Great buy on EAD PM500

[migliore]

For only $795 on their website (www.eadcorp.com). This amp is a bargain at its retail of $1595, let alone $795! Get one, get two, get five! They can 'borrow' power from other channels. So it can work at 100x5, 125x4, or 166x3 or 250x2 or 500x1.

Thanks to Zoun99@AVS for the news.

Rob




Reviews and System

[SiliGoose]

Wow. That is tremendous. Is it a permanent deal? -or are they replacing the model?

I wonder if the wife would like one under the tree?




-Sili

[migliore]

They are discontinuing the PM500 b/c of low demand. They are selling off the last of their production run. I would expect them to be all gone in a week or two, if not way sooner.

If I had some disposable income, I'd buy one and throw it in the closet in case 6.1 or 7.1 comes around!

BTW, these are new units - full 2 year warranty. First quality - not seconds!

Rob




Reviews and System

[Ken McDaniel]

What kills me is that these great deals always appear when I have to use for them. It's too damn big to fit into a stocking.




Ken

[Jay Mitchosky]

Is anyone here familiar with EAD's PM500 power amp? It's a 5 channel amp with 5x100WPC (8 ohms, 5Hz-20kHz, THD 0.03%, all channels driven). I'm not sure how unique this is, but it features dynamic power steering that divides available power among the active channels. It does not include balanced inputs.

Comments on this amp's performance? Sonic character? Power handling? How does it stack up for music and HT?

Many thanks.




--Jay

My Home Theater Setup and Pronto CCF...

[Lexman]

That is a great deal. Are these amps top and rear vented or just top, or just back? 5 way binding posts?

Anybody got any thoughts on driving 4 voice coils total in 2 woofers? What I mean is, how to run them. Whether to run 2@125 bridged to (?) per voice coil, meaning 5 channels makes 2 for both amps. I think this would be the best option for this type setup. Awesome huh?

Tell me more.

Lex

[ThomasW]

Lex

I can't find enough info on the website to answer your question. But either 4 channels driving 4 VC's, or 1 channel per Shiva with their VC's wired in parallel should be pretty "stout"




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Lexman]

Yeah, I was a little disappointed there's no spec sheet there. To me, that's mandatory for an electronics product.

I agree, that it should be a very solid sub setup though. Some people might wonder why not just get a big "pro" amp instead of as fine an amplifier as the EAD? Well, I think the reason becomes fairly obvious when you consider what they will be teamed up with. If and when I build new subs, one thing is for sure, and that is that I want the tightest bass possible. IMO, you do that with a great amp driving them.

I really shouldn't, but I am forced to consider this on the basis of the opportunity.

Lex

[Andrew Pratt]

so how good is the EAD? How would you rate its sound..warm, bright etc.

[Lexman]

Hmmm, Andrew, I can't really answer that. But I am guessing, that they should be fairly transparent, without sounding overly bright. Maybe slightly more open than a Parasound. But I am just guessing.

Lex

[migliore]

It's warm and slightly laid back. Leaner on bass than the 1000 and 2000 (obviously). Sweet highs, and transparent. These are the things that the PM can bring you.

Rob




Reviews and System

[ThomasW]

Via messages, I've been ask to comment directly regarding this amp.

I have no personal experience with EAD gear, however the web is a buzz with secondhand info regarding how EAD designs and rates their equipment. And the word appears to be "optimistic" with regard to power output.

So if one needs don't dictate large amounts of current, this amp is probably fine. But don't expect "reference" performance levels with inefficient speakers or big subs.

General caveat, to my ears, basic power amplifiers have for less impact on the overall sonic characteristics of a system, than any other component. The speakers and the room itself, are the most defining. This is not to say I fail to hear differences in power amps, I do. But what one person calls "etched", another will call "detailed". And what one person calls "laid back or mellow", another will say "restricted". So it's primarily in the "ears" of the beholder.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Jay Mitchosky]

Discrepancies in power ratings aside, my intended application for this amp would be to use two channels each for biamping my mains. That would leave the center and rear duties to the Denon 5700. Make sense?




--Jay

My Home Theater Setup and Pronto CCF...

[ThomasW]

Jay

Again without direct experience, I'm of course speculating. But I think for the application you describe, the EAD would probably be a good fit. The price is certainly right!




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Lexman]

I viewed the specs on this amp today, and will try to port them up to the web so you guys can see them, if your interested.

One thing that concerned me, is the amp wasn't the same topology as their top amps. This one is a "Push Pull" design. does anyone know exactly what that is telling us?

The other thing I didn't like was the fact that the power doesn't double when going from 8 to 4 ohms. This points to a restricted power supply possibly, among other things. Granted, with the Steering and shared power supply design though, that the real power achieved at various high demand tracks may actually be higher than what's rated. But the amp was rated at like 1 3/4 wattage when the load is halved. FYI, the amp is not rated to 2 ohms at all.

My conclusion is, that the amp, while a good amp, probably doesn't merit the original 1600 price tag. I think it was priced to high for what your getting. Yes, it has metal film and that sort of thing, but for a 100 X 5 amp, I just think that's a bit low for this price. Now, if it doubled the wattage, I would have said yes, it was worth that price. YMMV.

But definitely a bargain at half off! :B

Lex

Lexman's Theater
HTG AV Search

[migliore]

Krell and TAG offer 100x5 amps for $5-6k if that makes you change your mind.

I'm not sure about the specs on the PM500, but I've seen the PM2000 go from 400 to 750 pc for 8 to 4 ohms. Thats fairly close to doubling, considering thats 750x5=3750W at 4 ohm! If you have good power that is.. Power shouldn't as be as much of a problem for the 500.

The 2 ohm thing is wierd. Some folks have said that its not stable at 2 ohms, yet EAD says the PM2000 will do >1000Wx5 at 2.5Ohm. ?

You can't lose. If you buy it, and don't like it - sell it for a profit on audiogon.com!

Rob




Reviews and System

[Nate-Dogg]

Doubling watts?

Not many amps can do this at all....

[Nate-Dogg]

Strange thing is that I talked to EAD and as strange and inconsistent as it may seem they told me that some people actually prefer the sound of the 500 to the other amps.

This is bizare and may have to do with them being discontinued no doubt.

I will tell you guys what I think as soon as mine is broken in. It may take a week or so and by that time they may all be gone.

I have a feeling for what I want to do this amp will be perfect.

When I get a bigger place then I'll be looking for a monster but in an appartment or small room this amp may be perfect...

Good Weekend,

Nathan

[Lexman]

Guys please understand, I was nit-picking. My basis for comparison is Parasound, Rotel, and Proceed. Those are the 3 amps I have owned. Maybe I was a bit to hard, expecting it to live up to similar standards as my 5 X 125 AMP5 for way less than half the price. Forgive me, I guess I was to critical.

Again, I have not heard this amp, and all I had as a basis for evaluation is the specs for this amp and it's sibling brothers and sisters and comparison to amps that I own or have owned. Compares favorably with Rotel and Parasound stat wise, but not up to Proceed. Sometimes, weight of amps is a good indicator of what they are rated at. At 40 pounds for 5 full channels of amp, that's not really extremely heavy. The amp5 is 120 LB NIB. Maybe that lets you know that something isn't quite on par with amps that weight similarly on the higher end of EAD even. But again, that's not saying it isn't a great amp. That's just stats.

What I would like to have seen for an amp that was 1600 new, was a similar spec sheet as the other higher end EADs, but only the watts changed. But enough of that, lets plug her in and see what she will do!

Lex





<A HREF="http://www.catcables.com" <IMG SRC="http://www.htguide.com/lexman/other/sm_logo.gif"

[merc]

IMHO, I'd rather get a B stock Outlaw 750...




Take Care,
merc

[migliore]

The PowerMasters share a power supply, so no wonder why they weigh less. But the 1000 and 2000 are certainly no lightweights.

I thought the 500 was around 65lbs, not 40. Can you point me to where you are seeing these specs? I only see PM2000 ones.

Oh yeah, and the amp5 is more than 3x the regular retail on the PM500. Now its more than 6x! I wouldn't doubt that the amp5 is a better amp, but we are talking different price ranges. Now if you want to talk PM2000 vs. amp5 Ok, I won't go there

Nate, I think you'll have no regrets on your purchase. And should you, you can always sell it for a profit! I'm not sure what they are talking about preferring the 500 over the other amps. Sounds like they want you to buy another 500! They build on each other. The 500 lacks some bass, the 1000 lacks a smidgen of bass and some transparency, the 2000 is wonderful. I can't wait to hear the 3000. Est. cost is $10k. Supposedly it will be a PM2000 w/ (more) premium parts.

Take it easy,
Rob




Reviews and System

[ThomasW]

Rob

They have the specs buried. :?

After loading the main page, go to "support", then go to "installation and setup support". When that page loads, there's a pdf file link for the powermaster specs.

Nate

Doubling watts?
Not many amps can do this at all....

Actually there are many, many amps with "stiff" power supplies that can accomplish this. Check the current "Sound&Vision" equipment directory.

I can see why the PM500 wasn't competitive at the $1600 price point. It's easily trounced by most of the major players. At 40 lbs it's a lightweight, most are 50-55 lbs and it's power output isn't in keeping with the competition, especially at lower impedances. But for the closeout price it's a good deal.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Ken McDaniel]

Unless I were strapped for cash and desperate for an immediate power amp, I'd cowboy up to an Outlaw 750. My brother in law has their 1050 mated to theit power amp with some spectular results. It's only $300 more.




Ken

[Nate-Dogg]

Outlaw?

Sorry have fun with that....

I hope the PM-500 can take 240 volts cause I know an electrician that will run me a cord straight from the panel. Two piggy back circuits and I'll be set.

Besides the ATI is available for better deals than the outlaw and is better build quality & sound.

[migliore]

I'm fairly certain it can run at 240V. You will need to open the cover and change a jumper most likely. Call EAD and ask them to fax the directions to you. I *think* the PMs will work at 110,120,220, and 240V, 50Hz and 60Hz.

Rob




Reviews and System