Power Amplifiers Selection - Montarbo PALCO PLUS User Manual

6 - POWER AMPLIFIER SELECTION
When selecting a power amplifier, don't go for "just enough power".
An underpowered amplifier will provide no performance advantages, not
even in terms of reliability (indeed, loudspeakers are more prone to failure
when driven by an underpowered amplifier), and the dynamics of the
whole system may be compromised.
To ensure that a system is operating at top capacity and best expressing its
dynamic, detailed sound image, very powerful amplifiers are required.
The recommended amplifiers for the PALCOPLUS system must have the
following specifications:
Output power at least 1500 W RMS @ 4 ohms
Gain 36 dB
This gain value corresponds to the factory default value for the OutAttn
parameter in the LM24 controller (see chapter 7).
Amplifiers with different gain or input sensitivity values may be used, as
long as the OutAttn value in the controller's configuration is adequately
modified.
Theoretically speaking, the amplifiers used to drive the HF section of the
RA16 enclosures could be of a lower power rating (considering the
8-ohm impedance of two parallel-connected cabinets), but we strongly
suggest employing identical amplifiers for all the system's components.
There are many reasons for this: the system's organization, the wiring and
even the spare parts inventory are thus simplified; plus, there's no need
for a different configuration of some of the controllers.
Other than power rating, there are other amplifier characteristics that are
of primary importance:
- sound quality ("musicality")
- reliability
- small size and weight (this is especially critical in the case of
"touring" systems)
In the case of the first and the second characteristics, a good strategy is to
always deal with a reliable, established supplier.
Always keep in mind that a cheap amplifier is more prone to failure, and
a failure of the power amplifier may lead to a serious failure of the system
drivers.
In the case of the third consideration, it is advisable to select switching
amplifiers (class D or similar) with a switching-mode power supply. These
are more compact and weigh less, resulting in smaller and lighter racks.
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