Sooooo, I'm wondering about power amplifier options...

premiumplus

premiumplus

Chief Journeyman
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
640
Location
Flint, MI
Tagline
Stuck in the 70's
Hey guys,
I am listening to my Dahlquist DQ-10's being driven by my rebuilt SX-1250, and they sound very nice.
But I know they can use more power. Downstairs on the bench I have a couple of PL 400 Series I amps that are waiting for DC protection boards from Don Imlay. I placed my order this morning and should have them by next week.
So here's the question(S)..should I upgrade to a 700B for the power hungry DQ-10's? My 400's have all new electrolytics, including new main filters. One has the early driver board, and the other has the driver with the IC front end. It sounds better than the other one, but it also has the RCA drivers. Both have blue script XL-909 outputs.
Another thing that I've wondered about is the possibility of bridging the Phase Linear 400 amps, and running one on each channel. Is that because of the all NPN output section, or because of stability concerns? Has anyone ever heard of this being done?
Dave
 
 
A 400 can be bridged using a "bridging adapter". You would be limited to 8 ohm loads or more. They're a little noisier than an unbridged amp. Bridging quadruples the power and reliability takes a big hit.
 
Fairchild said:
Here are ome links to a previous sister site, Sound Thinking, at that time there were a few members with DQ-10's and they discussed them extensively. I only looked breifly, you may be able to find more there.

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6943

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5421

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5279

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6464

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6438

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5964

http://starchive.phxaudiotape.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5914

Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks, Jim. There's a lot of good info there, and I always love reading everything I can get my hands on about my gear.
 
laatsch55 said:
A 400 can be bridged using a "bridging adapter". You would be limited to 8 ohm loads or more. They're a little noisier than an unbridged amp. Bridging quadruples the power and reliability takes a big hit.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I think I'll pass on the bridging idea, and run one PL-400 when I get the DC protection relay installed. For now. :toothy10:
 
Mike, that would be a helluva an idea till he gets a 700. Two 400's would do nicely...
 
laatsch55 said:
Mike, that would be a helluva an idea till he gets a 700. Two 400's would do nicely...
Click to expand...

Splitting the high and low section would be easy enough, the mod can be made to be reversible too.
Vertical, horizontal, active or passive biamping, you have some choices there.
 
Hmmm, that's intriguing. I don't have an active crossover, but I could probably split the speaker's crossover after the woofer takeoff and drive them that way...
 
And basically use the passive as a low pass/band pass filter?>?
 
laatsch55 said:
And basically use the passive as a low pass/band pass filter?>?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I was originally thinking. But since I posted the original thought, I'm moving forward with getting an active crossover and subwoofers, so I don't know how that would work. I'm up for trying anything once. Twice if I like it :mrgreen:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top