I’m running 2-way active speakers comprising a Unity Horn (>350Hz) and 18” Mid-Bass Bin (80 - 350Hz) which are complemented with subwoofers (<80Hz). The set-up uses two Crown XLS 1502 amps each supporting a Unity Horn and Mid-Bass Bin. I’m now looking to get a dedicated amp for the Unity Horns that has less distortion etc. and allows me to bridge the Crown XLS amps to deliver more power to the Mid-Bass Bins as there is considerable EQ on these units.
So, basically, I’m after advice on an amp for a high-efficiency (~100dB/W/m) horn with a nominal 8 Ohm impedance. The mandatory requirements are that the amp has no noise and isn’t a heat machine. It’d be preferable to have mono-blocks so as to co-locate with the speakers (but I could take a stereo amp.). I’d assumed that the answer would be a Purifi-based amp but the emergence of the Topping LA90 Discrete has opened up another well-measured option. I'm still leaning towards the Purifi-amp option on the basis that the additional power, and ability to drive low impedance speakers, offers some flexibility down the track but am struggling with whether there are real differences between these options in my scenario. Is there any technical reason to prefer LA90 Discrete or Purifi for high-efficiency horn speakers? And what other solid-state amps are worthy of consideration?
So, basically, I’m after advice on an amp for a high-efficiency (~100dB/W/m) horn with a nominal 8 Ohm impedance. The mandatory requirements are that the amp has no noise and isn’t a heat machine. It’d be preferable to have mono-blocks so as to co-locate with the speakers (but I could take a stereo amp.). I’d assumed that the answer would be a Purifi-based amp but the emergence of the Topping LA90 Discrete has opened up another well-measured option. I'm still leaning towards the Purifi-amp option on the basis that the additional power, and ability to drive low impedance speakers, offers some flexibility down the track but am struggling with whether there are real differences between these options in my scenario. Is there any technical reason to prefer LA90 Discrete or Purifi for high-efficiency horn speakers? And what other solid-state amps are worthy of consideration?