Working on improving SAX-100.4

[sundownz 197]

So... around the end of the year the SAX-100.4 will be improved yet again - we are always working to improve here at Sundown Audio! The SAX-100.4 is receiving it's fourth revision since it's release.

A little SAX-100.4 history:

SAX-100.4 -- Original model

SAX-100.4B -- Updated crossover ranges

SAX-100.4C -- Upgraded from 50-amp to 70-amp power supply transistors

SAX-100.4D -- This is the topic of this thread

The following functionality will be had with the crossovers:

ALL CHANNELS:

Subsonic @ 10 Hz - 500 Hz

HPF @ 50 Hz - 500 Hz w/ x10 switch (becoming 24dB slope)

LPF @ 50 Hz - 500 Hz w/ x10 button (selectable 12dB / 24dB)

So, there will be almost no limits on the crossovers... all four channels are fully adjustable from 50 - 5000 Hz on LPF and HPF as all four crossover banks will have x10 capability. The slopes on the HPF are fixed at 24dB and the LPF will be adjustable from 12dB to 24dB.

Unfortunately, there isn't enough room on the end panel to implement 12dB / 24dB switches for the HPF as well - but, most customers that wanted to see new functionality simply asked me for 24dB slopes - I just took it a step further with the LPF since I removed the bass boost feature to make room on the end panel there was one more slot!

So, what will you be able to do with the new model that you couldn't do before ?

1) You can bridge the amp and actively band-pass a midrange / midbass to play above 500 Hz. Since the x10 is on HPF on one set of channels and LPF on the other set currently you could only band-pass up to the 500 Hz limit of the set that didn't have the x10 switch. This will free customers up to put large amounts of power into a high powered midrange driver - eg: Morel, Dynaudio, etc. I will be using this functionality personally

2) You can cross-over tweeters much lower with the 24 dB slopes. I have had several requests to implement this from people wanting to use planar tweeters as well, as these require steeper slopes.

3) You can experiment with overlap with the selectable LPF slopes.

4) Most importantly for reliability and consistency... the small sub-cards that hold the crossovers will be re-tooled as double sided boards. All of these changes will result in a bit longer amp to fit the new crossover boards (about 1.5" longer), but will be worth it for the SQ enthusiasts who will appreciate this type of functionality.

-----

I know I said it once, but I know it'll be asked anyway, so I'll say it again This will not be ready until around years end. It involves new toolings for the sub-cards and the end panel so it takes a bit of time.

[lee 2]

This amp has crazy flexibility

[loudcav 1]

so when are you gonna trash the bass boost on the rest of the amps?

[sundownz 197]

so when are you gonna trash the bass boost on the rest of the amps?

I am phasing in reduced bass boost on the amps that will retain it at all in the near future.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

:)

[mazzasec 0]

I was just about to purchase one. Guess ill just wait for the new and improved models!

[ford302redneck 15]

Nice.

[sundownz 197]

Alright!

After substantially more tweaking and fiddling we have figured out how to get 12dB / 24dB selection for both the HPF and LPF crossovers on all four channels.

I'm excited

[sundownz 197]

Forgot to mention - this was accomplished by changing some of the planned switches to buttons, which take up less space on the side panel and on the crossover card board inside the amp. I am REALLY glad this was finally worked out right at the last minute, as I really wanted to have that last bit of flexibility.

Buttons will be used for all x1/x10 and 12dB/24dB functionality. So there will be 8 buttons on the side of the amp. The only switch is for "HPF, LPF, FULL" - so there are two switches. Then there eight knobs total - two gains, two "sub-sonics," two HPF adjustments, and two LPF adjustments.

Thats a full side panel

[lee 2]

Not many amps have 24db/octave for high pass.

[jdc753 0]

This is some sweet news, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better lol.

[pioneer 14]

Would current owners be able to trade-in and upgrade for a reduced price?

[mjmarovi 8]

wow, I am a big SQ guy, and guys let me tell you this is absolutely amazing! now someone can actually run a set of speakers without passives, a near active system, absolutely awesome! Just remember though guys you don't have to wait to buy one if you aren't going to be using this feature, In my case for example, I'm using a processor to actively xover my frequencies for my front stage. In thise case, my ideal amplifier would have no xovers on it, or limited capabilites since I would want its main purpose to deliver nothing but clean power.

Now talk about rare flexibility, 24db is so HUGE!!! that's what is needed to safely xover tweets and mids. Very few amps on the market offer anything to this quality, zapco, genesis, and rockford fosgate power series and 25 to life series have this and maybe us amps, but that's all I can think of that do.

oh yes MOST EXCELLENT JACOB WELL DONE!!

Edited July 25, 2008 by mjmarovi

[djphatbone 1]

hi jacob, are my 100.4 orders already the upgraded?

[todd.brust 29]

Sundown continues to get better and better!

[sundownz 197]

hi jacob, are my 100.4 orders already the upgraded?

You are getting the SAX-100.4C which is the latest one out right now. It has some updates from the last amps you received.

The SAX-100.4D, which this thread is about, won't be out until the end of the year.

[djphatbone 1]

alright thanks jacob...let me know if the saz3000d are available. i need 4 of em for the show this november.

[sundownz 197]

The SAX-100.4 is now OUT OF STOCK pending the improved D revision in 10-12 weeks.

We apologize for the long out of stock period but it was necessary to spend some time and energy to create the new D revision, it will be worth the wait!

[ford302redneck 15]

The SAX-100.4 is now OUT OF STOCK pending the improved D revision in 10-12 weeks.

We apologize for the long out of stock period but it was necessary to spend some time and energy to create the new D revision, it will be worth the wait!

Damn that's a long time.

[sundownz 197]

I know - I don't even get any for my car until then

[bigjae1976 0]

So the 100.4d will be about 18.5" long, correct?

[sundownz 197]

So the 100.4d will be about 18.5" long, correct?

About 18-18.5" long, yes.

The new crossovers take up quite a bit of board real estate.

[fuzzyping 0]

Do you have any mock-ups of the end panel?

[sundownz 197]

Actually, I do:

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Look at all that real-estate you have left over to the left of the led's. You could easily fit in a digital volt meter.