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Amp current - how much high current to go for

Hi All,

        Some of you may remember me from a while back talking about my NuPrime IDA-8.   After three months of break in and a fat ass Silnote power cord it's significantly better but still not where I need it to be to drive my pair of Kudos C2.   I think it's time to move on to a better high current amp.  My question is, how much current do I need to go for.  For example, I've been eyeing

Parasound Halo Integrated - 45 amperes max

NAD M3 - 50 amperes max

Parasound Halo A21 - 60 amperes max

B&K EX-440 (vintage) - 70 amperes max

Mark Levinson No331 - ? amp max

Thank you ahead for the education.

P.S.  I missed out on a deal with Cullen's Cable or else would've got with Patrick instead of Silnote.  Patrick is really a nice guy, highly recommend talking to him if anyone is interested in a power cable.

hifineubee
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cleeds
5,749 posts
 
yogiboy
Any solid state amp that is worth its salt should double the power into 4 ohms,or come close to it!
Sorry, but I don't think that's true at all. For example, many McIntosh SS amplifiers use autoformers on the output, so they are rated to deliver the same power regardless of speaker impedance, provided the correct output tap is used. These amplifiers aren't exactly my preference, but I do think they are "worth their salt."

Another example would be Audio Research's DS450, which I think is out of production. These were rated at  450W into 8 ohms and 650W into 4 ohms. I have heard these amplifiers and they sounded a-m-a-z-i-n-g for what they are. Class D, too!
seikosha
218 posts
 
Some of Nelson Pass's amps do not increase power into lower impedance loads.  I don't think anyone would say they are poor designs.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
I would just put the words "in general" at the beginning of Yogiboy’s statement. The McIntosh solid state amps that have autoformers and the Nelson Pass First Watt amps are, in different ways, special and pretty much unique cases among solid state amps.

Regards,
-- Al

g_nakamoto's avatar
g_nakamoto
348 posts
 
i don't know how much high current is needed but my mcintosh mc602 is rated to have greater than 150 amperes per chanell.
rorence
3 posts
 

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