I am looking for a home (not car) amplifier for a passive subwoofer. Base requirements:
- To be placed on a shelf; rack-mountable acceptable (so no in-wall models)
- Built-in power supply (so, Aiyima, Acoustic Audio and similar models with external PS are no-go)
- Min. 150 W to max. 250 W into 8 Ohms with max. 1% THD; support for a 4 Ohm load preferred
- FR at least 20-150 Hz +/-1 dB
- Class D or at least G, but not AB (no fan cooling)
- LFE input (so models with only line inputs that do not bypass the internal crossover are not acceptable)
- Volume control either continuous or with max. 1 dB increments
- Phase control either continuous or with max. 45-degree increments
- Automatic activation and standby based on input signal (not just DC trigger input)
- Standby power consumption no more than 1 Watt
- Max. price $400
- UL certification preferred (CE is less meaningful because it is a self-certification by manufacturer).
I looked into the following makes and models:
AudioControl
RS 500 is too powerful and costs ~$1,500.
RS 1000 is an overkill.
Dayton Audio
SA1000 is too powerful and expensive, and Class AB (although it has a "patented tracking down-converter power supply for high efficiency").
APA1200DSP is an overkill.
BSA-200 has no LFE input.
HTD
SDA-200 is rated at 150 W but into 4 Ohms; also has only a 0/180-degree polarity switch.
Monoprice
SWA-200 does not have an LFE input.
SWA-400 has a volume setting only in 3 dB increments (too coarse).
DTA-100LF is not powerful enough and has no LFE input.
Nuvo
NV-SUBAMP200 underpowered, but otherwise OK (discontinued, so heavily discounted).
NV-SUBAMP500 adequate power, but also discontinued and heavily discounted.
OSD Audio
SAM500 DSP is too powerful and costs ~$650; also, it only has a Class D output stage and probably a non-switching PS with a toroidal transformer; it is fan cooled.
SMP500 DSP has the low end of FR at 30 Hz and costs ~$500.
SMP200 lacks a dedicated LFE input (although LFE is mentioned in the owner's manual) and there is no crossover bypass setting.
SMP300 may be suitable, although its phase control seems to be only a 0 or 180 degrees switch. I am not familiar with this brand. Any owners out there who could offer a first-hand opinion?
Polk Audio
SWA500 specific to Polk in-wall subwoofers (requires installation of one of the SPEX cards) and also too expensive at ~$650.
TDG Audio
SUBAMP-500 is too powerful and costs ~$1,000.
Does anyone have a recommendation for other suitable brands and models?
- To be placed on a shelf; rack-mountable acceptable (so no in-wall models)
- Built-in power supply (so, Aiyima, Acoustic Audio and similar models with external PS are no-go)
- Min. 150 W to max. 250 W into 8 Ohms with max. 1% THD; support for a 4 Ohm load preferred
- FR at least 20-150 Hz +/-1 dB
- Class D or at least G, but not AB (no fan cooling)
- LFE input (so models with only line inputs that do not bypass the internal crossover are not acceptable)
- Volume control either continuous or with max. 1 dB increments
- Phase control either continuous or with max. 45-degree increments
- Automatic activation and standby based on input signal (not just DC trigger input)
- Standby power consumption no more than 1 Watt
- Max. price $400
- UL certification preferred (CE is less meaningful because it is a self-certification by manufacturer).
I looked into the following makes and models:
AudioControl
RS 500 is too powerful and costs ~$1,500.
RS 1000 is an overkill.
Dayton Audio
SA1000 is too powerful and expensive, and Class AB (although it has a "patented tracking down-converter power supply for high efficiency").
APA1200DSP is an overkill.
BSA-200 has no LFE input.
HTD
SDA-200 is rated at 150 W but into 4 Ohms; also has only a 0/180-degree polarity switch.
Monoprice
SWA-200 does not have an LFE input.
SWA-400 has a volume setting only in 3 dB increments (too coarse).
DTA-100LF is not powerful enough and has no LFE input.
Nuvo
NV-SUBAMP200 underpowered, but otherwise OK (discontinued, so heavily discounted).
NV-SUBAMP500 adequate power, but also discontinued and heavily discounted.
OSD Audio
SAM500 DSP is too powerful and costs ~$650; also, it only has a Class D output stage and probably a non-switching PS with a toroidal transformer; it is fan cooled.
SMP500 DSP has the low end of FR at 30 Hz and costs ~$500.
SMP200 lacks a dedicated LFE input (although LFE is mentioned in the owner's manual) and there is no crossover bypass setting.
SMP300 may be suitable, although its phase control seems to be only a 0 or 180 degrees switch. I am not familiar with this brand. Any owners out there who could offer a first-hand opinion?
Polk Audio
SWA500 specific to Polk in-wall subwoofers (requires installation of one of the SPEX cards) and also too expensive at ~$650.
TDG Audio
SUBAMP-500 is too powerful and costs ~$1,000.
Does anyone have a recommendation for other suitable brands and models?
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