Compact Power Amplifier Recommendations

Hello there!

This is my very first post to the forum. I'm excited to see how active this place is....

Can anyone recommend an amp that is less than 11 inches deep (front to back)?

The unit is going into a bookcase with rack-mount rails, enclosed on the back and sides. I'll need a total of 4 channels, since I'm running a bi-amped system with a MiniDSP crossover.

Not afraid of vintage, but I'm not particularly a fan of tubes. Audio Research amps from the 80s and 90s were shallow (I assume I'd be replacing caps). Carver made a 4-channel AV-64.

Considering that my placement means less ventilation, maybe a class D approach is advisable?

Thank you!
Oliver H.

 

Welcome to the forum.
You don't say what height you can accomodate, or what power rating, but I would definitely recommend Class D as you won't have much ventilation.
I would use the Behringer A800 amplifier for the following reasons:-

A) only 9" deep so room for connectors in your space
B) 2U high rack mounting,
C) powerful, they claim over 200 watts into 8 ohms per channel
D) inexpensive
E) balanced and unbalanced inputs with good power metering
F) Pro construction so likely to be reliable

I use three Behringer A500s in my active triamped system, and they have been completely reIiable for over 14 years. I use Behringer products extensively in our local FM radio station again with very good reliability, so something of a fan.

S

 

Ah! What a great suggestion! I have to confess, and I hope it won't offend, that Behringer stuff hasn't risen to my attention since it's usually at the bottom of a list sorted by price. But, I suppose that the proliferation of inexpensive and high quality Class D circuitry has changed that consideration.

I didn't mention height because I've got a reasonable amount of it. Two banks of 19" wide rack space each 20" high and 12" deep.

Will give the A800 serious thought!

Thanks,
Oliver H.

 

In case anyone else finds this thread looking for answers, I thought I'd add a few I found, all vintage:

Audio Research models D 52, D60, D100, D120, D130
Carver AV-64 (four channels)