Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

As for the $200K budget first check out the Sunfire amp to see if you get the "toobie goodness" without the tubes. After biamping the 9H’s use the current source connections (at 400w a channel) on your CC and surrounds.

Please start a build thread for the rest, not really appropriate for a thread on powered speakers.

Review on the Sunfire 7401:

The so-called "current sources" with big internal resistance modulate the work of a tube amp. But you can switch to Voltage Source connectors - in this case the amplifier will work as a voltage source with minimal internal resistance and as a consequence maximal damping of the load.

We started the test with "current" terminals. The device immediately conquered by sonority and a completely smooth musical balance. It has a tremendous energy in the area of the lowest "seismic" basses and elaborates very well overhangs. But TGA-7401 didn’t surprise by absolute dynamics. Yeah, this device can provide a clear sound at the most powerful levels, but - without fiery temperament. The sound here is relaxed and open, rich and calm. It’s amazing but having such a phlegmatic character, the sound can’t be called slow. The device conveys the relief of drums accurately, deeply digs for each harmonic and is able to give copper, entrancing by its brightness, naturalness and beauty. It is really special. It’s hard to remember an amplifier from this price category, which not only gladdens by detailing but also by exceptional harmonic resolution in the uppercase. Each played plate is unique and inimitable in Sunfire!

An interesting metamorphosis occurs at switching speaker system to Voltage source terminals. Bass is slightly offloaded and accelerated, overhangs become shorter and more sharp, but the energy doesn’t weaken but as if brightens. Yes, the sound picture turns out to be less somatic, but more transparent and better detailed. This mode is good when you want to get the purest transmission of sound atmosphere as well as the most accurate scene.

http://www.hifi-review.com/152484-sunfire-tga-7401.html

@kota1, @donavabdear amplifier, the BHK300, is not a tube amplifier. It has a tube input stage. The output is a high bias MOSFET AB. The damping factor is 100. That is not very high for a solid state amplifier, but would be very high for a tube amplifier. The Sunfire 7401 is 150 in voltage source mode and 8 in current source mode. The Persona 9H drops to 2.4 ohms. It has low impedance dips at a few spots. That is not a speaker I would want with a damping factor 8 amplifier.

@thespeakerdude

I am not up on all the latest in home audio equipment to even begin to spend $200K,

+1 (+10!)🤣

@donavabdear

Please start a build thread so we can get started, it should be a great thread when you see how many ideas you get from other members. I have some things I feel are KEY before you do anything. You have a dual space and if you get the mixing space wrong it will not only cost you budget, it will cost you income! See you in the new thread when you are ready but I recommend scoring that amp ASAP.

I admit my limitations as opposed to doing no research and recommending an out of production amplifier not suited to the system. Run that amp in the constant current mode and you would add new +/- 3db peaks/valleys to the frequency response that are not currently there

@donavabdear , creating a separate topic makes sense. Are you planning to add room correction to this system, or just keep it the way it is?

kota1

1,224 posts

02-06-2023 at 12:58pm

@thespeakerdude

I am not up on all the latest in home audio equipment to even begin to spend $200K,

+1 (+10!)🤣

@donavabdear ,

Clearly someone in this thread is out of ideas so is attacking the messenger here.

If you want toob goodness from solid state this is the best alternative I know. I have tried many Sunfire products (preamps, subs and amps) and can assure you it will be a quality experience. Whether or not it is "tooby" enough only you can tell. 

Re, the 7401:

 "...TGA-7401 is one of the most powerful multichannel amplifiers. The whole index of the device stands as follows: Theater Grand Amplifier 7 x 400 watts. Such return became possible due to quite clever system of tracking supply (patented by Bob under the brand Tracking Downcoverter). The idea is simple: in a common amplifier a high potential of power is constantly applied to output transistors, but in Carver's amplifier it changes in such a way that voltage allowance in reference to amplified signal is always 6V. But the realization of this principle is quite difficult because tracking must be performed with high accuracy and speed - a separate pulsed system answers for it. Carver created the amplifier, which almost can't be forced into clipping (our power supply had up to 800W on 47 Ohm), as output transistors always work in optimal and safe mode. The idea - "complex load" - doesn't exist for TGA-7401: actually it adjusts to any. In addition, lots of energy is saved, which went into heat before. " The inefficiency of conventional amplifiers results in accommodating the wasteful appetite by relying on massive transformers and other over-building to achieve about the same results, at more expense - and they really are limited by their thirst for more continuous power than any 15 or 20 amp circuit can provide. Read up on the patented Tracking Downconverter. Not only that, but a 20 amp power supply produces 2,400 continuous watts, and can produce several times that for very short times, though many times the length of musical notes. The patented Tracking Downconverter takes full advantage of this phenomenon, and is the only design that does. Another advantage is the Tracking Downconverter allows significantly lower continuous consumption of power, which is reflected not only in saving money on the amp itself, but also saving on the power bill, and therefor being a far more Green product through an advanced technology.