2. amps-preamps
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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
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
22,198 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
22,198 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.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
"Your "analog" power supply also switches power on and off."

"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."

Exactly. That was the reason for Jeff Rowland to put switching power supply in Capri preamp (efficiency not needed here) and using batteries previously.

Jeff Rowland's Continuum 500 is one of the best integrated amps and it has SMPS - certainly not "mass production of popular electronics" - just look at the price tag.

I think that technical reasoning and showing examples won't make any difference. H2O owned by Muralman1 has linear power supply and he believes that's the only solution. If his H20 would use switching power supply he would claim just the opposite. It is not a criticism - just observation.
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