Amp augment?

[ghostred7]

Lurked for a bit, first time poster.

Just building out a new home theater. Center is a Sistine 4XC and left/right are esl9. Surrounds are bookshelf speakers.

90% movie/tv/gaming
10% music

AVR is a Denon X6500H. Specs are as follows:

Specifications

Number of Power Amps	11
Power Output (8 ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.05% 2ch Drive)	140 W
Power Output (6 ohm, 1 kHz, 0.7% 2ch Drive)	175 W
Power Output (6 ohm, 1 kHz, 10% 1ch Drive)	250

I have a chance to get a 2ch Niles amp fairly cheap from a friend. Specs below. Should I put this in front of the esl 9s or will the denon be enough?

• Digital, high current bridgeable stereo amplifier
• 100 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms (all channels driven)
• 220 watts RMS per channel into 4 Ohms (all channels driven)
• Channels are bridgeable to 400 watts RMS into 8 Ohms
• Auto switching 110V-230V power supply
• Three turn-on modes: music sense, voltage trigger, and manual

 

[Brad225]

Welcome ghostred7.
I would say, borrow the amp from your friend and try both as the feed for your 9s. If it is an improvement then go for it.

My guess would be the Denon but I have never heard these 2 amps.

 

[JonFo]

Definitely worth a try; at least the Niles seems to be able to double the output at half the impedance, so that's good. But some Class D amps struggle with the capacitive load from the ESL and oscillate.

 

[ghostred7]

Definitely worth a try; at least the Niles seems to be able to double the output at half the impedance, so that's good. But some Class D amps struggle with the capacitive load from the ESL and oscillate.

May do that, but the potential oscillation makes me nervous. Likely end up skipping it and maybe bi-amping with the Denon.

 

[codesx100]

Best bet is go for the amp + Denon. Honestly best bet is try to pick up some used Emotiva (just not any of their new DR series they dont work with ESLs very nice) amps to run the ESL 9s. They would benefit from the Class A/B over the the Class D amp and better suited then an AVR.

 

[ghostred7]

I just realized I also have an Art SLA-2 amp. It's for a PA system/music equipment. Provided I could actually hook it up some how (only XLR & 1/4" inputs), could this work?

Per searching (ended up on fractal audio site), it says:

----- Original Message -----
Von: ART, a division of Yorkville Sound [mailto:[email protected]]
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 29. September 2010 18:52
An: mister.friendly@***.de
Betreff: Re: ART Feedback Form

All of the SLA-series amps are class AB

Bridged Output Power, 8 Ohms	560 W MONO
CMRR	> 60dB (typical @ 1kHz)
Frequency Response	10Hz to 40kHz, +/- .5dB
Total Harmonic Distortion	> 0.05% (typical)
Hum and Noise	> 100dB below clipping
Input Impedance	44k Ω (bal), 22k Ω (unbal)
Input Sensitivity	1V for full power output
Input/Output Connections	IN: XLR, Euroblock (bal), 1/4″ TRS (bal/unbal)
Stereo Output Power, 4 ohms	280 W RMS per channel
Stereo Output Power, 8 ohms	200 W RMS per channel
Transformer Type	Toroidal

 

[JonFo]

Art SLA-2 amp

I would not even bother; between gain management issues (balanced in only) and the super-low output at 4Ohms, this one cannot deliver the voltage the ESL panel requires.

 

[ghostred7]

Thx all, will stick with the Denon for now until I can get a better 2ch amp to drive them.