Re: High quality power amps with onboard DSP and load monitoring.
I recently got a preset file for my Labs from Silas (thanks), they were designed on Itech HD-amps. So I entered the details into a PLM14K, this is the measured difference on two lab-subs between that and a Itech 12000HD.
Nothing was changed except that I had to calculate from Q to BW. I'm not saying that those amps in any way process audio the same way, but I'd call that result close enough for subwoofer usage.
After testing those two and a Dynacord PowerH5000 I have noticed some differences:
- Dynacord PowerH5000 is a seriously good amp, way better than it's name suggest.
- I can't split these 3 amps on sound quality in any measurements. I have a feeling that the Itech has some more precense/edge in it's stereo image, but it's just a feeling, nothing more.
- While there are huge differences in their DSP-platforms, all these three amps will deliver serious performance. There is enough horsepower and DSP muscle available for that.
- The PLM platform has the best sounding limiter performance. You can really hit them hard and not notice them that much if you adjust them properly. Great for people with fader creep and such.
- Both PowerH and Itech has a better solution for load monitoring than the PLM.
- The Lake processing is the most advanced, but also the most difficult one. I found that if you just wanted a basic limiter, xo and some eq I can do it faster on the two other amps. And I own a LM26, so I do know the Lake editor quite well, but still...
- I've heard some rumours about Itech HD-amps limiters not working properly, I haven't had that issue. Nor has it's performance in any way been poor as some have suggested, it can run 2ohm subwoofers all day and night just like the other two.
- I guess that if your mission is to reaaly squeeze that last 3dB from your speakers before you fry them, you could archieve the best result with a PLM, ItechHD is runner-up. The limiter in a PowerH is good for basic limiting, but not the best for extreme usage.
- That Lake DSP still has that "something" you really can't put your finger on, but the two others come pretty close. The limiter section and the MESA EQ still has it's edge over it's competitors so the PLM is slightly ahead. The difference wasn't that great as I initially belived it to be.
