2. amps-preamps
  3. 1207176549

Hybrid - Tube / SS amp capable of sub 1 Ohm loads?

I've done searches and haven't found anything that really discusses this.

There are a few options that I've seen that are Hybrid that will do this, for example:The Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000.

That amp is getting old, is there anything more modern that will accomplish this? Am I chasing a pipe dream here? The Lamm series claims to be able to do it but it will not in reality. I know people that has had these and tried to run them on an Apogee Scintilla and it pooped out.

There might be some tube-amps that can operate with a such load, but they are more voltage driven, not current and the Scintilla needs current.

Thanks

Pete
narkotic

Showing 1 response by kgproperties

kgproperties
53 posts
 
Hi Pete:

I’m the west-coast distributor for Viola Audio Laboratories. Having said that, Viola makes two different models that can handle your requirements: the Symphony Stereo Power Amplifier (MSRP $16,000) and the Bravo MK II Reference Stereo Power Amplifier (MSRP $44,000). Both units are exceptionally high current designs.

Last year I hooked up a Symphony to a speaker that generally runs from one-half to one ohm. Though the speaker still wanted more power, the sound quality was incredible. If you are after a virtually inexhaustible supply of power, the Bravo is in a class by itself (this unit can also be bridged for mono). Last week, one of the Viola technicians told me that they just put a Bravo on the test bench with a one-ohm load on it – they run it up to two kilowatts output and the distortion was only at .3%!!!

Take a look at Viola’s website for a description of each amp. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Regards,
Ken
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