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Post by thezone on Nov 12, 2020 2:47:56 GMT -5
Hi all,
I have a pair of reasonable quality Yamaha Ceiling speakers I will be installing for Atmos duties and I need an amp suggestion. I am running 5 x PA-1's for my LCR and Surrounds and I originally intended buying another 2 for Atmos but as we all no they are no longer available I was thinking of getting an XTZ-EDGE A2-300 instead as it is a similar type of amp. For me in Australia this will equate to near on AUD$700 which is getting a little pricey for a pair of Atmos speakers.
I'm wondering if I should just pick up a small modest powered Class A/B amp locally for this duty instead (there are usually some Bas-X 150 or even UPA 200 for $200-$300).
Would there be a noticeable difference running one of these for the (more budget) Atmos speakers given I've got Class D for the mains and surrounds?
Cheers Everyone!
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Post by mgbpuff on Nov 12, 2020 8:49:30 GMT -5
If I were you, I would be considering 4 ceiling speakers, not just 2. And I think that a budget A/B amp would be fine, maybe a BasX A-500.
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on Nov 12, 2020 9:43:44 GMT -5
I agree with mgbpuff, a basic amp is fine for the immersive speakers. I'm using a BasX-800 for the 4 Surrounds and 4 Tops.
You'll find that if you turn off everything except the immersive channels there's not much loud stuff on them. Except for the occasional pinpoint sounds of a helicopter, or spaceship flying over (even though there's no sound in space, but we like the rumble, don't we?), the sound from these ceiling speakers is pretty gentle and ambient.
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Post by thezone on Nov 12, 2020 21:07:36 GMT -5
If I were you, I would be considering 4 ceiling speakers, not just 2. And I think that a budget A/B amp would be fine, maybe a BasX A-500. Ah thanks. I did discus this at length in another thread with someone on here and it was decided given the constraints of my room/placement of MLP etc that 4 speakers was not going to work or yield any better results than 2 was better than none. |
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Post by thezone on Nov 12, 2020 21:09:13 GMT -5
I agree with mgbpuff, a basic amp is fine for the immersive speakers. I'm using a BasX-800 for the 4 Surrounds and 4 Tops. You'll find that if you turn off everything except the immersive channels there's not much loud stuff on them. Except for the occasional pinpoint sounds of a helicopter, or spaceship flying over (even though there's no sound in space, but we like the rumble, don't we?), the sound from these ceiling speakers is pretty gentle and ambient. I just thought that as the Class D PA-s'1 have a distinct detailed sound I had not heard in class A/B amps and I wanted to keep that theme going but, the cost benefit of the a small amp is hard to pass up. |
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Post by leonski on Nov 15, 2020 1:39:23 GMT -5
I'm wondering at what point timbre matching of speakers becomes more important than amp matching?
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Post by thezone on Nov 15, 2020 3:00:58 GMT -5
I'm wondering at what point timbre matching of speakers becomes more important than amp matching? Good point, but.......my rears (Surrounds) are the same "Brand" speaker as my LCR but almost entry level compared to the S3.4's and they still seem to blend in well. For a while I had the PA-1's on the LCR and a good quality Class A/B amp driving just the rears, as soon as I got 2 more PA-1's to replace the A/B amp on the surrounds I notice the clarity and detail extended quite a lot and now they feel "Immersive" whereas before they felt a little distant. Might be answering my own question here. My OCD will probably drive me to just get another Class-D to power the ceiling speakers. |
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on Nov 15, 2020 9:53:37 GMT -5
Might be answering my own question here. My OCD will probably drive me to just get another Class-D to power the ceiling speakers. And there's nothing wrong with that! I don't think anyone can argue against matching components. |
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Post by leonski on Nov 15, 2020 13:54:20 GMT -5
Up for some DIY? Visit the HYPEX store.
You can buy an NC400 module and PS for your efforts.
BUT? I'd go with the UCD (Universal Class D) which was ALSO designed by Bruno P.
You don't need a LOT of power, but clean is of course important.
The UcD stuff will save you enough for some decent casework......
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Post by thezone on Nov 16, 2020 3:03:13 GMT -5
Duplicate post
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Post by thezone on Nov 16, 2020 3:05:38 GMT -5
Up for some DIY? Visit the HYPEX store. You can buy an NC400 module and PS for your efforts. BUT? I'd go with the UCD (Universal Class D) which was ALSO designed by Bruno P. You don't need a LOT of power, but clean is of course important. The UcD stuff will save you enough for some decent casework...... Not sure I have the interest or motivation to go DIY (notice how I didn't say skill or ability?). Not sure I even understood half of what you said tbh. Good ol' Bruno P! I know him well! LOL. I'd rather say 'shut up and take my money' to the hifi retailers. |
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Post by brubacca on Nov 16, 2020 7:52:06 GMT -5
XTZ-Edge seems to me to be the only affordable option. Plus being a stereo amp personally suits atmos speakers well (in my opinion).
I am looking for an affordable powerful amp for my office. .
There is a certain well know reviewer who used to be employed by Emotiva that swears by the Crown Drivecore 2 digital amps. They may be less than the XTZ where you are. I have the Drivecore 1 and don't love it for a main amp.
Regards,
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Post by leonski on Nov 16, 2020 15:37:27 GMT -5
Up for some DIY? Visit the HYPEX store. You can buy an NC400 module and PS for your efforts. BUT? I'd go with the UCD (Universal Class D) which was ALSO designed by Bruno P. You don't need a LOT of power, but clean is of course important. The UcD stuff will save you enough for some decent casework...... Not sure I have the interest or motivation to go DIY (notice how I didn't say skill or ability?). Not sure I even understood half of what you said tbh. Good ol' Bruno P! I know him well! LOL. I'd rather say 'shut up and take my money' to the hifi retailers. /Bruno Putzeys is instrumental in both B&O, Hypex, Philips....and now Purfi amplifier design. Maybe eventually to be considered the 'Father Of Modern Class D'? Real nice guy, too. I spoke with him at an audio show. And though he is European, while in SoCal he availed himself of the local Mexican Food and loved his hot sauce. Sources say 9 patents and many references. Maybe 4 or 5 flavors or his amps. NCore from Hypex is their latest. UcD was first from Hypex of his design. B&O uses his designs as I think Philips got mixed in there somewhere, too. The DIY stuff is fairly simple, as I suspect you already know. follow the wiring diagram and use good stuff. Casework MIGHT be the biggest optional hassle. |
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Post by brubacca on Nov 16, 2020 19:51:45 GMT -5
Can you point is in the direction of some DIY places? /models? It gets a bit confusing.
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Post by goodfellas27 on Nov 16, 2020 21:54:29 GMT -5
Can you point is in the direction of some DIY places? /models? It gets a bit confusing. I liked the Apollon Audio ICE Power 1200AS I got a few Apollon 2400 amps powered by Ice. If you like to build your own, check out www.parts-express.com/icepower |
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Post by leonski on Nov 17, 2020 23:44:13 GMT -5
Can you point is in the direction of some DIY places? /models? It gets a bit confusing. This link SHOULD get you to the DIY section of the Hypex Store. Many other choices IF you are OEM......and want to buy a bunch. EMO take note! other parts of this link have PS (all switchers, these days) and some accessories to make your build easier. www.diyclassd.com/diy-amplifier-modules/ |
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Post by thezone on May 11, 2021 3:50:19 GMT -5
So just to continue on with this thread. I finally got a XTZ EDGE A2-300 and powered up my 2 ceiling mounted speakers for Atmos.
Wow! What a huge difference that makes! The ceiling speakers seem to tie in the rears and the fronts, they somehow compliment/enhance the sound and create this 3d space. First time user of Atmos and loving it. Even using the XMC-2 remixing of non-atmos material. Sounds awesome.
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