15 replies to this topic

[stoff]

hi,

i just have a general question about 5 channel amps, do they produce their rated power because of having to share 5 channels with the one power supply?

im thinking about the DLS Ultimate A7, which is rated at 4x60 + 1x400W rms at 2 ohms. and was going to bridge it to get 2x200 + 1x400.

would i be better off going for 2 separate amps?

thanks!

[roughcactus]

Most high quality amplifiers are designed with a power supply big enough to run all the amplifiers channels...it is usually only a problem with cheaper 4 and 5 channel amps...

[Macca]

Acctully most 5 channel amps have DUAL power supply units, my Hertz 5 Channel does have totally seperate dual power supplies, when i say totally the only thing they share is the input terminal stright after that it splits into 2 runs of 10awg

[RM Audio]

Five channel amps generally deliver their rated power on the front but tend to fall on their collective **** * in the sub section when run at a sub frequency.

Simply put, any quality amps should always deliver their rated power or better on ALL channels, however consumers often buy a product simply because it has a heavily marketed not because they are good.

There was an interesting 5 channel review in Hot 4's recently and of the test group only an expensive Soundstream (Audison were not tested in the review) delivered its rated power but it did not exceed its rating!
The others including I beleive a DLS looked very sick indeed some delivered their rated power at 1.6kHz but at 20Hz lost up to 50% of their stated power.

The LRx5.600 has been reviewed in Hot4's some time ago and DID exceed every stated power rating with all channels driven. (It was tested in the same way the latest amps were.)

Phil K

[fuddbutter]

i belive Infinitys old 5 chan amp exeded it's claimed outputs and blew away it's compitition when it was tested a few years back (dont ask me what mag or when)

but unfortunatly i dont think the amp is stil for sale

[Damon]

I have reviewed a number of five and six channel amplifiers over the years, including the Infinity version mentioned above.

While there are certainly some generalisations that I think CAN be made about multichannel amplifiers, a number of those listed by people in this thread I certainly disagree with.

'Most high quality amplifiers are designed with a power supply big enough to run all the amplifiers channels...it is usually only a problem with cheaper 4 and 5 channel amps...' - roughcactus

While the first sentence in this statement is more or less a moot point, the second simply has no foundation in truth. In fact, I have bench tested a great many inexpensive amplifiers that happy make or exceed rated power, while there have been a number of expensive amplifier that have not - like all of Signat's amps I've reviewed, rfor instance.

'Actully most 5 channel amps have DUAL power supply units' - macca

While it has been a while since I've reviewed this type of amp, I'd have to say that, from those that I have reviewed, most multichannel amplifier actually have shared power supplies. Only expensive units like the ones mentioned feature separate power supplies. Bare in mind that multichannel amps are primarily built for budgetary reasons, with package secondary. This is why shared power supplied are commonplace.

In so far as making rated power; who care so long as it make ample power for the task at hand. When you consider how power output compared to actual SPL output (like in dB/watts for example), an amplifier would have to make only around 2/3 of its rated power to be audibly quieter, and this rarely if ever happens with any amp.

[ June 28, 2003, 10:01: Message edited by: Damon ]

[Dr DJ Choss]

Now you'll have to watchout for keyboard warrior attacks Damon...

[ July 03, 2003, 13:22: Message edited by: R ]

[Macca]

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~machouse/misc%20003.jpg

The insides of the power supply side of my Hertz H535 5 channel amp.

[ July 09, 2003, 00:52: Message edited by: Marc R ]

[HyperXL]

Well...while were sharing Amp-Internal pics, here is my DLS A5 (the 3-Channel)



Click the Pic for a SUPERSIZE pic.

Cheers

[Macca]

DAMN!

And i thought the inside of my amp looked teh buisness!

Very nice

[RM Audio]

Well I'll see you all, and raise the stakes.

Here is my own amps insides.



If quality counts, (and it does, just ask any woman) then this is the definate winner.
But women will also tell you if you can get good length as well as quality, what a bonus!


Phil

[ July 09, 2003, 00:04: Message edited by: RM Audio ]

[HyperXL]

Dammn...thats one nicely laid out amp..


But mine crams more gold-ricey bits into a smaller area, and Im sure youve all heard the expression "Size isnt everything"!

[Bassaholic]

quote:

---

Originally posted by R:
[b]Now you'll have to watchout for keyboard warrior attacks Damon...

[claf_43]

i'd be pretty sure that the DLS ultiamte amp is of high build quality and will deliver its rated power with ease.

Their also under rated.....

DLS 50wrms translates to 85wrms in the ultimate range

[RM Audio]

The DLS in a recent HOT 4's test DID NOT deliver its rated power. But don't worry most of the others did not either! (See Issue 95 I think.)
Only one in the entire test group did.

Phil K