AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging
Power Amplifier for home stereo systems (Requires use of a Pre-Amp)
Not everyone wants or needs a single feature-loaded surround receiver, which is where the AudioSource Amp One/A 160-watt stereo amplifier comes into play. A favorite of audiophiles everywhere, the device is built to deliver powerful music, pure and simple, with few gratuitous extra controls to get in the way. Listeners can use the Amp One/A as an independent stereo amp (80 watts x 2) when used with a preamp, or as an adjunct amp for a low-powered surround receiver with preamp outputs (it delivers 200 watts of mono power). Combine the Amp One/A with an additional monoblock amp and a preamp and listeners can powerfully drive two front left/right speakers or two rear speakers, further clarifying each channel to create dynamic, high-end sound. To connect additional components to the amp, use the included line-in jacks (for connecting to a source such as a receiver, CD player, or preamplifier) or the line-out/thru jacks (for creating a multi-amp setup). It's also simple to switch between stereo and mono modes thanks to the bridging switch. The amp features a precise frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and total harmonic distortion of less than 0.04 percent--barely enough to register to the human ear. It also boasts color-coded five-way binding posts that make it easy to hook up stereo speakers. And at 16.5 by 2.38 by 11.62 inches (W x H x D), the device should fit comfortably in most rack mount or home entertainment setups. In addition, the Amp One/A is covered by a two-year warranty on parts and labor. What's in the Box
Amp One/A amplifier, user's manual.
AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging Accessories
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Terk FM-50 Indoor/Outdoor Dual-Drive Amplified FM Antenna (Terk FM50)
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AudioSource Amp 200 High-Current Stereo Amplifier (80 Watts x 2)
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AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging Reviews
I wouldn't be afraid to run a much more expensive speaker that needs 200 watts or less on this amp either. This amp has 200 watts at 8 ohms bridged this allowed me to put a effective amp for my sixth and rear speaker. I am running kef iq's speakers and they demand good clean power and if you don't put enough power into them you can clip them. But that's a small price to pay for a great little amp that can run a kef center speaker and do it well for this price. Clipping occurs when you turn up a speaker and the amp cannot provide the power they need. I am using a Sunfire amp to run the other five speakers and that is a expensive 5 channel amp. You don't have to set the volume control everytime however.
And if you have big bucks you can go for a high grade amp but In these troubled economic times many of us may not be able to spend alot on amps anymore; so this may be a good solution for your home theater mono amp needs. The stereo mode is 80 watts per channel. It depends on how loud you want your speaker. However if you have a speaker that needs more than 200 watts then I think you are better served with a higher wattage amp. So running a speaker with not enough power is a far greater risk to it than having a more powerful amplifier run a speaker. I do not recommend using any but a much more powerful amp on a 4 ohm speaker.
Still Audio Source should be applauded for giving people a inexpensive amp that performs very well as a mono amp with 200 watts power. Most speakers are run at 8 ohms but some aren't so I would check your speaker first before buying this amp. This amp provided the solution through it's bridging switch. Audio Source has a few of these at decent prices. A buyer at this price cannot complain that the amp doesn't have internal circuits that detect and turn on and off the amp when a signal comes in like a high grade amp either. I have looked for a while for a affordable mono amp that was not short on power.
You must manually turn on the amp and set a baaic volume control on the right control knob.
I had to replace the meter lights and re-epoxy the meter scales in place in the meters. I currently use it to drive a pair of Klipsch KG4s and it will run me out of the room if I want to push it hard. Heavy toroidal transformer and discrete output transistors. This one is the same specs, except it has output meters (and x10 sensitivity), dual switchable speaker outs, and a soft-clip circuit. It runs cool to the touch, amd has very adequate heatsinking. This thing has well exceeded my expectations.
Highly recommended Otherwise, the build quality was very nice. This is actually a review for the AmpOne (not the /A version). I have never had the protection engage and the soft-clip gives me some peace of mind with kids in the house.
It also drove a pair of a/d/s L-1290/2s in stereo and also was pressed into center channel duty in bridged mode. Bias and dc-offset was spot on, even after probably 10-15 years. I picked mine up off of Craigslist. I have been very impressed. And at much lower volumes, this amp never loses composure.
Not a huge deal, but it adds to the steps one must take. These work great in bridged (mono) mode. They did great. I took them out of my theater, only b/c my receiver does a good job by itself and I did not have room for any more plugs in a new (old) house we bought. I ran three across the front of my home theaters in mono mode (one for each of my three front speakers). However, you do have to manually power each one up and down with the button on the front.
The new amp worked fine. The audiosource is OK for a basic, small 8-ohm load and does not have the low impedance characteristics advertised by the manufacturer.
Amazon promptly credited us and provided a return label. We double checked the ohm load and it was 5-ohms.
We returned the amp and purchased a completely different amp in slightly higher price range from a different manufacturer. We purchased an identical amplifier locally because of time constraints.
When connected to the 5-ohm load it worked but got extremely hot and we shut it down. The unit arrived dead out of the box.
We purchased this amplifier to drive a 5-ohm load based on the manufacturers claim of a low impedance 4-ohm capability.
I have four bookshelf speakers that were being power by a stereo receiver. That means I am running 80 Watts into each speaker. However, power in the audio industry is not well defined. This means they can claim any power.
This stereo receiver bragged that it produced 100 Watts per channel for four channel. To calculate power, one uses the formula Power=V^2/R, where V is the RMS voltage and R is the resistance of the circuit or load. I have owned two of these amps for almost a year now and I am very fond of them. Sorry this is getting a bit technical, but the moral of the story is the audio industry feels free to choose R at will. This should be quieter than my old receiver, but it is not. The sad thing is it is legal to so do.
I bought two of these amps to power my four speaker. Anyway, back to the review. I am very satisfied this this product. It is much louder because these amps actually put out a real 160 Watts as opposed to my old stereo receiver which most likely put out 50 Watts per channel.
So, supposedly each of my speakers was getting 100 Watts of power. This is what I do an it works well. In fact, they recommend that one keeps the amps turned all the way up at all times and simply adjust the input signal volume. Also, the signal to noise seems excellent.
Believe me as I am a physicist, they are pretty wacky in the audio business. These are the first amps I have owned where if I run a clean signal in and turn the volume all the way up, I do not hear a hiss coming out of my speakers.
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