I would like some help choosing an Amp
05-18-2006, 03:34 PM
#31
Yes you guys are correct its your money. And anyone who knows me or has asked me for helps knows I will give it them regardless of where they are buying it from. I just hate to see people get burned and then 2 months later come on the site to flame the manufacture of the equipment that they will not honour the warranty due to the fact that the peice of equipment was either stolen off a truck or "B" stock that had a thirty day warranty. Just because ebay users says hey its brand new in the box doesnt mean its not "B" stock that was put together with inferior parts that they didnt notice till some started failing and then blew the order out the door at half price with no or very limited warranty. And yes you may have great success and be super happy but for every 1 person happy there are 3 that arnt. So as vendors and long time experts in the field we are simply saying BE CAREFUL and know your product and what you are getting into. Now if you want a straight anwser from me. In the lower wattage amps list on top out of the first three I would pick the PG X600.1 by far and out of the higher wattage amps (bottom three) I would say the MA Audio. Dollars for wattage and quality I feel its a better choice.
Cheers and good luck on the amp hunt.
Cheers and good luck on the amp hunt.
05-18-2006, 03:36 PM
#32
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,855
Originally Posted by veeman
Another issue that is directed to the owner of this board:
IS THIS BOARD FOR CAR AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS, OR IS IT JUST FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT LOCAL DEALERS? PLEASE CLARIFY, AS I DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT ANY DEALERS IF THAT'S THE CASE. IF NOT, THEN ANYONE WITH A LEGITIMATE QUESTION, CONCERN, COMMENT, OR WHATEVER CONCERNING CAR AUDIO, SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THOSE ON THIS BOARD. OTHERWISE, PLEASE STATE THAT IT IS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CAR AUDIO BOARD THAT CATERS TO PRO RETAIL CONSUMERS ONLY. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO TELL MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN EXPECT LITTLE OR NO HELP FROM ANYONE ON THIS BOARD IF THEY DON'T BUY LOCALLY. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW MEMBERS, LIKE MYSELF, WHO BUY FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES, FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS, THAT ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP OUT ANY MEMBER IF AND WHEN WE CAN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY SHOP. I LIKE CAR AUDIO, IT'S A PASTIME, HOBBY, AND SOMETIMES OBSESSION, BUT MOST OF ALL IT'S FUN. I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT WE ARE ALL ON THIS BOARD FOR THE SAME REASON; TO SHARE OUR PASSION FOR CAR AUDIO. the end
IS THIS BOARD FOR CAR AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS, OR IS IT JUST FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT LOCAL DEALERS? PLEASE CLARIFY, AS I DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT ANY DEALERS IF THAT'S THE CASE. IF NOT, THEN ANYONE WITH A LEGITIMATE QUESTION, CONCERN, COMMENT, OR WHATEVER CONCERNING CAR AUDIO, SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THOSE ON THIS BOARD. OTHERWISE, PLEASE STATE THAT IT IS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CAR AUDIO BOARD THAT CATERS TO PRO RETAIL CONSUMERS ONLY. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO TELL MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN EXPECT LITTLE OR NO HELP FROM ANYONE ON THIS BOARD IF THEY DON'T BUY LOCALLY. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW MEMBERS, LIKE MYSELF, WHO BUY FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES, FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS, THAT ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP OUT ANY MEMBER IF AND WHEN WE CAN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY SHOP. I LIKE CAR AUDIO, IT'S A PASTIME, HOBBY, AND SOMETIMES OBSESSION, BUT MOST OF ALL IT'S FUN. I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT WE ARE ALL ON THIS BOARD FOR THE SAME REASON; TO SHARE OUR PASSION FOR CAR AUDIO. the end
This is an interesting statement for a few reasons.
First off, we lost a number of retailers after the change in the board specifically because their activities were restricted. At the time the 'new owner' was criticized for his anti-retail views. Can't win for tryin I guess
Secondly - by your own manifesto, should a concerned retailer not also be able to have "THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE" their opinions also? I think that would only be fair.
Regarding: "I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO TELL MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN EXPECT LITTLE OR NO HELP FROM ANYONE ON THIS BOARD IF THEY DON'T BUY LOCALLY." Who told you this? Oh yes, another member not administration. That member should be able to feel free to help out who they want when they want, no? I think so.
"THERE ARE QUITE A FEW MEMBERS, LIKE MYSELF, ... THAT ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP OUT ANY MEMBER IF AND WHEN WE CAN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY SHOP." Good for you - continue on with that. Just don't expect others to mimic your actions.
05-18-2006, 03:41 PM
#33
Thanks veeman, and haha and the balance of your post. There are alot of great dealers in Canada and only some of us are on the forum. Generally speaking, it is the smaller dealers that need and appreciate your business. Most of us have worked for the big guys before and got tired of their stick in the mud attitudes and red tape. Now owning my own business, the red tape can get broken, the stick in the mud is not there and I am free to look after my customers the way that I was not allowed to before from the big guys.
Some of the members here work for the big guys. Some of them are quite happy and content there and have learned how to work within the guidelines that are laid down. Some of those same members divulge some great info here on the site as well. Dukk for example is one of these great people. Some of us needed to work outside of the guidelines that the big box had, we are the people that wanted to go on working for ourselves rather than someone else. Nothing wrong with either situation.
PS. ported boxes suck.
Some of the members here work for the big guys. Some of them are quite happy and content there and have learned how to work within the guidelines that are laid down. Some of those same members divulge some great info here on the site as well. Dukk for example is one of these great people. Some of us needed to work outside of the guidelines that the big box had, we are the people that wanted to go on working for ourselves rather than someone else. Nothing wrong with either situation.
PS. ported boxes suck.
05-18-2006, 03:42 PM
#34
Originally Posted by veeman
ebay is for experienced buyers such as myself, that require no warranty, service, or any extra help from local dealers. If you need all those services, then I suggest you shop locally. There are great deals on ebay if you know what you are doing. Also, note that local shops don't always give good service, one of my main reasons for starting to shop online. As for warranty, many of the manufacturers (ALpine for example) will not honour a warranty unless it is installed by an Alpine dealer in Canada(stated in bold letters on their warranty card). This is a problem for people like me who do their own installs, some shops may stamp your receipt(which is actually fraud on the part of the retailer), but many will not. This negates the warranty benefit of purchasing locally, and actually can cost you more, since you have to pay for installation. We've had this discussion many times here, and I'm not here to put down dealers, they have a segment to serve, but they should also recognize that not everyone is interested in all the "extras" that they provide. Money is money, and we all make decisions everyday as to our priority in spending it. If I can save a few dollars by purchasing on ebay, and it suits my service level, then that's good for me, and that's what I'm interested in...my bank account!
Another issue that is directed to the owner of this board:
IS THIS BOARD FOR CAR AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS, OR IS IT JUST FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT LOCAL DEALERS? PLEASE CLARIFY, AS I DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT ANY DEALERS IF THAT'S THE CASE. IF NOT, THEN ANYONE WITH A LEGITIMATE QUESTION, CONCERN, COMMENT, OR WHATEVER CONCERNING CAR AUDIO, SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THOSE ON THIS BOARD. OTHERWISE, PLEASE STATE THAT IT IS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CAR AUDIO BOARD THAT CATERS TO PRO RETAIL CONSUMERS ONLY. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO TELL MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN EXPECT LITTLE OR NO HELP FROM ANYONE ON THIS BOARD IF THEY DON'T BUY LOCALLY. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW MEMBERS, LIKE MYSELF, WHO BUY FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES, FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS, THAT ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP OUT ANY MEMBER IF AND WHEN WE CAN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY SHOP. I LIKE CAR AUDIO, IT'S A PASTIME, HOBBY, AND SOMETIMES OBSESSION, BUT MOST OF ALL IT'S FUN. I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT WE ARE ALL ON THIS BOARD FOR THE SAME REASON; TO SHARE OUR PASSION FOR CAR AUDIO. the end
Another issue that is directed to the owner of this board:
IS THIS BOARD FOR CAR AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS, OR IS IT JUST FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT LOCAL DEALERS? PLEASE CLARIFY, AS I DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT ANY DEALERS IF THAT'S THE CASE. IF NOT, THEN ANYONE WITH A LEGITIMATE QUESTION, CONCERN, COMMENT, OR WHATEVER CONCERNING CAR AUDIO, SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THOSE ON THIS BOARD. OTHERWISE, PLEASE STATE THAT IT IS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CAR AUDIO BOARD THAT CATERS TO PRO RETAIL CONSUMERS ONLY. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO TELL MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN EXPECT LITTLE OR NO HELP FROM ANYONE ON THIS BOARD IF THEY DON'T BUY LOCALLY. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW MEMBERS, LIKE MYSELF, WHO BUY FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES, FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS, THAT ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP OUT ANY MEMBER IF AND WHEN WE CAN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY SHOP. I LIKE CAR AUDIO, IT'S A PASTIME, HOBBY, AND SOMETIMES OBSESSION, BUT MOST OF ALL IT'S FUN. I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT WE ARE ALL ON THIS BOARD FOR THE SAME REASON; TO SHARE OUR PASSION FOR CAR AUDIO. the end
As for MR2NR's following comment your argument only goes as far as the number of truly good dealers. We've all had this argument many times over on this forum and those of us that don't support the local dealers 100% all have their own reasons. Anyone that wants to know mine is welcome to PM me.
05-18-2006, 04:04 PM
#35
Originally Posted by MR2NR
Thanks veeman, and haha and the balance of your post. There are alot of great dealers in Canada and only some of us are on the forum. Generally speaking, it is the smaller dealers that need and appreciate your business. Most of us have worked for the big guys before and got tired of their stick in the mud attitudes and red tape. Now owning my own business, the red tape can get broken, the stick in the mud is not there and I am free to look after my customers the way that I was not allowed to before from the big guys.
Some of the members here work for the big guys. Some of them are quite happy and content there and have learned how to work within the guidelines that are laid down. Some of those same members divulge some great info here on the site as well. Dukk for example is one of these great people. Some of us needed to work outside of the guidelines that the big box had, we are the people that wanted to go on working for ourselves rather than someone else. Nothing wrong with either situation.
PS. ported boxes suck.
Some of the members here work for the big guys. Some of them are quite happy and content there and have learned how to work within the guidelines that are laid down. Some of those same members divulge some great info here on the site as well. Dukk for example is one of these great people. Some of us needed to work outside of the guidelines that the big box had, we are the people that wanted to go on working for ourselves rather than someone else. Nothing wrong with either situation.
PS. ported boxes suck.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE IS GREAT!!! if I'm ever in Courtenay, I will drop in to say hello. I like people who stand up for their cause.
By the way GTP, I'm sorry if I've Hijacked your post. With regards to your initial inquiry for an amp; If you can find a Pioneer GM-D510M, it's perfectly suited for those subs, 500-600 watts rms at 2ohms, class D, and very small footprint. I've used 4 of them in the last 2 years for friends and family with nothing but good things to say. Lots of power and available locally( at least it was in T.O.) for 300.00 brand new authorized. SEE I SHOP LOCALLY SOMETIMES!!!!
05-18-2006, 04:18 PM
#36
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,855
Originally Posted by MR2NR
PS. ported boxes suck.
YOUsuck!! 
And I'm only there 1 day a week.
05-18-2006, 04:33 PM
#37
[QUOTE=MR2NR]Consider this please. Who is more likely to provide an educated and informed decision. A retailer with many lines at his disposal and in the case of most of us, 20+ years of experience to back it up or a person who is just starting into car audio that might be 14 years old and is already a "pro" because he is on a forum? You have no real idea as to who it is you are asking for opinions here. At least buying from a retailer you are protected. At least buying from a retailer, you can ask us questions that we will gladly answer. So, ask E-bay your questions and see how far it gets you.
QUOTE]
Unfortunately for the buyer the majority of dealers are just going to give you a truly biased answer to the products they sell. I know I can walk into every dealership in my immediate area and if I tell them I have one of the majority of truly incredible drivers in my vehicle they will tell me it's crap and their's are better even if I'm replacing an IDMax for a W0.
I've been in the industry and worked in a nice shop for a few years. I just prefer this as a hobby and not as my career. That doesn't mean I don't understand each side's perspective's though. What I can't understand is how those "support us your local dealer" guys can be so narrow minded to their own products and can't be bothered (or even worse lie to the customer) regarding other manufacturer's. Take for example a Digital Designs driver (considering that this is a pretty DD friendly and educated board). How many dealers are in your area that if you walked in and told them you have a DD driver in your car they would tell you it's junk or a flea market brand and try to get you into one of their products however low on the line it may be.
Ever walk into a shop and not let on that you are educated in car audio? Listen to some of the crap that the salesmen spew from their mouths. Much of it complete BS.
Last time I had a RE HC driver in my car and went to the local JL dealership to check out the latest lines in HU's when the salesman asked me what was in my car currently. When he heard about the HC he immediately told me it was garbage and tried to sell me a W0 to replace it with without even bothering to take a listen in my car and I couldn't have cared less about looking at subs that day.
I have nothing against the dealerships that truly care about their customers and their needs and if I had one in my area I would back them 100%. But I don't. So instead of listening to the BS biased answers that I get from these guys I know I'm basically on my own when looking at new products so I'll use my own ears to judge new products and put it together with a solid foundation from what I've learned in the field.
Anyone here that knows me is aware that I'm one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and if I have one minute available to help you with something I'll give you two. There's plenty of the same guys on this board and many just happen to own or work in car audio retailers. To those that truly want to help someone out then you have my full support and be proud of what you're doing. I hope your business is a complete success.
But telling everyone else to support their local retailer when you know how crappy many of the guys are out their does not help you out at all.
One other thing:It seems recently that every time a new thread comes up with someone wanting advice on purchasing a new product a certain member here responds with "I PM'd you". Even if you're supporting the board here (which is great) maybe instead of trying to be sneaky and beat out the other retailers that are sponsoring this board with your backdoor actions you can just throw in your $0.02 and then let the person decide. I don't believe too many people would be pleased if every time they asked a question about buying a new product they had 17 retailers PM them saying what they had and what they could get for them without even letting the person get some product knowledge first.
QUOTE]
Unfortunately for the buyer the majority of dealers are just going to give you a truly biased answer to the products they sell. I know I can walk into every dealership in my immediate area and if I tell them I have one of the majority of truly incredible drivers in my vehicle they will tell me it's crap and their's are better even if I'm replacing an IDMax for a W0.
I've been in the industry and worked in a nice shop for a few years. I just prefer this as a hobby and not as my career. That doesn't mean I don't understand each side's perspective's though. What I can't understand is how those "support us your local dealer" guys can be so narrow minded to their own products and can't be bothered (or even worse lie to the customer) regarding other manufacturer's. Take for example a Digital Designs driver (considering that this is a pretty DD friendly and educated board). How many dealers are in your area that if you walked in and told them you have a DD driver in your car they would tell you it's junk or a flea market brand and try to get you into one of their products however low on the line it may be.
Ever walk into a shop and not let on that you are educated in car audio? Listen to some of the crap that the salesmen spew from their mouths. Much of it complete BS.
Last time I had a RE HC driver in my car and went to the local JL dealership to check out the latest lines in HU's when the salesman asked me what was in my car currently. When he heard about the HC he immediately told me it was garbage and tried to sell me a W0 to replace it with without even bothering to take a listen in my car and I couldn't have cared less about looking at subs that day.
I have nothing against the dealerships that truly care about their customers and their needs and if I had one in my area I would back them 100%. But I don't. So instead of listening to the BS biased answers that I get from these guys I know I'm basically on my own when looking at new products so I'll use my own ears to judge new products and put it together with a solid foundation from what I've learned in the field.
Anyone here that knows me is aware that I'm one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and if I have one minute available to help you with something I'll give you two. There's plenty of the same guys on this board and many just happen to own or work in car audio retailers. To those that truly want to help someone out then you have my full support and be proud of what you're doing. I hope your business is a complete success.
But telling everyone else to support their local retailer when you know how crappy many of the guys are out their does not help you out at all.
One other thing:It seems recently that every time a new thread comes up with someone wanting advice on purchasing a new product a certain member here responds with "I PM'd you". Even if you're supporting the board here (which is great) maybe instead of trying to be sneaky and beat out the other retailers that are sponsoring this board with your backdoor actions you can just throw in your $0.02 and then let the person decide. I don't believe too many people would be pleased if every time they asked a question about buying a new product they had 17 retailers PM them saying what they had and what they could get for them without even letting the person get some product knowledge first.
05-18-2006, 05:15 PM
#39
Someone made a great comment up there. Something about there is a crapload of BS and crappy shops. I agree that there is, much more so in busy marketplaces like major urban centers. That is a prime reason why I will not become one the "norm" and rather be an exception and bust my **** for my customers. Next and even more important is this, I could have opened shop absolutely anywhere, back in Kelowna for example where I came from (I would have been way further ahead by now as well), I chose Courtenay for one sole reason. The dealer here for as many years as I knew about him treated me like **** every single time I came into town and dropped in. This dealer is now out of business after over 30 years here, after my business being here for 3 years, shop closed up. I wonder why? Find a good dealer (hard to do these days from the reads above), build a relationship with them and you can scratch each others back. The dealer gains your needed business and you gain their expertise, service and good deals.
