Braun/ADS Atelier amplifiers

[presscot]

Hi, I own a pair of ADS L1590/2, or Braun LS200 speakers. I currently drive them with a Braun/ADS Atelier A1 integrated amplifier. A few days ago, I let the amplifier clipped.

I'd like to ask for opinions that whether I should change the amplifier to be a higher-power one?

Since I'm a fan of Braun/ADS, I'm thinking to change the amp to the Atelier A2.

Here are the specs of them:
A1: 50Wpc @ 8 Ohms or 65Wpc @ 4 Ohms
A2: 80Wpc @ 8 Ohms or 105Wpc @ 4 Ohms

The L1590/2/LS200s are 4 Ohms speakers and the technical datasheet states they need minimum power of 80W. So, I'd like to ask whether the A2 has sufficient power for them, or not.

 

[presscot]

Anyone?

 

[wmgwizard]

The added 25 watts of power MAY be enough to avoid clipping depending on how loud you listen and what you listen to. You control the volume, you know what is loud enough for you.

IMHO the 1590 really come alive with something closer to 200wpc.

 

[Akustic]

Hi, I own a pair of ADS L1590/2, or Braun LS200 speakers. I currently drive them with a Braun/ADS Atelier A1 integrated amplifier. A few days ago, I let the amplifier clipped.

I'd like to ask for opinions that whether I should change the amplifier to be a higher-power one?

Since I'm a fan of Braun/ADS, I'm thinking to change the amp to the Atelier A2.

Here are the specs of them:
A1: 50Wpc @ 8 Ohms or 65Wpc @ 4 Ohms
A2: 80Wpc @ 8 Ohms or 105Wpc @ 4 Ohms

The L1590/2/LS200s are 4 Ohms speakers and the technical datasheet states they need minimum power of 80W. So, I'd like to ask whether the A2 has sufficient power for them, or not.

The A2 would be marginal .. you already know the A1 isn't capable.
Those are some seriously anemic 4 ohm specs on those amplifiers ... They seriously lack headroom even at 8 ohms .. That's why they clip.
Those speakers are dropping below 4 ohms on loud bass notes .. and both of those amps run out of gas at 4 ohms .. They can only increase their output by 20% when the load doubles to 4 ohms from 8 ohms ... They should be doubling their 8 ohm output when the load doubles to 4 ohms.

Look in to some better amplifiers .. the best amps double their 8 ohm power in to a 4 ohm load .. but even a 60-70% increase means you have a bit of headroom for a strong bass note...
You have speakers that have a low impedance at 4 ohms nominal .. you need better amps ..
Those speakers are harder than average to drive ... most speakers are 8 ohms nominal not 4 ohms.

Look for amps that ideally double their 8 ohm power in to a 4 ohm load .. Look at the 4 ohm spec on the amp .. If it doesn't have a 4 ohm spec don't buy it ... and if you can't find one that doubles (they're rare) then look for at least a 65-70% increase in power from their 8 ohm spec to their 4 ohm spec..

Hope that helps ..

 

[Akustic]

Your speakers are a difficult load for an amplifier ...

If you are using 150-200 wpc amps as @wmgwizard recommends you will have plenty of headroom for the occasional peak power demand even when you are listening to them loud ...
Most amps are rated in to an easy 8 ohm load ... not a 4 ohm load that occasionally gets to an even harder 3 ohms ..
If you're using an amp with an 8 ohm power rating below 100 wpc., then it needs a better than usual power supply or it will likely clip the peaks.
You will be lacking dynamics, even if the amp isn't clipping hard enough to distort or hurt the speakers ..

There are many good amps out there ... you may want to consider some of the other brands ..

 

[RWood]

I have had several A2 amps and currently use one with KLH Six speakers. I like it a lot.
A couple years ago I was hearing distortion and I feared the worst, especially after seeing how many ICs Braun used in the circuit. BUT after translating the bias instructions I checked the current draw and it was 10x what it should have been. After dialing that back the distortion was gone.

A couple of tips in case you do this….. i soldered in a pair of extension jumpers so that I could monitor the current with just the top cover removed. I used pomona mingrabbers to connect my meter and I have little shrink wrap booties to cover the ends of the wires when the top is back on.

The other tip is that it took hours, maybe 6-8 for the bias to settle down to its steady state. It sounded fine during this time, btw.
I now keep the amp on 24/7 and turn the Vol down when my session is over.

I checked the bias on amp#2 and it was a little high but sounded good. It also took all day to settle after being adjusted.

Despite the specs I think these amps sound really nice.

Addendum - my suggestion is to get the amp running optimally before making a final judgement.

 

[wmgwizard]

The issue isn't wether they sound good or not, the issue is they are not powerful enough to drive the OP's speakers to satisfying levels before running out of steam.
Great amps, wrong for this application.