I know a guy who has installed and maintains about 100 of them and he is happy with the performance. I have heard more than a few of the installs (all using JBL speakers) and they have all of the slam a guy could want. The feature set should help with integrating them. I should say I do not like these amps on the top end. They sound digital to me, there is a certain sense of space and extension that they are lacking compared to good hifi amps. I would look at some restored tube amps for the 80Hz up range. Altec would be cool and despite the fact that they have been run for years upon years they were built to last. 1569s or modified 1570s would do the trick but the latter will definitely blow the budget. You could also look at HiFi tube amps and use a pair of transformers on the input. Jensen, Lundahl and Sowter make input transformers that would work well.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks Marty...yeah I think the subs won't be the problem but I'm looking to go solid state on the mid bass area too. I suspect that might be the more difficult needle to thread.

[gvasale]

Steve: Let me be corrected if I'm wrong, but most of the speakers we talk about here probably wouldn't last too long for band rehersal. No band I ever heard would be satisfied without really cranking it up a bit, no doubt. I guess this is why Altec also made musical instrument speakers. Under these conditions I guess thats why they (others) made instrument (guitar) amplifiers where clipping was desirable. I suspect you know that. Additionaly, if I stapped my two Crown d150s, I wind up with 150watts per amp. Not a super improvement over the two Marantz 16s in constant use. I sure wouldn't want to abuse either of the two for "band rehersal". Now there is an Altec 9440a available that still might be better left to HT or HiFi. I can 't afford to "toast" any of them. Let the discussion begin!

[martyh45]

Solid State eh?

Well I?ve never owned a pure solid state preamp I could stand but I have had a couple of good power amps. If you are up for used you might want to try a forte 4a. I don?t know if 50 watts SS will work with that room size but these amps are very sweet. They are pure class A with balanced inputs. I don?t know how well they will hold up to band practice, they run hot as it is and clipping them for long a period is probably a bad idea. You can buy them used for around $800

The threshold stasis amps have a similar sound and are very reliable. They are available with higher power so that won?t be a problem but prices are pretty high for units in good condition.

Finding an amp that will work well for pro type service and hifi might be a tough bill to fill. Most of the stereo stuff I know that will take that kind of pounding is expensive even if you buy it used and I have never heard a pro ss amp that will hold it?s own on the top end in a home setting. You might be happier if you buy an inexpensive digital amp for band practice and something better for the hifi.

[Steve Mac]

Originally posted by gvasale:
Steve: Let me be corrected if I'm wrong, but most of the speakers we talk about here probably wouldn't last too long for band rehersal.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">We're talking big horns here...not dinky model 19 bass reflex cabinets. Anyway first when I say rehearsal I'm talking about rehearsal in a fairly small room and I'm not talking about garage band thrasher music. I do not plan on opening the system up and cranking it to PA levels often...but I've got some extremely efficient enclosures that should be able to do this without breaking a sweat. The mid bass horn mouths are roughly 4 feet by 4.5 feet. It is modeled after the 210, has no reflex and with 2-75 watt 515s in each cabinet at over 110dB...we're talking about some cabinets that will fill up this space quite easily. Each subs mouth is around 4 feet by 2 feet and they don't suffer in the efficiency department either. In the room size mentioned...20 or 30 watts is going to be loud! But I want power reserve for dynamics and peaks.

[Steve Mac]

Originally posted by martyh45:
Solid State eh?

Well I?ve never owned a pure solid state preamp I could stand but I have had a couple of good power amps. If you are up for used you might want to try a forte 4a. I don?t know if 50 watts SS will work with that room size but these amps are very sweet. They are pure class A with balanced inputs. I don?t know how well they will hold up to band practice, they run hot as it is and clipping them for long a period is probably a bad idea. You can buy them used for around $800

The threshold stasis amps have a similar sound and are very reliable. They are available with higher power so that won?t be a problem but prices are pretty high for units in good condition.

Finding an amp that will work well for pro type service and hifi might be a tough bill to fill. Most of the stereo stuff I know that will take that kind of pounding is expensive even if you buy it used and I have never heard a pro ss amp that will hold it?s own on the top end in a home setting. You might be happier if you buy an inexpensive digital amp for band practice and something better for the hifi.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Okay, maybe I first need to consider how much power i will need and also to consider divvying up a bigger chunk for the mid bass horns. 1500midbass/1000sub or 1700midbass/800sub...something like that?... With the 515s rated at 75 watts apiece...in parallel an 8 ohm load...how much power should I allot per channel/mid bass horn?

The 2242s are rated at 800 watts...but with a horn loaded sub...how much power should I consider here?

[Steve Mac]

I need a couple of stereo amps for:
a) one jbl 2242h in each horn loaded sub
b) two gpa 515-16g's in eac mid bass cabinet

the subs from around 30-80Hz and the
mid bass horns will be from around 80-800Hz

My budget? Oh, gee probably not more than
2000-2500 dollars for both amps.

These speakers will be in a room about
23 x 35 feet...

usage:
Home theater, hi fi playback, band rehearsal

important features:
sound quality
reliability
balanced inputs
chest thumping lower end
dynamics
volume

What do you horn masters here think?

[Davidg]

How about some of the older Pro Hafler models like the P-225 P-230 and the P-500, All have balanced 1/4 inch and/or XLR input variable gain and can be run 2 channel or bridged mono, I have run them some and have always had good luck with them. They can all be found on e-bay pretty often