Ideas For A Beefy Solid State Amp For Subwoofer Duties


Hey,

I'm trying some different things with my system and having another dabble with DSP for LF, basically a revamp of a failed 'Swarm' experiment.

I have 4 subs where I've pulled the plate amps and I want to drive each from either a pair of stereo amps or 4 monoblocks.
Two of the drivers are high excursion 15" drivers and two are 12" diameter. The 15" were driven by older 400w plate amps and the two 12" have newer Dayton-Audio 500w plate amps. I don't want to retain any of the plate amps (longer story).

I'd like to budget around $1500 - $2000 max for the amps for all 4 subs, and would likely purchase used.

I've looked at a few pro amps including the Crown XLS2502 2 Channel which puts out a healthy 775w / 4 ohms and actually has a reputation for very good sound quality. Two of those come in under budget.

Then I've looked at a couple options from Bel Canto, but they come in above budget at the power level required.
The original NuForce 9's can be had for under a grand a pair, but they're less than optimal in terms of power. Obviously the common thread here is finding amps with a high damping factor.

Any suggestions?
Thoughts on pro audio gear for this type of application?
Is Class D the way to go?

Main speakers are Dunlavy III driven by Thor 60w tube monos.

Cheers
Rooze
128x128rooze
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I’ve looked at a few pro amps including the Crown XLS2502 2 Channel which puts out a healthy 775w

What about 6,000 watts !!!!! for $511 usd

https://www.storedj.com.au/behringer-nx6000-ultra-lightweight-6000w-class-d-power-amplifier?gclid=EA...

Cheers George
George I use NU12000. Under 500.00 each new, not refurbished. They have TWO NU6000 modules per unit... You can't bridge them. Huge bang for the buck.. They push the heaviest loads I've ever tried.. AND they run even better with a 220-240 feed.. I've set up a 7 systems with that amp and a 2496. Just add an amp add two more subs.. Up to 6.
Then a RJ45 and plug in another 2496 and  6 more rails..

Can't beat the price. They are tough to. Built well I think.. Made to toss a bit for sure..

Regards
UPDATE:
Well, I came home with a new toy on Monday, a Crown XLS2502 power amp.
Last night was spent making some major changes. Pulled the plate amps from two Aerial SW-12 subs. Was relieved to find that behind the plate amps was a sealed enclosure with binding posts already sitting there for direct connection to the driver! (saved me making a plate to cover the hole and fitting new posts).

Initially I just hooked-up the XLS2502 and set the low-pass on the amp to 80hz, and took it for a spin.
Wow. Just in this crude configuration the bass sounded better than via the plate amps with their EQ / Phase controls etc. The XLS2502 has a firm grip on the big 15" drivers, even at high SPL's they sounded far more controlled than before. I could 'feel' more air moving in the sense of more visceral impact, and things were rattling in the room that hadn't rattled before!

So far so good.

Next, I setup the new miniDSP 2x4HD. Leaving my main speakers out of the circuit, it was a breeze to drop-in the miniDSP with an output from my vari-out on the Manley Steelhead, into the DSP, then a pair of outs, one each to the XLS2502 amp.

It took me a couple hours to get the miniDSP working, and another hour to run some measurements, create new values for the PEQ, get them loaded into the miniDSP and the system back online.

Hmmm....these were very rough and crude measurements, just basically me figuring out the new DSP for the first time....but....Wow #2.

OK, it's far from perfect as it stands but it's a great start, and already better than using the plate amps. I found the REW software a pain so today I bought a firmware update for the miniDSP to use Dirac, and I'm waiting for Hong Kong to wake up so I can get my software!

Summary - replacing a plate amp, even one from a $5000 subwoofer, with half of a $650 ProAudio amp, gives better bass....tighter, deeper, more controlled.
Once I get the DSP working my plan is to pull the XLS and try different amps to see how they impact bass performance.
Again, why do we think it's ok to spend $$$$$ on amps for the mids and highs, yet hand over bass duties to a $200 plate amp strapped to the back of a vibrating box!! 
I intend to find out!
rooze