2. speakers
  3. 1348847881

Soundlab Speakers - Budget Amp Suggestions

I have tried to read as much as possible about different types of amplifiers capable of driving electrostatic speakers. Thanks to everyone for the great articles and discussions. In particular, I am looking for a ss amplifier that can drive Soundlab speakers. The Soundlabs have a low impedance at high frequencies and a high impedance at low frequencies. A high power ss amp that can drive difficult loads appears to be the ticket (I'm not interested in tube amps). High current is needed for the high frequency/low impedance (but not necessarily high power) while the high voltage (albeit at lower power) can drive the high impedance at low frequencies.

While looking for speakers I came across the Soundlab speakers and really liked the sound. I basically blew my budget on them, which for me is not a bad compromise because I don't want the speakers to be the weak link in the chain.

So this is what I have:
1. Two Soundlab A-1 speakers (1992 vintage)
2. One Soundlab B-1S subwoofer (pre 1990) - This is a stereo subwoofer having two separate inputs to drive each interior panel.
3. The A-1s have the toroidal and impedance upgrade.
4. I had all the speakers reskinned with the px mylar.

There will be some type of crossover between the A-1s and the B-1S (the frequency and type of crossover is undetermined at the moment)

I believe that having the B-1S reduces some of the constraint of having the highest power amplifier to drive the A-1s (e.g. 500-600W) since a lot of the bass will be coming from the B-1S. I was told to limit the power to the B-1S to a 400W or less ss amplifier. I am thinking that perhaps I could get away with a lower power amplifier for the A-1s because of this scheme. Please let me know if I am wrong.

As I said my budget is limited. I have about 1.2K and perhaps up to 2K to spend on an amp. The amp I have targeted is a Sunfire Cinema Grand Series II 5-Channel amplifier that outputs 425W a channel. The channels driving the B-1S won't be delivering a lot of power as the impedance is 16 to over 30 ohms. The amp should be able to drive the A-1s adequately. As a side note I have a couple of amps (Crown K1 or Citation 7.1 which output between 300-400W) that I could use to drive the B-1S if needed.

Are there some vintage or other budget amps that I should be considering. Is my analysis wrong? Any suggestions on crossover frequency? I appreciate any and all input. I want to thank every one in advance for their thoughts.

Regards,
GWHO

gwho
61 responses Add your response
rrog
1,958 posts
 
"Have the changes in amp designs been so significant that I would hear a substantial difference even with my twenty year old speakers?"

Absolutely not, but not all amplifiers will sound good with electrostatic speakers. All electrostatic speakers that I know of have the impedance characteristics you mentioned in your Soundlabs with a low impedance in the high frequencies and a high impedance in the low frequencies. This can bring out a lean sound with certain solid state amplifiers. However, this never seems to be a problem for tube amplifiers. Unless an amplifier is designed for use with electrostatic speakers like Innersound or the TNT 200 I mentioned I would not buy an amplifier without being able to audition it with your speakers.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
If you are willing to buy a used amp, a Rotel RB 1090 be a good choice. It should have no problem driving your speakers.
gwho OP
47 posts
 
I understand the statement of not spending the money and will consider this option. I am a little disappointed. I would assume that there were some excellent sounding amps capable of driving my speakers manufactured in the 1990s and early 2000s that would be heavily discounted in todays market. I will admit that I am not up on the changes in amplifiers over the last decade. In fact my previous system was over a decade older than the Soundlabs. Have the changes in amp designs been so significant that I would hear a substantial difference even with my twenty year old speakers?

I did look up the Innersound amp and it seems capable of easily driving my speakers. I will keep my eyes open for one of these amps.

I had read a couple of responses that said the Sunfire amp 400w or 600w sound good with these speakers which is why I was looking in this direction. It was also within my price range.

Thanks for all the responses
rrog
1,958 posts
 
If you want a good amplifier for driving electrostatic speakers without breaking the bank look for a used Acoustat TNT 200.
goldeneraguy
442 posts
 
Gwho
1- Re-read Onhwy61's post.
2- Although its probably not what you wanted as a response, it is excellent advise.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
I think the Innersound amp was just called the Electrostatic Amplifier. The newer model was the Innersound ESL300, then the i330. Any of those.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
The least expensive long term solution is for you to use your current amps until you can afford a truly appropriate amp and crossover. Spending money for a stop gap solution is usually an inefficient use of money and effort.
gwho OP
47 posts
 
Is there a specific model I should be looking for of the Innersound amps?
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
I second the Sanders ESL amp since I use one on my Martin Logan CLSIIA's and it's wonderful! I realize it's over your budget, but the predecessor to it is the Innersound version, used, should be in your price ballpark. Look for one of those.
gwho OP
47 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions but these are way over my budget at the moment. I won't be walking into any money soon as I have to put two kids through college. The first just started and the second will be going in a few years. So what I'm proposing is a hard constraint. The speakers I have are pretty old. I've got to think they are more of a vintage speaker. I did see that someone is selling ICE Amp modules (monoblocks) that deliver about 550W/channel for less than 1K. Would they sound good? I think these are just off the shelf modules.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Why don't you consider the Sanders Sound Systems amplifiers,(used of course in all cases given your budget) they are made/voiced for panel speakers. Spectron also makes some veryt popular higher powered amps. The ICE powered H20 amp etc, all these are a little pricier than what you want to spend but are in a different league than the Sunfire.
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Unison Research Max 1
80x80
Magico M2
80x80
Arion Audio Athena