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MiniDSP PWR-DSP amps

post #1 of 82
8/3/11 at 6:39am
Thread Starter 
http://www.minidsp.com/products/plat...r-dsp-products

Quote:


Introducing the PWR-DSP series. Three new plate amplifier models with embedded DSP, IP control over Ethernet/Wifi, audio streaming over networks and stellar performance from the Pascal Audio amplifier modules.

PWR-DSP1: 1x2400Wrms, 1x4000Wpeak $999
PWR-DSP2: 2x800Wrms, 1x1300Wrms (bridged) $999
PWR-DSP3: 1x2400Wrms + 2x700Wrms $1299

They are shipping now....before everyone says that seems high consider this.

The Minidsp is $199 alone so its really $799 for the 2400Watt plate amp, which is close to what the Marathon amps etc are selling for and I would pay the little extra for the embedded DSP with ethernet/Wifi

Heck at $1199 for the PWR-DSP3 (minus DSP $199) and getting 2400Watts, 2x700Watts seems pretty good too if we consider thats 2 pro audio amps.


Now if we could get 3rd party measurements to ensure the performance. I will email asking for a Demo unit
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post #2 of 82
8/3/11 at 10:23am
Isn't $800 for 2400 W more than double what it costs for a Behringer EP, Peavey ipr, etc?
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post #3 of 82
8/3/11 at 10:27am
Wow, cool!

Quote:
Originally Posted by noah katz View Post

Isn't $800 for 2400 W more than double what it costs for a Behringer EP, Peavey ipr, etc?

Those aren't plate amps though.
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post #4 of 82
8/3/11 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by noah katz View Post

Isn't $800 for 2400 W more than double what it costs for a Behringer EP, Peavey ipr, etc?


We have to see the measured power out of any of them. Remember, Beringer EP4000 is only 2000Watt peaks, the amp above is 4000Watt peaks. Im putting the PWR_DSP up in a better category then those amps (right now), I see it more like the Marathon MA-4050 instead.

Several factors....

1. These are Plate amp, not awful looking pro amps that need racks and have fan noise.

2. These are also multi-channel solutions. Someone could build a nice 2.1 setup with this and never need to cart around amps/processors. Just plug in the music and go!!

3. DSP functionality. that the DSP in the PWR-DSP is superior to the DSPs in those amps because MiniDSP understand there are < 20Hz requirements in our DIY world and we have not even scratch the Wifi/ethernet functionality/possibilities.

3. The MiniDSP dev team and the community allows for us to have a voice. When is the last time you posted on a Behringer tech forum and had them discuss additional features to their DSPs ??

If people are out to save money and only looking for Watts/$$$ and care about nothing else then definitely go with the pro amps and all compromises that come with them
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post #5 of 82
8/3/11 at 11:15am
Didn't Speaker Power just announce they were offering products to the diy crowd too? Times are good.


Thanks
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post #6 of 82
8/3/11 at 11:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by FOH View Post

Didn't Speaker Power just announce they were offering products to the diy crowd too? Times are good.


Thanks

Im thinking these are very similar, don't companies like Mark Seaton's company use Speaker power amps/DSPs??
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post #7 of 82
8/3/11 at 12:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray View Post

Im thinking these are very similar, don't companies like Mark Seaton's company use Speaker power amps/DSPs??

Seaton, JTR, and Danley use Speaker Power products.
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post #8 of 82
8/4/11 at 6:14pm
Speaker power must be some good quality stuff if those company's are on there customer list..

The mini amps look very promising, cannot wait to see an independent analysis..
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post #9 of 82
8/4/11 at 6:50pm
I would have like to have seen some lower powered units like 2x50 or 2x100. That would be best for active monitors.
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post #10 of 82
8/4/11 at 7:08pm
Hypex makes a couple of lower powered DSP/2 channel plate amps for a pretty cheap price. Dont know much about how the DSP is. I think Penn got one.
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post #11 of 82
8/4/11 at 7:15pm
I'm aware of those, I was just hoping for better options at a better price.
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post #12 of 82
8/5/11 at 5:16am
Still wondering about this from Dennis when I last posted about the MiniDSP plate amps which Mark Seaton mentioned used Pascal modules....

Quote:
Originally Posted by djarchow View Post

Digmoda told me last year they were looking at building a high power amp with the Pascal amp modules but in the end that they didn't perform as well as they had hoped. I couldn't get them to expand on their reasons for not pursuing it.


So testing sounds prudent given the price of these guys. I'm glad they stepped up and pulled out a 2400x1 solution as previously they only had the 3 channel version at $1299 IIRC.
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post #13 of 82
8/5/11 at 6:01am
Our new plate amp also uses the Pascal module. I can say from our testing the performance is amazing, far more power than an EP4000, and they are very well made, the module is built physically very strong, all the components are solidly attached and there is a rubbery adhesive holding all the components from vibrating/moving. They are also very efficient, they do not generate much heat and allow passive cooling.
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post #14 of 82
8/5/11 at 8:18am
Nathan - any chance you could post up some screen shots of the onboard EQ for that amp. A number of people are interested in it from what I am noticing.
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post #15 of 82
8/5/11 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warpdrv View Post

Nathan - any chance you could post up some screen shots of the onboard EQ for that amp. A number of people are interested in it from what I am noticing.

Posted some here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1283555&page=4 dont want to hijack this thread.
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post #16 of 82
8/6/11 at 4:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot Grits View Post

Hypex makes a couple of lower powered DSP/2 channel plate amps for a pretty cheap price. Dont know much about how the DSP is. I think Penn got one.

Yep, I have the Hypex AS2.100 amps. I haven't finished off my speakers with them (Delayed project) but the DSP is good for building a XO, it does not have bi-quad abilities like the MiniDSP though.
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post #17 of 82
8/6/11 at 4:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audiophile34 View Post

Speaker power must be some good quality stuff if those company's are on there customer list..

The mini amps look very promising, cannot wait to see an independent analysis..

Im buying one to compare with my pro amps and the plate amp I have from Funky waves.

If I can get a hold of Chuck, maybe he could find time to do a bench test on it.
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post #18 of 82
8/6/11 at 4:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coctostan View Post

I'm aware of those, I was just hoping for better options at a better price.

Well Kevin Haskins did sell a dozen or so AS2.100s for $250 each. That was about the best price I have ever seen, I guess I should have purchased more of them.

Outside of that all DSP multi-channel plate amps are relatively expensive.
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post #19 of 82
8/6/11 at 8:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray View Post

Well Kevin Haskins did sell a dozen or so AS2.100s for $250 each. That was about the best price I have ever seen, I guess I should have purchased more of them.

Outside of that all DSP multi-channel plate amps are relatively expensive.

penn, what do you do with all your finnnish projects? and where do you put all your unfinish projects?
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post #20 of 82
8/6/11 at 9:05am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by datranz View Post

penn, what do you do with all your finnnish projects? and where do you put all your unfinish projects?

They collect dust in my garage.
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post #21 of 82
9/12/11 at 8:08am
Thread Starter 
Speaking of buying something.

I have the PWR-DSP1 sitting in my office now

Lmao, its 4.5KG/10lbs and it will do 2400Watt peaks

I have an email from minidsp on wiring instructions but Im scratching my head.


Im on another business trip tomorrow so next week I plan to use it with my LMS5400 vs my Crest 4400 just to check crude SPL output levels. I have really no way of checking "Peak" power.

I did PM CHuck over on htguide to see if he wanted to measure it but so far no answer
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post #22 of 82
9/12/11 at 11:00am
My only problem with these is their price!

I would love nothing more than to be able to get some of these but at this point in time I can get a miniDSP and a Behringer A500 for $300. Yes I know I am making compromises with going that route and i know there is the rack mounting hassle....but at this time I just cannot justify the price for these. Maybe one day I will be able to get one but even if they had one for $500 I would be more inclined to spend the extra cash.

However, I can dream of some well made monitors with these in each!
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post #23 of 82
9/12/11 at 11:05am
Penngray, at 10 lb.s I assume it must have switch-mode power supply, or do you have to provide DC power? Power rails are one of the tricky things about class D, since poer noise can directly modulate the output...

Curious - Don
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post #24 of 82
9/12/11 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
Don, I have no idea. No an much of an electrical guy at all these days.

They told me this...."we include a Neutrik PowerCON connector that is really simple to
put together with a US plug"...

so I have to figure out how to wire it, creating a plug....sounds dangerous for me
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post #25 of 82
9/12/11 at 11:53am
Ah, that implies it does have a line-powered supply (i.e. you swap the plug for a U.S. type and plug it into the wall) so clearly (by weight) has a switching power supply on-board. Furthermore, it's a universal supply if all you have to do is to change the plug -- probably accomodates 85 - 250 V or something like that, the wonders of class D!

Also means you are right to be cautious to make sure the plug is properly wired -- having the chassis modulated by the 120 V powerline could lead to interesting consequences, none pleasant...
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post #26 of 82
9/12/11 at 11:58am
Thread Starter 
Do you think a local audio store or electrical store will know more about the "Neutrik PowerCON connector "??
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post #27 of 82
9/12/11 at 1:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray View Post

Do you think a local audio store or electrical store will know more about the "Neutrik PowerCON connector "??

Probably neither; I'd try a pro audio store, or maybe call one of the big online retailers (Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, etc)
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post #28 of 82
9/12/11 at 2:13pm
http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/industr...oductlist.aspx

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...gag=2196613993
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post #29 of 82
9/12/11 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the links. I was just thinking of keeping myself safe and buying this...

http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Powe...-ACIN-10.xhtml
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post #30 of 82
9/12/11 at 5:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray View Post

Do you think a local audio store or electrical store will know more about the "Neutrik PowerCON connector "??

http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Powe...?PWRCN-ACIN-10

Of course you can also buy the connectors and wire one up yourself.
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