Forum

Wanting to throw a couple parties, I researched information for some weeks in the audio department. Looking at websites that sell PA System packages, I saw Technical Pro amps coming up a lot towards the cheap end. So I dropped some moneys on the entry level model.

Their Hybrid series of amps are a combination of a power amplifier, pre-amplifier, and tuner. So you can use it to power pretty much any type of speaker and prepare audio signals to be sent to other amplifiers; meaning this amp is pretty versatile and expandable. It looks pretty nice and has a lot of connections, even though it's one of those 'cheap-chinese-factory' made amps.



Specifications
When you look at this, it seems more like a receiver than a power amplifier, and like most receivers it has A/B channels. I assume using A+B mode runs the channels in parallel like other receivers. I only have 2 speakers connected at a time so I only use the A channel.

Unfortunately, Technical Pro doesn't list all the specs on their site, so I've put together information based on the specs from websites selling the amplifier. It would be nice if Technical Pro listed more useful information other than a theoretical amount of watts.
Note: A '?' is a guess value.

	HB1502U
4 Channels 8ohms 4ohms 2ohms	70 watts per channel ? 100 watts per channel ? Unknown
Surround Output 8ohms 4ohms 2ohms	Unknown Unknown Unknown
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 20Hz - 20kHz	8ohms: Not sure // 4ohms: Not sure // 2ohms: Not sure
Signal to Noise Ratio (20Hz - 20kHz)	Not sure
Amplifier Class	Class AB ?
Subwoofer Out Low pass filter crossover frequency	Unknown

The Looks
There's 3 models: HB1502U, HB2502U, and HB3502U. All models are made for rack mounts and take up 2 units of space (hence the '2U' in the model names). I think the looks are similar to Maverick Audio's DAC and hybrid tube amp. The front of the Technical Pro amplifier has a brush aluminum face and sexy looking knobs. The case is dark-smoke aluminum with vents on the top. Also the front has handles on the rack mount ears.

Personally, I think the screen is pretty darn sexy. When powered off, it's a perfect mirror. When powered on, there's a nice double reflection and the electro-luminescent display has a ghosting effect that looks pretty nice. You can also see the circuitry connecting different screen elements together which I think is cool looking. One thing I find sort of funny are the fake icons on the screen, it reminds me of 90s electronics sort of. There's a 'TURBO POWER' graphic in the corner. Next to it is a fake wireless reception icon, ESP icon, Karaoke icon, cassette tape icon, and a digital CD icon. It's really 90s and I like it.

The screen icons that are not fake include the audio input source, speaker output (A, B, A+B), radio band selection, Bass and Treble controls, Balance control, a display that looks similar to a clock or calculator LCD, and a dancing EQ meter.

Honestly, I think the case is the most expensive part of the amp. The looks are better than the performance you expect out of this thing

The Power
Will finish later.

The Connections
Will finish later.

Final Thoughts
Will finish later.

How I Have My Setup
Laterrrrrrr.

Included Manual
The manual is sort of cheap as it only has information on how to use the amp. It doesn't have any extra specifications like RMS, THD, amplifier class, etc. However it does have a circuitry page.
Here are links to each page of the manual (taken with a camera):

• Front
• Page 1
• Page 2
• Page 3
• Page 4
• Page 5
• Circuitry

Things Technical Pro Should Do
Even thought the company caters to a low to mid range level consumer, there's no reason a company shouldn't strive for high standards. High standards includes being honest about their products and including all the information they can. This product is basically from an electronics sweatshop, but that doesn't mean the company shouldn't care about what they're selling. This is why I think they should do the following:

• Put their manuals online in PDF format
• List all specifications for their amplifiers (e.g., RMS/Max average watts per channel at 1kHz, THD at 2ohms 4ohms 8ohms from 20Hz - 20kHz, Signal to noise ratio, amplifier class, dampening factor for 8ohms, frequency response range, what frequency the subwoofer out low pass filter is set to, etc)

Pictures

I recently got some large "bookshelves" as I like to call them. White van speakers with 12" woofer, 3.5" mid, and 2.5" high. They're decent.


Screen


Top


Rear

Your lucky I didn't have it plugged in, the power plug says 10A 250V.

BTW, I got this amp on Monday and it was $125 from audiosavings. But they ran out of stock since I bought the last one, and when they're out of stock it doesn't even show up on their site :O .

I checked both sides and they both say 10A 250V. I'm certain that's a max power rating since the switch on the back of the unit is for 115V or 230V. Of course my switch is set to 115V.

Looks nice, wish I could hear how it sounds.

And what are ya gonna use it for? Maybe you could find another power amp?

I have easy to drive bookshelf speakers now so I don't need the power but it would be kinda cool to have a quadraphonic setup (stereo with 4 speakers) or to have the ability to drive floor standing speakers would be nice. Tiny bookshelf speakers are ok but real sound quality lies in speakers the size of your computer with large woofers, nice mids and quality tweeters.

I'm pretty sure you can drive 4 floor speakers with this. The site isn't very specific but it's apparently rated 200watts RMS @ 8ohms. I own the thing but even I don't know if it's 200watts per channel or if it's 200watts total. But either way it'll drive floor speakers no problem.

Seriously? The one I saw on eBay mentioned 1500 watt output and I laughed.

Yea, 200 RMS isn't bad. I think my current amp is either 10 or 20watts per channel. Even if you go 200/7 channels, that's 28.5wpc. Maybe it's 200 RMS WPC? Still, it looks great for the price. I'd like to hear it in person.

I think I might send an e-mail to Technical Pro about how much RMS comes out of each channel because I'm really curious.

Post your findings here, I'm curious as well.