Class g/h amp list??

While looking for new amps I'm finding it hard to get the info on what amps use the g/h circuitry.
Is there a list of some of the common or not so common brands that run the efficient design?
The only ones I know of currently are arc/ws&jl hd's and I think the alpine pdx but not sure on those.

I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable on the topic but I'm pretty sure the alpine PDX's and JL
HD's are actually class D. Here are some links to some other class G/H amps that I found in a quick search.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewc...=23&f_123=2683

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewc...=26&f_123=2683

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewc...=25&f_123=2683

Just because an amp is g/h doesn't mean a whole lot, you should be looking for other attributes as well.

Yeah but the g/h are extremely efficient.
Some of the class d's are up there just curious as to what amps are which.

You are on the right track with G/H and D amplifier technology.

Arc Audio KS, Wetsounds Syn are the two that come to mind. I am sure that there are others.

Also look at the D's (JL Audio)

I made up a spread sheet but, it doesn't post well. It has company name, product, class, power specs, dimensions in inches and msrp.
If you would like a copy send me a PM and will email it.

Originally Posted by cowwboy

Yeah but the g/h are extremely efficient.
Some of the class d's are up there just curious as to what amps are which.

I wouldn't call them extremely efficient, , the class d's are much more efficient.

Kicker's new IX line of amps are full-range Class-D.

If choosing between the two I'd pick D but both classes are excellent.

nubu, it won't let me pm you.
email is kamlerdm @ oge . com

Daniel

If you can u should head down Earmark Car Audio in North Texas. David carries both the class g/h and d amps that have been referenced above. He is a reputable carrier of Exile, Wetsounds and JL Audio as well as many other lines

He will also match any deal that you hear about....check him out!!
.

I'v been meaning to call them and get idea's for the new boat.
My normal car shop is awesome at car but not to familiar with boats as I would like.
Subs will be dd and most likely a one off custom but the rest of the audio I'm open.
Just wanting high efficient since my last set up wasn't to efficient and prone to heat.

Curious what you did for batteries on the last setup and how much power rms you were running?

poor efficiency and heat go hand it hand.

I used to run Precision Power PC series as well as the PCX series. The PC series were argueably some of the best class a/b amps of all time. They sounded great but they got real hot and pulled hard on the battery bank (3 optimas). Thermal protection was an issue in July in Dallas, TX.

I switched over to a class g/h amplifier and I have yet to have an overheat issue and I have yet to kill the batteries in a single day's playing.

There is nothing wrong with class a/b - just be prepared to have a stronger battery bank and a potential air circulation system.

If you want to go with a/b - exile has that marine market nailed. There are lot's of a/b manufacturers, but you might as well support the wake community.

If you want to go with d - JL Audio or alpine

If you want to go with g/h - arc audio and wetsounds.

These amps are pretty much the ones that we all see on this forum day in and day out

^^^^Good post Murph

What is the difference between D and G/H? I guess this could be taken two ways, what is the difference in construction and also, what is the difference in efficiency between the two types.

Last set up was all interstate and was two deep cycles and one starting battery.
Had a a/b sony for the interrior and a pair of kenwood exceleon amps for sub and towers.
The sony got fairly warm but the pair of kenwoods would get nearly to hot to touch after a long day at the cove.
I was never left stranded but still looking for something more efficient and less prone to heat.

Jon Hunter - take a look at this website, it should give you a good fund of knowledge on amplifier topology.

http://www.bcae1.com/ampclass.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_amplifier

Here is some great info if you want to read about all the classes of amps.

Tim
Wet Sounds

Tim are your's g or h?

Both

Just wait until I come out with my class y/z amps. I'm going to name the line Opulence!

Products introduced March 2011

ZED, all Class D

LEVIATHAN-II

* High performance full range class D amplifier

* Output: 150w x 6 at 4 ohm, 300w x 6 at 2 ohm.

* Leviathan has several upgrades and changes.

* Channels 1+2 High Pass crossovers now have a range of 55Hz to 4KHz at 24dB/octave.

* Channels 3+4 High and Low Pass crossovers have a range of 55Hz to 4KHz at 24dB/octave.

* Channels 5+6 High Pass has a range of 11Hz to 105Hz so now in conjunction with the Low Pass crossover (40Hz-240Hz) these two channels may be used for low midbass duties.

* The distortion of the amplifiers has been reduced and the use of new high current high speed MOSFETs will enhance the sound quality.

* The blue ZED logo now functions as a power on indicator, a logo and a protection indicator. If any of the protection mechanisms are activated the ZED logo will flash on and off.

* The power supply has several improvements with regards to power regulation and sensitivity to pulses on the +12v battery buss.

* Ultra high efficiency with smart power supply


DRACONIA
We are reviving the name of the first 4 channel amplifier to be produced under the Zed name but this new amplifier is a different breed.

All the upgrades and chipset info applies to Draconia as well.

Output: 100w x 4 at 4 ohms and 200w x 4 at 2 ohms.

In bridge mode 200w x 2 at 8 ohms 400w x 2 at 4 ohms.

Channels 1+2 have a 24dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley High Pass crossover 55Hz- 4KHz and a 24dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley Low Pass crossover 50Hz-4KHz. Flat, High Pass, Low Pass and Band Pass functions are available.

Channels 3+4 have the same compliment of crossovers and in addition there is a 24dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley High Pass crossover 10Hz-48Hz and a constant Q single band equalizer (40Hz centre frequency) which are both switched in when the “Sub-Mode” is selected. When “Sub-Mode” is selected, channels 3+4 receive their signal from a mono mix of all 4 inputs.

There are two further Mode switches:

The first switches channels 3+4 to the signal path of 1+2, thus a two input signal source is only required.

The second is associated with channels 1+2 and allow the final gain stage and power amplifiers of 1+2 to select the signal source from 3+4. Therefore channels 1+2 will have the same signal content as 3+4 and this will be cool for those who want to use this as a 4 channel sub amplifier or simply want to have 4 channels with the same signal. The 3+4 inputs are thus used in this mode.

The constant Q equalizer is superior to the common versions on all other amplifiers. The Q (Bandwidth) remains constant no matter how much boost is selected. All other equalizers have very low Q at lower boost settings and only approach the desired Q at full boost (or cut).

Four clip LEDs are standard, one for each channel.

Draconia is the same size as the outgoing Kronos at 280mm (11”) long.




DREADNOUGHT

The name is in recognition of the First World War British battleships. This amplifier is truly a Dreadnought.

Rated at 225w x 4 at 4 ohm and 400w x 4 at 2 ohms it is a true power house in the world of 4 channel amplifiers.

Bridged power into is 450w x 2 into 8 ohm and 800w x 2 into 4 ohm.

This should satisfy the power cravings from sub duty to tweeters!

The feature sets are identical to those shown above for Draconia. The foot print is identical to Leviathan.



MINOTAUR

The mythical half bull, half man from ancient Greek mythology is the name we have given to the first of our mono blocks.

Rated at 500w x 1 at 4 ohm and 1000w x 1 at 2 ohm this shall be the smaller of the mono blocks in our line up.

We begin with 4 RCA inputs…. Not to worry these do double duty as well.

Inputs 1 and 3 along with 2 and 4 may be paralleled at the push of a switch. So either two or 4 input signals are accommodated. In the two input configuration the gain of the front end is automatically compensated for the loss of the other two inputs. In the two input mode the 3+4 sockets are simple loop outputs for daisy chaining amplifiers.

A High Pass Linkwitz-Riley Crossover with an industry first of 48dB/octave, and a frequency range of 8Hz to 100Hz is the first signal block. This is followed by a variable phase shift circuit which allows the phase to be varied between 0 and 180 degrees. Following this is a Low Pass 24dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley crossover with a range of 45Hz to 230Hz.

The High and Low Pass crossover may be set so that a bandpass function can be set for those using QUAD amped systems and require high power for their lower midrange drivers.

Now for all you hardcore power junkies, a selector switch follows. The selections are “Flat”, “Preamp” and “Slave” modes.

In Flat the complete signal processing circuitry is eliminated and only the equalizer and level control remain in the signal path. This allows Minotaur to be used as a full range (Yes full range as in 20Hz- 20KHz) mono amplifier. Any crossovers that may be required must be an outboard unit.

In Preamp mode the full preamplifier is active.

In Slave mode the amplifier becomes the slave half of a bridged pair. (More about this later).

There is a 5 band constant Q equalizer set at standard ISO frequencies of 25Hz, 31Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz and 63Hz. These are boost-cut controls which will allow the tailoring of the bottom end to suit all tastes.

A set of 4 LEDs allows you to keep track of the peak power output, -9dB, -6dB, -3dB and 0dB (125w, 250w, 500w, 1000w at 2 ohm and 63w, 125w, 250w and 500w at 4 ohm).

There are two (2) line outputs, one is at 0 degrees phase and the second 180 degrees out of phase. The 0 phase output can be fed to a second Minotaur which is set to slave mode and a second woofer can be driven with no bridging of the two Minotaurs.

The 180 output is fed to a second Minotaur which is then bridged together with the master Minotaur. Thus 1000w at 8 ohm and 2000w at 4 ohm are available from the bridged pair.

The Slave Minotaur uses the “1” input as its master input and no other RCAs are used.

Four (4) Minotaurs may be set up in a parallel/bridge configuration with the main master Minotaur being the only one whose preamplifier controls affect the other three. The output power in this configuration is a total of 2000w at 8 ohm and 4000w at 4 ohm



RA

The newest member of our family is called RA, yes that’s right “RA the remote”. RA was the Egyptian Sun God and our version has some rays of its own.

This remote control is absolutely unique in that it has features never seen before. It is a self powered remote meaning that it has its own internal switching supply and thus is not tethered to Zed amplifiers. It may be used with any amplifier as it is a line in-line out product. RA was designed with only subwoofer duty in mind.

It features two RCA inputs and a single RCA output.

A 24dB/octave Low Pass Linkwitz-Riley crossover with a range of 45Hz-240Hz (We included this as RA may be used with any other amplifier and this crossover may be used in place of the onboard low pass crossover) feeds a twin band Sub Harmonic Synthesizer. These two bands at 32 and 45Hz have been synthesized down to half their frequency, each with its own level control and a master control. This configuration allows complete control over the mix of the two bands and the absolute level. It is absolutely amazing the magic that this circuit performs.

A compressor with variable threshold (to suit the input level of RA) follows and this will tighten up the bass considerably. The attack and release times have been optimized for low frequency operation. A front panel LED indicates when compression is taking place.

The last control is a volume control.

RA measures in at 125mm wide x 23.5mm high x 69mm high (4.9” x 0.925” x 2.7”).




IC chips which have replaced the Burr Brown parts

After many months of auditioning IC chip sets for the front end of our amplifiers, we have settled on a generation of chips from National Semi-conductor. They are superior to the Burr Brown chips (these are no slouches in their own right) in several key areas.



Specification National Burr Brown



THD 0.000003% 0.00008%



Input noise density 2.7nV/ root Hz 8nV/ root Hz



Slew rate 20v/uSec 15v/uSec



Full power bandwidth 10MHz 1.3MHz



Gain Bandwidth 55MHz 8MHz



How do they sound? In every listening test done under blind A-B conditions, we preferred the National chip.





Leviathan: $659.00

Draconia: $479.00

Dreadnought: $689.00

Minotaur: $495.00

RA: $169.00


Kronos will not be produced again as the need for a high power 2 channel amplifier is growing smaller and smaller. The new mono blocks and 4 channel amplifiers will amply fill this role.



Products which are been introduced in May-June 2011:



Megalith or it as it may be called Pterodactyl (That real ugly flying dinosaur) Please send us emails with your vote)

This is the seond of our mono blocks, rated at 1,000w into 4 ohm and 2,000w into 2 ohm.

So two of these bad boys bridged will deliver 2000w at 8 ohm or 4000w at 4 ohm.

The features are identical to those described above for Minotaur

Just wait until I come out with my class y/z amps. I'm going to name the line Opulence!

"Opulence, I has it"