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2 ohm stable amp recomendations please

Patrick620

Patrick620

Audio Enthusiast
I just got a Soundcraftsmen PCR-800 but I am trying to power a pair of Infinity RS-II's. This amp doesnt seem to be up to the task. It starts clipping at what I would consider to be too low of a volume. I'm not rich, so I am looking for something in the 300-400 $ range. Thank for any replies.

Patrick
 
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I have used a single pcr in the past on a hard load. As to the result, it works but may not be the bees knees.

Have you confirmed the condition of yours, checked DC offset?
At what point does the fan kick into high speed?
How does it sound running other drivers.
When you say clips, do you mean the red indicators flash very fast or only
intermittently?
 
Yamaha PC2002 or PC2002M (M version has vu meters). The amp is rated at 240wpc, and the output stage is very robust. The amp runs cool and doesn't have or need a cooling fan.
 
Adcom GFA-555/555 Mk II

Or stretch your budget just a little bit more and get a Forte Model 3 or Model 6.

From personal experience with all 3 of these amps on Infinity RS-IIb's and RS-IIIb's, I KNOW they are up to the task and will sound great doing it.
 
Depends on whether it's really a low impedance issue, or just that more power is needed.

If the clipping indicators are flashing regularly at less than your desired volume, chances are it's more power you need if the amp otherwise seems to be in working order.
 
pcr specs out 212 wpc @8 314 @4 typical. Probably the least expensive entry into
driving a short. Yes it has its"limitations" but what else can you fit into your bread box?
 
Step up a little and get a McIntosh MC 2300. Stable down to .5 ohm, thanks to the autoformers. 12 output transistors for each channel. About as bulletproof an amp as you can get.
 
tarior said:
Step up a little and get a McIntosh MC 2300. Stable down to .5 ohm, thanks to the autoformers. 12 output transistors for each channel. About as bulletproof an amp as you can get.
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Ya, I was going to say a Mac until I noticed the $300 - $400 price limit. I like the PC2002M suggestion, but am pretty sure it isn't rated to 2 ohm. I'm going to go with what whoaru99 said, and guess that you are just running out of gas -- in which case the Yamaha would be a great amp to get. Better yet, get two, and bridge 'em (aren't they around 600 - 700W bridged?). :D
 
titanstats said:
Ya, I was going to say a Mac until I noticed the $300 - $400 price limit. I like the PC2002M suggestion, but am pretty sure it isn't rated to 2 ohm. I'm going to go with what whoaru99 said, and guess that you are just running out of gas -- in which case the Yamaha would be a great amp to get. Better yet, get two, and bridge 'em (aren't they around 600 - 700W bridged?). :D
Click to expand...
Not rated down to 2 ohms by Yamaha, but the amp has no problem driving a 2 ohm load.
 
totem said:
I have used a single pcr in the past on a hard load. As to the result, it works but may not be the bees knees.

Have you confirmed the condition of yours, checked DC offset?
At what point does the fan kick into high speed?
How does it sound running other drivers.
When you say clips, do you mean the red indicators flash very fast or only
intermittently?
Click to expand...

The dc offset is around 25mV per side
The fan doesnt kick into high speed from what I have seen. I took the cover off of the amp and blew a fan right onto the fins to see if that would help. It may have helped but I dont think it was running hot anyway.
I have not tried it with other drivers, yet. I will do that on Monday when I am done with my weekend work shift.
The clip indicators begin to faintly illuminate at a lower moderate volume level. If I push it further (only did this once) it distorts and blew one of the tweeter fuses. :eek: I wont do that again
 
whoaru99 said:
Depends on whether it's really a low impedance issue, or just that more power is needed.

If the clipping indicators are flashing regularly at less than your desired volume, chances are it's more power you need if the amp otherwise seems to be in working order.
Click to expand...


I agree with that. Clipping indicators aren't (usually) affected too much by load impedance. It sounds like a voltage swing problem that indicates you like it loud and the speakers might not be the most sensitive. Often times, people think that 300 Watts should be tremendously louder than 10 Watts. ....not really so. You might have to jump to the kW range for satisfyingly loud.
 
Patrick620:
Have you had your hearing checked by an audiologist lately? Maybe your hearing has been damaged by continued exposure to high listening levels.
 
2chanman said:
Patrick620:
Have you had your hearing checked by an audiologist lately? Maybe your hearing has been damaged by continued exposure to high listening levels.
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I honestly wondered about that very thing. Actually, My hearing is not too bad, considering al of the concerts and other live shows that I have seen over the years. I did have my hearing check about a year ago and I was told that it was not fantastic but that it was quite ok. I have just always liked my music to be played at a higher level. I like to feel the music as well as hear it. After having this amp a few days now, I am beginning to appreciate it more and more. There is no doubt in my mind that I need more power, but for now it is making me happy.
 
I'll be the first to admit that there is something visceral and exhilerating about music played at high volume levels. Especially classical.

Here's an amp to try; Mackie M1200. I bought one new about 12 years ago, and it has been nothing but reliable and it sounds 99% as good as my Bryston (no sh!t). Ran mine into 2.67 ohms for years, barely got warm. They go for about $300 on the bay.
 
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Another nice amp is the QSC PLX series.

A PLX 2402 or even a PLX 3402 (which I recommend) would be a nice choice too. Yes, the 3402 is 700wpc @8 and 1,100wpc @4, which seems like overkill. But, if you've got low sensitivity, power hungry speakers, and like to goose it up, it's not too much. You'd be amazed what that sort of clean power does for your system once you start to crank it up a bit.

You can get a nice specimen 3402 for about $650 shipped. Maybe less if you find a good deal, or are willing to accept more rack rash.
 
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tarior said:
I'll be the first to admit that there is something visceral and exhilerating about music played at high volume levels. Especially classical.

Here's amp to try; Mackie M1200. I bought one new about 12 years ago, and it has been nothing but reliable and it sounds 99% as good as my Bryston (no sh!t). Ran mine into 2.67 ohms for years, barely got warm. They go for about $300 on the bay.
Click to expand...

Doesn't surprise me at all.

For one, the quality pro amps are darn good and second I thought I recall seeing that Bryston roots are in pro amps.
 
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