Big ICEpower amps ?

I'm using the Bel Canto ref1000's in one of my systems. Definitely a significant step up from the smaller S300 stereo amp.

(disclaimer: I'm a Bel Canto dealer)...

my Evolution Acoustics MM3 speakers use the Big ICE amps for the two 15" subwoofers in each speaker. my previous speakers, the VR9SE's, also used a 1000 watt digital amp in each speaker for it's 15" sub. the bass performance of the VR9's is spectacular......the MM3's are even better overall.......a singular experience for me.

both the VR9SE and MM3 take the signal from the high level input (from the main system amps) at the speaker terminal. as the digital amps have an amazing linearity in the low bass region and are basically without a particular character they seem to adapt the character of the main system amps. this allows the system amp to be less stressed but optimizes coherence. i consider this whole speaker design approach to be state of the art.

i have also listened to a few of the digital amps on whole systems including the Rowland.

overall; my conclusion about the Big ICE amp is that it is an excellent amplifier at it's price point; but not quite at the top level of amplification (compared to many $10k and above amps i have heard). the mids and highs of the ICE amps lack that last level of tonal and textural naturalness. they are simply more 'there' and remind you that it is reproduced sound. understand that this is just in comparison to the very best most expensive amplifiers.

OTOH i think that as a deep bass amplifier in a properly executed speaker design it is unrivaled.

One thing that I have found with Class D amps is that they are FAR more sensitive to the likes of power conditioners and power cords than pretty much any other kind of amp I've tried. Not sure why that is, but for people who aren't believers in these things, a Class D amp might just change your mind.

I've not compared the JRDG 501 v.s the BC ref1000, but I did get an opportunity to do a 15 minute compare between the JRDG 102 vs. the BC S300. Different shades of the same color, with the BC providing slightly more defined bass and the JRDG with more refinement in the high frequencies.

I like the ref1000's (and other Class D amps) for the money and for the conveniences (size, no overheating, etc). But I still find the likes of the $10K+ amp to perform to my liking (better?) without question. Have not spent enough time with the JRDG 501 to judge, nor with the Kharma Class D amps (which I have been told are outrageously good) or Edge amps (also have been told are good)...

The Absolute Sound had a comparison review a few months back with about 6-10 of the current class D leaders. You may want to find a back copy.

I was able to do brief comparisons with a Pass Labs X350.5 and a Jeff Rowland Model 12. Also compared it to a Blue Circle hybrid amp (BC206) and preferred these all to the ref1000's (the BC206 is my main reference amp).

...and yes, there were some comparison done with some >$20K amps, too (Vitus, Karan), but there was no comparison as the ref1000's were clearly outclassed by those...

My (limited) expereince with Class D amplifiers parallels Mike's... I would add to that that they are not quite "there" yet compared to the better amplifers... out there even some costing much less than 10K.... The Class D I have heard do not have the last word in midrange and up articulation. They do a good job in the bass however but I have found them lacking that last once of refinement I have enjoyed in amps such as Burmester, Krell, Plinius , Edge , Spectral and others in the bass... This with speakers without amplified woofers...

I sold my 33H after I bought a pair of Acoustic Reality eAR1001 (originally planned to use them for my surround).

But like Mike pointed out. ICEpower is a steal imo. Even though I am now using a darTZeel, I plan to use a digital crossover to drive my Wilson Benesch Torus with the ICEPower amps.

So how do these Ref1000s compare to something like the Cary CAD500 MB or the SimAudio W-7M?



The Levinson 33H? So you're saying the eAR1001 are better than the 33H but not as good as the darTZeel? What speakers do you have?

It's even more important with class D amps to say what speakers you listened with. Let's just say that my experience owning JRDG 201s doesn't match the TAS review at all. That might be because my Piega P10s have a pretty darn flat impendance curve, especially in the treble -- which is where you may see interaction with the amp's low-pass filter(s).

Drew Dean

Im in San Diego and considering carrying some Bel Canto product. What speakers do you carry?

My primary line is Focus Audio. I also carry Aurum Cantus and the Acoustic Zen Adagios. Have used the Bel Canto stuff with all of the above with good results...

PM or email me if you've got more questions regarding my business...

Sounds better?

I am not making any claim.

I had the Revel Salon, and I personally prefer the eAR1001 with the Salon then the 33H.

I now have the Magico Mini. I prefer the darTZeel NHB-108 with the Magico then the eAR1001.

I am now using one of my eAR1001 to drive my Wilson Benesch Torus via TacT 2.2XP Digital Crossover. Just set it up. Will report when I have more figured out.

ws

Tripath has been going through some serious shakeups; with a legal battle and the resignation of their CFO.

I think that this could be scaring people off of the technology.

Cheers,

I've never gotten the Ref1000's modded, but I know a few DIY guys, and one has built a pretty nice ICEPower amp that has been tweaked quite a bit...there's definitely some performance being "left on the table" by the products that use the ICEPower modules untweaked...

i might recommend the Kharma 350 watt digtial amp if you want the best digtial amp. if i wanted a digital amp it would likely be the only one i would consider.



the Exquisite MP350 power amplifier......i don't know it's price and i've not actually heard it. but it's little brother, the Matrix MP150 sounds pretty damn good.....really almost no digital signature.

Well, I have to say you guys got me interested in the Ref1000 and eAR1001. Replacing a 33H with those sounds like an amazing deal.



There's a list of Chris Johnson modifications for the Ref1000 on their homepage. Sounds very promissing, but it brings me to my next question.

Has anyone here opened up the Ref1000 and had a good look inside? I'd like to know if the US model can be switched to 230V? If that would be possible I could buy a pair in the US (already modded) and use it europe.

I've looked inside (see here: http://stereophile.com/musicintheround/1106mitr/) but you can look at the spec sheet where it says that 115/230VAC is selectable:
http://www.icepower.bang-olufsen.com...sheeet_1-5.pdf

Thx for the links Kal. I'll try to contact the guys at Underwood HiFi next week.

Mike, is that MP350 even out yet? I couldn't find much info on it, the MP150 retails for $6.8k/pr. A little more than the modded Ref1000, but probably worth to give them a try. One of the Kharma distributors is about 1 hour drive away from me, so I'll call them next week and ask for some more info.

I'd buy that on looks alone. Honestly.

T-class is finished. It has left a bad taste in many peoples mouths. A few years back a number of car audio companies had T-class amps but do to a lack of parts that had to stop making them and now anyone that owns a T-class is screwed if there amp breaks.

Called my Kharma distributor today. The MP150 goes for about $6500,-/pr over here. The MP350 is about $39k/pr. I can have the MP150 for a week or so to demo it in my own system. I'll probably do that in April before High-End when I'm off for a week.

They'll have the MP350 in their demo at High-End, so I have the change to demo it as well.