2. amps-preamps
  3. 1200450675

ICE amps need cooling?

I've been looking for an amp to power my Maggies and was doing some research on these ICE modules from B&O. While reading the data sheet I saw that the model 1000 that puts out 525 watts into 8 Ohms and 1,000 watts into 4 Ohms it gave a specification of Power(FTC) of 80 watts continuous. Now I remember back in the 70's during the receiver wars the FTC mandated that power ratings be standardized to something like "100 wpc continuous into 8 Ohms with no more than X% distortion" This was to stop all the unrealistic power claims of huge power output for a brief time under tremendous distortion. It made the playing field level so consumers could at least get what they were expecting. So I see that the ICE module has a power rating of only 80 watts continuous! Now that is a far cry from the 500 watts they are bragging about. Have all amplifier specs abandoned the FTC ruling, or is the ICE module just blowing smoke? The B&O site also stated that with heat sinks or fan cooling the power rating could go up. Most ICE amps I see on the market don't have any heat sinks or even ventilation for that matter. So are we all buying ICE amps that can deliver their stated output power for only brief times, and actually put out only a fraction of the power for any sustained period of time? I'm no expert and I just saw this today so I am asking the the members with lots of knowledge in this area to respond and please clear this up. Thanks.
koestner
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Look you guys, it's like this. Class D is analog. This is true. A digital switching power supply is not. It shuts power off and on. Analog power supplies provide a constant energy source the analog module can draw from.

I think this debate relates well to Class A vs. Class AB. Sure, there are very good sounding class AB amps out there, but I believe most folks would say the class A amp sounds more natural.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Muralman1...Your "analog" power supply also switches power on and off. On when the incomming AC voltage waveform is greater than the voltage the capacitors are at, so that the diode conducts. Off most of the time. Because this switching is at low frequency the resulting ripple requires a filter with large (expensive) capacitors and/or inductors. And a big heavy (expensive again) transformer.

An analog power supply can certainly perform very well, as I am sure is the case with your favorite amp. But it is a "brute force" approach, and hardly appropriate technology in context of a modern digital amplifier.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,203 posts
 
I'm not looking currently, but I strongly suspect the next amp I buy for my current power hungry speakers will be Ice or Class D at least.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Eldartford, Yes, the analog power supply acts like bagpipes in the energy is pumped in as to need. Also, this being a low frequency switching one may believe that it would be much more audible than the much quicker switching of the digital PS ICE module. Only it isn't. there is no ripple for reasons you noted. Yes, it is expensive, but put in practice, it is worth the expense.

The H20 company also has inexpensive amps using the switching power supply. they are great sounding, just not as sweet and easy as their bigger brethren.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,203 posts
 
Any professional reviews out there that compare the sound of a digital switching power supply to analog?

I only care about the sound and would have to be convinced before paying a premium for more expensive technology that may or may not make a difference.
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