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Post by bobbritt on Aug 9, 2013 21:29:46 GMT -6
Ray - my long lost brother...Freaking love the Chris Knight stuff! Never met Ray, but he mastered a record I mixed for a guy named Dave Pahanish. Sounded great! Ray is very talented and knowledgeable guy. I've known and worked with him for years, and I just swing by his place to hang now and then... great guy. I played on a couple of Chris Knight records... don't know if Ray mastered 'em or not. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 9, 2013 21:42:42 GMT -6
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 10, 2013 10:01:24 GMT -6
So - just to follow up on what I ended up with: About the XPA-2 - it's 70lbs. That's heavy...maybe that's why this thing is so powerful. It's got TONS of headroom. In fact, I don't want to be in the room when it runs out of headroom, because it would be dangerous. Highs are crisp and clear, not pinched. Mids are present and not overly pronounced. How is the XPA-2 effecting the bottom end? Honestly, I couldn't tell you because I'm not familiar enough with the ProAc's through other amps...but I'll say this - it sounds really good. In comparison to the older Hafler I was using as a placeholder - all of the pinchy, top end "distortion" is gone. The XPA-2 has enough power and headroom that the frequency spectrum remains unchanged as you crank it up...and I haven't made it very far. This thing brings the volume. I took a tour on itunes (compressed encoded music anyone?) with both the Hafler and the XPA-2...I spent MUCH longer with the XPA-2. Listening to some of the top ten songs right now. "Blurred Lines" - fantastic mix. Sounded great with the Hafler. Sounded fantastic with the XPA-2. Punchy...sooo much more clarity and headroom compared to the Hafler. "We Can't Stop" - This was a mix that I could really hear the shortcomings of the Hafler. There was just something painful in the top end. The XPA-2 absolutely solved that - not painful anymore - just too much top end. YMMV...There's a Miles Davis cover of "Round Midnight" that was really painful with the Hafler - I mean ear-hurt. It was still prominent on the XPA-2, but muuuch more manageable. Switching around to Paul Simon, Katy Perry, Frank Sinatra, Gregory Porter, Allison Krauss, Nat King Cole, modern Country (that was hard)...all just beautiful. The amp really allows the ProAcs to shine - and I'm hearing such new detail that listening to music is like listening for the first time again...Oh - I didn't know it sounded like that...Really hearing mixes now. I know littlesicily has a McIntosh that he loves...and supposedly, they may have more bottom end, muscle in the mids...I have no idea. Maybe we can convene and compare. I would love to know...but he's coming to me - I ain't moving this thing.  |
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pma
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Post by pma on Aug 10, 2013 15:24:02 GMT -6
One factor to bring up when talking ProAcs is wearing the woofer out. I had to switch amp because I blew 5-6 woofers a year. I know a lot of people had problems like mine. There's been a few threads about it around forums
I think they handle clipped waves or square type waves very badly. I'm not educated enough to explain real facts but my imagination is that either the cross over is made in such way that the woofer gets too much hi's or the woofer is just crappy built.
It seems that more headroom at the final stage is good. A clipped signal at the output of the amp is a real tight knee in the wave and seem to stress the woofer a lot.
Anyway, I got a Bryson 5B and runs it at 400 watts and my woofers sustain for much longer and louder use now.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 10, 2013 15:28:21 GMT -6
One factor to bring up when talking ProAcs is wearing the woofer out. I had to switch amp because I blew 5-6 woofers a year. I know a lot of people had problems like mine. There's been a few threads about it around forums I think they handle clipped waves or square type waves very badly. I'm not educated enough to explain real facts but my imagination is that either the cross over is made in such way that the woofer gets too much hi's or the woofer is just crappy built. It seems that more headroom at the final stage is good. A clipped signal at the output of the amp is a real tight knee in the wave and seem to stress the woofer a lot. Anyway, I got a Bryson 5B and runs it at 400 watts and my woofers sustain for much longer and louder use now. Hey littlesicily, can you post a short pic and explanation about the Radio Shack circuit breaker you added on yours to deal with this situation? |
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Post by mokobigbro on Aug 11, 2013 12:04:28 GMT -6
John,
The Lindell AMPX is amazing sounding in comparison to the Hafler and Adcom 545 I have. No comparison at all.
Disclaimer: I sell Lindell in Indonesia.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2013 12:11:53 GMT -6
John, The Lindell AMPX is amazing sounding in comparison to the Hafler and Adcom 545 I have. No comparison at all. Disclaimer: I sell Lindell in Indonesia. I'll pass on the Lindell products. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Aug 11, 2013 12:42:41 GMT -6
John, The Lindell AMPX is amazing sounding in comparison to the Hafler and Adcom 545 I have. No comparison at all. Disclaimer: I sell Lindell in Indonesia. No offense, but that's quite a claim?? If the sound of the lindell 500 series modules are any indication of what the amp sounds like, "NO SOUP FOR YOU!!"  Welcome to the forum mokobigbro!! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2013 12:46:28 GMT -6
I have seen A TON of Lindell modules for sale on CL and various other places. To be fair, you get what you pay for, so maybe people are expecting too much.
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Post by mokobigbro on Aug 11, 2013 21:02:15 GMT -6
tonycamphd: i know the beef against lindell here. I forgot about it before posting it. The sound of the amp is not like the sound of the 500series. Back to Proac, I love them! First listened to them on working environment is at Reid Shippen's studio. In comparison with NS10, ATC150 and Rogers LS3/5A.
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Post by tonycamphd on Aug 12, 2013 13:06:34 GMT -6
naahh, I speak for myself, i've completely put the whole GS debacle behind me, i only have a beef with gear that doesn't sound good  Hey JK, let us know how your liking those after living with them a while??? inquiring minds want to know! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 13, 2013 9:23:51 GMT -6
One factor to bring up when talking ProAcs is wearing the woofer out. I had to switch amp because I blew 5-6 woofers a year. I know a lot of people had problems like mine. There's been a few threads about it around forums I think they handle clipped waves or square type waves very badly. I'm not educated enough to explain real facts but my imagination is that either the cross over is made in such way that the woofer gets too much hi's or the woofer is just crappy built. It seems that more headroom at the final stage is good. A clipped signal at the output of the amp is a real tight knee in the wave and seem to stress the woofer a lot. Anyway, I got a Bryson 5B and runs it at 400 watts and my woofers sustain for much longer and louder use now. Hey littlesicily, can you post a short pic and explanation about the Radio Shack circuit breaker you added on yours to deal with this situation? Here's what littlesicily texted me...hope it's ok that I put this here... for fuse, go to radio shack and get an in-line fuse holder. i'll send pic. then get item#270-1006 which is a 4-pack of 1.5 amp, 250volt fast acting fuses. yes, leave bars in till u get the fuse holder then, take out bar on the red side. Attachments:
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Post by littlesicily on Aug 23, 2013 17:30:56 GMT -6
Hey littlesicily, can you post a short pic and explanation about the Radio Shack circuit breaker you added on yours to deal with this situation? Here's what littlesicily texted me...hope it's ok that I put this here... for fuse, go to radio shack and get an in-line fuse holder. i'll send pic. then get item#270-1006 which is a 4-pack of 1.5 amp, 250volt fast acting fuses. yes, leave bars in till u get the fuse holder then, take out bar on the red side. Yes, totally cool that you put that here. I'm just seeing this now, sorry for the delay. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Aug 29, 2013 14:17:31 GMT -6
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 1, 2013 8:15:32 GMT -6
I don't think I ever posted what I ultimately ended up with... I decided to go the mono block route - I got two Emotiva XPA-1L's They're not quite as bright as the XPA-2 and run in Class A up to 30W. The 250W per channel Class A/B. Really satisfied. shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa-1l |
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Post by tonycamphd on Sept 1, 2013 12:49:23 GMT -6
damn JK, those amps look nice!
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 1, 2013 13:02:03 GMT -6
Yeah. They are. Still a ton cheaper than Bryston or the like. I kind of came to the conclusion the Xpa-2 was a little bright. The separate Xpa-1L's weren't. I hear the XPA-1 mono blocks are even better - I just couldn't swing $2k for them. There were two a lot less than that on eBay though. The Proacs and the Emotivas have been a MAJOR step up from the Focals...I've got a mixing job coming up and I'm really looking forward to it!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2013 18:59:02 GMT -6
Huge fan of Adcom amps.
I used to have Restek and listened alot of Array amps, Creek, and alot of other expensive boutique amp stuff, too, but too expensive in comparison for what they did. OK, the Resteks didn't leave the family. I liked them. I was not too impressed by Brystons and wouldn't buy one second hand anymore, the ones i had in hand all had some troubles and i thought were overpriced in the end ... because of their studio amp reputation. I'm not into them....
I recently was told Adcom had reissued the 545 with symmetric inputs. If i hadn't the 545 already, i would buy one of those. They are pretty good bang for the buck in my opinion. My fav.
PS, i liked the Haflers with small monitor pretty much, with an absolutely ok price point.
And another PS:
Shouldn't read too late at night, just read the first page and replied, lol. Congrats to your new emotivas!
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Post by tonycamphd on Sept 6, 2013 21:01:52 GMT -6
Hey small, wanted to let you know J Williams does a mod on the 545, 555 adcoms that takes em to a whole different level. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2013 1:58:58 GMT -6
:-)
Yeah, i fully believe he is capable of doing so. Only heard good things about his upgrade mods and his advices on modding always had alot of wealthy information and speak for his expertise.
I just guess sending those heavy things from here to the US and back plus modding costs probably more than what i payed for them and therefore might be hard to justify ... :-D
But if he or anyone else would like to share some information about what he actually does to these amps, that would be pretty cool (well, it must not be all details, but what has the biggest influence, or are there some serious desing flaws...something like that...).
Best regards,
Martin
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Post by littlesicily on Sept 7, 2013 11:21:27 GMT -6
Hey small, wanted to let you know J Williams does a mod on the 545, 555 adcoms that takes em to a whole different level. Tony, So I tried several amps w/ the ProAcs...first auditioned a Bryston 4BST (which I liked but didnt want to spend the $), then bought a McIntosh MC2100, tried a Yamaha, Hafler and the Emotiva's (which were very nice). Ended up back where I started with a Bryston. How would the Adcoms (JW-mod) compare to the Bryston? |
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Post by tonycamphd on Sept 7, 2013 13:18:05 GMT -6
Hey small, wanted to let you know J Williams does a mod on the 545, 555 adcoms that takes em to a whole different level. Tony, So I tried several amps w/ the ProAcs...first auditioned a Bryston 4BST (which I liked but didnt want to spend the $), then bought a McIntosh MC2100, tried a Yamaha, Hafler and the Emotiva's (which were very nice). Ended up back where I started with a Bryston. How would the Adcoms (JW-mod) compare to the Bryston? I wish i had that answer, I used the adcom back in the day with my JBL big rooms, and nearfield tannoys A/B switched. I never used the modded amp with anything but these work shop krk passives i have. I can tell you that they sound better now with the mod amp in line than my Mackie hr824's, which they did NOT before the mod(i know, 824's generally suck..sigh), now i'm building some proAc hybrids to go with the modded amp. I did read a post where JW himself said it was a smoother amp in the upper mids than the bryston? I trust what JW tells me, as everything i've had modded by him so far has greatly improved. He lives a block away from me, i've seen his work shop, which is like an ever changing pro audio history museum, he works on some of the most amazing(expensive!) equipment i've ever seen, and every time i go over there, it's all different again, really cool! I do know that he obsesses on speed, accuracy and low noise transparency with his mods, and it really pays off for gear that is supposed to be transparent, a mains monitoring amp definitely falls into this category IMO. I'll definitely let everyone know impressions once i finish the proAc knocks. hope this helps a little sic? the good news is the mod is cheap, and the amp can be had for a couple hundy, unfortunately the shipping is the killer  But still way less coin than a bryston! good luck T |
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But still way less coin than a bryston! 