Best brands of car amplifiers...

brianmac66
brianmac66 Posts: 4
edited July 2008 in Car Audio & Electronics
I've heard Alpine is good, what other ones would you recommend (besides Polk!). I'm looking to power my four d651s's off an Alpine CDE-9874 headunit.

Nothing crazy, inexpensive would be best (between $100-$200).

Thank you in advance!

- Brian
Post edited by brianmac66 on
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited July 2008
    The cleanest power for the price I've found is either Kenwood Excelon or if you can find an older Carver KMOS-2200/2400 or equivalent, they kick butt.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited July 2008
    Well i was going to do a full list of the best amplifiers but then you end it with inexpensive. I hate when people say "I want the best......................but cheap." Just say "I want a really good amp in $X-X range." Not to mention, there's never a best...there's always something better for a few bucks more. Then you end up doubling your budget for a little more, and a little more, and a little more.

    Do you want new only or is used an option?
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,804
    edited July 2008
    It's going to be tough finding a decent amp that will power 4 channels for less than $200. Even if you go to discounters.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • brianmac66
    brianmac66 Posts: 4
    edited July 2008
    believe me I wish I had the budget to get "the best". But I don't.
    I guess in that case I'm looking for a good amp in the price range I listed.

    Thanks again.
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited July 2008
    Every once in a while an old school Zapco comes up on ebay; they are legendary. Here's a new one with a BIN of $200 (new ones aren't as good):

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Zapco-i-Force-i-450-Amp-NIB-Retail-408-99_W0QQitemZ270251299291QQihZ017QQcategoryZ39739QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited July 2008
    Profile.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • black magic
    black magic Posts: 669
    edited July 2008
    If you're looking for low prices and good equipment use ebay. I prefer to buy new gear, but I have purchased used stuff before without any problems. When I was shopping for mono amps, the location I ended up purchasing my c500.1 from only had one left. I had such a hard time finding someone who actually had it in stock. So I resorted to ebay. I was able to pick up a C500.1 for $150! Of course it was used, but I think I still got a great deal and it works perfectly to this day.

    I've seen Alpine 100.4 and some JL slash amps on ebay for some decent prices.
    » Λнмєd «
    "Wtf is juice? I want some grape drink, baby"

    polkaudio FTW!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited July 2008
    I like my Memphis 3004. Its 75 wpc RMS @ 4ohms X 4 channels and bridgable to 230 wpc RMS @ 4ohms X 2 channels. I think I bought the one I'm using now for about $150 off ebay. I hear the PDX series from Alpine are good and I'm planning on trying a couple in my truck. I'll use a PDX 150.4 for my comps and a PDX 1000.1 for my subs. Just for fun to see what the sound is like. I'll pass down what I don't use to my son to play with.

    Chuck
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Meeks32
    Meeks32 Posts: 330
    edited July 2008
    Go old school, pick up some used Precision power pc series amps.
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  • Thom
    Thom Posts: 723
    edited July 2008
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    Every once in a while an old school Zapco comes up on ebay; they are legendary. Here's a new one with a BIN of $200 (new ones aren't as good):

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Zapco-i-Force-i-450-Amp-NIB-Retail-408-99_W0QQitemZ270251299291QQihZ017QQcategoryZ39739QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]


    Why aren't the new ones as good?
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  • Canuker
    Canuker Posts: 7
    edited July 2008
    Meeks32 wrote: »
    Go old school, pick up some used Precision power pc series amps.

    +1 Thats what I run, sweet sweet candy.
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  • only126db
    only126db Posts: 157
    edited July 2008
    Hifonics
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  • Kinetic
    Kinetic Posts: 437
    edited July 2008
    What about:

    Alpine
    Alpine PDX
    Eclipse
    Pioneer
    JL
    ????, whats your opinions on this ones?


    And did you notice that Eclipse and JL now have small digital amps like Alpine?

    http://www.eclipse-web.com/amp/xa1200.html

    http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=483
    Z
    /////Alpine CDA-9887 HU
    /////Alpine KTX-1000EQ
    /////Alpine PDX-4.150
    /////Alpine PDX-1.1000
    Polk Audio SR 6500
    Polk Audio SR 124 DVC
    KnuKonceptz MKS Kable

    G35
    /////Alpine CDA-9887 HU
    /////Alpine KTX-1000EQ
    /////Alpine PDX-4.150
    /////Alpine PDX-1.1000
    /////Alpine SPX 17PRO
    /////Alpine SWX 1243D
    KnuKonceptz MKS Kable
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  • black magic
    black magic Posts: 669
    edited July 2008
    Kinetic wrote: »
    What about:

    Alpine
    Alpine PDX
    Eclipse
    Pioneer
    JL
    ????, whats your opinions on this ones?


    And did you notice that Eclipse and JL now have small digital amps like Alpine?

    http://www.eclipse-web.com/amp/xa1200.html

    http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=483

    Let me go ahead and throw in audison and focal to that list :D

    ...usually cannot be found for cheap, though.
    » Λнмєd «
    "Wtf is juice? I want some grape drink, baby"

    polkaudio FTW!
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  • Kinetic
    Kinetic Posts: 437
    edited July 2008
    black magic wrote: »
    Let me go ahead and throw in audison and focal to that list :D

    ...usually cannot be found for cheap, though.

    Actually I was asking, Im still a rookie here


    IMO I think Audison is the best, but its too pricie
    Z
    /////Alpine CDA-9887 HU
    /////Alpine KTX-1000EQ
    /////Alpine PDX-4.150
    /////Alpine PDX-1.1000
    Polk Audio SR 6500
    Polk Audio SR 124 DVC
    KnuKonceptz MKS Kable

    G35
    /////Alpine CDA-9887 HU
    /////Alpine KTX-1000EQ
    /////Alpine PDX-4.150
    /////Alpine PDX-1.1000
    /////Alpine SPX 17PRO
    /////Alpine SWX 1243D
    KnuKonceptz MKS Kable
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited July 2008
    I have had good luck with the older Kenwoods, and of course Polk Audio

    I have the Polk Audio 400.4 (1 ea), 300.2 (2 ea), and the 500.1 (2 ea) currently, but I also have a 4 ch amp and a two channel sub amp in my truck made by Kenwood, and I have never had an issue with the Kenwoods in the last 6-7 years...


    I paid 250 apiece for the Kenwoods....great bang-for -buck IMO
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited July 2008
    Something from the Kicker ZX line would be good. You can usually get a good deal on ebay.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited July 2008
    From Crutchfield...
    http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=120&i=575P4504&tp=115

    I have always liked Rockford Fosgate (normally on subs) but 60 x 4 for $170 (currently $130 off) I would order it and be done.
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  • black magic
    black magic Posts: 669
    edited July 2008
    polktiger wrote: »
    From Crutchfield...
    http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=120&i=575P4504&tp=115

    I have always liked Rockford Fosgate (normally on subs) but 60 x 4 for $170 (currently $130 off) I would order it and be done.

    damn... thats a pretty good deal. Might have to let a few people know about that. Thanks :)
    » Λнмєd «
    "Wtf is juice? I want some grape drink, baby"

    polkaudio FTW!
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2008
    PPI Amps
    http://www.precisionpower.com/amps/a600-4.asp
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited July 2008
    Dont care much for Hifonics. Seen or read about way too many crapping out. And Ive yet to see one make their rated power in a test report.

    The new JL Class D amps look very cool. Ive always been a huge JL fan and would be very interested in those.

    PPI aint what they used to be but their new stuff is still pretty solid. They seem to be built pretty good and from what Ive seen in test reports they make way more than their rated power.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited July 2008
    Thom wrote: »
    Why aren't the new ones as good?

    They just aren't made as well as the old school; I don't know if someone bought the company out or what...
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • headknocker
    headknocker Posts: 17
    edited July 2008
    I'm a big Sundown Audio fan. I'm planning to buy a refurbished SAE-1000D soon so I'll be ready whenever I have the funds for an Ascendant Audio Havoc 12.
    '98 CRV
    Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X589 HU
    Aura MR6.1 comps
    Aura MR62 Integrated comps
    Ascendant Audio Arsenal 12
    US Acoustics USX-4065
    PG Octane 8.0:1
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  • JC1972
    JC1972 Posts: 3
    edited July 2008
    I'm running D661a's and set of Hex S600 on a MB Quart Raa-4200. It pushes these drivers well with good SQ. I spent under $200 used on ebay. This amp is BIG & heavy (11-1/2"W x 2-3/8"H x 16-3/4"D). If you have the room this might be what your looking for. Here is one for sale on Ebay-
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Like-New-MB-Quart-Reference-RAA4200-Car-Audio-Amp_W0QQitemZ300241976462QQihZ020QQcategoryZ39739QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
    Good Luck.
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  • JC1972
    JC1972 Posts: 3
    edited July 2008
    Brian-
    I almost forgot. If you buy this amp make sure the power and speaker plugs come with the amp. This makes life sooooo much easier.
    John
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited July 2008
    I have owned many older Rockford Fosgate amps and never had a problem with them. They were rocksolid and made good power for the price.
    Jake
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  • awe-d-o-file
    awe-d-o-file Posts: 146
    edited July 2008
    The best sounding amps I heard are the Butler Tube Drivers. They used a 6L6 as the driver to their patented "MOS-VALVE" finals. There is a control that allows you to adjust the ratio of driver/final where you can get lower power with a more tube sound or higher power with less of the tube. They now use 6SL7GT tubes in the driver stage. They are zero feedback designs and the older models were balanced with both RCA and XLR inputs. I have the older 6L6, XLR input types. They also used to make line drivers to convert RCA preouts to XLR balanced. They had 12AX7's capable of about 12VRMS output. There's a big advantage to balanced in the car environment. I would use them for front and rear and buy a big SS amp for subs. But as far as clean these are it IMO.


    ET

    System: MF Trivista SACD > Placette passive> CJ passive horizontal bi-amp> MF 2500A(LF) MF2100(HF) > 1.2TL's

    Other: Speltz silver Eichmann IC's & speaker wire, Econotweaks Detail Magnifiers, PS Audio P-300(source), R. Gray 600, Al Sekala's AC R/C filters, R. Gray HT PC's, Oyaide R-1's,WPC-Z , M-1, Herbie's & DIY Isolation
    Room: Qty 7 - 4' tall 18" diam. bass traps, Qty 4 - 4' X 2' X 4" panels. All DIY - man my wife is tolerant!
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited July 2008
    I like this combo Alpine head unit always than stinger or street wire for power and conections than jl audio or alpine amps, than kicker alpine, rockford, jl, or polk for subs. Than for speakers Polks.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • BaggedLancer
    BaggedLancer Posts: 6,371
    edited July 2008
    ADS PQ 10, my favorite 4 channel of all time.
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  • Aimen RG
    Aimen RG Posts: 52
    edited July 2008
    +1 for Kicker ZX amps
    Pioneer DEH-1600
    polkaudio db 650
    polkaudio db 675
    polkaudio momo 10"
    KICKER zx650.4
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