Hi
I have a few broken class AB and class D amps / all in one boxes. Given how much tech has moved on, and the cost of repairs, it seems more economical (and less time hassle) to replace rather than repair (rather sad, but ...).
A few questions:
(1) Class AB performance vs budget class D
How do they stack up?
E.g. for powering:
- speakers like the PMC FB1 floorstanders (nominally 90dB/W - 8 ohms) or Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 (nominally 87dB/W - 8 ohms) standmounters?
- a PMC XB1 subwoofer (90db/W - 8 ohms)?
What would you do in terms of repairs and matching amps to speakers?
I have (approx release date; RRP at time of release; wattage into 8ohm):
Working:
- Aiyima A07 Pro (need to buy a PSU - probably 36v), so not yet tested.
- Fosi audio BT30 Pro. Arriving soon. Planning to power kitchen system of Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 + Apart SUBLIME 6.5" passive thin sub). This is more of a "fun" system than critical listening - given lots of reflective surfaces, bracket wall mounting of speakers, etc
- Cambridge Audio A1 (mk ii or iii) (c. £200, £80, 25W)
- 2 x Arcam Solo Minis integrated CD/amp/radio (2008, £600-800, 25w)
Needing repair:
- Marantz PM66SE KI sig (1996, £400, 50W) - no output
- 6 x Flying Mole DAD M100 monoblocks (4 UK models from c. 2007/8 and 2 US ones) - distortion on outputs and/or noise.
- Pioneer A400 (1990, £300, 50W) - working but has an earthing/grounding issue - only solved by disconnecting the earth, which doesn't seem safe/sensible); dusty and might need re-capping
- Denon CEOL RCD-N7 integrated CD/amp/radio (c. 2011, £500, 60-65w)) - flashing red power light, no output - was powering Tannoy Revolution DC4T small floorstanders (nominally 88 db/W - 8 ohms) - living room system
Plan ... ?
I'm minded to:
- Use the Fosi as planned above.
- Use the Aiyama to power the Tannoys (living room system with active sub - Bk Electronics XLS200-FF MkII)
- Use something (?) to power the PMC FB1s. I'm currently using the Arcam Solo Mini but at only 25w it's probably not doing them justice (room is c. 5.7m x 4m x 2.4m). I suspect another Fosi or Aiyama of some sort would be an improvement, or I should get the A400 or Marantz repaired.
- Sell everything else ... ?
At the risk of confusing things even further, I don't have a plan for powering the PMC sub, other than a Denon AVR-X2200W 7.2ch AV Receiver 150W. Though I may simply get rid of it, as it's arguably redundant I also have an BK Electronics XXLS400-DF 400W subwoofer in that room (well treated studio room, with Neuman KH310s for the main stereo system, and the Denon AVR powering the PMC TB2s for the centre and rears).
(2) Flying Mole DAD M100 repairs in UK?
I think all of mine have been repaired at some point at least once by Jon Snell; and that most of them need repair again (e.g. distorion on outputs). Unfortunately he's now retired and only working on valve amps, and I've not found anyone to work on them. That may be a bit moot though ... I remember the Moles being very good at the time (I preferred them over the Marantz, powering PMC TB2+), but I'm guessing the current models from Fosi/Aiyima might be better performers, and are probably cheaper than a repair ...
Many thanks in advance for any steers.
I have a few broken class AB and class D amps / all in one boxes. Given how much tech has moved on, and the cost of repairs, it seems more economical (and less time hassle) to replace rather than repair (rather sad, but ...).
A few questions:
(1) Class AB performance vs budget class D
How do they stack up?
E.g. for powering:
- speakers like the PMC FB1 floorstanders (nominally 90dB/W - 8 ohms) or Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 (nominally 87dB/W - 8 ohms) standmounters?
- a PMC XB1 subwoofer (90db/W - 8 ohms)?
What would you do in terms of repairs and matching amps to speakers?
I have (approx release date; RRP at time of release; wattage into 8ohm):
Working:
- Aiyima A07 Pro (need to buy a PSU - probably 36v), so not yet tested.
- Fosi audio BT30 Pro. Arriving soon. Planning to power kitchen system of Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 + Apart SUBLIME 6.5" passive thin sub). This is more of a "fun" system than critical listening - given lots of reflective surfaces, bracket wall mounting of speakers, etc
- Cambridge Audio A1 (mk ii or iii) (c. £200, £80, 25W)
- 2 x Arcam Solo Minis integrated CD/amp/radio (2008, £600-800, 25w)
Needing repair:
- Marantz PM66SE KI sig (1996, £400, 50W) - no output
- 6 x Flying Mole DAD M100 monoblocks (4 UK models from c. 2007/8 and 2 US ones) - distortion on outputs and/or noise.
- Pioneer A400 (1990, £300, 50W) - working but has an earthing/grounding issue - only solved by disconnecting the earth, which doesn't seem safe/sensible); dusty and might need re-capping
- Denon CEOL RCD-N7 integrated CD/amp/radio (c. 2011, £500, 60-65w)) - flashing red power light, no output - was powering Tannoy Revolution DC4T small floorstanders (nominally 88 db/W - 8 ohms) - living room system
Plan ... ?
I'm minded to:
- Use the Fosi as planned above.
- Use the Aiyama to power the Tannoys (living room system with active sub - Bk Electronics XLS200-FF MkII)
- Use something (?) to power the PMC FB1s. I'm currently using the Arcam Solo Mini but at only 25w it's probably not doing them justice (room is c. 5.7m x 4m x 2.4m). I suspect another Fosi or Aiyama of some sort would be an improvement, or I should get the A400 or Marantz repaired.
- Sell everything else ... ?
At the risk of confusing things even further, I don't have a plan for powering the PMC sub, other than a Denon AVR-X2200W 7.2ch AV Receiver 150W. Though I may simply get rid of it, as it's arguably redundant I also have an BK Electronics XXLS400-DF 400W subwoofer in that room (well treated studio room, with Neuman KH310s for the main stereo system, and the Denon AVR powering the PMC TB2s for the centre and rears).
(2) Flying Mole DAD M100 repairs in UK?
I think all of mine have been repaired at some point at least once by Jon Snell; and that most of them need repair again (e.g. distorion on outputs). Unfortunately he's now retired and only working on valve amps, and I've not found anyone to work on them. That may be a bit moot though ... I remember the Moles being very good at the time (I preferred them over the Marantz, powering PMC TB2+), but I'm guessing the current models from Fosi/Aiyima might be better performers, and are probably cheaper than a repair ...
Many thanks in advance for any steers.
