i could have done a few of the 4ch amps+sub amps or 5ch amps+sub amps. the 6ch amplifiers providing a lot of power, flexibility, and are the same chassis as the sub amps. this satisfied a symmetry OCD as well.
nick
nah, 700w each. no problems.
stereo channels off the amps, so like 150w each -
https://www.arcaudio.com/store?p=107112
yeah, i chose it for dynamics and micro details at all volume levels. combined with enough input voltage, there's a more proper amount of pressure on my eardrums. instruments sound more natural. attack and decay are better.
these amps will produce full power with like 3.75vrms in. dsp puts out 8vrms as well. -5db test tones for setting gains, i can measure clipping output around 3.7vrms input. they'll put out max power with gains at minimum but gains are like 1/8 to 1/4 up. dsp output channels are -10db for midbasses, -6db for midranges, -3db for tweeters, and 0db for subs (not accounting for near-side lower levels). there's more to this near the end.
most recordings, i can do 80-90db around 30-50% radio volume. 60-75% for 110db w/ 115db dynamics.
part of the gain structure also has to do w/ the meca competition cd/content and the scoresheet. the content's got quite a bit of dynamic range, so the recordings seem quiet (except for the dynamic bits). with meca content, the radio volume is 60-75% for 80-90db. linearity tests can go to 100% radio volume for 110-115db.
for the meca score sheet, to score 9/10-10/10 in a tonality category, you need to be able to hit 115db dynamics and remain composed/balanced. for the Drum Improvisation (it's compressed to hell on youtube but
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93u5XIFblGU ) track, it's 100% radio volume, but it does hit 115db dynamics.
i analyzed and uploaded the meca CD awhile ago -
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/153763
i did the iasca 2016 disc too, which always felt flat (and you can see it in the dynamic range scores) -
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/153762
when i first got it back from JT and started tuning with it, subs sound fine at like 80-90db but way too much at 105db. so this led me to playing w/ levels and gain structure to get it balanced while still maintaining 20hz extension.
getting gain structures optimized for these constraints takes time. getting the gains balanced between all the speakers for linearity is tough. i've sat in many cars where you get on it and the subs don't keep up or the subs run away and overpower the rest of the sound. or tweeters become way too powerful and unbalanced. or the midrange speakers sound distorted while everything else sounds fine. i've sat in many cars that barely hit 95db dynamics w/ the meca content
it's certainly not a typical setup, your mileage may vary
