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Confused by ICE applications

I've started to get interested in the switch-mode power supplies, but I'm confused by how the various amplifier makers use them. My current investigation is into the B&O ICE modules and Jeff Rowland amps.

From what I can see on the ICE web page, they only sell complete amplifier modules. If that's so, what does JRDG (or Bel Canto) do with them? I'd thought that ICE would supply the power supply and the output stage was then up to the end user...
128x128macdonj
wslam
90 posts
 
A few yrs back, I bought a few Acoustic Reality ICEPower monoblocks to drive my then Revel Salon.

The ICEPower monoblocks made me sell my Mark Levinson No.33H that I used to drive the Salon.

ICEPower is simply fantastic.

I now use a DarTZeel but kept all my Icepower stuff...I plan to build an ICEPower based HT...

btw, anyone know how the new ICEPower modules compare to the older ones? The new ones supposedly has much higher current then the older generation... but what else?
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I haven't heard the DarTZeel equipment yet, but I'm very confident that it's stunning; given the reviews I've seen from trusted sources.

However, it's interesting to compare DarTZ and Rowland to see that there's more than one way to skin an audio cat. Inside the DarTZ pre-amp there's a whole infantry of cards lined up, filling a relatively large case. In the amazing Rowland Capri preamp there's almost nothing, with phono cards about the size of the last joint of my little finger. Both work, apparently very well, but the design approaches are worlds apart.

BTW, the Rowland is designed by one guy and, I suspect, the same is true with DarTZeel. I know for fact that Rowland feel very strongly that his approach is "right" and I suspect that the DarTZ designer feels the same way.

Dave
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Jeff Rowland hasn't released bad product in over 20 years. When he switched all amplifiers production to Icepower technology I seriously got interested and eventually bought one. If it's good enough for Jeff Rowland it's good enough for me. In addition Rowland gear used to be obscenely expensive and now offers good bang for the buck.
audiobb
103 posts
 
Hi everybody,

Can anyone tell me where can i BUY and ICE module?Preferably 250 or 500A,or ASP?
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Audiobb, do you mean a raw modules on which to build your own amplifier? If so, I think that you need to be a builder, but B&O is the source, or the ICEPower division of B&O. Do a little Google or Yahoo search and you'll find them. I don't think that they license others to sell just the raw units, but I'm not certain.

Dave
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