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Zu Omen Defs and Ice Amps?

Anyone have the opportunity to audition a pair of Zu Omen Definitions and a Class D or Ice Amp? The Zu's obviously don't need a lot of power so I'm thinking one of these newer digital amps might be a good fit. If so, please share the make/model of amp and your impressions. So far, I'm considering the King Rex, Trends, Dayton, and Topping amps but I'm sure I've left a few out that might be contenders. Thanks in advance.
texas42
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,453 posts
 
DF does not make much difference once it is higher than 100 since inductor in series with the woofer has typical 0.08 ohm making residual DF of 100. Changing amp's DF from 200 to 1000 will make only about 36% difference in overall DF (possibly less if you count cables connectors etc).
magfan
1,583 posts
 
If you are worried about 'excess damping factor', toss a power resistor in series with the speaker. That'll lower the damping factor! And 'simulate' a current source amp, using SS. Carver did it and so did Pass (experimentally)

The Zu enclosure / driver combo is probably designed to be critically damped, with a Q of about .71 This may not react well to hi damping factor amps.
The lower DF of tubes makes it sound.....right......

PS: The inductor in my panels has a DCR of 0.4ohms. An inductor of .08 ohms would be pretty small.
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
All class D amps do not suck.I agree with Audiofeil about the "All class D amps
suck comment"Makes about as much sense as people who say ,all fords ,or
chevys suck! And I live in Fla.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,453 posts
 
0.4 ohm is pretty high limiting DF to 20.

Here is an example of good inductor for the woofer:
http://www.parts-express.com/14-gauge-c-core-toroidal-inductors.cfm
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,879 posts
 
"The lower DF of tubes makes it sound.....right......"

Probably an accurate statement.

High damping Class D amps may still sound good or better in some cases but I suspect these are in the minority. I would likley try it since I own good Class D amps but likely end up not going that way with the Zu's myself.

I picked up the TAD 125s as a complement to my Class D amps for my other system where I currently use more tube friendly speakers and may well end up trying others as well there down the road. The TAD has a lot of tube attributes however the bass is very well damped and controlled in comparison to many tube amp systems I have heard. The sound is more like what to me are the better sounding tube amp systems I have heard where it is not easy to determine a tube amp is being used by listening. A very high end VAC/Magico system I have heard comes to mind. I suspect only bigger and more expensive tube amps can drive those really well.
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