ISO DC-powered but SQ high current power amps w/bass-mgmnt

[voodooless]

I’ll say it again: LS50 does not need 250W. You will destroy the speaker with 250W. MaxSPL is reached with less than 100W. If you want to play loud, get different speakers. It’s only a small 2-way. They are not designed for that. Now if you would like to update at some point I can understand that you want something extra. Just don’t do it for these speakers alone.

Weird telling me what I want.

Well, you really haven’t given us much context, so then I will try to extrapolate from what is given. You basically want all the features a modern AVR has, so yeah, that would still be my recommendation. You don’t have to like it

Also not given is the budget for all this? Would be nice to know.

I don’t think you’ll find a one box solution for this. It will always be a highly compromised solution. You’re basically looking for something that your Schiit preamp should have solved. Split the processing and the amps is the most sensible solution. MiniDSP has several solutions that might suit your needs, Then just get some of the earlier mentioned small amps.

Maybe this amp will suit:

3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the A7 / "A7 Mono" stereo power amplifier with balanced inputs. It was sent to me by the company. I have no idea what it costs in US. Audiophonics lists it for 379,00 €tax incl. While the A7 may look like its competitors, it has a heft to it that I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Plenty of power, should run fine at 48V, pffb. Obviously not as cheap as many of the other options, but really solid performance. More than you would ever need. Otherwise, don’t obsess too much on PFFB. With processing you can fix the frequency response errors easily. More and cheaper options are then available.

 

[john61ct]

This thread is about power amps with equivalent bass management to that Polk. I won't argue about the LS50s, I never said they **need 250rms** but even if the Polk delivers that, I want better SQ performance if possible and yes less load dependency.

From the "car audio" world is I guess looking more necessary now, I had assumed otherwise. As for price I will do what it takes, want to see what the options are before limiting parameters even more

Hopefully someone will soon reco other SQ oriented forums more attuned to that world

I doubt I just happened to run across something truly unique in that Polk unit.

 

[john61ct]

BTW yes I think out of the TPA3255 based amps the 3e A7 mono is the leading contender based on specs and member recos. Just for purposes of this thread, I will continue to look for that power (current) per channel level or higher, ideally bridgeable 4-channel

and with the Polk's bass management

Do DSP plate amps come powered by DC ?

 

[voodooless]

Do DSP plate amps come powered by DC ?

Almost never.

 

[john61ct]

Wondom/Sure

Are there "cheap but good" line-level equivalents?

...

@vactor if you don't mind could you read my OP and chime in if you've got any reasonably-priced ideas?

The Polk Audio PA-D4000 & D5000.5 being my value benchmarks so far, if I got 50% more power for double the price I'd be happy. Even more so at better SQ.

 

[solderdude]

50% more power is just 3dB more headroom and usually not very audible as we are talking about peaks where drivers already starts to compress.
Power quality is not problematic when it drops at the high power levels as the speakers are likely to perform factors more at these power levels.

When indeed these SPL levels are required I would suggest to have a serious look at high sensitivity speakers (horns) in which case a simple class D amp will be enough.
When you put some effort in ensuring the impedance is flat above 10kHz you aren't even bothered by the load dependency behavior.

When off grid and power is an issue ... go with high efficiency (speakers) and pick gear with low power consumption in idle mode. Just my 2ct.

 

[john61ct]

The LS50s and DC power are the hard "givens" in this system. I am trying to identify amplifiers that can drive them to their maximum SPL safely.

If I get a use case where the LS50s' max-safe SPL is not sufficient, then I will build a different system for that.

The "safely part" may require other components (an SPL meter?) but requiring restraint in my use of the Volume control is preferable to zero headroom, clipping at levels below that point.

I believe GFA-555 is a good comparison benchmark to shoot for, for high-current power at reasonable SQ.

Are y'all saying that simply cannot be matched in a DC-powered amp?

There are also the stereo "basstand boxen" for low end reinforcement and maybe "true sub(s)" if required, as well as Center mono and Rear surround.

I may not need / want the same level of high-current power across the board, but consistency would be nice, and the ability to bridge when needed seems like a good path to that flexibility

The bass management / BPF crossovers may well end up implemented with other components, but ideally that functionality will be included in the amplifier(s) at least to start with, that being THE subject of this thread.

Investing in external DSP (if required) will come later.