AudioBanter.com - View Single Post - Old Hobbyist Needs Amplifier Advice Please

In article ,
says...
Howdy,
Well, after a 10 year absence from this hobby, I was thrust back in
yesterday when my beloved Sumo Andromeda III blew the left channel
rail fuses, and subsequent replacments blew as well. I've been told
that fixing it will be tough, particuarly finding replacment parts.
As such, I think it's time to begin looking for a new amplifier.

Being away for a while, I'm not up on new technologies, but I see that
the Krell's of the world are still peddling $10K amplifiers. Way out
of my price range unfortunately. I'm hoping that those of you who
have remained engaged in the hobby might help me narrow my research.
With that said, I'll let the questions fly!!! 8)

1. What's this new technology called ICEpower that is evidently being
embraced by Rowland, eAR, B&O and others? I remember connecting a
500/wpc Carver amp to some Martin Logan's, and the load choked the
amp. Is this new digital technology capable of driving complex loads?
How can such a small, mid-priced amplifier deliver 1000/wpc with
little heat? Is this for real?

Methinks something was wrong with your Carver amp. I have a Carver 250w/ch
amp that comfortable drove my Apogee Calipers ( not signature) as well as
my Martin Logans. I was not baby the amp either. I turned it up as load
as the speakers could comfortably handle.

2. What's the deal with "commercial" amplifiers, like those from
Crown? I owned some Crown equipment many moons ago, and at the time,
it was considered "high-end." How does something like this differ
from a Krell or Levinson? There's only a handful of ways to skin a
can so-to-speak, so from a technological perspective, are the designs
similar? What do you get from a Krell besides the exotic exterior?

Some commercial amps use fans, which some folks find noisy.

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Alex