Recommend a NS10 Amp?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Which model of the Class D amps would you recommend for the NS10s

You need to decide wteher you wnt unbalanced input (CDA) or balanced input (SDS) models,and then choose a power rating. In my view, more is always good, so I'd go for the 120W/8 ohm models over the 60W/8 ohm versions -- assuming budget would allow. The kit versions are good value if you have reasonable DIY electronics and constructional skills.

Also, Steve Hill once recommended the Yamaha P2500 which is a PA amp, but many report that although it has fans, they never come on using NS10s. Any experience of this amp or would you go for the Class D/Rotel. I could also probably get a Chamelon Ruby in good condition. Have you ever come across that one Hugh.

I've heard Chameleon amps and was quite impressed with them, so that could well be a good option. Like you, I've heard Steve's Yamy recommendation before and I have no doubt that the fans probably wouldn't be called upon for normal studio monitoring duties, but I've not heard this combination myself.

hugh

[Jack Ruston]

I'd get what they called the Brian Lucey Mastering Amp which is just their 150w a side amp in an enclosure with balanced IO. It was specified by Brian. They will also do 250 per side for a hundred bucks more in the same box, but you'll find the 150 a side sounds very 'relaxed'

J

[Hugh Robjohns]

This one?

http://classdaudio.com/complete-amplifiers/custom-built-amplifiers/magic-garden-mastering-amplifier.html

Hugh

[Jack Ruston]

That's the one...they changed the name.

If you're ever near Hove, Hugh, give me a call and come and have a listen. Nice amp.

J

[Hugh Robjohns]

Thanks J, I will -- I often visit friends in Haywards Heath and you're not far from there...

H

[ablethought]

Unfortunately the responses here are similar to what I've already got from friends and colleagues, That is people recommend old discontinued amps or hard to source equipment.

Unlike some here, I actually found the Quad 405 (hifi) or 520 (pro) amps worked very nicely with NS10s. Yes, they are discontinued, but they are easy to source second hand, built like tanks top last a lifetime, easy to maintain, and Quad will still service them to as-new condition for astonishingly little outlay, if necessary.

if you want something new, then the earlier suggestion of Class D amps in the US is a good one -- I've heard other positive recommendations for them -- and you can save money by building a kit yourself, or buying one ready made. Different mains voltages and balanced/unbalaned input options are available.

http://classdaudio.com/complete-amplifiers/custom-built-amplifiers.html

Failing that, I've had good results over the years with Rotel hifi power-amps...

http://www.rotel.com/UK/products/index.htm?cat=112

hugh

Hi all, just got my first NS-10s and was looking at the Class D amps however the links above no longer work. It also looks like ClassD no longer offers completed amps... just kits.

Is this the kit to get... huge....James... ?

Also can someone explain to me what I am looking for in wattage? I’ve seen amps recommended but the wattages are all over the place? Still trying to wrap my head around these speakers.

Lastly sorry for all the questions but have any new amp developments come to light since I am reviving this post from many years ago?

Appreciate you all for the info.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The NS10 really isn't that fussy about the power amp. There's lots of decent second-hand pro and good hi-fi amps around that would do a good job. If you want to go down the (generic) class-D route then look at the Hypex modules and kits.

[ablethought]

The NS10 really isn't that fussy about the power amp. There's lots of decent second-hand pro and good hi-fi amps around that would do a good job. If you want to go down the (generic) class-D route then look at the Hypex modules and kits.

Thanks for the reply Huge! I was under the impression NS10s are very picky. I hear people talking about nothing under 125 watts a side etc..

Anyway, I have a few Power amps kicking around the studio but none of them where mentioned in any post I saw... probably because there all on the cheaper budget side.... would any of these do a decent job?

Crest Audio LA-901

https://www.yumpu.com/la/document/read/ ... rest-audio

Behringer KM1700

https://www.behringer.com/behringer/pro ... Code=P0BRJ

Crown XLS202

https://www.crownaudio.com/zh/product_d ... asheet-pdf

if not would your recommendation be to go new or something used if I had between $300 - 500 usd to spend? Any suggestions?

I appreciate your thoughts on this so much... so much chatter out there on the subject.. makes my head spin.

[Arpangel]

Secondhand Quad 405? At laser you’d be in period, they were quite popular with the NS10.

[ablethought]

Secondhand Quad 405? At laser you’d be in period, they were quite popular with the NS10.

Okey, I see them. Decent price. I see that there are also new clones... any thoughts on those?

[ablethought]

Any thoughts on the original Bryson 3B? Not the ST or SST version... the older 3B. They any good with the Yamahas?

[James Perrett]

The NS10 really isn't that fussy about the power amp.

Maybe I was unlucky but the Teac amp that we had in the studio really brought out the worst in them.

I haven't tried a new 405 clone although the modules are so cheap that it seems tempting. However, having just done a little searching, it appears that they are based on a very early version of the 405 and suffer from all the disadvantages such as high noise levels and a mistake in the Zobel network routing. I'd prefer to go for a genuine 405-2.

[ablethought]

The NS10 really isn't that fussy about the power amp.

Maybe I was unlucky but the Teac amp that we had in the studio really brought out the worst in them.

I haven't tried a new 405 clone although the modules are so cheap that it seems tempting. However, having just done a little searching, it appears that they are based on a very early version of the 405 and suffer from all the disadvantages such as high noise levels and a mistake in the Zobel network routing. I'd prefer to go for a genuine 405-2.

Interesting, clones no good then. 405-2 is the right model.

[James Perrett]

One other thought - if you are into DIY you could always remove the insides of the Crown or Crest amp that you have already and replace them with Hypex modules which should be within your budget. I did a similar thing with a noisy 405 a few years ago and it cost me around £250.

[ablethought]

One other thought - if you are into DIY you could always remove the insides of the Crown or Crest amp that you have already and replace them with Hypex modules which should be within your budget. I did a similar thing with a noisy 405 a few years ago and it cost me around £250.

Don’t mind doing that at all. Can you link me to what you used?

[James Perrett]

One other thought - if you are into DIY you could always remove the insides of the Crown or Crest amp that you have already and replace them with Hypex modules which should be within your budget. I did a similar thing with a noisy 405 a few years ago and it cost me around £250.

Don’t mind doing that at all. Can you link me to what you used?

The closest that I can find to my setup is 2 of these

https://www.diyclassd.com/product/ucd180hg-with-hxr/5

coupled with one of these

https://www.diyclassd.com/product/smps400a180/138

and the matching power supply cable set (I think I made my own amplifier cable set).

They only sell the upgraded amplifiers now which adds around 60 Euros to the total cost compared to my build.

[Arpangel]

I’d say you want to steer clear of lean sounding bright amps, the 405 is fine, it’s got some grunt and isn’t too bright. Audiolab 8000A is another one to consider, very nice amp, quite neautral.

[DC-Choppah]

Go on ebay or your local pawn shop and look for high quality old stereo equipment.

There is some great stuff out there.

For example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotel-RA-02-St ... SwqfVfMDK1

[Hugh Robjohns]

Maybe I was unlucky but the Teac amp that we had in the studio really brought out the worst in them.

Intriguing... define 'worst in them' please! I think I've only knowingly heard one Teac amp, and I wasn't enamoured. As I recall, I thought it sounded 'fizzy' and lacking control.

However, having just done a little searching, it appears that they are based on a very early version of the 405 and suffer from all the disadvantages such as high noise levels and a mistake in the Zobel network routing.

That seems a disappointing cockup. Which clones are these? I think there are a number of different ones about aren't there?

[James Perrett]

It was a Teac AX75 amp Hugh - originally sold by Thatched Cottage Audio to partner the NS10's. Plenty of power but with an exaggerated high end.

I just did a quick Ebay and Google search where it seems that the Chinese 405 modules are often proudly sold as Mk1 modules with NOS 301 op amps. Other forum comments turned up the issues with the early modules and mentioned the fact that the design was taken from a published article which presumably gets around any legal issues. I see there are also a few that are marked 405-2 which, if they are accurate copies, will have overcome these issues although they possibly could do with a few mods to optimise their sensitivity for studio use.

[Sam Spoons]

Unlike some here, I actually found the Quad 405 (hifi) or 520 (pro) amps worked very nicely with NS10s. Yes, they are discontinued, but they are easy to source second hand, built like tanks top last a lifetime, easy to maintain, and Quad will still service them to as-new condition for astonishingly little outlay, if necessary.hugh

A bit late as I've been travelling down to the coast but Quad were not remotely interested in fixing my 522, or advising the engineer who was attempting to fix it (he failed). Thankfully Folderol has sorted it out for me (I have yet to plumb it into the studio and my period correct Kef 104ABs, sorry Foldy ). There were a couple on ebay in much better condition than mine, the cheaper went for about £250 IIRC but I wanted my 522 fixing partly for sentimental reasons, I've owned it for around 30 years, and partly to avoid another bit of kit ending up in landfill.

OTOH, I did buy a mint condition StudioSpares Titan 600 off ebay for £65 delivered a few weeks ago so bargains do exist.

[Angelface78]

Hello, I am a newbie here:-) However, I have read SOS magazine for over a decade, so I thought what better place to come to get advice regarding my next home studio purchase?!!

I am in the market for a new amp to drive my NS10’s. I have previously used Hifi Amps with them, but I have been looking for something with balanced inputs (which my current Yamaha AS301 amp does not have). I don’t personally have any experience with using the NS10’s on more expensive or vintage amps, but I have visited a few studios that have and based on my research I am learning more and more about them and it appears the amp does make all the difference to how these speakers sound……Or does it?!

So it’s interesting to now see here that the NS10’s are not really fussed by the amp they use! I have been following Hugh Robjohns articles for many years and so know he is very well versed in this area and he knows his stuff! So, I cannot simply overlook what he says. I am therefore now wondering whether the investment I was considering is really going to make a huge difference like I have read it would?! I was considering the Avantone CLA-200, but I would be really interested in hearing from anyone that uses it or has used it in the past. Or from anyone that could recommend a suitable alternative. I am in the market for a brand new unit and don’t require it to have DSP, but balanced inputs are a must!

Many thanks in advance

[James Perrett]

If I was in the market for a new amp now I'd see if I could find one of the Monacor or IMG Stageline STA-400D amps. I'm not sure if they are still current but the electronic design looks almost identical to the monitor amps that I built from Hypex modules.

https://monacor.co.uk/sta-400d.html

They're amazing value for money (assuming that they haven't messed anything up in the additions that they've made).

[Arpangel]

If you like the sound of your current amp, just add an ART Clean Box, instant balanced inputs, and a cheap solution.
I did this with my Quad amp, works perfectly, gets rid of all the noise and hum.