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Thread: Modern, low-power amp

  1. #1
    Dang. Amateur speakerdave's Avatar
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    Modern, low-power amp

    I'm looking for an exquisite modern 10-25 wpc tube or class A amp that controls for turn-on and turn-off transients, preferably, but not necessarily, with balanced inputs, to use for a tweeter amp. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

    David

    Edit: This is not specifically an offer to buy, so I did not post in the Marketplace forum. It'd be fine with me if this turned into a discussion of tweeter amps in general.

  2. #2
    RIP 2010 scott fitlin's Avatar
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    I agree with you, low power amps tend to sound sweet in the VHF. Another spec that is important, IMO, is input sensitivity. .75v to1v input sensitivity is the right way to go, if you use an amp with say a 1.5v input sensitivity you will have to push the signal alot harder as as you go up in frequency the signal isnt as strong as the lower frequency signal.
    scottyj

  3. #3
    RIP 2010 scott fitlin's Avatar
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    Ian Mackenzie highly recommended Nelson Pass First Watt to me some time ago. They are Class A Low power, but, expensive.
    scottyj

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by scott fitlin View Post
    Ian McKenzie highly recommended Nelson Pass First Watt to me some time ago. They are Class A Low power, but, expensive.
    That Ian, money's no object...

  5. #5
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    Doug/Dave,

    You can enter the realm of hi end audio with only a modest outlay.

    The F4 (power follower) for example has been published as a diy project.........I have not had time to build mine yet.

    There are some interesting class T amps pumping out 15 watts or less that reviewed reasonable well and are quite affordable. Do a google...

    Ian

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Mackenzie View Post
    There are some interesting class T amps pumping out 15 watts or less that reviewed reasonable well and are quite affordable. Do a google...

    Ian
    I agree; chip amps have come a long way. I would just caution the noise that most are capable of, and suggest dealing with the RF/EMI the best you can. My class D's were noisy at first.

    Pass used Alephs on his Raven R1's, too, I read somewhere..

    In the world of tube amps, the 2a3 is queen of the HF.
    Relieved of it's midrange and LF duties- it's one amazing tube.
    Nathan Mahler.

  7. #7
    Senior Member timc's Avatar
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    I have auditioned a T-amp. Not sure what brand.

    For the price its ok, but overall it sounds terrible. Very strained and no transient capability.


    -Tim
    2213 + 2435HPL w/aquaplas + H9800 (Matsj edition)

  8. #8
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Burning Amp Festival in SF today. You may be able to button-hole Nelson Pass there.

    http://home.comcast.net/~burningamp/index.html

    [He's on the guest list, anyway.... ]

  9. #9
    Senior Member spwal's Avatar
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    as an owner of an Aleph miniclone and once had an Aleph 3, you cant go wrong. one hell of an amp. Nelson pass gets it right time and time again. he is the man....

  10. #10
    Senior Member spwal's Avatar
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    additionally,

    I had a great experience with the Red Wine Audio Signature 30. Apparantly RWA is coming out with the new and improved RWA Sig 30.2....

    These amps sound set like without the hassle, and battery power means no mains grunge at all! great amp, i miss it.

    I am currently using a very high end Patek clone amp and it is terrific. You cant deny these chip amps. there really, really is something to them. I had a Bel Canto Evo 2 Gen 2 which was based off the tri-path chip. this Patek clone is better all around in my opinion.

  11. #11
    Senior Member timc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by spwal View Post
    as an owner of an Aleph miniclone and once had an Aleph 3, you cant go wrong. one hell of an amp. Nelson pass gets it right time and time again. he is the man....

    I second that. I have built Aleph 1.2 and Aleph 3. They sound great.


    -Tim
    2213 + 2435HPL w/aquaplas + H9800 (Matsj edition)

  12. #12
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    You will still need de thump dc sense circuit for a tweeter.

    Ian

  13. #13
    Senior Member spwal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Mackenzie View Post
    You will still need de thump dc sense circuit for a tweeter.

    Ian

    I notice that when I turn off my source, switch the input on my pre amp, turn the volume way down to zero, then turn off my amp, i dont hear that thumping noise, and my woofers dont move... is that good enough or is inaudible damage being done to the sensitive bits?

    thanks

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