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Post by KJ on Apr 10, 2015 0:09:27 GMT -6
So... I've decided to sell my solo6bes and give the amphion speakers a try to see if they can live up to the current hype. Problem is that after I had a good look at the internals of their power amp (Amp 100) I thought to myself 'wow they are asking for a lot of money for so little' and decided to look for other options.
Upon hours of search I came across this product: Cambridge Audio - Azur 840W Power Amp and thought this could be a better option as it has more power and offers more output options (FYI I can get it for the same price as the amphion amp) but I have no knowledge in hifi brands so it's kinda difficult for me to assess the quality of the gear that they produce.
Can I ask anyone who has a good knowledge in hifi gears for their opinion? Any suggestions on possible alternative options?
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 10, 2015 4:13:51 GMT -6
i really hope you appreciate the Amphion,i'm interested too !
curious did you not like the sound of its amp and thought it underpowered ? what did you think was missing ? the amps are well reviewed and unless used power amps tend to be expensive ?
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 10, 2015 4:55:19 GMT -6
So... I've decided to sell my solo6bes and give the amphion speakers a try to see if they can live up to the current hype. Problem is that after I had a good look at the internals of their power amp (Amp 100) I thought to myself 'wow they are asking for a lot of money for so little' and decided to look for other options. Upon hours of search I came across this product: Cambridge Audio - Azur 840W Power Amp and thought this could be a better option as it has more power and offers more output options (FYI I can get it for the same price as the amphion amp) but I have no knowledge in hifi brands so it's kinda difficult for me to assess the quality of the gear that they produce. Can I ask anyone who has a good knowledge in hifi gears for their opinion? Any suggestions on possible alternative options? I run Amphions at my studio (came from ATC's, Questeds, and Spiral Grooves). The Amphions are everything everybody claims. Your mixes won't be instantly God-like, but for me, I work faster making better decisions with great translation. Check out the Emotiva stuff or a Jim Williams modded Adcom for bang for your buck. I hear the Parasound is a great match also. I used to run an Emotiva with mine, but demo'd the Amohion100 and ended up keeping it. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 10, 2015 5:12:19 GMT -6
indiehouse which amphions are you running and what are the dimensions of your room ?
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Post by KJ on Apr 10, 2015 5:28:47 GMT -6
i really hope you appreciate the Amphion,i'm interested too ! curious did you not like the sound of its amp and thought it underpowered ? what did you think was missing ? the amps are well reviewed and unless used power amps tend to be expensive ?  Well... as you can see it's mostly an empty space.  I can get this for the same money. Hmm... |
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 10, 2015 5:35:10 GMT -6
Understood but an amp doesn't have to be too physically big for good sound and space is god for heat dissipation. I understand about reserve power and dynamic range etc. Is the cambridge literally putting out 700 watts more than the amphion ? It would need to be a much more heavy duty amp if so ? I am curious not questioning your logic  Would you need to fuse the amphion's with the cambridge : any danger of the cambridge blowing the amphions up |
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Post by stratboy on Apr 10, 2015 5:38:15 GMT -6
I don't have Amphions, but i do like passives. I've been running a Hafler for years, but recently found Yamaha M series amps. Old, but well-reviewed. I recently acquired an M-40 for $50. :-) Definitely an audible step up.
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Post by KJ on Apr 10, 2015 5:56:56 GMT -6
Understood but an amp doesn't have to be too physically big for good sound and space is god for heat dissipation. I understand about reserve power and dynamic range etc. Is the cambridge literally putting out 700 watts more than the amphion ? It would need to be a much more heavy duty amp if so ? I am curious not questioning your logic Would you need to fuse the amphion's with the cambridge : any danger of the cambridge blowing the amphions up Amphion's Amp 100 can put out 100W per channel whereas the Cambridge can do 200W per channel (well according to their manual). It will put out 800W when used as a mono. You are right in saying that physical size doesn't necessarily mean better quality or performance but the size of capacitors used in the circuit does tell a lot about its capability to function as a power amp. As for blowing up the amphions.. the manual says it will put out 200W when the input level is 11.76 dBu or thereabout so.. I don't think the amp will blow anything up as long as I don't turn up the input signal too much (I can't find the sensitivity of the speakers..) |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 10, 2015 6:07:40 GMT -6
I don't really know anything about this stuff, but I would guess the Amphion is class D and the other is class AB, bases in size alone.
Bass amp manufacturers have been moving to lightweight class D designs for years.
Just my thoughts on the size.
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 10, 2015 7:56:33 GMT -6
jcoutu1 class d is ringing a bell for me with the amphion amp, so they are smaller in design but functionality not negatively affected ?
Technical specifications
Operating principle: 2-way, passive radiator
Tweeter: 1" titanium
Mid / woofer: 6,5" aluminium
Crossover point: 1600 Hz
Impedance: 8 ohm
Sensitivity: 85 dB @ 2.83V/1m
Frequency response: 45 - 20 000 Hz +/-3dB
Power recommendation: 30 - 150 W
Measurements (h x w x d): 380 x 191 x 315 mm
Weight: 12 kg
Colour: black
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 10, 2015 8:16:53 GMT -6
I see the amphion amps listed as class D on the web but not on the amphion site, they say 100 w per side ? Consists of two bridged modules with following specifications: · 50Wrms into 4Ω @ 1% THD · 120Wrms BTL into 6Ω @ 1% THD · Patented AMS (adaptive modulation servo) amplifier technology · 100kHz load independent frequency range (-3dB) · Almost flat THD vs frequency · 115dB dynamic range · Output impedance <10mΩ from 20Hz to 20kHz · Differential inputs with 0.1% resistors for improved CMRR · Automatic voltage doubler for universal mains · Meets EuP and Energystar · CE approved · +/-14V AUX outputs · AUX output for third hanger channel · 2U High quality aluminium rack casing with power switch in front · 2 x Neutrik XLR inputs · 4 x Argento Audio 3-way binding posts for banana connector, bare wire or spades. I have been thinking seriously about amphion but need to travel to hear them and with the current exchange rate haven't wanted to in case I really liked them as I would need to sell a bunch of stuff to afford them so living vicariously here ! |
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 10, 2015 9:04:07 GMT -6
Yes, Amphion100 is Class D, which means no large transformer and little heat. Doesn't mean that it doesn't sound good. Bigger isn't always better!  |
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 10, 2015 9:12:11 GMT -6
indiehouse which amphions are you running and what are the dimensions of your room ? My room is super small at 8'x15'x7' (stuffed with as much broadband and bass traps as I can fit.) I've had both the One18's and One15's in my room for an extensive comparison. As much as I really wanted the One18's, I just don't have enough space for their sound to develop. They need a fair bit of space and my room just can't handle it. Now the One15's are just perfect. Don't let their size fool you. They are tight sounding, super fast, have enough low end for my room, and are just a bit more mid-forward sounding than the One18's, which I kind of really like. They are just great monitors with a great image. |
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Post by svart on Apr 10, 2015 9:40:17 GMT -6
i really hope you appreciate the Amphion,i'm interested too ! curious did you not like the sound of its amp and thought it underpowered ? what did you think was missing ? the amps are well reviewed and unless used power amps tend to be expensive ? Well... as you can see it's mostly an empty space. I can get this for the same money. Hmm... Weight, size and content mean absolutely nothing in the design world. Computers used to be the size of buildings and now we have 100000x the power in the average calculator with a processing chip about 1mm square. Our understanding of design improves, and so does the electronic hardware. With improvement comes an inherent ability to shrink the design to make it easier to produce, cheaper and more simple to use. I really hate to see these kinds of posts because it perpetuates the idea that a product has to always cater to the pre-conceived ideas of consumers, based on antiquated devices of the past. I mean, "mostly empty space" is a qualifier for performance now? I mean, you're probably moving up from speakers that were considered "good" in the past, right? (EDIT: I see you said SOLO6, which are considered by some to be "Good/excellent" speakers..) Even really low end speakers like KRK Rokits and such are much better than tons of "good" speakers from 20 years ago..... So why are you OK with new speakers that are probably smaller and lighter than those before them, but the amp portions that are smaller and lighter are somehow considered sub-optimal based on looks alone? I think you should rethink your bias. I would suggest you listen and decide, but since you've already decided that LOOKS are somehow more important, I doubt my suggestion would be enough to dispel any confirmation bias. |
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Post by KJ on Apr 10, 2015 10:14:39 GMT -6
Well... as you can see it's mostly an empty space. I can get this for the same money. Hmm... Weight, size and content mean absolutely nothing in the design world. Computers used to be the size of buildings and now we have 100000x the power in the average calculator with a processing chip about 1mm square. Our understanding of design improves, and so does the electronic hardware. With improvement comes an inherent ability to shrink the design to make it easier to produce, cheaper and more simple to use. I really hate to see these kinds of posts because it perpetuates the idea that a product has to always cater to the pre-conceived ideas of consumers, based on antiquated devices of the past. I mean, "mostly empty space" is a qualifier for performance now? I mean, you're probably moving up from speakers that were considered "good" in the past, right? (EDIT: I see you said SOLO6, which are considered by some to be "Good/excellent" speakers..) Even really low end speakers like KRK Rokits and such are much better than tons of "good" speakers from 20 years ago..... So why are you OK with new speakers that are probably smaller and lighter than those before them, but the amp portions that are smaller and lighter are somehow considered sub-optimal based on looks alone? I think you should rethink your bias. I would suggest you listen and decide, but since you've already decided that LOOKS are somehow more important, I doubt my suggestion would be enough to dispel any confirmation bias. First of all, thank you for your opinion svart but you need to simmer down. I have no confirmation bias as I never said anything about one being better than the other I only pointed out the fact that one is mostly an empty space and the other is packed full of components and I can get them for the same price. I don't know how well these will perform but even if the performance of Amp 100 is good I still have a hard time justifying its price especially after knowing what is inside the box (and you said it yourself improvement should make things ' cheaper and more simple to use'). For the same price I get more power and more connection options so I am not making my decision solely based on the looks. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 10, 2015 11:10:29 GMT -6
I think the dilemma is that you are comparing different designs of amps and different connections options. Its your call, if for the same money you can get more power and more connection options and you value both; then isnt your decision sort of made ? But are you really going to buy the amp without listening to them through the amphion ? Power is one thing but it may be the case that the amphion monitors sound better driven by the amphion amp ? @indihouse, dude wrong answer u r supposed to tel me how much the one fifteen suck in your small room like mine Actually, thanks and interestingly your comments are quite consistent with what I have read of other people who have trialed the amphion. did you try any other amps ? How do you find the monitor performance with that 100 amp ? I have read that the amphion sonically are very consistent at low and higher volume, i.e., their "sound" doesn't change based on volume changes ? |
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Post by KJ on Apr 10, 2015 11:26:32 GMT -6
I think the dilemma is that you are comparing different designs of amps and different connections options. Its your call, if for the same money you can get more power and more connection options and you value both; then isnt your decision sort of made ? But are you really going to buy the amp without listening to them through the amphion ? Power is one thing but it may be the case that the amphion monitors sound better driven by the amphion amp ? @indihouse, dude wrong answer u r supposed to tel me how much the one fifteen suck in your small room like mine Actually, thanks and interestingly your comments are quite consistent with what I have read of other people who have trialed the amphion. did you try any other amps ? How do you find the monitor performance with that 100 amp ? I have read that the amphion sonically are very consistent at low and higher volume, i.e., their "sound" doesn't change based on volume changes ? As the title of this thread suggests I am looking for people's opinion. I have no idea how they will sound and it's difficult for me to demo them especially the amp 100 because the distributor in NZ is a huge d#^k head (he won't even let me buy amp 100 alone if I don't buy the speakers from him. I guess I should have explained my situation first..). I came across the Cambridge on an auction and it was in the same price range so that's how it caught my attention but that doesn't mean I intend on buying it. As I said I have no knowledge in hifi brands and their products. |
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 10, 2015 14:10:23 GMT -6
I think the dilemma is that you are comparing different designs of amps and different connections options. Its your call, if for the same money you can get more power and more connection options and you value both; then isnt your decision sort of made ? But are you really going to buy the amp without listening to them through the amphion ? Power is one thing but it may be the case that the amphion monitors sound better driven by the amphion amp ? @indihouse, dude wrong answer u r supposed to tel me how much the one fifteen suck in your small room like mine Actually, thanks and interestingly your comments are quite consistent with what I have read of other people who have trialed the amphion. did you try any other amps ? How do you find the monitor performance with that 100 amp ? I have read that the amphion sonically are very consistent at low and higher volume, i.e., their "sound" doesn't change based on volume changes ? Ha! Your ears will thank me but your wallet might be sore. I initially ran them with the Emotiva XPA-200 and had the Amphion100 in to demo at the same time. If you need to save some coin, the Emotiva isn't bad. I've also heard good things about the Williams modded Adcom. I thought the Amphion100 was a better match. Sounded tighter in the bottom end and was more articulate overall. I heard less distortion with the Amphion amp as well. The Emotiva tended to hit a ceiling in terms of dynamic range. I've always wanted to try a Parasound A21, but it's twice the price as the Amphion100, unless I pick one up used. I'm just not motivated enough. Pretty happy with my setup as is. It's really easy to hear things like compression settings, saturation, reverb...the space around a note. |
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 10, 2015 14:12:54 GMT -6
Also, I like the Amphion amp not only because it sounds so transparent, but also because it doesn't put out an ungodly amount of heat in my small room.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 10, 2015 14:57:47 GMT -6
I'd like to compare the Amphion amp to the Lexicon 212 I have.
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Post by KJ on Apr 10, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -6
Good point... heat can be a big problem as I don't have a dedicated ventilation system installed in my room. Damn it.. only if it wan't for that d^$k head distributor I could have auditioned the amp. Johnkenn how does the Lexicon 212 sound?
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Would you need to fuse the amphion's with the cambridge : any danger of the cambridge blowing the amphions up 
