Old School PPI amp

[woofersus]

I have an old ppi 4200AM that has been sitting in the back of a closet for years, and I was wondering if anybody can tell me anything about it. I can't seem to find much info on the web on any thing other than the newer ppi stuff or the much hearalded ART series. I'd like to possibly use it in my set up (yet to be installed) but am not sure if it will be enough power or not. I will be running JL XR525csi components in the front, and something yet to be decided in the back. It's rated at 50wx4. (printed on the amp itself) Also, I'm missing the plugs for the speaker outputs, and was hoping somebody could shed a little light on finding replacements.

Of course, if it will not be sufficient, I wouldn't mind suggestions on what to buy instead. Thanks all.

[req]

www.directed.com - contact them and ask for a manual. they own PPI now, but i love my unkown PPI PC1400

i cant find anything about mine anywhere, but i emailed PPI (i forget how) and got its manual.

plugs can be had on ebay.

[woofersus]

Thanks, I'll check that out. Their website wasn't all that helpful, but I shot an email to them. Hopefully that'll yield some info. I'm probably still going to sell it and buy something newer, though.

[DARKHART]

Unforturenetly when DEI aquired PPI for some reason they threw away all the tech info on all the old school PPI stuff, why, who knows, it was just plain stupid but they did....so now it's very hard to get any info or tech help on the really old stuff unless you find someone who used to own the piece.....
As far as it being able to power your speaker setup, trust me, it's more than enough........

[woofersus]

Well then maybe I'll hook it up and see. From what I can see, it predates the aforementiones PC1400 by quite a bit. I don't know how old it is, but I found an owner's manual (or most of one) and the specs look pretty nice. 50wx4 @ 4 ohms, 12v, .02%THD with a frequency response of 10Hz-50KHz. 102db signal-to-noise ratio, damping factor of >500, Nice gold plated rca inputs, and a little gobbledygook that I don't totally recognize about output impedence, headroom, and stereo separation.

The only downside is that there is no built in crossover. I'll have to look into those....

[DARKHART]

From what I can see, it predates the aforementiones PC1400 by quite a bit. I don't know how old it is....

That amp is from the late 80's (somewhere around 1988-89 if memory serves) and no it does not have any x-overs, just plain old signal amplifcation at it's best.

[woofersus]

So.....any recommendations on a nice active crossover? I'm only going two-way with this system, but wouldn't mind a little flexibility for the fututure.

[req]

coustic makes some good crossovers. get on ebay

this one is ugly, but it should work.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

little bit more- but great shape-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

that should get you started.

[jerseystyle1]

coustic makes some good crossovers.

Yes Coustic does make some good crossovers (the only good thing they make IMO). The PPI 4200M is pretty much the same thing as the A404. It doesn't come with a crossover (Which is better IMO) but it puts out some pretty good numbers. It is 50X4 @4ohms, 100X4 @2ohms and 200X2 @4ohms bidged. Very good amp, I had one myself. The older PPI stuff was right on the money in it's ratings so you can bet that those numbers are true. If you can, try to find an old PPI crossover to compliment it. Maybe an OMX-432 (nice indash unit) or maybe an FRX-456(see my gallery for my very rare white one).

[jerseystyle1]

Here is a great sub amp to go with it!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...753310182&rd=1

[woofersus]

Thanks, but I'm set for subs. I've got an MTX 500D that I had in a previous vehicle. It may not have gaudy wattage numbers, but it made my 12w3's get plenty loud for my taste and sounded real clean.

I checked out the coustic crossovers, and they look pretty great. There's a brand new XM6 on ebay that I'm eying. I may still go for the XM3 to save a few bucks, but not having to buy an amp frees up my budget a bit and the new model has a few features that I like.

This is the last item I need and I will be able to install everything. I'm ecstatic!

[bri487]

i had an old ppi, it worked when i took it out of my sisters car, then it sat for about a year and i went to run it to some highs in my friends truck and it didnt work.

[woofersus]

I take that back. I'm gonna need line drivers because I'm keeping the factory head unit. (both for asthetics and for theft deterrent, not to mention I love my steering wheel audio controls) Now, I know that line drivers aren't ideal, but I know of no other way to make this work without ripping out the factory stereo completely and buying a HU.

I know this is beginning to stray from the amplifiers topic, but can any of you suggest a really good signal converter. When inquiring of the local stereo shops, everything they show me looks like cheap passive stuff. There's got to be something better than that.

[bri487]

I take that back. I'm gonna need line drivers because I'm keeping the factory head unit. (both for asthetics and for theft deterrent, not to mention I love my steering wheel audio controls) Now, I know that line drivers aren't ideal, but I know of no other way to make this work without ripping out the factory stereo completely and buying a HU.

I know this is beginning to stray from the amplifiers topic, but can any of you suggest a really good signal converter. When inquiring of the local stereo shops, everything they show me looks like cheap passive stuff. There's got to be something better than that.

use an line output comverter (LOC). JL has a good setup coming out. http://jlaudio.com/press/CleanSweep05.html

[woofersus]

HOLY CRAP!! Thats perfect!! I cringe to think what JL will charge for that baby, but it is EXACLTY what I have been looking for (with no success so far) I just hope it beats the listed release date to market. I don't really want to wait until May to install my stereo.