rodforshort

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $16500.00 from s&jgreatdeals

Summary:
I paid 165.00 each for two Amp 5.3a’s at s&jgreatdeals. I wanted the 5.1a but they were out of stock.

I have them connected to an Anthem AVM 2 in stereo. This is a wonderful but not perfect pre/processor with RCA and XLR outputs. When the 5.3a’s are connected to the RCA outputs the volume on the Anthem has to stay at –22db to keep them on. With the XLR outputs the Anthem has to be set at a very loud –19db to make them stay on. A normal listening level for this setup for a tea party would be –32db and at that volume they stay on for about five minutes then shutoff on the auto circuit.

The resistor that supplies the power in for the auto off circuit needs to be changed to about half its value so the amp would stay on at normal listening levels. That of course would make it very sensitive to a noisy pre/amp and would never shut off. In that case it would need a sensitivity potentiometer in place of that resistor so that each user could adjust it for there on individual system.

The fan run all the time even at idle with no signal input. I can’t hear it like a few others have said.

This design is a wonderful beginning if some would have used it before they put it on the market.

It runs medium warm at an idle and increases in temperature the louder the volume. I have not experienced the high temperature shut down that some others have described. I keep mine set out in the open because I like the way they look.

When the amp first comes on it draws around 4 amperes for less than a second. If you paralleled 5 of these to the same outlet you might kick the breaker.

The discontinued Monoblock Marantz MA-500 and MA-700 is something one could compare it to. I have not had the chance to audition those yet.

Strengths:
The connectors on the rear are all medium sturdy and nice looking.

It’s a beautiful piece of equipment that would go along with most of the out of range type of components.

The sound is very clean with the RCA’s and better with the XLR connections. It sounds like Mosfets to me with a swing toward the upper end. I have Sony, Hafler and Yamaha amps that sound similar. The voices and instruments are a bit more definite to pick out over the other three. The bass is tight and doesn’t
rattle the woofers. That seems to give it a sound of less lower end

Weaknesses:

The auto turn on feature is worthless. You have to have the input signal up to party level to make it stay on. Don’t buy this product if you think your going to have a home theater that will automatically turn on the center and rear speakers when you put it in video mode. I works great if you keep the volume level loud enough for the neighbors to hear it. When using the XLR connection it’s even worse. I have been looking for thirty years to find an auto turn on circuit that really works and this is not it yet. As soon as I find a Schematic I’ll have that fixed.

The LED brightness is ok but the red power switch on the front works as my night-light.

Add a high cut filter so it could easily be used for a subwoofer amp. Plus an input sensitivity adjustment for the auto on/off circuit.

Similar Products Used:
Mitsubishi DA-A30 Power amp
Onkyo A-10 Integrated amp
Onkyo TX-DS787 receiver
Onkyo TX-DS898 receiver
Pioneer C-90 M-90 Combo pre and power amp
Sony STR-D1015 receiver
Yamaha RX-V3300 receiver
My own homemade dual mono 100 watt Mosfet power amp with regulated separate power supply’s weighing in at 50 Lbs

Price Paid:  $55.00 from Used

Summary:
Great deal on a little powerhouse...150 w/ch @ 8 ohms, 250 @ 4, respectible! I use for a custom built sub using a 15" VMPS driver, crossed over @ 40hz thru a Linkweitz-Riley crossover in a Phase Coupled Activator.. So far it works nicely. I use the sub more for regular listening level enhancement, instead of all-out. I use a pair of Legacy FOCUS as mains driven by a Carver TFM-75, and the amp/driver combo has a tough time keeping up at very loud jamming levels, as because the FOCUS need very litte help on the low end. I think for the regular retail price, it is a super amp, is capable of doing a great job with most any system, it is flexible (volume, phase & cooling fan). Recommended product.

Strengths:
decent power, great price, small design, binding post, internal cooling fan, alluminum external frame doubles as cooling duty.

Weaknesses:
Oddball small size makes it hard to "blend" with other units, but can ultimately connect to 2 other units to make it look like a single..not a lot of retailers easy to find who carry this

Similar Products Used:
BIC America, Carver m500t, NAD 2200, Adcom