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Best High Current amplifiers stable into low impedances

Seems like all I hear when reading Stereophile’s measurements when it comes to speakers: must be used with a High current amplifier stable at 2 Ohm. Most amplifiers rarely give specs related to 2 ohm loads. Most amplifiers are only stable into 8 and 4 ohm loads, and if they mention 2 ohm it seems they aren’t saying continuous, but peak, short term power.
With speakers becoming more complex and harder to drive, what are some high current amplifiers that have no problem with these 2 ohm or lower impedance speakers?

hiendmmoe

Showing 4 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,710 posts
 

OP,

 

Call up Pass or your local dealer. I am absolutely sure they will be able to address your concerns. I have owned Pass amps for well over thirty years and they have always exceeded my expectations in performance…. Especially in driving difficult loads. 
 

ghdprentice
7,710 posts
 

@jjss49 

 

Yes. Goes back to the seemingly silly assertion that the heavier the amp, the better it sounds (well actually all audiophile equipment). You need huge power supplies to   Supply current. 
 

After college I was an electrical / mechanical engineer for a while. I welded… low voltage and 5 amps. My first Threshold amp 3.5 amps. Then I got my second top of the line amp A Pass x350. The same amperage as a welder! That is power.

ghdprentice
7,710 posts
 

“Watt is the measure of power. Volt is the measure of electric potential. Ampere is the measure of current.”

 

DC PW= VV × IA PW is Power in watt
VV is voltage in volts

 

 

The point is that current is the number of electrons available. Watts is a combined term.

Since output in amps is not generally stated. You get a rough guide by looking at the relationship between watts into different resistance. An amp has lots of current if the number of watts doubles 16 ohms -> 8 ohms -> 4 ohms -> 2 ohms -> 1 ohm. As resistance disappears the amount of current needed to maintain the flow requires a lot more current.

ghdprentice
7,710 posts
 

Luxman 10-x advertises great current into 2 ohms and lower loads. I spent a couple hours with one. I have to admit I was really disappointed… too dry and un-musical for me. I had high hopes… just from their reputation. If you are into dry detail… check it out.

 

Pass X350.8… real high current design. I owned a x350 for a decade. Great amp, but not a tube amp… which once I got an Audio Research amp completely turned me off to solid state amps. It is a great map though.

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