Class D power amps for four channels - Fosi Audio, Sabaj, Crown, something else?

[Flavio]

I am looking to replace the amps for my HT system and I am in need of four powered channels, FL, FC and FR and one tactile transducer.
My front loudspeakers are (almost vintage) Def Tech BP2000's with an active 15-inch sub and an equally vintage CLR 2000 center.
The TT is a Buttkicker LFE which should get between 400W and 1000W according to the manufacturer.

I already have a Crown XLS2502 to power my 18-inch Sundown Audio vented sub and my 21-inch 18Sound sealed sub.
All other eight surround (2) and height (6) channels are powered by my Denon AVC-X3800H receiver.
The system is only used for multi channel film, TV and music. I have another two channel system for stereo music.

I wanna spend as little as possible, but also want it to look nice (preferably black) and I want Class D amps because of power consumption and heat considerations.

The choices I have come up with are:

4x Fosi Audio V3 Mono - Cheapest option (€440), I can get them with Muses02 opamps, but is 240W enough for the TT and I really hate these separate power supplies.
2x Sabaj A20a 2022 - Least expensive option (€370), built-in power supply, but is 170W enough for the TT and they are white so they stick out visually.
3x Sabaj A20a 2022 (1 in stereo, 2 in BTL) - More expensive option (€550), built-in power supply, 350W should be enough for the TT, but they are still white.
4x Sabaj A20a 2022 (all 4 in BTL) - Second most expensive option (€740), built-in power supply, 4x 350W should be enough for the TT and FCR, but they are still white.
2x Crown XLS 2002 or XLS 1502 - Most expensive option (€800/€600), most power (4x 650W/525W), looks matching the XLS2502, but is it the best option for the FCR channels considering the less than ideal measurements except power output?

What other options should I consider?

 

[staticV3]

You can get 4ch Hypex Amps for around 1000€ from these shops:

https://www.buckeyeamp.com/
https://www.deercreekaudio.com/
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/
https://www.soundimports.eu/
https://vtvamplifier.com/

 

[Flavio]

You can get 4ch Hypex Amps for around 1000€ from these shops:

https://www.buckeyeamp.com/
https://www.deercreekaudio.com/
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/
https://www.soundimports.eu/
https://vtvamplifier.com/

€1.000 only gets you 4x 125W. So least amount of power and most expensive option.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

I'd go for the Crown amplifiers. Sure, they don't measure among the best objectively, but they're very likely to sound just as good as any other option -and you'll never have to worry about lacking power.

You can refer to the Crown XLS review on ASR, though I couldn't find the review, sorry -and compare it with your personal distortion threshold from the Klippel tests here.

Spoiler: Klippel distortion test

Listening Test

www.klippel.de

 

[thewas]

I'd go for the Crown amplifiers. Sure, they don't measure among the best objectively, but they're very likely to sound just as good as any other option -and you'll never have to worry about lacking power.

You can refer to the Crown XLS review on ASR, though I couldn't find the review, sorry -and compare it with your personal distortion threshold from the Klippel tests here.

Spoiler: Klippel distortion test

Listening Test

www.klippel.de

Actually Amir has reviews already 3 XLS models

Crown XLS1002 Pro Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS 1002 rack mounted pro amplifier. It was kindly purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. The 1002 costs US $339 including Prime shipping from Amazon. Note: our company, Madrona Digital, is a dealer for Harman and hence Crown...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS 1502 "PA" Power Amplifier. It is on a kind loan from a member who bought it new and drop shipped it to me. It retails for USD $349 including free Prime shipping from Amazon. At that price, it seems like an incredible value. I have...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Crown XLS2502 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS2502 DriveCore (switching) 2-channel amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The XLS 2502 cost US $645 including free shipping from Amazon. It has DSP functionality which I did not test. And is specified to drive 2 ohm load...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Actually Amir has reviews already 3 XLS models

Crown XLS1002 Pro Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS 1002 rack mounted pro amplifier. It was kindly purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. The 1002 costs US $339 including Prime shipping from Amazon. Note: our company, Madrona Digital, is a dealer for Harman and hence Crown...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS 1502 "PA" Power Amplifier. It is on a kind loan from a member who bought it new and drop shipped it to me. It retails for USD $349 including free Prime shipping from Amazon. At that price, it seems like an incredible value. I have...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Crown XLS2502 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS2502 DriveCore (switching) 2-channel amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The XLS 2502 cost US $645 including free shipping from Amazon. It has DSP functionality which I did not test. And is specified to drive 2 ohm load...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks!
That covers the entire Class D budget series, then. Solid amplifiers, I just wish they didn’t look so "tacky." I personally prefer the design of their XTi line.

Not that aesthetics matter for their intended purpose.

 

[JSmith]

I'd go for the Crown amplifiers.

Keep in mind though all 3 noted by @thewas have fans... which if they come on may be frustrating in a HT setup when there are quiet passages in a film.

That said;

There is a fan in the back and some inside. But none came on that I could hear above the sound of my PC during testing. Nothing shut down even when the amp was pushed into clipping. Some kind of limiter would kick in after short period to keep the power level at max. Temperature of the case didn't even rise above room temp.

Unlike home units, the XLS 1502 has a built-in fan with tons of holes for ventilation as you see. Fortunately it is temperature controlled and barely came on during my nearly 50 watt soak time. And when it came on, it was very quiet.

There is a fan as you see but in normal testing it never came up. During stress testing, it did come on but was pretty quiet compared to what I expected. Mind you, I don't think you want it close to you if it is going to be running.

Alas, the fan was insufficient to keep the unit cool under full power. The red thermal indicators came up even though the fan was running. The amp seemed to be functioning still but to be on the safe side, I terminated my testing there. In typical home use, even for subwoofer duty, I doubt that this is a concern as you will see later as far as what wattage we are talking about.

JSmith

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Keep in mind though all 3 noted by @thewas have fans... which if they come on may be frustrating in a HT setup when there are quiet passages in a film.

That said;





JSmith

When (or if) they turn on, it’ll be while delivering significant power. I had the XTi 4002, and its fan was barely audible even after a heavy load, then silent when there was no hot signal. From a meter away, you couldn’t hear it at all.

The fear of fan noise in these well-made amplifiers is often unwarranted, as they feature variable-speed fans. This concern may come from previous experiences with worn-out, old, or cheap PA amps that had fixed-speed fans running at full blast all the time.

 

[JSmith]

This concern may come from previous experiences with worn-out, old, or cheap PA amps that had fixed-speed fans running at full blast all the time.

Agree... but thought it was prudent to mention it for the OP anyway as a point of consideration.


JSmith

 

[Flavio]

I have had several XLS DriveCore and XLS DriveCore2 amps in the past in other setups and I never noticed the fan noise.

 

[Flavio]

I found another option, the FX-Audio L07, with the same chip as the Sabaj A20a 2022, but apparently these measure not very good, so both the FX-Audio and Sabaj are low on the list now.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

It looks like you need to decide on the form factor and power requirements.

 

[Flavio]

I have decided to go for the Crown amps, I can get an XLS2502 and an XLS2002 for an attractive price.

 

[Flavio]

Spiced them up a bit in the looks department.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Spiced them up a bit in the looks department.

Looks a bit like an angry alien robot.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I remember when power amps had maybe a dim small bulb to indicate they were on. Some had not even that. These days with MCH, I think that is a good idea. I mean if the amp isn't on you'll hear it soon enough.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

I remember when power amps had maybe a dim small bulb to indicate they were on. Some had not even that. These days with MCH, I think that is a good idea. I mean if the amp isn't on you'll hear it soon enough.

The power-on indicator is crucial, providing a quick, at-a-glance status check. This is especially important for pro gear stacked at the back of a stage or equipment island.
I've always valued a sharp, distinct power-on light -one that remains clearly visible even in bright daylight.

It also helps prevent user errors -like when someone doesn’t hear sound, assumes the signal is too low, and increases the volume to the stack. Then, another person comes along, notices the amplifiers are off, and turns them on.

Now, something dramatic -and potentially dangerous -unfolds.

Also perfectly possible in residential settings.

 

[JSmith]

Looks a bit like an angry alien robot.

One wouldn't want to be half cut one night... hears a voice, "take me to your leader".


JSmith