Inexpensive multichannel amplifiers - IHOS, Soundking, t.amps, Sirus

    Hey,

    First of all - I'm a bit hesitant to ask in English, but hoping this is not a sin on this forum and count on your warm welcome.

    I'm looking for advice on multichannel amplifiers for spatial sound installation.

    Need 16-24 channels, so this motivates me seeking something affordable.

    At the same time, I don't want to sink money in something that's gonna blow in 10 minutes.

    My power requirement is fairly small. Each of channels will drive a single 8Ω/50W driver or an equivalent of a 6"-7" studio monitor with a woofer and tweeter (non bi-amp, passive boxes). So an amp around 150-300W/8Ω is more than sufficient, but can be stronger and used carefully.

    Another requirement - it should be compact (ideally 1U/4ch or 1U/8ch).

    I have shortlisted several affordable amps, and researched their reviews.

    For most of them, it's hard to find something. For some (omnitronic), several unpleasant opinions.

    Some of these amps/manufacturers have been on the market for a good while.

    Do you have any practical experience with the following?

    Which ones are a total money wasters, which ones could be explored?

    Sirus I-Amp 8.150

    Low cost, a bit high noise at 96db s/n, but could cut it on the affordable side

    Studiomaster HX4-600

    Omnitronic XDA-1206

    Omnitronic MCD-3006 MK2

    Omnitronic MCD-4008 MK2

    These look great on paper, even too good to be true.

    4008 was fried either on this or some other forum, but not sure if it ports to the entire brand and other models?

    IHOS

    iHOS D2004

    iHOS D1204

    IHOS Quadro DSP 2.0

    AFAIK about a thousand have been sold, been around for a while.

    No reviews…

    DAP audio

    DAP Audio Qi-4200 - low cost

    DAP Audio Si-4450 - this seems to the newer offering, on a bit more expensive side.

    Soundking

    BD4150 / BD4300 / BD4450

    This looks really interesting, especially with built-in IES67, but haven't found a single review.

    Thomann

    the t.racks DSP 4x4 Amp 4,250

    I'm leaning towards this one, as its a sweet spot, but again, no reliable reviews

    the t.amp D4-500

    the t.amp Quadro 500 DSP

    Sirus I-Amp 4.500

    Out of these 3, the t.amp D4-500 is the simplest and probably most reliable, and had better reviews than the other guy.

    I's been out there for long, which is good.

    I know Thomann had the other line of 2U units, some Class D, some AB, but they are too bulky for me.

    Appreciate your advice, and any first-hand experience with any of these.

    Thank you!

  • DJheini 19. April 2025 um 21:06

    Hat das Thema freigeschaltet.

    I would recommend looking into the second hand market.

    eg.

    Crown CT Series (DCI would also be an option, but not cheap)

    Powersoft Quattrocanali / Duecanali (maybe the older series before Powersoft introduced the DSP+D models)

    Regarding the amps you mentioned, I only hand my hands on the t-racks DSP 4x4. I tested it once and i did not like the signal-to-noise ratio = too much hiss. At least for the application i was looking to buy the amp for. Definitely an issue with high sensitivity hf drivers.

    To make such a multichannel setup work properly you want the possibility to apply EQ and Delay to each channel. External DSP or amp with DSP on board. If this project is a permanent fixed media installation there are maybe cheaper options, doing the processing with software in the playback computer.

    For spatialisation have a look into L-ISA studio if you havent decided which tool you will use. This software works great, even with non l-acoustics hardware.

    That's sure, but buying 6 of the cheap one's with all the installation and mainly management problems (managing 6 amps by USB with software not made for this) you will loose a lot of time (and money) too.

    I have myself an t.racks miniDSP4x4 pro which works fairly well for the price, but I don't think to manage 6 of them by plugging unplugging usb connectors. If it's a one time fixed install , it's perhaps an option taking into account for the time spent.

    Yes, thats why i wouldnt recommend the t-racks stuff either. Maybe the used powersoft approach is the compromise between high end / high price and low end / cheap devices. There are other possibilities too, but without further info it is hard to recommend other devices / systems. Lets see if the thread starter visits this forum again ;)

    I use meyer stella speakers for a mini immersive dome with 16 channels. But i was lucky buying them cheap before used market prices went crazy. Processing is done with a sq5 which serves as interface to connect laptops to the system as well.

    I would prefer the the t.amp Quadro 500 DSP.

    Cheap and good :)

    If the all are in one Rack, you could Use a USB-Hub and connect all 6 Amps to the hub, then use one cable to the Laptop. You could name every single Amp with an unique Numbre, os the Software can differentiate the Amps...

    Test for the Quadro500:

    the t.amp Quadro 500 DSP Test
    Die Quadro 500 DSP Vierkanal-Endstufe ist der neuste Zuwachs der Thomann Hausmarke the t.amp. Wir schauen, was der Verstärker unter der Haube hat.
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