I would think the biggest problem installing/recommending the Behringer is you can't make as much money selling them.
Mine still sound great and work perfectly.
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Jtgofish
I agree that the Sonic Impact sounds pretty good but I am packing up my second "audiophile" version amp to return to Parts Express.
I have been trying to use a cheap as dirt amp for my PC setup with Epos ELS3s.
The first was DOA, and the second has loud static in the left channel any time you adjust the volume.
Otherwise, it sounds pretty good, but it is also underpowered and clips quickly.
Therefore, I am wondering if the Behringer amp would sound much better.
I have never had a problem using high powered amps, even with mini monitors.
The other thought was a chinese clone integrated tube amp but it seems like those are more like $700 bucks, rather than $199.
I would like a cheap as dirt amp for each of my 3 computers, so I hope this thread continues. |
Reading the website for the nOrh products was interesting.
Is there anywhere to buy these products? |
Well let's try and keep this quiet before they raise the price, but I can give another vote for the Behringer which I listen to as I write.
I decided to try one after my second "audiophile" version of the Sonic Impact amp was defective.
The Super T was still a fun idea, but no comparison in terms of value for money as far as I can tell.
Even the fancy version felt like a cheap sweatshop piece of junk and it clips very quickly as it has such little power. It may sound pretty good at 3 watts per channel or whatever, but I have yet to find an amp that sounds good when clipping.
For $75 more, the Behringer feels like a much bigger bargain.
It does have a cheesey plastic face and volume knobs but is otherwise suprisingly chunky, and thoughtfully packaged.
With a complementary pair of monitors, I would put one by every PC and video device in the house.
This is fun - like the good old days.
PS
Has anyone tried their similarly bargain priced EQ's? I have considered them taboo for over 25 years, but for < $200 why not? |
Crem1
The "volumn knobs" seem to be "excellent gain controls" in the stereo configuration as well.
Does it also sound better in mono? |
Crem1
Just opened the second Behringer last night which I now have running in bridged mode.
So far it seems much punchier and more effortless.
However, I have noticed some tizziness in my tweeters. For this system I am using monitors which supposedly can handle a lot of power.
Is it possible these amps clip before you expect them to? and well before the clipping LED lights up?
(I sure hope I didnt damage the tweeters?!)
Also, have you found that these amps sound best with the dials in a particular position? |
Crem1
I am experimenting with several at the moment, as I seek to replace my Genelec active monitors, the 1029s with the Behringers and a passive monitor.
I have a pair of Radio Shack Presidians, Epos M12's, Epos ELS3's, and ATC SCM7s.
The ATC's are very transparent without sounding too sterile, but I am wondering if the SCM12's with slightly larger cabinets would have much better bass and worth the difference in price.
Also, they are not so efficient and work well with lots of power so I am hoping the monoblock configuration will yield good results while keeping the cost of the whole system down to a reasonable level. |
Jtgorish
Are you the head of US amplifier builders union? |
For $169 bucks each, I will forgive them for no customer service.
I spent more than that insuring and shipping my Mark Levinson amp back for repairs.
In the meantime, my Behringer stuff sounds better and better, and seems to be working just fine. |
Crem1
So far, I think +/- 18 months.
I have never had a problem, and never turned them off - other than once in a while when they have suffered a power outage which is more than average where we live.
Periodic outages and/or surges have also not affected them, perhaps more evidence that they are more robust than the price tag would suggest.
They do have a cheesey plastic front panel and volume knobs, but otherwise seem heavier and better built than I would have expected.
I continue to believe that the most vocal detractors of these amps must be dealers of overpriced, struggling brands.
Enjoy the dirt,
cwlondon |
I have A 500's as monoblocks for my desktop at home, and an A 500 in stereo for my desktop at the office.
I have never switched them off, and all 3 continue to work perfectly. |
Whether or not he responds to any inquiry, does someone have a web link or contact details for Mr Rawson?
Thank you, |
I'm with Crem1 - I continue to use an A500 on my desktop at the office, and a pair of A500 as monoblocks on my desk at home.
I NEVER turn them off, even through bad weather and thunderstorms, and I have never had a problem - they don't even get hot to the touch.
As good as Bryston, Pass, Levinson or ARC monoblocks? probably not. But these things sound pretty darn good.
I would say they somehow don't seem as powerful as claimed, but I otherwise continue to be delighted with these amps.
Can someone please also recommend:
"Best associated components for the price of dirt"
to use with our reigning champion for
"Best amp for the price of dirt"?
Best Wishes
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Johnnyb53
I have also been really happy to read this thread - thank you.
I continue to enjoy my Behringer amps for my desktop applications, but was very intrigued to read about the Art amps, and happy to see that Parts Express carries them as in my experience they have an absolutely no questions asked return policy.
At a glance, I would think a pair of SLA2s might also be a biamping dream on a budget?
Can anyone else comment on how the build and/or sound quality might compare to Behringer and other cheap as dirt candidates? |
Does this mean the SLA4 can be bridged in some way to combine 2 of the 4 channels per side?
Of course, as an audiophile I would be disappointed to not have 2 chassis, which means a pair of SLA2's might still be better....
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Re ART amps, are the "Euroblock" connectors recommended?
If I have to spend big bucks on weird cables, this amp might no longer be as "cheap as dirt"?
Thank you, |
As previously discussed, I use two "cheap as dirt" A500s in a monoblock configuration for my desktop, and a third in another office.
I use them for cable TV, CDs, DVDs, and all PC based applications including music.
In about 2 years, I have used them almost every day, and rarely turned them off even through several storms and power outages.
Recently, I wondered if the skeptics might be right as the left channel amp seemed to die, with low volume and heavy distortion in my left speaker.
Further examination, however revealed it was only a loose connection from moving my rolling rack.
So my "cheap as dirt" amps are going strong and better than ever.
I apologize to those of you who sell tweaky overpriced amps for a living while insisting that you always "get what you pay for".
Cheers, |
It seems like the trusty Behringers are still the reference standard for the price of dirt.
For those of you who try to pay your bills by selling Ongaku amps, I will concede that one of my "monoblocks" has a noisy volume control after two years of constant use.
Perhaps this can be fixed with some contact cleaner.
They otherwise continue to sound great and work like champs with my ATC monitors on my desktop.
cheers, |
