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Soundlab Speakers - Budget Amp Suggestions

I have tried to read as much as possible about different types of amplifiers capable of driving electrostatic speakers. Thanks to everyone for the great articles and discussions. In particular, I am looking for a ss amplifier that can drive Soundlab speakers. The Soundlabs have a low impedance at high frequencies and a high impedance at low frequencies. A high power ss amp that can drive difficult loads appears to be the ticket (I'm not interested in tube amps). High current is needed for the high frequency/low impedance (but not necessarily high power) while the high voltage (albeit at lower power) can drive the high impedance at low frequencies.

While looking for speakers I came across the Soundlab speakers and really liked the sound. I basically blew my budget on them, which for me is not a bad compromise because I don't want the speakers to be the weak link in the chain.

So this is what I have:
1. Two Soundlab A-1 speakers (1992 vintage)
2. One Soundlab B-1S subwoofer (pre 1990) - This is a stereo subwoofer having two separate inputs to drive each interior panel.
3. The A-1s have the toroidal and impedance upgrade.
4. I had all the speakers reskinned with the px mylar.

There will be some type of crossover between the A-1s and the B-1S (the frequency and type of crossover is undetermined at the moment)

I believe that having the B-1S reduces some of the constraint of having the highest power amplifier to drive the A-1s (e.g. 500-600W) since a lot of the bass will be coming from the B-1S. I was told to limit the power to the B-1S to a 400W or less ss amplifier. I am thinking that perhaps I could get away with a lower power amplifier for the A-1s because of this scheme. Please let me know if I am wrong.

As I said my budget is limited. I have about 1.2K and perhaps up to 2K to spend on an amp. The amp I have targeted is a Sunfire Cinema Grand Series II 5-Channel amplifier that outputs 425W a channel. The channels driving the B-1S won't be delivering a lot of power as the impedance is 16 to over 30 ohms. The amp should be able to drive the A-1s adequately. As a side note I have a couple of amps (Crown K1 or Citation 7.1 which output between 300-400W) that I could use to drive the B-1S if needed.

Are there some vintage or other budget amps that I should be considering. Is my analysis wrong? Any suggestions on crossover frequency? I appreciate any and all input. I want to thank every one in advance for their thoughts.

Regards,
GWHO

gwho
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
Right, and you will find that you have a similar problem with the A1. So to drive them you will need two pair of identical amps, otherwise the weaker amp will describe the maximum volume level.

If I were you I would get rid of the B1s and concentrate on just the A1s and the amps for it. Then you would have less equipment so you could still hide most of it except the front end (preamp/dac/CDP/whatever).
gwho OP
47 posts
 
Atmasphere,

I appreciate the sage advice. What you say makes a lot of sense. Although I won't get rid of the B1-S just yet. I definitely won't be buying anything for the B-1S (e.g. amp/crossover). I will concentrate on the equipment for the A-1s. I'm beginning to look at some DAC-Preamps. I will definitely consider the Ayre Dac.

Best Regards,
Gwho
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
I think you will find that the simpler you can make your system, the better chance you have of getting it to sound right.

Good Luck!
gwho OP
47 posts
 
Thanks for all your help. It is greatly appreciated.
gwho OP
47 posts
 
Grannyring,

I was wondering if you might give me your subjective view of the modifications you made to the soundlab backplate. What would the priority be as far as bang for the buck that made significant improvement to the sound.

You were correct that when the sunfire 600x2 goes on sale it does not last long. I did listen to a sunfire 400x7 on my system (just running two channel) and it sounded excellent. I'm sure the 600x2 will sound even better.

Any input would be appreciated.

Gwho
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