Ashly FET 500... Initial Imprssions

Pro Audio Asylum

Pro studio recording equipment and music production/industry.

tried it using Quad 99 pre amp with RCA outputs going to XLR on amp.
Had to increase gain on Quad to middle setting.
Tried combo on Klipsch CF 3 speakers, 2 neo magnet 10's, and a neo magnet aluminum dome compression driver on a Tractrix horn.
I have damped the Horn with rope caulk.
I compared the Ashly FET 500 to a small Parasound HCA 500 amp, 60 wpc.
The Ashly dont sound as good, period.
It just dont have the magic of the small litle Parasound.
Then, i changed speakers to my B&W Matrix 801's, and holy shit.
The Ashly sounds wonderful on the 801's, not a bit of harshness, tight powerful bass, a huge image, and tons of toe tapping musicality.
Sara MacGlaughlin sounded like she was playing piano in the room, and though Shania Twain and JoDee Messina are bright, there is no stridency on their voices.
So, my conclusions so far are.
The Ashlys first few watts are perhaps not the cleanest, hence its mediocre performance on my Horns ?
But, on the power hungry 801's, the Ashly shines.
I cant wait to go back and listen to the 801's.
My Audio buddy also heard this combo and freaked out, that a Pro Sound amp could make the 801's sound so wonderful/
I reminded him that the 801's are a real recording studio monitor, and the Ashly FET 500, in its day, was an amp one might find in a recording studio.
So, the ashly B&w combo wasnt as weird as he thought ?
These are my initial impressions of this amplifier, more to come/

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Topic - Ashly FET 500... Initial Imprssions - ka7niq 20:41:40 04/21/04 (4)

Re: Ashly FET 500... Initial Imprssions - Mudjock 13:38:45 04/29/04 (0)

801's are some of the most current hungry dynamic units around - Triodeuser 10:58:40 04/22/04 (2)

Re: 801's are some of the most current hungry dynamic units around - ka7niq 17:18:34 04/22/04 (1)

Not personally familiar with Ashly stuff but I believe it has a good reputation - Triodeuser 16:12:43 04/23/04 (0)

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