Analog or Digital, Which Type Power Amp is Best?

When selecting a power amp, one must take several factors into consideration. A critical choice in making such a selection is whether to purchase digital or analog equipment. Each has its distinctive features, and knowing the benefits of each type will help you discern which type will best meet your needs.

Those who prefer analog power amps and other analog music equipment cite analog's classic sound and warm tone as its greatest benefit. Most analog equipment involves fairly simple circuitry and is usually easy to repair should you have a problem with the equipment. However, analog power amps can be slightly more expensive than their digital counterparts because their production is more intensive in terms of human labor. Additionally, under conditions of high temperature analog power amps tend to overheat and malfunction more than digital power amps. Unfortunately, because of economic constraints, replacement parts such as tubes and fuses for analog equipment that are no longer produced domestically must be imported from other countries, adding to the maintenance cost of analog equipment. Regardless of this however, many consumers choose analog power amps as part of a rig that gives forth a unique and flexible equalization range, and sounds great under any circumstances.

Digital technology in the field of power amps is a relative newcomer compared to analog power amp equipment. However, this is not a judgment against digital power amps. In fact, some would say that digital power amps are in many ways superior to analog equipment. For instance, while the circuitry of a digital (also referred to as "solid state") power amp is generally much more complex than that of an analog power amp, digital power amp circuit boards are generally cheaper, as they are produced domestically. This allows consumers to realize significant savings in long term repair and maintenance costs. Though fans of analog power amps argue that digital equipment cannot produce the same variety of unique tones as analog equipment, there have been great leaps in digital technology in recent years. Usually, digital power amps are fabricated in such a way as to allow a given unit to replicate any number of analog tones. While previous attempts at such emulation technology were found to be less than satisfactory for the seasoned audio professional, the technology has only gotten better. Thus, digital power amp equipment provides the user with a high-tech, low-cost means of meeting the audio needs of consumers.

In summary, both analog and digital technology have their comparative strength, weaknesses and unique qualities. Closely examining these differences, and even trying equipment before buying, will give you a wide range of equipment to select from when selecting the power amp that is appropriate to your needs.

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Why Do the Pros Choose Peavey Power Amps?

Peavey has been providing the best sound amplification equipment available to touring musicians since 1965, and in that time have acquired an impressive stable of devotees. Peavey users include such well known bands and artists as:

• Joe Satriani
• Garth Brooks
• Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Slipknot
• Nickelback
• Ted Nugent
• Blue Oyster Cult
• Machine Head
• Duran Duran

Why do the pros choose Peavey power amps? Peavey provides the best value for money that can be found on the market. They manufacture a power amp that is suitable for any conceivable performance situation, and in every market segment, Peavey markets a power amp that produces better, louder sound than the competition, at a lower price. Peavey power amplifiers are known by their owners to maintain clean sound across their entire range of volume and dynamics. Where other manufacturers might attempt to produce sound that is "warm" or "colored", Peavey strives for the total accuracy that is preferred by most musicians with discerning ears.

Equally as important as sound quality, however, is the ability to continue operating properly under rigorous touring conditions. Peavey power amplifiers are all equipped with the same fault protection circuitry, ensuring uninterrupted operation even when problems arise. These features include:

• DDT (Distortion Detection Technique): automatically lowers internal gain when input volume is too high, preventing blown speakers or damaged internal components, and notifies the user that a volume adjustment is necessary via a front-mounted LED.

• Internal thermal protection: 1-2 variable speed fans combine with heat sinks to maintain proper levels of cooling even in the most sweltering performance environments. If a channel ever becomes overheated, that channel will temporarily shut down. The amp's other channel(s) will remain active, and the fan(s) will spin at maximum speed, until proper operating temperatures are restored.

• Electric overload protection: circuitry automatically detects severe power spikes or overloads, automatically disabling vulnerable components until the danger has passed.

• Automatic speaker muting: when the power is switched off or on, the speakers are automatically muted to prevent loud pops or thumps. This prevents speaker damage as well as possible damage to the ears of your audience if you are playing at a venue that is unable to maintain a reliable power supply.

The extensive fault tolerance of Peavey power amps has made them a mainstay in touring bands' shows for decades, with some musicians using the same power amp for over 20 years. That type of reliability is extremely difficult to find in today's electronics, with cheaper and cheaper components being utilized in an effort to reduce costs. Peavey, on the other hand, has maintained the highest standards in build quality for over 40 years.

The professionals choose Peavey power amplifiers because they represent the best quality available, at the most reasonable price. Peavey power amps are able to beat all other products in terms of reliability, build quality, and fault tolerance, all while maintaining the exacting standards for sound quality that today's performing musicians demand.

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Top 10 Power Amplifiers for 2009

The world of power amplifiers can be an extremely confusing one for anyone who is in the market for their first unit. To assist in the process, this article will discuss the top ten power amplifiers currently available on the market.

10. Alesis RA300
The Alesis RA300 is a reference power amplifier, intended for studio use. It has a very quiet cooling system in order to keep excess noise from seeping into recordings. It boasts a signal to noise ratio of >105dB.

9. Peavey PV900
Representing a tremendous value for money, the Peavey PV900 brings stadium tour sound to musicians at a club circuit price. The PV900 is powerful, but it is also extremely rugged and able to withstand harsh road conditions and continue operating.

8. Yamaha P2500S
In an effort to make things easier for confused buyers, Yamaha designed the P2500S to be the perfect companion to its Club Series speakers. It includes special signal processing circuitry intended to maximize the performance of the matching speakers.

7. Crown D-45
The Crown D-45 is a very small amplifier, intended to drive smaller speakers such as near field monitors. It is ideal for studio use, where its light power consumption and heat output will be appreciated in long mixdown sessions.

6. Peavey PV1600
Bi-amping is an incredibly effective way of coaxing the best possible sound out of speakers, because it sends high and low frequency sounds across separate signal paths, eliminating distortion and crosstalk. The PV1600 is ready for by-amping right out of the box, and can be combined with the PV3800 to form a tri-amped system with a subwoofer.

5. Crown XLS 602
One of the workhorses of live sound, the Crown XLS 602 is built to last. With a rugged all steel chassis, there have been reports of the XLS602 being dropped on pavement and surviving. It has also been praised by DJs.

4. QSC ISA 300 Ti
Because of its unusual way of handling a workload, the QSC ISA 300 Ti is one of the rare power amplifiers that can power both a main audio system, and a small distributed system simultaneously.

3. Yamaha P7000S
The Yamaha P7000S builds on the capabilities of the P2500S by adding high pass filters which can be manually set by the owner, allowing a customized tone that capitalizes on the strengths and weaknesses of whatever speakers are connected.

2. Crown XLS 5000
The Crown XLS 5000 is among the best power amplifiers in the industry, where cost for performance is concerned. It is able to produce up to 1100 watts per channel, sufficient power for most live settings, and like the XLS 602, is constructed from all steel.

1. Peavey CS4080
Musicians have been known to use the same Peavey Power Amplifier for over 20 years, and with good reason. The Peavey CS4080 produces up to 2040 watts per channel, delivering some of the cleanest, loudest sound available. It also has an impressive array of protective circuits allowing it to tolerate a wide array of fault conditions.

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The Right Way to Bridge a Power Amplifier

Many power amplifiers rate their maximum power output in watts, when operating in bridged mode. When an amplifier is bridged, its two output channels are combined into one. Rather than driving two speakers, the amplifier then drives only one speaker. The benefit of bridging a power amplifier is that in bridged mode, an amplifier's maximum power output is almost always more than twice its maximum output in two channel operation. bridged mode can, in fact, bring a three- or four-fold increase in power. Four channel power amplifiers can also be bridged; when bridged, four output channels will become two.

When bridging a power amplifier, it is important to first reference the amplifier's instruction manual and confirm that it supports bridged operation. Although most power amplifiers do support bridged operation, attempting to bridge an amplifier that does not support it can permanently damage it. Also, the power amplifier's instruction manual will almost always have a diagram explaining how it should be bridged. Always be very sure of what you are doing before attempting to bridge a power amplifier, and if you are not sure, call the amplifier's manufacturer to confirm. Bridging a power amplifier can be physically hazardous, as many power amplifiers are able to produce currents that are potentially lethal.

It is vital to bear in mind that the primary purpose of bridging a power amplifier is not simply to make the sound louder, although that certainly can be a result. The purpose is to drive speakers that the amplifier would not ordinarily be able to properly drive. For example, some public address speaker enclosures containing several small speakers might ordinarily not be able to be driven by a power amplifier running in two channel mode, but may work in bridged mode.

Examining the rear side of a power amplifier, at least two sets of speaker terminals should be seen, each having one positive post and one negative post. To bridge the power amplifier, the two leads coming from the speaker should be connected to the positive post on one amplifier channel, and the negative post on the other channel. In the case of Peavey power amplifiers, this process is made simpler by the presence of red speaker terminals. To bridge the amplifier, simply connect the speaker to the two red terminals. Additionally, a switch on the back of the unit will need to be flipped in order to enable bridged operation.

Bridging a Power Amplifier:
1. Confirm that the power amplifier in use is capable of bridged operation.
2. Be absolutely sure of the method for bridging the power amplifier that is in use before beginning.
3. Use extreme care, as an amplifier in bridged mode is producing potentially hazardous currents.
4. Before bridging an amplifier to correct a volume issue, confirm that a different amplifier or speakers would not in fact be a better solution.
5. Bridge the amplifier by connecting the speaker to the positive speaker terminal on one channel, and the negative terminal on the other.

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Power Amplifer Classes – What do they Mean?

Anyone who attends a concert, let alone listens to music in any form or fashion, is aware of the power amplifiers have, although they are not as informed about power amplifier classes. Power amplifiers (sometimes known as amps) have the ability to heighten the signal a particular sound, which will include the bass, treble, etc.

It’s not unusual for a teenager to attend his first dance in middle school. Along with the excitement regarding the prospect of attending the dance, the student picks out a spot that allows him to scope out the room. He feels lucky to choose a spot close to the stage, but his excitement is short lived once he is aware of the power amplifiers have once the music kicks into gear. Unfortunately, it is a lesson that will not be forgotten, especially since the power amplifiers ring in his head until the morning hours. Little does the student know his introduction to power amplifiers will be so memorable.

Although knowledge of power amplifiers is familiar territory in the music arena, information of power amplifier classes may not be as recognizable. Power amplifier classes include A, AB, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Power amplifier classes

Power amplifier classes A, AB, and B (linear)

Power amplifiers class A are the least efficient of amplifiers. This power amplifier class is likened to listening to in an increased form that is heard through the headphones of a simple portable CD player or mp3 player. This amplifier uses 100% input.

Power amplifier class AB operates between class A, which is linear, and class B, operates at a higher efficiency. It operates at 50% of the input without ever using the full 100% like power amplifier class A does. This equates to power amplifiers in class AB being capable when the transistor is on for more than a half cycle. However, it can also be lower than the full cycle of the signal.

Power amplifier class B concludes linear power amplifiers. This amplifier class has higher efficiency than either the A or AB class of amplifiers. Power amplifier classes B function at an inactive current. When comparing B class to the former classes, power amplifiers in the B class operate at an efficiency of 80 to 85%.

Power amplifier classes C and F (non-linear)
The uses of non-linear amplifiers establish that efficiency is critical.

Power amplifier class C is one that the output current remains at zero for more than 50% of the input signal cycle. A necessary part of the power amplifier class C is a tuned circuit.

Power amplifier class F will be the final classification we will discuss in this article. This non-linear amplifier classification is one with the highest efficiency. This power amplifier class has a current that is shaped to minimize their overlap.

Other High-Efficiency Classes include
D, E, G, H, and S

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