Amp for NS10s

[earthdub]

I just bought a pair of NS10s and was wondering if anyone can suggest a good amp or share some tips on how to choose a good amp for them, as far as adequate power and sound quality. Is something like the RA-100 a good choice? I really like the price.

I am new to doing my own recording so any advice would be appreciated. I know that a lot of people will tell me to sell the NS10s and get something else, but I have other reference monitors to use as well.

 

[Massive Master]

Normally I'd go off on my "Your speakers are only as good as the amp driving them" thing... But with NS10's, (IMO/E) you can pretty much throw anything in front of them and they're pretty much going to sound the same. So, try the Alesis. Or a used Hafler perhaps.

 

[TragikRemix]

im using an alesis ra150 with mine.

like massive said, anything decent will be fine.

EXCEPT anything that says Sampson... my boss tried to push one on me, i brought it back to him 3 days later- the mud was coming out of every gap in the speaker cabinet..

alot of people use crown d75's. i would too if i could've found one at the time.

 

[jmorris]

For my NS10's I use Alesis RA100 amp

 

[Ford Van]

The studio I used to work at had a RA100 when I first started there. He used NS10's exclusively. I brought in my Hafler and the owner HEARD the immediate difference between them! He bought a Hafler later that week.

So, I do NOT agree that you cannot tell the difference just because NS10's are involved.

And I DO NOT think the RA100 is worth ANY amount of money, nor ANY Sampson amp either!!!

 

[jmorris]

Funny Fordvan as I never use my NS10's ,and In have 2 sets, as I think they sound like total shit. Lots of midrange etc. Maybe I should think about new amp. Hey, the RA100 was free!

 

[TragikRemix]

they do sound like shit- the purpose i guess.

could it really be the amp? my boss uses a hafler with his, and they still sound like shit IMO..

what model hafler are you using?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I think both Fordie and Massive are correct. NS-10s will sound thin no matter what amp you hook up to them, but a better amp will make them sound like a better amp run through thin-sounding monitors.

G.

 

[jmorris]

I' going to get a better amp for my NS 10's so I can here the shit-ness beter

 

[Ford Van]

Good mixes sound good on NS 10's!

 

[DavidK]

I have an RA 100. I am really not impressed. Sound is mediocre and the build is shit, the volume knobs always give me grief. I have owned quite a few pieces of Alesis gear over the years, and I am officially giving up. I really question their gear and especially quality control. My 70 dollar Sherwood stereo receiver isnt that much worse than the Alesis, it is certainly built better. I may hook it up tomorrow and take the Alesis down. Thats not a glowing review of Alesis.

 

[jmorris]

Alesis shit quality?

I have had my 2 RA100 amps, one of which was from live band rack, my 2 generations of ADATs ,4 each, from blackface to XT's , so thats 8 ADATs total and presently 2 HD24, Masterlink and fireport. No problems. I used to be very picky about maintaining the ADATS, new idler wheel, cleaning them. So far Alesis has been good to me.

 

[DavidK]

I have had my 2 RA100 amps, one of which was from live band rack, my 2 generations of ADATs ,4 each, from blackface to XT's , so thats 8 ADATs total and presently 2 HD24, Masterlink and fireport. No problems. I used to be very picky about maintaining the ADATS, new idler wheel, cleaning them. So far Alesis has been good to me.

Interesting. I have had maybe 8 pieces and had a problem with almost every one. One of my violins was 322 years old, so I know how to care for stuff. In fact, I cant recall any other gear giving me trouble. Its not that I am a snob or a basher, I bought the stuff in the first place. The amp is noisy, the volume knobs have been messed up since I bought it.

I will go with Yamaha stuff now. My gear is usually entry level stuff, I have had lots of Yamaha and never had a problem.

 

[Mixxit12]

Not to start an NS-10 debate but I do agree NS-10 are supposed to sound like ass and, yes, good mixes do sound good on NS-10s. If you can make it sound good on an NS-10...blah blah blah.....

Get a decent amp. Decent amps can sound as good as great amps but bad amps can't sound like decent amps. Don't get the cheapest amp you can find.

 

[griffd]

Sad but true:

Hafler Special Annoucement

Dear Hafler Enthusiasts,

Hafler Professional products are no longer being manufactured.

see www.hafler.com/home

Dan

 

[DavidK]

Sad but true:

Hafler Special Annoucement

Dear Hafler Enthusiasts,

Hafler Professional products are no longer being manufactured.

see www.hafler.com/home

Dan

Not much need for them. When I went to Guitar Center a few weeks ago, they only had one pair of passive monitors in the store (KRK ST8s). I bought them, now they have none.