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Class D amp recommendation

tuskenraider

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Hi,

I'm looking to replace an ATI-2505(250WPC @ 8 ohms) anchor I recently acquired, since it will break my center console without major temporary support and putting it on the floor is not desirable. I thought of going the opposite way in weight and trying out a class D amp. I'm going to put my center and surrounds back on my Yamaha RX-A3080 and get a 2-channel amp for the mains(Revel F208's @ 8ohms 88.5 dB sensitivity). I've read so much info my head is going to explode and have analysis paralysis. I'm looking to keep cost @$1500. I really like the look of the VTV's, but have read of the questionable build quality. The easy button is the Purifi EVAL-1 setup and possibly sending it out for a re-wire, but wondering if feeding the Revels more power with a Hypex NC1200 setup might be a better move. Going above budget, the new high power Purifi modules don't seem like a big enough power jump for $600 or so difference, starting with a Sparkos Opamp(making it more confusing and expensive depending on which one to select). I just want good, clean power going to my speakers to improve 2 channel music performance, the home theater side is whatever. Thanks for any direction.
 

Helicopter

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Hi,

I'm looking to replace an ATI-2505(250WPC @ 8 ohms) anchor I recently acquired, since it will break my center console without major temporary support and putting it on the floor is not desirable. I thought of going the opposite way in weight and trying out a class D amp. I'm going to put my center and surrounds back on my Yamaha RX-A3080 and get a 2-channel amp for the mains(Revel F208's @ 8ohms 88.5 dB sensitivity). I've read so much info my head is going to explode and have analysis paralysis. I'm looking to keep cost @$1500. I really like the look of the VTV's, but have read of the questionable build quality. The easy button is the Purifi EVAL-1 setup and possibly sending it out for a re-wire, but wondering if feeding the Revels more power with a Hypex NC1200 setup might be a better move. Going above budget, the new high power Purifi modules don't seem like a big enough power jump for $600 or so difference, starting with a Sparkos Opamp(making it more confusing and expensive depending on which one to select). I just want good, clean power going to my speakers to improve 2 channel music performance, the home theater side is whatever. Thanks for any direction.
Power is key. Hypex/Purifi is the sweet spot for value. You could look at Boxem, Audiofonics, or Buckeye if you don't want VTV. I would expect any of the 400 or 500 amp module part numbers to be great with your speakers, with headroom and clean undistorted power. They all perform well.
 

dlaloum

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I am currently running my front mains using 10 year old Crown XLS2500's.

You can pick up the XLS's series amps from circa $200 used (!! mostly due to their use for pro sound reinforcement!). They have heaps of power, and sound great matched with a decent AVR, as long as the AVR can put enough voltage out for the XLS. - Due to their pro background they are also very robust.

AmirM reviewed the 2nd generation models here on ASR.

They do have fans - but in my use case, the fans have either been off, or inaudible.

I purchased mine used years ago, based on various rave reviews alongside reviews that dissed them for various reasons - I figured that at the price I got them, I could flip them with little or no loss.... 10 years later I could now sell them for more than I originally paid for them, they proved to be superior to excellent standard amps I compared them to when driving difficult speakers - and on a par when driving more normal speakers (they were compared to Quad 606 amps, and to Integra DTR70.4 and Onkyo TX-SR876 AVR's)
 
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tuskenraider

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To add, I also have about a 20 yo. Parasound HCA-2200II amp that I was using to drive my main speakers before getting the ATI. I bought it about 10 years ago, used, on Audiogon. I have had to have it repaired 3 times at more than the initial cost of the amp, so I'm not really looking to buy another used amp that may, or may not be in good shape. I certainly appreciated the suggestions though. I have time to try plenty of alternatives, so I'll ponder it a bit. Thanks.
 
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freemansteve

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F208 is specced for power at 50-350W.
How loud do you need to play music?
Some mid-power Hypex or Purifi should be enough and well within budget.
 
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tuskenraider

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Fairly loud, depending on how much alcohol I've had, lol. I just want to make sure I'm feeding enough power to the speakers to prevent any damage outside of overdriving them.
 
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tuskenraider

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Have you thought about purchasing a new, stronger console capable of supporting an ATI-2505 ?
Yes, and going through an Amish furniture shop as I did for the current one, would probably be close to the cost of an amp build. So........new furniture and old amp, or new amp and old furniture.........hmmmmm.
 

ryanosaur

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Go for something like the Hypex NC500 or 502. I'm a fan of Monoblock builds, but that is just a personal value choice. ;)
Regardless, there is no reason you need a 1200 watt Amp module for those Speakers unless you want to really try to blow them out. :p
 

steve59

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I bought an Anthem 225i after listening to it drive a pair of f208 speakers, discontinued now and since you're not interested in used I won't offer mine. ATI makes class D amps that have to be lighter than that boat anchor you're currently using.
 

sq225917

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Well it's a none starter so far, output protection tips before I can get a voltmeter to anything. I strongly suspect without being able to read the fault codes from flash this repair is a none starter.

Stripped it down no signs of any blown parts. Though one corner does smell, which indicates at a potential area for investigation. It'll require stripping boards out and testing each one outside the amp.

Time to root around that service manual
 

Shazb0t

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Sounds like it's time to get an audio rack! If you're US based Buckeye seems to be the way to go.
 
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