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Amp current - how much high current to go for

Hi All,

        Some of you may remember me from a while back talking about my NuPrime IDA-8.   After three months of break in and a fat ass Silnote power cord it's significantly better but still not where I need it to be to drive my pair of Kudos C2.   I think it's time to move on to a better high current amp.  My question is, how much current do I need to go for.  For example, I've been eyeing

Parasound Halo Integrated - 45 amperes max

NAD M3 - 50 amperes max

Parasound Halo A21 - 60 amperes max

B&K EX-440 (vintage) - 70 amperes max

Mark Levinson No331 - ? amp max

Thank you ahead for the education.

P.S.  I missed out on a deal with Cullen's Cable or else would've got with Patrick instead of Silnote.  Patrick is really a nice guy, highly recommend talking to him if anyone is interested in a power cable.

hifineubee
seikosha
218 posts
 
Some of Nelson Pass's amps do not increase power into lower impedance loads.  I don't think anyone would say they are poor designs.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
I would just put the words "in general" at the beginning of Yogiboy’s statement. The McIntosh solid state amps that have autoformers and the Nelson Pass First Watt amps are, in different ways, special and pretty much unique cases among solid state amps.

Regards,
-- Al

g_nakamoto's avatar
g_nakamoto
348 posts
 
i don't know how much high current is needed but my mcintosh mc602 is rated to have greater than 150 amperes per chanell.
rorence
3 posts
 

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erik_squires
15,924 posts
 
Hi OP,

I think you are concentrating far too much on a single spec. 2 way speakers are usually pretty easy to drive for almost any solid state amplifier, and usually have a very benign minimum impedance around 4 to 8 ohms.

How is your room? I would reach out to GIK acoustics before doing anything else. They could very well fix your problems. :)

After this, I'd try some rather modest but stiff amps if you still felt you had a problem, such as a Parasound A23 or A21.

Best,

E
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