ICE amps vs analog amps for bass


I'm currently running Legacy Helix loudspeakers. The bass and subwoofers are being driven by two pair of 500 watt ICE amplifier modules while the Midrange and treble frequencies are being driven by two pair of Levinson 436 amplifiers. While originally auditioning the speakers I heard them with analog amps on the bass, treble, and midrange sections and the sound was superb. However, I was assured that the ICE amps would be sufficient to drive the bass sections so I've given them a try. However the bass sounds funny. I don't hear the impact, definition, and subtle "spatial cues" that I know are in the recordings.
I partially am blaming the ICE modules. I'd sure like some input in solving the problem. I can "upgrade" to "analog" amps for the bass if I choose, but for space reasons and economic reasons, would prefer to continue to use the ICE amps. I'm considering Parasound JC-1s, or Bryston 7bs, for the bass if I switch.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Steve
128x128sgr
With 98db sensitivity and over a kilowatt per side, I'd say power was not your problem.
Setup? Are these speakers a new-2-you install? Have you tried some room mods? Are they located optimally?
The 'd' amps may simply pass the signal more quickly or slowly than the amps it is paired with. Sound travels about 14" per milisecond, so it won't take much time differrence to 'smear' the image. Phase/timing issues will destroy many of the phase/ spatial q's which you complain about. Likewise, cables should be the near-last thing to worry about.
Sounds like your speakers could also be out of *relative* phase, at least in the sub module.....? hmmmm
I have painstakenly moved them through the listening area. Bill Duddleston,the designer and owner of Legacy Audio, set the speakers up himself. The Xylex crossover is unique in that all parameters of the speaker can be adjusted through the crossovers software on your laptop. He adjusted the speaker so that it each driver was time aligned and zeroed in the speaker.
However, I recently reversed the polarity of the right speaker, and things immediately jelled. Bill and I are both puzzled about the results and are investigating further.
Yet even though the speaker is overall clearly superior to my Revel Salon/JL Audio combo, there are still nuances that I miss when I listen to familiar recordings. They don't sound bad, I just know there is something missing, and it is in the bass/sub bass area. This appears hard to convey to the designer.
This is why I suspect the ICE Power amps. The bass does jump out at one, and is impressive, I just don't hear the bloom and subtle shadings I was used to.

Anyway thanks for all the suggestions. I will try positioning the speakers some more. I've seen this make a great difference.
I'd sure welcome other opinions, I'm sure there is something I'm not considering.

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check out the DAGOGO.
http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=55

Thanks,
Steve
Steve, ICepower is a technology with great potential. . . and with that go a lot of dangers. The problem is that while ICEpower ASP modules can be used to designed some very remarkable high end amps with bass texturing to die for, like the Bel Cantos already discussed and like the Roland Continuum 512 and the Rowland 312, they can also be used -- essentially by themselves -- to implement some absolutely bare bone devices, which sound like, well. . . what you are hearing from your bass drivers.
Thanks Guido,
This is what I'm suspecting!
If they were modified in some way besides just the modules themselves I think they could sound great.
Steve
Another issue to consider is the impedance match between the preamp and amp. The Icepower module should have an input impedance around 8Kohm. Many preamps need to see a higher impedance at the amp for best sound. Some Icepower amp builders use techiques to raise the amps input impendance and others do not.