I've been looking at some amps by Arc Audio, namely their KS 300.4 and KS 500.1 (90x4, 450x1) and I want to know your opinions on them.

I want to know about availability (where to buy), reputation, build quality, looks, performance, and how they sound.

 

I have the 300.2 and 300.4 and those are absolutely fantastic.

I love the black box look, the sound is amazing (compare to what i use to have Kenwood, Sony, Carver, Pioneer, MTX) and even if it's there entry level models Arc realise that they had a winner and since 2009 their price increased >20%...

My only disappointment with the 300.4 is that you only have the 1x/10x multiplier for the crossover on 2 channels.

They will usually stay cool unless bridged and push to the max.

Here's the list of authorized dealer

 

Very odd, I am not on that list....I will have to get that changed tomorrow. Great amps, I wish that other companies would follow suit and rid the world of crap masquerading as audio gear. I would highly recommend Arc Audio.

 

I've had older KAR series, XXK, and now have the KS, and the SE, and they kept getting better in this order. Their new amps are great and stay cool easily. The look is also very clean.

 

A big reason why i asked about these amps is that they were designed by Robert Zeff, the same fellow behind Zapco, which of I was interested in, but I now find hard to find.

It was after I posted the topic that I found a review of the KS 300.4 amp, and spent a good hour or so reading it, if the reviewer was impressed, then so am I.

I found Arc's site thru Selective Sounds own site, so this weekend I'll get a chance to look at them plus a few other items of interest.

 

Arc SE > Zapco C2K

Just make sure and run that KS 500.1 at lowest possible impedance i.e. 1 ohm or close to it. I noticed that output at 4 ohms sounds way lower than advertised in respect to 1 or 2 ohm. My 1000.1 plays ok at 4 ohms, but starts to slam at 2 ohms or lower.