High gain monoblock

[edorr]

I am having gain limitations problems in my MCH system, due to low sensitivity center channel (lowest gain channel is effectively bottleneck for the system). I am looking at inserting a high gain monoblock on the center. Is anyone aware of monoblocks (preferably class D with high gain (32dB and up). I know the channel island amps have high gain. Any other contenders?

 

[LL21]

I am having gain limitations problems in my MCH system, due to low sensitivity center channel (lowest gain channel is effectively bottleneck for the system). I am looking at inserting a high gain monoblock on the center. Is anyone aware of monoblocks (preferably class D with high gain (32dB and up). I know the channel island amps have high gain. Any other contenders?

I know its not Class D, but the Gryphon amps have high gain...my Gryphon Colosseum (which also comes in monos) is 31.5db in gain.

 

[dallasjustice]

The hypex ncore1200 are 28db gain which is pretty highish. They sound killer too.

 

[edorr]

The hypex ncore1200 are 28db gain which is pretty highish. They sound killer too.

Most amps are in that range. I really need to squeeze out those extra few dBs. The channel Island D-500 comes in 32dB and 38dB version and this seems to be the ticket. It also uses the hypex module, but not the ncore.

 

[dallasjustice]

http://www.d-sonic.net/products/

 

[DonH50]

A lot of higher-power and/or pro amps have gain in that range. For instance, the Crown XTi 2000 has ~33 dB gain, the 4000 about 34 dB, the 6000 about 37 dB.

A quick survey of various audio amplifiers (ARC, Bryston, Emotiva, Krell, Outlaw, etc.) yields 26 - 29 dB or so.

You could add a line-level gain stage if power is adequate and you just need more gain.

 

[Elberoth]

Goldmund Job 225 has 35dB. Not a monoblock, I know, but you can only use one channel or bi-amp your center speaker.

 

[Brian Walsh]

A customer traded in a pair of ASL Hurricanes a while ago. If memory serves they only need 0.5 V in for full output, with 50 dB of gain, I believe, which is extraordinarily high.

 

[edorr]

http://www.d-sonic.net/products/

Thanks. Their top of the line model has 32dB gain, so this would be a contender.

 

[Vincent Kars]

preferably class D with high gain (32dB and up).?

You can easily change the gain of the Hypex UCD: http://www.hypex.nl/docs/appnotes/gain_appnote.pdf

 

[edorr]

Goldmund Job 225 has 35dB. Not a monoblock, I know, but you can only use one channel or bi-amp your center speaker.

Thanks! This may just be my best option. Come to think of it, buying a stereo amp and using one channel may be better economics than breaking up a pair of monoblocks, which is always hard to resell.

35dB gain would do it for me.

Just read up a bit on the "job". This is definitely the ticket for me once I have the new passive center channel.

 

[LL21]

Goldmund Job 225 has 35dB. Not a monoblock, I know, but you can only use one channel or bi-amp your center speaker.

from everything I have read...great call.