Amp application

[mah]

I will be using SS amps in tri-amp arrangement. In the three bands, -500Hz, 500-5000Hz and 5000 plus with 416-8B and 808/511B. Should I put the smoothest amp on the 416 or the 808 ?

[westend9]

"Smooth" is pretty generic but if I understand you right, I'd put it on the 808. I use two or three SS amps on 416B and 811's w/802's and am using the preamp section of one of those amps, an integrated, with pretty good results. The integrated, a Kenwood 500, has a FET preamp that delivers a fairly warm signal transfer. There is nothing harsh or cold about the reproduction. For the 416's I am using a JBL6290, power and damping to spare with that. I have used another amp, also SS, to run a pair of Heil AMT's, crossing them over at 9000 hz.

Again, my opinion is that the compression drivers would benefit the most from the smoothest amp you have. The woofers are a lot more forgiving below 500 hz.

What type of preamp and crossover are you using?

[mah]

Luxman R 1050 receiver

Sony TA 4650 Vfet integrated

Sony 1120 integrated

also, NAD 3020e.

Crossover Linkwitz-Riley Electronic Crossover

[bfish]

I'm not chummy with any of those amps mate, but I'd use the one you'd least like dropped on your toe for the 416s. Given that an amp's weight is largely in the PS, the heaviest PS will likely give the cleanest LF peaks. You don't need much for the upper end(s), but preferrably one(s) that won't f@rt DC.

[mah]

The Luxman I purchased new when I was a young bloke. The others I picked up used in the last few years.

Some detail on these amps-

Luxman Luxman R-1050 & R-1040 on TVK

Sony Sony TA-4650 on TVK & Sony TA-1120A on TVK

The Vintage Knob is at THEVINTAGEKNOB : vintage audio museum

[mah]

A bit more on the VFET amp www.eastmarinedrive.com/contents/non-static/vfet-content.htm