sda's and amps

[cluelessinwisco]

trying to upgrade and just wanted to see what others are using. I have the sda 2's so I need an common ground amp. so what are you using?

[george daniel]

I have used adcom 555's,odyssey stratos,belles 350a,parasound,carver tfm 45, just give em' good,clean power.I like the tube pre and ss amp combinations. Plenty of good amps around in the used market. Good luck,enjoy.

[Ricardo]

Welcome to the forum; currently using a Belles 350a with my 3.1 TL's (same one George used :)); have used Adcom 555, and a JBL Urei pro amp.

Look in Audiogon or the Flea Market here; good amps show up every once in a while.

[cluelessinwisco]

thanks, the parasounds are to rich for my diet but I have my eye's on a carver m1.5

[F1nut]

So, what is your budget exactly?

[ben62670]

I am using an adcom GFA-555 also and it works very nicely with them. I don't have any experience with carvers, but I know some of them have issues with the SDA speakers. You have to verify that they are a common ground amplifier. These speakers really like 200 watts a channel to get good tight bass from them. Happy hunting. I have a GFA-5400 that is near mint. one of my friends bought a bunch from a store that was going out of business. It has very little time on it, and it puts out 200 watts at 4ohms. Depending on what version of SDA2's you have if it is 4 ohms that amp would work very nicely for you. I would sell it for $250. I have too many amps as it is. GFA-585, GFA-7500, GFA-555, and of course the GFA-5400. If you are interested let me know.

Thanks Ben

[cluelessinwisco]

I would like to keep it between $500 to $750. if I get an amp I would need a pre. I have found a good passive pre-amp that would fit my needs $170 so that leaves between 330 to 580 for the amp. thats why I'm looking at the carvers. they are in this range. most the other stuff I've seen is 2 to 3x and if you what the power of the carvers even more $$$. most the integrated stuff is way out of reach.
Ben I'll take that offer under consideration.

[F1nut]

Some options.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1172856217
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1172811293
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1172698281
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1172339598
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1172068188
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1171822805
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1171232838

[TroyD]

If you are looking at Carver...look for a m4.0t, TFM 45 or TFM 42. All the same amp just different cosmetics.

The m1.5t is a nice amp but the ones above, IMO, sound better.

BDT

[Ron Temple]

If you are looking at Carver...look for a m4.0t, TFM 45 or TFM 42. All the same amp just different cosmetics.

The m1.5t is a nice amp but the ones above, IMO, sound better.

BDTO.T.
I asked this question elsewhere, but with no clear answer...those above compared to the 35...obviously more balls, but SQ differences???

Sorry for the hi-jack...

[bert26]

Hi and welcome to the forums -

I have used a few amps to drive my SDA's over the years.

I thought I had great luck with and Adcom 545 and SDA 2a's (100 watts at 8 ohm). Orginally I used a Carver CM-1090 (100 watts at 8 ohm). More recently I really enjoyed using a B&K ST2140 (140 watts at 8 ohm). I thought the B&K had more detail and defined mids.

I have also used an Adcom 555 (200 watts at 8 ohm) to drive some of the bigger SDA's as well as a Soundcraftsman (275 watts at 8 ohm), an Anthem (200 watts at 8 ohm), and a Carver 1.5t. The 1.5t has a buzz to it that I can't get rid of unless I am running it through a Carver C2 preamp. Because of that I would recommend trying some of the other Carvers mentioned (although I have heard that this is a Carver idiosyncracy). My current favorite is the Anthem Amp 2 SE.

The main thing I wanted to drive home by listing out all these pieces (I am SO not trying to brag - other guys here have had TONS more) is that I bought all but the CM-1090 used, and all of them for less than 500 (or thereabouts). Keep an eye on the used market and experiment.

People have recently been challenging the 200 watt per channel minimum mantra - and to add my .02 I would say that in a small room 100 watts of clean power are certainly serviceable. If you have a larger room, look for more power in a high current amp. It's all about the watts and current. Apparently you can use less wattage if you have a tube amp but that is all voodoo to me and I can't explain it! :p

In any event - good luck and enjoy the hunt! Let us know how it goes.

Chris

[TroyD]

I've never heard the TFM-35 or it's equivalent, m500t. George Grand has, says they are fine amps so his word is good w/me.

The 200wpc thing, well, all I can say is quality over quantity. I've run my 2.3tl's on 75 wpc and thought they were fantastic. They are pretty efficient and not a killer in terms of impedance so take that for what it's worth. I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle about specs.

BDT

[bert26]

BDT - gotta love the way you no-nonsense boil it down. You are Captain Succinct! WELL SAID! I trust you and the Lovely Wendi had a great Christmas and New Years.

Yes - quality over quantity. I had a gazillion watt Sony and it just didn't cut it, of course it was an asses of the masses sort of amp (non SE), and well, I certainly got what I paid for.

[TroyD]

We did, I hope you and the Mrs. did as well, broham.

Some of the most revered solid state amps of all time, Mark Levinson ML-2's and Classe DR-9's were 'only' 25wpc.

BDT

[Loud & Clear]

I listen to a pair of 2.3s in, roughly, a 15'x20'x8' room. I use a 100w integrated where I've established the nine o'clock position on the volume knob to be my reference listening level, and it isn't because the amp is clipping further up the dial and I'm hearing distortion; it's just good and loud at that point, and anything more and I become overwhelmed and uncomfortable, nervous, fearful of figures of authority. Like I've been smoking pot...

Of course there are recording exceptions, where slightly more or slightly less is needed, but the preponderance of my recordings find their way to the nine o'clock position, which I've established to be my personal reference listening level. I suppose I should measure the average decibel level achieved at my listening seat, at nine o'clock, to better put this into perspective. But the point is, there is no collective, uniform bottom line. There's only your bottom line.

[davidk0512]

I have driven my SDA1Bs with Onkyo integrated receivers, currently and for the last 3 yrs or so, I'm using an Onkyo TX DS797 220 WPC into 4 ohms. Mids and highs are great, but I don't think I'm getting everything possible in the low range. I have located an Adcom GFA 555 for about $300 (not a scratch on it) that I'm interested in and could use the Pre-amp output from the Onkyo. Any suggestions, recommendations or issues? Will the Adcom make a worthwhile difference? I really didn't have the bug for an amp until I ran into this.

David

[george daniel]

300.00 for a 555 is a fair price,,I think that you will be pleased,,if not,,you can always recover your cost if you decide to sell it. Good luck

[davidk0512]

Well I bought 'em, a sleeping lion has been awakened! I am very pleased so far. I have a 20x20x12 ft high room and 7 o'clock on the volume dial is plenty loud, I can't imagine drinking enough to give my speakers everything the amp can put out.

[Ron Temple]

Since I got the Carver fixed giving my 1Cs 30 watts drives them to reference level at my listening position about 10 '. I can't listen that loud comfortably though it does sound good. Having the headroom is a good thing :)

[shoester5]

I’m biamping my 2.3TL’s with a Carver TFM 35X (250 watts per channel) on the bottom and a TFM 15CB (100 watts per channel) for the top end. My room size is 29 x 16 with a 10-foot ceiling. My usual listening level is about 7 o’clock and that is loud. Sometimes, if I get really frisky, I might crank it to 10 o’clock. At that level I knocked a picture off the wall and vibrated everything off the coffee table. I can’t imagine going any louder but it’s nice to know I can.

[snow]

I’m biamping my 2.3TL’s with a Carver TFM 35X (250 watts per channel) on the bottom and a TFM 15CB (100 watts per channel) for the top end. My room size is 29 x 16 with a 10-foot ceiling. My usual listening level is about 7 o’clock and that is loud. Sometimes, if I get really frisky, I might crank it to 10 o’clock. At that level I knocked a picture off the wall and vibrated everything off the coffee table. I can’t imagine going any louder but it’s nice to know I can. a quick question for you regarding the tfm-35x. i have the same amp running sda srs 1.2tls is the sound much better running both the 35x and the 15cb or is the diffrence subtle? REGARDS SNOW

[shoester5]

When I first got my 2.3TL’s, I was pushing them with a Carver TFM15CB only. I quickly realized that wasn’t enough power to allow these speakers to breath properly. I soon acquired a Carver TFM35X from eBay and used it alone to power them. After reading some posts here on this forum about the benefits (or lack of benefits) of biamping, I decided to try it out. This was a significant improvement. The response of the high frequencies were quicker and the cymbals were clearer and less fuzzy, as were the female vocals and solo reed instruments. It also added some midrange clarity and widened the soundstage. Individual notes could be heard more clearly and made for a much more enjoyable listen experience. Overall, I would recommend biamping.

[snow]

Thanks for the quick response. i have a 100wpc adcom amp thats not doing anything at the moment. i will hook it up to the sda srs 1.2tl's this weekend for the tweeters and use the tfm35x for the mids and see what advantage there is to this combo. unfournately i dont have another carver to try it with. but i should still get an idea of the diffrence. REGARDS SNOW

[shoester5]

The Adcom is a very good amp and should give you similar results. Let us know what you think.

[Deadof_knight]

OK , Im gonna use 2 tfm 35s to run mine I havent decided to bi-amp or to run mono because 700 watts a side is sounding nice. Anyone else here tried 2 tfms ?

[bert26]

Hey DOK -

I don't believe you can run the Carvers im mono with the 1.2's unless you have the A1 Interface cable. SDA's need to be powered by common ground amps.

Chris

[Ricardo]

Hey DOK -

I don't believe you can run the Carvers im mono with the 1.2's unless you have the A1 Interface cable. SDA's need to be powered by common ground amps.

Chris


And.....if you want to get/build the A1 cable, remember that in those speakers the interconnect plug was replaced by a single binding post; you can still do it, but you'd need to:
1.-Connect the "pin" wire to the single binding post.
2.-Connect the "blade" wire to a negative post, PLUS connect negative posts between both speakers.

The blade connection in the original pin/blade plug goes to the negative post (low frequencies); so it actually connects both speaker's negatives; if you are using a common ground amp you are already doing this, so no need for the blade.

[george daniel]

OK , Im gonna use 2 tfm 35s to run mine I havent decided to bi-amp or to run mono because 700 watts a side is sounding nice. Anyone else here tried 2 tfms ?


Yep, ran two tfm 45's---bi-amped, the 2.3 tl's really opened up, impressive to say the least,,plenty of power,volume and the soundstage was incredible,tube pre and ss amp. ;)

[Deadof_knight]

Well bi-amp would be a start then we will try the mono after I get or make an A1 cable. Im hearing more and more good things about bi-amping. Plus everytime Ive run things in mono amps simply put get so hot ! longevity wise I cant imagine that being ok. electronics like it cool

Ht thanks for the info Ive copied everything down Ive read from you and Darque

I think im going to pick them up in two weeks Ive got a job that I can swing by and rent a small uhaul to drive em home.

[snow]

The Adcom is a very good amp and should give you similar results. Let us know what you think. well i tried bi amping with the carver TFM-35X and the extra adcom i had laying around. and i wasnt really impressed with the sound. it may well have been the gain diffrence between the 2 diffrent amps, im not sure. but i also tried bi wiring and i was impressed with the diffrence there. it has a better soundstage now, deeper i guess would be the term to use. i noticed the biggest diffrence in the highs. so this was a worthwhile endeavor. i will try bi amping again if i pick up a matching amp. REGARDS SNOW

[shoester5]

You may be right about the two different amps. But at least you got some good out of the experiment.

[Eiderlon]

I have been using Crown amplification...

[GUNTHER]

Agree with all, Adcom will do ok, but just ok. not spectacular. Used to run my 3.1TL's with Adcom 555II in mono mode. Sounded very nice until I hooked them to a Krell 3250. Krell sounded crisper, faster response, lower lows and several other noticable differences. Now my Adcoms are relegated to driving my rear surrounds as needed in movie mode.

[davidk0512]

OK, I have to pose one of those questions I feel a little stupid about asking. I bought an Adcom GFA 555 to drive a pair of SDA 1Bs, all hookups were correct for 2 channel stereo, good power to the speakers, but they just didn't sound quite right. I went back and checked connections and also decided to change to a better interconnect cable. While double checking everything in the back, I noticed that the selector switch was set to mono bridged mode instead of stereo. I'm not sure when I inadvertantly moved the switch, whether it was during the initial set-up or when I went back to change the interconnect.

When hooking up to run 2 channels and with the switch in the bridged position, would the power output to the speakers be the same as if the switch were in the stereo position? In other words, is the function of the switch only to select either monaural or stereo signal output with no effect on power?

If power would have been affected by the incorrect configuration, I did not have the switch in the wrong position.

[SLOCOOKN]

OK, I have to pose one of those questions I feel a little stupid about asking. I bought an Adcom GFA 555 to drive a pair of SDA 1Bs, all hookups were correct for 2 channel stereo, good power to the speakers, but they just didn't sound quite right. I went back and checked connections and also decided to change to a better interconnect cable. While double checking everything in the back, I noticed that the selector switch was set to mono bridged mode instead of stereo. I'm not sure when I inadvertantly moved the switch, whether it was during the initial set-up or when I went back to change the interconnect.

When hooking up to run 2 channels and with the switch in the bridged position, would the power output to the speakers be the same as if the switch were in the stereo position? In other words, is the function of the switch only to select either monaural or stereo signal output with no effect on power?

If power would have been affected by the incorrect configuration, I did not have the switch in the wrong position.
David,
If you bridge the amp it will only run 1 channel. Usuall the left channel.

[bert26]

I am a bit out of my depth here, but the power output changes dramatically when running in bridged mono. It generally jumps up quite a bit.

I have never connected both speakers with my 555 in mono (especially since the 1b's probably can't be driven by dual mono's without a pin/blade AI-1 interconnect, if at all) so I can't comment on what it would sound like. At present I have the 555 switched to mono driving my CSi5 center. In this configuration I am only using ONE of the left and ONE of the right binding posts on the amp per the diagram on the back.

Long story short, you can't/shouldn't try to run the 555 in mono in conjunction with the SDA1b's w/o the AI-1 interconnect cable. The SDA's are not compatible with non - common ground amps, which is what the 555 becomes when run in pairs as bridged monos.

Another alternative is to check with Adcom to see if you can strap the grounds of 2 555's together. If it is possible, you may be able to run dual mono's provided you have at least a regular pin/blade interconnect.


Hope you are enjoying the sweetspot. :p

Chris

[davidk0512]

Never any intention to run in bridged mono. The speakers were hooked up as basic right, left 2 channel. My thinking is that "if" bridged mono had been selected (incorrectly) but the speaker correctly connected to the amp for 2 channel, the resulting sound would have been a little wierd. I definitely had equal sound level coming from each speaker.

Either -
1) The selector switch was never in the wrong position in the first place and I must have bumped it while unplugging connectors

or

2) The selector switch was in the wrong position and driving both speakers mono instead of stereo.

I understand to bridge the amp to drive only one speaker, you would use only the right input from the pre-amp and connect the speaker pos to the pos right output and speaker neg to pos left output.

In my case, I used both the right and left input with right and left speakers connected to right and left amp outputs, the only variance would be if I had the switch setting in the wrong position.

I was only trying to figure out why the speakers were working as well as they were if the switch had truly been in the wrong position.