Cool Amps Needed for Eggleston Savoy's

InnerSound ESL 300

A very high powered amp with little heat.

Digital amplifiers or class d amps have high power and run alot cooler than class a amps.

I may be wrong, but the Rowlands and some other digital amps are running the B&O Ice modules. They have good power and should do the job fine. It just seems like a heck of a lot of money for a digital amplifier.

I am in the process of breaking in a pair of Classe CA-M400 monoblocks. So far they are running a little warm to the touch. They have an effortless quality about them - I get the sense they could drive anything without breaking a sweat.

Ken Golden

Yes, the 301's retail for $30k per pair.

Jonathan: Rowland's 300 series amps do use the ICe modules, yes, but it is my understanding that they are not, strictly speaking, digital amps, as they have analog power supplies (which explains much of their weight and cost), not the digital switching power supplies found in typical Class D amps. The people at Rowland go to some lengths to explain that the amps are not "digital amps", and Rich Maez of Rowland provides tutorials to anyone interested in understanding the technology behind the 300 series. I must say, however, that I lack the technical background to know whether their explanations are truth or marketing.

The H2O is much less expensive than the Rowland 301, but gives nothing away to the Rowland sound wise, according to listeners. Unlike the Rowland, the H2O utilizes a big analog power supply, while the Rowland is fitted with a digital power supply. Looking at B&O's web site, we are told the ICE module is analog. Analog to analog sounds like a natural fit to me. It sure works sonically. I use to own Pass X-600 amps. There is no looking back with the H2O. I sincerely feel this may very well be my last amp.