The Best Amp for the Price of Dirt

I have no idea what Crem1 is talking about anymore (never been a member of a union?), but taking the totality of his comments into account -- including his repeated references to the Audio Critic, where they don't even believe in listening to amps for sound quality -- sorry but I just can't place a lot of stock in his recommendations. I do however take something from Cwlondon's less than positive experience with the reliability and power of the Sonic Impact. Bottom line is I guess we're still waiting for someone to come out with a decently-built, usefully powerful, compact, lightweight and portable (maybe even battery-powerable), class-"D" design control amplifier at a relatively modest price (with or without a DAC built in). I'm hopeful it will happen sooner or later.

I guess we're still waiting for someone to come out with a decently-built, usefully powerful, compact, lightweight ... class-"D" ... amplifier

How about a kit: hypex sells them (.nl I think).

Creml,
The A500 was reviewed in Hi Fi World December 2006.

To quote-
"Unlike hi fi amps the A500 suffers considerable crossover distortion even in the midband...whilst it measured 0.14% at 1 watt1kHz this figure rose to an unacceptable level of 1% at 1 watt 10kHz....this is classic crossover distortion in large quantities and it will be clearly audible as a roughening of the treble."

Their Verdict-
"Versatile and very powerful amplifier for next to no money,but needs careful matching to assuage distortion.

I am no Behringer knocker.I own a DCX 2496 myself.

For the little the amps cost,and their power output,expecting them to be near perfect is probably expecting just too much.Doesn't mean in the right system they can't produce pleasant sounds though.

Jtgofish: Thanks for the information & verdict.

I try to read as much as possible & listen to audio gear whenever time allows. I make the attempt to educate myself by reading various magazines and online. Just because read a lot of opinions doesn't mean I agree, but I do read them. Lately, I have also taken to meeting some analog designers in homes of friends , something a bit different . Audio has been my hobby for 30+ years.

I agree with your conclusion -- the Behringer's need careful matching and common sence. So far I have not experienced the distortion issue , perhaps because I use them as mono blocks at lesser wattage . For me they were a surprize, sweet beautiful music. For next to no money (out of the box) they are a value. Enjoy the Music. PS what's the US Amp.Union all about?

It's about a J-O-K-E that Cwlondon made.