Solid-State Power Amp Adventures

How much does the 250 watts vs 30 watts actually play into it?

 

I mentioned the power bill to my girlfriend and I'll deal with the difference in new costs. To my surprise she said not to worry about it since she hasn't spent money on the audio system and really enjoys having it! She is a keeper I think

I'm listening to Amos Lee's "Mission Bell" album and it still is sucking me in, this easy listening clarity is beautiful. I really don't foreseee a need to upgrade anything right now (famous last words).

 

You can offset the power costs by using less heating during winter

 

Not sure, probably a lot. Totems are not the most sensitive speakers, but they are so well sorted out.

 

My own firstwatt f7 diy should arrive in a week or so.. also a class d amp I ordered. It's just been so hot lately I dunno if I'll be able to use the f7 during summer

 

LOL. Not sure if the same thing applies to the First Watt line. Its definitely not the same design as the Pass Labs, so you may be good to turn it off.

 

I've had a class D and AB amp together to compare and the AB was cooler to the touch. I was pleasantly surprised (although I know nothing, that might be the norm).

 

After allowing the amp to appropriately warm up, I can safely say that the amount of watts has had no bearing which is really a relief. At higher SPLs that probably changes but for my needs, it really does seem to work very well.

I don't know the specifics so I'm just guessing, but I suspect this is tied to a larger, more robust power supply in the PL vs. the Hegel - current, not watts.

Hard to say...

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/passlabs/open1_big.jpg

http://www.hifimedia.hr/media/k2/galleries/4834/Hegel_H360-inside.jpg

 

Of the top of my head, if the AB amp were slightly under-biased or just had much more heat-sinking than necessary, it could run fairly cool (or barely warm or whatever). If the class D amp were shoved into a tiny chassis with poor ventilation, I could also see that getting hotter than expected. But generally speaking, no that's not the norm, but there are many things that could affect it. Do you remember which amps they were?

 

He he... this is one of the benefits to living in Ireland. Since the heat is on nearly 12 months of the year anyway, a Class A amp has no downside (aside from acquisition cost).

 

@Daveheart mentioned this. I thought I'd add my experience with Class AB amplifiers - after they had been running a few hours.
Crown D60 - cool
Adcom GFA-545 - cool
Harman-Kardon PA5800 - pretty warm (5 channel amp. I was using 4 channels for bi-amping.)
Sony - I can't recall the model number. It was an ES 5.1 receiver from around 1990. One of it's features was "Heavily biased in Class A". I usually used it in Source Direct mode which was Stereo. - Hot

In my (limited) experience, there is not a norm for how hot a Class AB amp runs. I figured it mostly depended on how much power it put out in Class A before switching over.

 

Ah, I see. Yes, one was a Nord One SE Up class D amp, and the other an AVA Synergy 240.

 

Firstwatt f7 diy just arrived.. been turned on for five minutes and the heatsinks are already hot heh

 

I'm not sure how the Nord stacks up with other class D products (as far as temp. is concerned), but the AVA Synergy 240 is housed in the same chassis as the AVA Synergy 450 (that has nearly double the rated power) and even more powerful hybrid amps. In this case, the class AB amp that you heard should be on the cool side as it probably had the lowest dissipation needs of the seven different amps AVA stuffs into that chassis.

 

How hot we talkin'?! Can I roast a marshmallow over that badboy?

 

uncomfortable to touch for longer than a few seconds! yep, this is class A as I remember it from when I had my krell ksa-5 clone

couple pics

my wall clock with built in thermometer! 89F!

 

The newer Pass Labs must run much cooler than First Watts and Alephs. I can touch the fins no problem for at least 5 seconds after hours of playback.

What speakers??

 

Philharmonic audio new philharmonitors.. only 85db but supposed to be an easy 8ohms nominal

 

Anybody have any experience or thoughts regarding PS Audio's new(ish) Stellar S300? With their trade-in program, it's closer to $1050 than $1500. I have some respect for PS Audio DACs, but never any experience with their amps.

http://www.psaudio.com/products/stellar-s300-power-amplifier/

 

Ps audio is a great company with amazing customer service.. haven't heard the s300 tho