TOPIC:

Hi All

Received my pair of PWR-ICE plate amps a couple of weeks ago, to replace a pair of 125ASX2 modules driving passive crossovers for my home-built PMC FB1i transmission line 'clones'.

Wow! Lots of detail and just makes the passive equivalent sound compressed I haven't done anything adventurous with the DSP part (LR48 crossovers at 2kHz, and 4dB attenuation on the Seas 27TFFC tweeter relative to the Vifa M17WG-09-08 Bass/Mid) but it all sounds rather good.

One suggestion - In the next software update, could you please include 0.5dB output level adjustment steps rather than the current 1dB. 3dB attenuation on the tweeter is not enough, but 4dB may be a tad too much.



I'm now just trying to figure how to fit the amps to the speakers - they may need to go in upside down to avoid the DSP board blocking the transmission line...

Excellent product, thoroughly recommended.

cheers

simon

Simon,

Great hearing your feedback and glad to hear that you got the PWR-ICE125 into your system!
- Change of resolution for gains: Well noted, we can change that indeed. We keep forgetting to keep it accross all plug-ins. Next rev definitely.
- If you happen to have some measurements and some pics of your setup, I'm sure that more will be happy to hear about and see your setup in the showcase section.

Thanks again for sharing your experience,

DevTeam

Okay, a few quick questions. I assume the plate amp is limited to a 2-way design, but can be cascaded infinitely to create 4 or 5 or 6-way designs?

That there is a 250W version coming is helpful as I'd love to use that to power custom subwoofers. A 3-way or 4-way model would be nice though, for making nice, clean, bigger designs.

I think there's an error on page 11 of the manual where the diagram shows connecting the digital output of one plate amp to the digital output of another plate amp.

I agree: Connecting out to in will probably be the way to go. Gonna test it soon

Can we please move to the option of balanced analog audio outputs on the plate amp for better connectivity with pro equipment? We can run in analog, but not daisy chain. For instance, if I wanted to make portable line arrays, it would be critical to be able to daisychain them with an XLR cable.

Also, the 2x250 is a great idea, but it would ALSO be nice to have an option like 2x125+1x250 or even 3x125+1x250 AND 4x125.

One of the things that lowers the value proposition for the 2x125 for some apps is that you're paying for, I presume, 3 or 4 channels of processing power, but only getting two. So, to do a 4-way speaker with these, you'd be paying for a lot of hardware that is redundant - 2 power supplies, two plates, two processors. So it becomes less expensive to buy a 4-channel or 8-channel amp and a 2x8 processor.

@John,
It's always hard to match all users needs. There is no such thing as the perfect product (especially at the affordable price we strive to keep). For more channels, the platform is limited to a 2x2 DSP. It would therefore not be possible to add more channels as requested since the platform is only 2x2. We also don't have a spare DAC to make that analog output happen unless we were doing a link out of an analog input.

Hoping this info helps.
DevTeam

Thanks. Doing some checking, I realize just how much the ICE amplifiers take out of that budget. To be honest, it would be pretty cool to have that plate amplifier also come in a conventional rack mount box. I'm trying to close a system for a hotel that would replace all their existing inceiling speakers with custom 2-way inceilings in an active digital config with multiple 12-channel amps driving them all. They like the idea. If you ever want to build custom installation oriented product for dealers, let me know and I'll help you spec them out. A 12 or 16 channel ICE amp with a mini-DSP running the front end would be sweet, especially if a DRC were built in as well.

I couldn't find in the manual whether the PWR-ICE has any kind of auto on/standby. Since it doesn't have a 12V trigger, I assume it does, but couldn't find any info on it.

My apologies if I simply missed in the manual.

@ DS21,

I'm afraid that the product indeed doesn't have auto on/standby as of now. That's something we could easily implement in the future knowing it's only a firmware upgrade. i.e. unit does or doesn't detects signal threshold for x min on input and acts accordingly by put the amplifier on standby. A good feature that we'll add to future firmware rev.

DevTeam

Any plans to add an analog "subwoofer" output to the next version, similar to what the Hypex AS2.100 has? This would be a boon to 2-channel systems that lack subwoofer processing/bass management.

Knowing the unit is powered by an ADAU1445 (same as miniDSP 2x8/8x8), it has enough power for some FIR.. More to come in coming weeks.

Are there any plans to get a new Plugin with FIR Feature?

Regards

@ niemoell,

Sorry for missing your post. Not sure of the Hypex is doing but the DSP module is a 2x2 max (i.e. processing wise and conversion wise) so I don't believe that we'd be able to build a 2.1 (if that's what you're trying to build here)

DevTeam

@ Da Alchemist,

Yes we indeed do plan in the future to enable that feature.. It's just been a bit busy so we've been waiting to combine feedback with current owners.

Devteam

Yes! Please!

FIR plugin and standby would realy add value to the product.

I am using (((acourate))) to create my FIR filters. Would be nice if these filters could be used.

Regards
Snugman