Need Zu Definition Pro Subwoofer Array Amp for $1k

This looks like a really short sweet solution!

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=688

SC-1250 Subwoofer Amplifier $995.00

DESCRIPTION
The Velodyne SC-1250 amplifier is a combination high-quality 1250W Class D amplifier, with built-in DSP room correction. Velodyne developed this amplifier for their home theater installer based network and their Contract Series subwoofers.
The amplifier section is more powerful than the 1250W rating would indicate. It is capable of significantly more power under transient conditions and it tends to be a fair amount more powerful than most 1000W plate amplifiers. The difference is noticeable with most of our high-output Exodus Subwoofers, giving additional headroom before the onset of clipping.

The DSP room measurement tool is the real kicker. While not as flexible as the SMS-1 solution, it does allow for an Auto-EQ room measurement & equalization. This is the perfect solution for someone who wants a high quality amp, and a no-nonsense set-up routine for any passive subwoofer.



SPECIFICATIONS
High quality 1250W, 3000W burst amplifier.
High Pass 80Hz (6dB/octave) crossover for main speakers to help reduce distortion.
Low Pass Crossover 30-160Hz, 24dB/octave defeatable.
Inputs: Line and Speaker Level
Outputs: Two subwoofers (limited to 4 Ohm nominal load total), one line-level with 80Hz high pass filter.
Phase: 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°
Dimensions: 4 ¼" x 17.0" x 13.0"

Undertow,

Thank you so much again. I know that reading "thank you" messages may mean little, but I am VERY thankful for the time you put into answering my questions so clearly and thoroughly. Thank you!

My preamp (Canary CA-903) only has RCA outputs, which is the main reason I am shying away from using the Rane which only accepts XLR inputs.

I think the Velodyne SC-1250 is the right solution for me. I don't have any software to "dial in" the correct bass levels. The Velodyne SC-1250 includes a microphone to help me do the set up for my room which is ideal. In addition, the SC-1250 has RCA connections so I don't need a pair of RCA to XLR IC's which will help keep the costs down. BTW, the SC-1250 comes with a remote control which is a huge plus. Vanns is selling the Velodyne SC-1250 for $999 and they're including a pair of 8" Velodyne SC-8 subwoofers and shipping is free. I need one of these in our bedroom and I'm sure I can put the other to use somewhere :-)

The only concern I have is whether or not the Velodyne SC-1250 will support the signal down to 16hz which is the floor for the Zu woofers. Will it?

If so, I'll pick up this unit because it seems like the overall best solution. I know Velodyne makes very reputable subwoofers, so I expect the amp to sound really good.

Unless of course you have any other suggestions that are better than the Velodyne SC-1250. :-)

Thanks again,
Mark

I spoke with the sales rep at Vanns and the SC-1250 only goes down to 30hz. Seems there is a 24db loss for each octave below 30hz.

The Monarchy blocks look very good. They are running a 2 for 1 special right now, so a pair would be under $1179. A pair of SM-70's is on Agon for $1k. For $200 more I'll go with the SM-100 Delux Mk2 amps.

I have a call into C.C. Poon, CEO of Monarchy, to discuss the application and determine which amps are the best fit.

I found a less than favorable review done back in 2004 by hometheaterhifi written by Jason Victor Serinus. He wasn't very impressed by the amps, though his equipment budget is 10 times as high as mine. For example, he wrote:
This review must thus be placed in perspective. The Elrod EPS-3 power cables I plugged into the amplifiers list for $1100 each. My Elrod EPS Signature powercords that I use elsewhere in the system cost $1700 each. Contrast that to the price of the amps. It is doubtful that many audiophiles who own $16,000 speakers, a $10,000 DAC/preamp, over $20,000 worth of cabling, a custom transport, and a kaboodle of tweaks are likely to set their sites on these diminutive amps. The odds are that they’ll go for the bigger stuff.

It is equally questionable whether mating C.C.’s bargain products with such revealing components does them an ultimate service. More modestly priced components rarely offer consummate resolving power, and are generally more forgiving of amps built to a price point.

He liked the Monarchy Hyprbids.

Anyway, I think the amps have been upgraded since 2004 based on Monarchy's website.

I'll keep you posted.

Regards,
Mark

Reviews and applications are never always in line...The SM 100 is not quiet as good for really critical Audiophile needs as the SM 70's are. Don't worry about it, trust me the Monarchys are capable of the best and for your application its even sillier as they are in fact only going to do low frequency anyway if you go with the 100's. I believe Monarchy will give you a trial run and you will be a charged a re-stock fee if they did not work out. Yes speak with C.C. Poon he will guide you. I know they would work rather well, but again you could go for something with a little more power and less heat no doubt.

That is strange on the Velodyn? I would almost try it if its possible and return, but that would be ABSOLUTELY silly if in fact Velodyn one of the Kings in subwoofers did not produce a unit that would play down to the standard 20 hz range capability... Hell the Monarchys even though the spec. does not say it I believe will drop in well under 10 hz!

By the way I am still on board for the Velodyn, I think it will produce the frequencies just fine, by the way you will have a nearly impossible time getting anything under the 'A on a steinway piano or whatever at 27 hz to play, the speaker and the room just will not probably do it, you will get some feeling, but thats all that occurs anyway. Even cutoff at 25 hz will play 99.9% of any Techno/ artificial Rap music with all the low end power and authority possible. Rock, Jazz don't get to hung up on specifics, go hear something and use something that works for you.

Too bad you just missed a 4 day old ad on one of these from audiogon, sold quick, it sold for 600 bucks or something, its retail is like 950, its a little more muster and goes very low apparently against the velodyn! However no remote, or digital mic correction... But I have heard they are pretty good. see links They are all different links, but not sure why when posted to audiogon they all look the same! Just go to each one.

http://www.amplifiers.org.uk/anthony-gallo/anthony-gallo-reference-3-sa-amplifier/

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/anthony_gallo_reference_3_sa.shtml

http://canadianhifi.com/products/detailed/1329.htm

http://www.soundsandcinema.com/cgi-bin/hifi/REF3SA1.html?id=QNXynXU7

Good Luck

Undertow,

In Full Range mode the Gallo amp is 10Hz-28Hz. In Low-Pass mode the amp is 20Hz-180Hz. How can I get it to go down to 10Hz and up to 100Hz that you recommended? I think it would be one or the other, but the specs listed at the bottom of this post seem like the amp supports from 10Hz-200Hz. I just don't know *how* to set it up so that it goes from 10Hz to 100Hz that you suggested.

Is the amps impedence ok? Is it equal to the input sensitivity of 130mV? These are technical areas that are beyond my understanding.

I found them for $675 new with free shipping, so if you think it would be better than the Velodyne or the Monarchy amps I could still get one...or two.

I would have to run the Rane EQ if I use the Monarchy amps which is fine as long as it is the best solution. I would need a pair of XLR to RCA IC's, and I think you mentioned you still have pair.

Basically, I'm open to any of the three solutions you suggested. I just want to make sure whatever solution I use will be the best. Everything else I bought in my system is the best I could afford, so getting the best amp for the woofer arrays is my goal. I know I have a budget restriction, but these are three excellent options. Which do you suggest?

I understand there isn't a lot of music under 20Hz, but I do listen to classical and there are some organ pieces that get down there. The ability for the Zu's to get down to 16Hz was one of the principle reasons for my buying them over Cains, so I want a solution that will utilize the full bandwidth of the Zu's.

BTW, the Veloydyne SC-1250 was specifically made for the Velodyne SC subwoofers, none of which dip below 22hz. I think that's the reason the SC-1250 doesn't go below 30hz without a big drop off.

The Gallo has a "low noise" fan which I can't understand unless it is a class A amp. I don't think I'd hear it even at low listening levels anyway, but it's odd that it has a fan. I hope it isn't always on though. There are no specs for the noise level of the fan which I find odd given the amp is for stereophile applications.

Here are the technical specs for the Gallo:
The frequency response of this amplifier is 20Hz - 180Hz (Low-pass) and 10Hz - 28Hz (full range). It has 240 watts (stereo) or 600 watts (bridged) output. The dimension lists 17/19″ (W) (rack ears removable) x 4″ (H) x 14″ (D). It has possessed a weight of 25lbs. The input sensitivity is 130mV. Phases acquired are dual mono and continuously variable phases.

Output Power: 2 x 160 watts RMS @ 8 ohms
20Hz - 20kHz (stereo mode)
2 x 250 watts RMS @ 4 ohms
20Hz - 20kHz (stereo mode)
450 watts RMS @ 8 ohms
20Hz - 20kHz (mono mode)
650 watts RMS @ 4 ohms
20Hz - 20kHz (mono mode)

Distortion: 0.08% stereo, 0.1% mono
(low-pass @ 100Hz, level and xover at max, EQ at 0dB)
.01% stereo, 0.17% mono
(full-range, level at max)

Input Sensitivity: 130mV stereo, 110mV mono

Signal-to-Noise: 93dB stereo, 83dB mono
(low pass @ 100Hz, level and xover at max, EQ at 0dB)
93 dB stereo, 75dB mono
(full-range full-rated power @ 1kHz)

Load Impedance: 2 ohms or greater in stereo mode /
4 ohms or greater in mono mode

Bass EQ: 1W @ 35Hz (100Hz=0dB, level and xover at max, booster at 6dB)=6.2dB
1W @ 35Hz (100Hz=0dB, level and xover at max, booster at -3dB)=-3.2dB

Frequency Response: 15-200Hz low-pass (100Hz=0dB, level and xover at max, booster at 0dB)
<10Hz - 28kHz full-range (100Hz=0dB, level and xover at max, booster at 0dB)

Crossover: 40Hz low-pass, xover setting at minimum
200Hz low-pass, xover setting at maximum

Power Handling: 250 watts @ 4 ohms
160watts @ 8 ohms (In Stereo)
650 watts @ 4 ohms
450 watts @ 8 ohms (Bridged to mono)

12 Volt Trigger: Tip = (+) Sleeve = (-)

Auto-on Sensitivity: 5mV

Current Draw: 9A stereo, 13.5A mono
(level and xover at max, booster at 0dB)

Protection Circuitry: Short circuit, open circuit, RF burnout, over temp., speaker protection relays, Turn on/off transient protection, DC protection, and limiter circuitry

Temp. Protect: 60°C +/-5

Cooling: A low noise fan is utilized to draw cool air through the chassis using front and rear vents. Do not block the vents.

Power Requirements: 100 VAC 60Hz, 850VA
100-120 VAC 50/60Hz, 850VA
220-240 VAC 50/60Hz, 850VA

Connections: RCA inputs, 5-way binding posts