Let's talk amps. I need some... but don't know what to get.
 

Hi there.

I'll get right to the point here. I'm going fully active in my setup. So, I'll be needing a total of 9 channels.

2 X Tweeters (8W, 4ohms each)
2 X Midrange (40W, 4ohms each)
2 X Midbass 1 (100W, 4ohms each)
2 X Midbass 2 (160W, 4ohms each)
2 X Subwoofer (mono, 1500W) <-- estimated as I don't have the subs yet, and I'll pick the coil configuration to work with the amp.

So, obviously, some high quality 4 ch. amp will be needed for tweeters and midrange speakers. I was thinking something around 4 X 65W would be nice. Next, I can either use my current amps which deliver 2 X 200W @ 4ohms (Soundtream TRA800.2) to power both sets of midbass drivers and lower the gains. OR, I can pick up some monster 4 channel amp for those and use my current amps to power one sub each. OR I can sell them, get a pair of amps or a monser 4 channel for the midbass, and get a new amp for the subs as well.

I don't need anything special for crossovers on the amps, as I'll be using a PXA-H701 to control everything (cept for the subs that'll be hooked directly to the headunit).

So, amp recommendations ?

Go Get Sloppy!

Anyone have comments that are a little more useful ?

Check out two of the 5 channel memphis belles, should do the job pretty much

Why 2 sets of midbass?

Any multi channel amp will do.

To get MORE midbass.... :P hehe
The second set of midbass drivers are actualy 6.5" subs playing 45hz to 125hz.

And, I want something that had really good SQ... and, not all multichannel amps will be able to give me the 200W @ 4ohms I want for my second set of midbass drivers.

you're right, who in their right mind would use Memphis for SQ. :cheeky4:

in all seriousness though, I'm not too sure what you consider "SQ" as far as amps go?, I think you'll be very hard pressed to find anything with more SQ than the suggestions I have given without spending 4x the cash, and with all due respect, going out and getting Brax amps (or the like) on the set up you have or are looking to set up, you would not notice the difference at all.

Why not just more Soundstreams? :dunno:

Well, the tarantula amps I have are... well... BIG !!!
And, with 4 amps, size does start to become an issue....

Also, I lost my contact for "cheap" soundstream amps... :p

Sorry, but are you sure on what you are doing???

Personally I thing is to much!!!! I thing is enough with one set of mid's, where are you going to put them???

Your tarantula is great!!!!The only problem, I have find, is the size...sooo f..ing big...And it rattles...I wont go for new Soundstream....

I like a lot lunar amps...or DLS...


I thing the mid bass most go until 80...the rest of the job will be for the subs.

I personally wouldnt have a problem with you running a 3-way front end with dual midbass but you're running different drivers - no point dude. Its gonna sound like junk!

Get rid of the cheaper/worse midbass.

Then get a 2 channel, a 4 channel and a sub amp.

All 4 midbass drivers are installed and playing right now... and, it actualy sounds really good. 2 The first midbass drivers that play from 125 to 1khz are in the front part of the door next to the 4" midrange. The second set of midbass drivers are further back in my door playing 45 to 125hz. This second set of midbass drivers is set in a very compact sealed enclosure. The output is strong, natural, and very punchy.

Anyways, the question here is just about amps, not about the rest of my installation. So, I'd appreciate it if it stayed on topic. I gave this a try, and personnaly, I like the outcome very much. If in the end, I don't like it, I'll work something else out.

I gotta say that you seem to be asking a VERY generic question when it comes to power for someone that seems to know the details of absolutely everything else about their system.

My $0.02 is you take your car to a few local shops, let them see your install and then you set your budget and let them each try to hook you up and win the business...

It's the same as asking.... I want a sub, which one should I get?

Hahahaha...

Good point. The reason, is I have many constraints as far as amps go. Space is an issue, so is power draw, and I'm not too sure what companies make quality "smallish" amps that will produce the power I need and won't ruin me financialy. I'd go with Audison amps, but, those cost a ton of money (around 2200$ from what I got quoted so far). But, the LRX 1.2K combined with the LRX 4.5 and my pair of soundstream amps would be amazing (IMHO). Also, there are a wide variety of ways to setup the amps.

4ch left, 4ch right + 2ch midbass + sub amp
OR
4ch tweet and mid + monster 4ch for midbass drivers + sub amp
OR
4ch tweet and mid + 2ch midbass1 + 2ch midbass 2 + sub amp

go to the Zed Audio web site and give Steve Mantz there a call. His amps are legendary and he has his own line that have been reviewed numerous times for amazing SQ. Very reasonable cost and top notch service from the guy who helped start it all.

The amps are not very large and are also available with a Burr Brown upgrade that increases the sq as well...

What would Burr Browns do to the amps to make them better????

They're chip upgrades.... I'm not a leading leading authority on the topic however it's a cheap and highly recommended upgrade for people that want the best. Obviously not available on all amps :)

do burr-browns come in dill pickle?..those are my favorite chips!!!!!

I am by far no authority on either but is the signal to the amp not already analogue and has been converted by either the deck or the H701? making the burr brown upgrade ( now known as the bad ass chip that i have no clue what it does but sounds cool so i NEED to have it DAC) useless and marketing hype UNLESS you were using the amps themselves to do all the processing?

.....i need to know these things!..help!...and where is Dima with his really cool virgin piss names for things.

Phone Steve @ Zed Audio.... I've found him very helpful on everything in the past and he's certainly an expert.

and ask him what?...."well hello there Mr. Mantz, I was wondering if your amps with burr brown dac's came in dill pickle"....now that would be just silly!

yes, you're right, he is an expert.

I am not. (which saddens me)

But you gave the advice and I was just asking what grounds you based your recommendations on.




Sorry Sirsleepsalot, I'm done crapping on your thread, I just got curious. I'll stay out now but will continue to read.

Hey, no problem ! I myself am quite curious about the burr-brown "upgrade". I know Burr-Brown is a company that makes chips, so, there is a chance that they don't only make DACs, but also analogue chips, maybe for crossover circuits, or just preamp signals and whatnot... Who knows ?
I'll try contacting Mr. Mantz and checking out the prices on his amps. The sad part is that he doesn't have anything powerful enough for the subs though... :(

Anyways, I've been looking around at a bunch of 4ch amps, and I've yet to come to any conclusion. (I'm a very undecisive when it comes to picking stuff... I generaly go with what I get a deal on... lol).

So, here goes :

Kenwood Excelon KAC-X40 : Not too sure about the SQ of this amp. I've been told that the Excelon headunits were good... but dunno about the amps.
Audison LRX 4.5 No doubt on the quality of this one, but pricey.
Elemental Designs Nine.4 Cheap... as in inexpensive.... but what about the quality ?
Soundstream TRA-680.4 The size... these amps are huge. I like them... but... dang...
DLS amps They've been recommended to me, but I don't know them much. Nor do I know they prices
Boston Accoustics GT-40 I'm not too familiar with it. I've never listened to them, but I've heard good of Boston amps.
Eclipse EA4000 Kinda like the Kenwood Excelon... good headunits, but amps ? Dunno ?
Focal FP4.75 Pricey...
JBL PX300.4 VERY powerful for what needs to be amplified... but, the rest is right
JL 300/4V2 Pricey
Memphis 16MCA-2004 Not very familiar with Memphis amps
Nakamichi PA1004 Good reputation...
Polk Audio C400.4 Can probably still get a pretty good deal on this one, and seems to be well reviewed. But, I remain skeptical.
PPI A600/4 Heard very good things of PPI.

Ideally, I think I'd go with a combo of audison amps... I'd have to see what the financing would be on those though... lol

A lot of good choices there.. But I think performace vs quality, I'd go with the new memphis amps.. Small footprint, and stackable like the new Alpine PDX amps (those would be worth taking a look at)

The only beef on the memphis's is that once stacked, you cant change the settings unless you unstack

It's obvious to me that you are going to get the Audison's so just do it and get those payments rolling!!!....lol

seriously though, do more research, I'd hate to see you spend all that cash and be disappointed in the end, is your system setup so that you can fairly easily swap out amps?.....if i were spending that kinda money id try to get a listen to a few of your choices and see if you can really hear a difference and justify the money.

as for the burr brown, yeah I was just playing around, your 701 will do all that and AFAIK it has B-B. you don't need it in the amps as well, seems a waste to have (and pay for) an amp that does all kinds of fancy processing with kickass crossovers and purdy lighting if you aren't going to need it or use it, you dont wanna over process things.

actually you can strap 2 of his Miniliths together and get 1200 watts RMS @ 2 ohms... If you talk to him, he does have a Megalith that is much bigger and he might just put one together for you.. :)

I've had nothing but great experience with him and I've heard the same from others. For my $0.02 I'd go with these over those higher priced audisons. If you do some research on the net you'll also find lots of people that actually use his new amps as their reference SQ amps when testing others!!!

Well, I just emailed Zed Audio...

we'll see how things go...

I checked actualy pricing on audison today....... dear god those things are expensive... and now ruled out ! :p

Since your pm box is full, did you receive the H701 yet?

I emptied my PM box yesterday.... and, it's at the post office... I have to pick it up today... Darn post peoeple... delivering stuff at 11 in the morning... don'T they know I sleep at that time normaly ? :P

If you want some feedback for the elemental design quality,I run a 2channel amp from them and im gonna buy a mono amp from them soon.I think these amps are one of the best amps in their price range.Anyway Im very satisfied:smilie_da

Cool, cool !

I don't think I'll be going with eD after all. If anything, I'll be sticking to Soundstream as I'm very satisfied with them. It'll just be more complicated to do the installation with the size of the amps.

Anyways, seeing as how we're practicaly neighbours though, I still wouldn't mind giving your eD amps a listen to.

Go PPI USA made oldschool stuff you wont regret it:thumbsup:

Good,now I need a mono amp and Im still going with eD but give me some news when you finish your setup,maybe I will be interested to listen to this :smilie_da

Italiano
 

Our company used to be the Hong Kong distributor for Audison.
Lots of good years, good service and great sound.
A viable alternative is STEG. (GT Trading)
I've been using their K-series amps quite frequently, and have found the
SQ to be on par with that of the more expensive Audison VRX series.
They look sleek, with aluminium-capped, black, fan-cooled heat sinks.
Quiet, musical and they've been ultimately reliable.
My only bitch is the dodgy little mounting inserts.
Those mounts, however, give me an excuse to cut out some trick-looking stainless steel replacements!

http://www.gttrading.it/easysite/easysite_images/files/CAT_SHORT_STEG_KCOMPETITION_IT.pdf

What about Alpine V12 amps ??? I have always stuck to Alpine amps and head units, infinity speakers, fosgate subs. I think they r grrreeeat

old school all the way
 

I'm with you, get some old school amps and do it right.
If you want some amps just send me a pm and I can hook you up..

If you are willing to go with used amps, I know where you can get a Zapco AG650 for cheap, it's a 6 channel, it's very long (31") but very narrow and thin. SQ is amazing, rated at 6x50 but does more and the 5-6 channels are 1 ohms stable. It's the same as the REF series but white and a few years older.
Also you were thinking PPI A600 in 4 channel?? I don't think that amp existed maybe a A404. Art series are small but very powerful as well.