2. amps-preamps
  3. 1231990832

ICE Amps for classical music?

I listen to classical orchestral music at heavy volume. I detest reproduced music for always sounding more or less electronic and not acoustic. Real music is beautiful in a way reproduced music--so far at least-- never is. I have become curious about Wyred4sound amps because of low price and high watts. I am wondering if any of you "mostly classical" listeners have heard these amps and feel they do no more damage to music than amps which are NOT ICE amps. I am using a Plinius SA100 now and have used a VAC 100/100,
a Bedini Classic 100/100, a Music Reference RM-9, and other tube and solid state amps. They all had their pluses and minuses, of course, but for least electronic, clearly the Bedini was the winner. So what about ICE amps?
rpfef
dob
577 posts
 
"Yes, but recorded music is compressed - tailored for average audio system "

Keith Howard (Hi-Fi News Sept 2007) made actual measurments or peak power and peak SPL obtained using B&W805, Music Fidelity power amp and classical music recordings.

His measured peak SPL was about 110 dB (and corresponsing peak power was 3500 watts)

On other hand - most of today recorded music is compressed. This is one of the reason why I like Golden Age recordings...seem to be much less compressed.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,389 posts
 
I think the max dynamic range in Redbook CD format is 96db. Maybe someone can confirm.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
People who run 7 inch woofers and then complain about dynamic range have no one to blame but themselves. But, it's understandable because if you live in an apartment or a dense housing development you simply cannot generate realistic SPL for an orchestra or organ. My system has 3 15 inch and 3 12 inch subwoofers along with 3 full range main speakers, and it just barely does the job.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
Eldartford - I think we're mixing sound level and dynamic range. Dynamics are very limited by recording and media while loudness is also a function of listening distance. Sitting twice further in large room requires 4x more power to obtain same loudness. There is nothing wrong with 7" woofers if they can provide sufficient sound level. I don't like very loud music and don't mind that orchestra's forte is not 120dB loud in my room. I will settle for 80% of that - it cuts power requirement in half. For you to listen 20% louder (I sense you need more power) means 6 15" subwoofers plus 6 12" subwoofers. Not my cup of tea.
dob
577 posts
 
Hello Eldartford:
What amplifiers do you use in your system?
I am very curious.
Thanks
Rafael
More to discover