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Amp manfacturers that use ICEPower modules?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
Almost all actually.
The question should be "Amps manufacturers that use Class D modules other than ICE".
I know Quilter uses their own internally developed class D power section (Quilter is the "Q" letter of QSC)
I don't remember the other member of the list, but I'm sure it's shorter than the Ice module list.
I know Ampeg uses their own power modules or at least they did on their infamous PF series amps. I think Carvin also used their own power modules.
Add Mesa, bergantino, EA to your list.
Honestly you could probably add most companies doing class D. My computer monitor even touts “B&O ICEpower audio” on it.
Honestly you could probably add most companies doing class D. My computer monitor even touts “B&O ICEpower audio” on it.
gregbackstrom
These aren't stock curves--things move around!
ICEPower are super reliable + a guarantee of extended support.
Given that Mesa uses them in all their current amps, you can be sure they offer the best audio quality.
Some people think that all modern amps sound the same because of that, but it's wrong. "All sound the same" remains to be proven, and the tone comes from the preamp, not the power section. Even with the same ICEPower module, several amps have their own personnality, so if some of them seem to have the same "sterile" tone, it's not because of the power section, it's because the designers have chosen to design them that way, because they believe it's what the market wants.
Knowing if a given amp uses an ICEPower module or something else doesn't tell you anything about its tone.
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Nobody can provide a useful opinion about that without knowing in detail how a given module is implemented. Which is not info the manufacturer would provide. And even if they did, there are very few people with the technical knowledge necessary to provide an informed opinion about it, and most of them are working on competing products and won't publicly say anything.
My suggestion is not to worry about it too much.
... your amp has an internal combustion engine?
I remember when I use to buy gear with my ears. I guess it's all about the wiring diagram now...
while i love a good discussion, and do find it an interesting topic, this thread will mislead many to believing that this actually matters.
i doubt there's more than a few unique companies using something different. if they are, it's pretty close to impossible to claim any sort of difference outside of perhaps reliability, longevity, or similar quality measures.
as far as I know ICE modules are well made and reliable and not something we need to fuss about.
but, again, it's still interesting to note who's doing something else and whether or not we like that.
i doubt there's more than a few unique companies using something different. if they are, it's pretty close to impossible to claim any sort of difference outside of perhaps reliability, longevity, or similar quality measures.
as far as I know ICE modules are well made and reliable and not something we need to fuss about.
but, again, it's still interesting to note who's doing something else and whether or not we like that.
I fully agree.
It doesn't matter, we don't care.
The topic has been discussed in a previous thread:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/hypex-vs-icepower.1653861/
If I understood correctly, some boutique amps use other power modules, not because of better performances, but because it's easier for smaller amp companies to order smaller quantities from smaller suppliers. Only business considerations.
No one has ever managed to show that one amp sounds better than another thanks to its power module.
I bought Jad Freer Sisma. They use their own class G power module, and they communicate as if it was a better than class D. Maybe they hope to sell Sisma to people who think they hate class D amps. I don't care, I got nothing against class D. It's not the reason why I bought Sisma. I love it, but I'm sure I would love it just the same if it was using an ICEPower module.
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I'm not so sure about that. MarkBass LittleMark lll and LittleMark 800 had the same front end but different power amps and there's a clear consensus that they sounded different. Also true for the LittleMark tube and tube 800. They sound different in spite of the same front ends.
FWIW, most prefer the 500 watt MPT over the 800.
Interesting. Now you make me curious, do you know where can I learn about that sound difference?
