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Anybody have an actively multi-amplified system?

Hello,

I am one of the very rare breeds that has a fully active system, 6 Jeff Rowland monoblocks running Klipschorns with an Accuphase F-25V electronic crossover in front of the amplifiers, and the passive crossovers taken out of the speakers. It sounds absolutely phenomenal, like nothing else out there. I've been in the business 35 years and have yet to meet anyone (in home audio at least) who has done something similar. It's done all the time in pro audio, yet nobody talks about it for home use. It's widely known that an actively amplified setup simply IS better than any passively crossed over speaker, since the dividing is done before the amplifier, each amplifier only amplifies a certain frequency range, and then the output of the amplifier is connected directly to an individual driver with nothing in between. If anyone has such a setup, is interested in learning more about one, or wants to throw in their 2 cents, please do! It's about time we did talk about this, and I can't believe in all these years more companies haven't actively (pun intended) embraced this type of setup. Also, if anyone has crossover cards for an F-25V crossover, please let me know!!!
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csontos
1,275 posts
 
I'm currently working on a JBL fully active system. I'm building a pair of 4345 but with 2206 mid-bass, and 2441/2309/2310 mid-range. I have 3 Acoustat TNT200 amps and one TNT120. I will use 2 of them in mono for bass, 1 for mid-bass and the 120 for the 2441s. I'll need another one for the 2405s. I'm about to have the cabs built by a reputable builder. I'm thinking of building in a qick-change capability to use the 2441s in reverse as direct radiators with just the 2310 in front. That way I can use these monsters in a medium size room. A couple of DCX2496 should do the trick but I'm wondering about a Marchand 4-way or maybe Mini-DSP. I'm leaning toward the Marchand analog vs. digital, though. What are your thoughts or experience in this regard?

Okay, looks like you just answered my question.
rodman99999
3,557 posts
 
After using actively multi-amped systems for years(pro); I started doing it at home, in 1981. By then: I had my own shoppe building, modding and repairing pro and home audio speaker systems and electronics. My first home system used KEF drivers and Rogers LS3-5A crossovers(all matched) in the mains, an active X-over, built with DeCoursey Lab boards, and KEF B-139's, in sealed enclosures. Being a Hafler dealer; I used all highly modded Hafler(SS) gear, at the time. Sold that system, and built some 10" driver(Nestorovics), 8' tapered, folded transmission-line woofers, bought a Dahlquist DQ-LP1 filter and a pair of Acoustat Mod III's. Again- using heavily modded Hafler gear for power. Still have the same TL bottom end(now housing SEAS L26ROY
D1001's), a modded Hafler TransNova 9505, but using a modded TacT RCS 2.2X, Magnepan MG12qr's and Modded Cary SLM-100's. I'd love to go bigger on the mains, BUT- a costly divorce lost me a lot of listening area(in SQ FT).
csontos
1,275 posts
 
My TNTs were just rebuilt/modified by Roy Esposito in Florida. He added fully balanced mode and mono capability. I've not had any prior experience with these amps. He was instrumental in developing the circuit being an engineer at Acoustat back then so he knows what's possible. All I can say is they are the fastest, most musical amps I've yet experienced. They are 'visceral'. A term that has not come to mind in describing an amp till now. However, Andy Szabo, another former engineer at Acoustat, uses modified 9505s also. He say's they are a significant improvement over the TNTs. I've not had any experience with this amp. But he's comparing to the stock TNT. Is there anything you can tell me in comparison? I need another amp for the 2405s or maybe something else for the bottom end.
rodman99999
3,557 posts
 
Never have used the TNT amps. I started with modded DH-500's, and gave my last one(used to drive the 10's) to my son, a number of years back, when I bought the TransNova. I stopped using SS to drive my mains, decades ago, so- I can't really give an opinion of what the 9505 would sound like in that app. If you like the TNT's; I hardly believe you could go wrong with a 9505. Jim Strickland(another Acoustat alumnus)supposedly had much to do with it's design. Did the mods to your TNT's include replacing the rectifiers with HEXFREDs(or Schottkys)? Really cleans and opens the upper registers. Just something easy/basic/inexpensive and well worth the effort. Behringer X-overs work in cheap pro apps, but- I wouldn't use one for home audio(except for expermentation). I guess there are some out there, that mod them though.
csontos
1,275 posts
 
I think Mr. Strickland was the main player. I had these amps shipped to Roy sight unseen so I can't speak to that question. I have a similar impression about the Behringers so I guess that's a given.
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