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ICE amps vs analog amps for bass

I'm currently running Legacy Helix loudspeakers. The bass and subwoofers are being driven by two pair of 500 watt ICE amplifier modules while the Midrange and treble frequencies are being driven by two pair of Levinson 436 amplifiers. While originally auditioning the speakers I heard them with analog amps on the bass, treble, and midrange sections and the sound was superb. However, I was assured that the ICE amps would be sufficient to drive the bass sections so I've given them a try. However the bass sounds funny. I don't hear the impact, definition, and subtle "spatial cues" that I know are in the recordings.
I partially am blaming the ICE modules. I'd sure like some input in solving the problem. I can "upgrade" to "analog" amps for the bass if I choose, but for space reasons and economic reasons, would prefer to continue to use the ICE amps. I'm considering Parasound JC-1s, or Bryston 7bs, for the bass if I switch.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Steve
128x128sgr
sgr's avatar
sgr OP
689 posts
 
Thanks again for all suggestions.

Coofeey, Thanks for reminding me about the damping factor thing again. I believe you'd be right.

Vman71, The ICE power, I've no doubt would be just the thing, however the ICE power amps installed in the speakers are not modified in any way, just raw as B&O designed them.

So I'll be looking at Bryston 7b monoss or a 14b stereo. Would I need to get the latest spec to use as bass amps? As I have space limitations, maybe I should look at 14b ssts. Has anyone compared the newest version to the older sst series? Can older amps be updated by Bryston?
Thanks again for all your input.
Steve
mclsound
159 posts
 
hi Steve
i have used the 14bsst on my dual Volt 12" and dual CSS 15" and will say if you are using for bass only,go wiyh a older pair of 7bst(98-01) only..the sst only improved on the mid,slightly,so save the money .
i have also recently purchased a ML (333) for my mid/hi
john
coffeey's avatar
coffeey
363 posts
 
No problem,i mean my amp is like 75 and as i said if its on the recording that's how it comes out,it depends on the recording.So also what im saying is i wonder if the bass from ice amps is really realistic or not,or are people just wowed by the big bad wham of these ice amps.It never impressed me.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Coffeey, I tend to agree with you. . . except that I hear badly reproduced bass on a great many amps, regardless of underlying technology. . . Very good bass is reproduced by very few amps, and some of these excellent bass reproducers happen to be ICEpower amps.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,842 posts
 
Sgr, if your speakers are 98 db, its very likely that they will not play very good bass using an amplifier with a high damping factor.

The reason is that a high damping factor is synonymous with amplifiers that can double the power as impedance is cut in half. That works for some speakers, but not very often for speakers with high efficiency. Such speakers are often expecting that the amp will make the **same** power, regardless of impedance! for more information see:

http://www.atma-sphere.com/papers/paradigm_paper2.html

If I were you I would get an amplifier that you can run full-range- IME/IMO bi-amplified systems never work as well as full-range, provided the speaker is designed to be able to operate either way.
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