ICE Amps for classical music?

UCD modules in amps like the Channel Island D-200 are slightly improved over the ICE module. (High frequency response is not sensitive to speaker impedance). The TriPath module, used in the CarverPro ZR1600 amp gives nothing away to UCD or ICE. (I have both models of amp).

Unlike the ICE module, the UCD modules and appropriate power supplies and even a wiring harness are sold to consumers. You can easily build a superb amp for less than a grand.

People who run 7 inch woofers and then complain about dynamic range have no one to blame but themselves. But, it's understandable because if you live in an apartment or a dense housing development you simply cannot generate realistic SPL for an orchestra or organ. My system has 3 15 inch and 3 12 inch subwoofers along with 3 full range main speakers, and it just barely does the job.

Dob.... My front channels (which is all I mentioned above) has three Channel Island D200 amps (Hypex module) driving MG1.6 main speakers. For the six subwoofer drivers I have three CarverPro ZR1600 stereo amps (six channels of 600 watts/channel) each connected to one driver. I vary the crossover frequency according to the type of music: anywhere from 40 to 200 Hz.

Kijanki... With the planar main speakers, (three of them) and the three line array configured subwoofer systems, my SPL does not fall off with distance as you suggest.

There are also two rear channels, CI D200 amps (again) and Madisound Odin speakers each with a pair of 7 inch drivers (good enough for rear channel use).

As you state, loudness and dynamic range are different, but maximum attainable loudness is what typically limits dynamic range. Every system can play softly.

The best illustration of what my set of large subwoofer drivers can do is to play pipe organ music. Not all organ music has loud bass, but when it does you should FEEL it in your stomach, and my system does achieve this. Also, when the SPL is moderate, the large drivers are loafing compared with small drivers that would be generating large excursion, with attendant distortion.

Obviously I could not enjoy such a system if my nearest neighbor were not about 600 feet away with woods in between the houses.

Kijanki... As I mentioned even when the SPL is only moderate the large drivers, powered with big amps, reproduce the music with an efortless sound that small drivers, pumping their little hearts out, can't duplicate.

And, when the deepest bass organ pipes are felt in your stomach they do not always sound all that loud. You can feel well below what you can hear. Real organs are like that.

I don't do pop music and never have. The highly compressed sound of pop is a different kettle of fish.

Almarg... My house has been standing for about 180 years, and is not apt to fall down due to the 1812 overture ! After I built the subwoofer system I did have problens with rattling windows, but it was easy to find what was loose and fix it.

200 feet is too close. Where do you keep your horses :-)

Kijanki... The Maggies don't have to reproduce the subwoofer frequencies. Keeping up is simply a matter of balancing the gains. I have actually tested my system for compression at high SPL and find none up to the maximum my ears will tolerate.

Also please note that I also play quiet music, and believe that the large cones, with their minimal excursion (like a Maggie diaphram by the way) are beneficial. My large drivers have appropriately large magnetic systems, and give away nothing in the way of transient response to 7 or 8 inch woofers.

Evidently you don't like pipe organ music. That's OK. I can't stand pop.