Where the PPI guys at? Needs some help on PC vs PCX amps

[Speedyed]

I have only owned 1 PPI amp ever, bought it brand new(late 90's) and it was an old ART seies (25w X 4) and it was a nice amp. The amp had very nice sound quality and so i'm doing some research to possibly getting old school PPI amp to run a set of 6.5" Boston Acoustics components with rear Alpine 6X9's. Nothing crazy expensive and avoiding the super long surfboard amps they are known for. I was looking at the PC450 (50w X 4) and at the PCX480 (80w X 4). I've have heard nothing but positive comments about these amps but more so on the Power Class series. Can some of you share your experience with either amplifier? I don't know much about those 2 series but only that PC came after Art series and PCX came after PC series and that their boards were Made in Korea. My questions is my towards clean and detailed Sound Quality and reliability.

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[mahc 10+ year member]

Never owned any ppi amps but if you get a pc or another art, it will need a recap job. Even the post buyout pcxs are getting old. The art and pc amps probably sound similar, the major difference is the pre-amp section. The arts have none. Depends on your needs I guess.

I do have a pre buyout FRX-456 active crossover tho. Very cool products back then!

 

[Old_Slapper]

I have only owned 1 PPI amp ever, bought it brand new(late 90's) and it was an old ART seies (25w X 4) and it was a nice amp. The amp had very nice sound quality and so i'm doing some research to possibly getting old school PPI amp to run a set of 6.5" Boston Acoustics components with rear Alpine 6X9's. Nothing crazy expensive and avoiding the super long surfboard amps they are known for. I was looking at the PC450 (50w X 4) and at the PCX480 (80w X 4). I've have heard nothing but positive comments about these amps but more so on the Power Class series. Can some of you share your experience with either amplifier? I don't know much about those 2 series but only that PC came after Art series and PCX came after PC series and that their boards were Made in Korea. My questions is my towards clean and detailed Sound Quality and reliability.

I've installed and used PPI for years. I currently have the newer versions for my truck and my kid's truck. To be honest, it's more about their style and name than its performance. Even with the old models, there are amps that are either better or on par. If you are looking for clarity, a newer amp is better, and it will cost about the same as getting an old used one. They have crossovers and just overall cleaner sound.

 

[Speedyed]

I've installed and used PPI for years. I currently have the newer versions for my truck and my kid's truck. To be honest, it's more about their style and name than its performance. Even with the old models, there are amps that are either better or on par. If you are looking for clarity, a newer amp is better, and it will cost about the same as getting an old used one. They have crossovers and just overall cleaner sound.

Thank you for sharing this info. I'm leaning more towards a PPI PCX480 to run my highs and i hear this amp is a bit underrated and clean so it should do the job. An Art or PC will more than likely need to be recapped and serviced. Also looked at a PCX4125 but it will be overkill IMO and way to big for my install.

 

[Old_Slapper]

Thank you for sharing this info. I'm leaning more towards a PPI PCX480 to run my highs and i hear this amp is a bit underrated and clean so it should do the job. An Art or PC will more than likely need to be recapped and serviced. Also looked at a PCX4125 but it will be overkill IMO and way to big for my install.

The PCX will also need to be recapped, but the PC line I'm talking about is the newer line. The PPI's were underrated, but not as much as people thought they were. If you check them out on YouTube, you will find people checking the power of them, and a lot of the older amps are not rating what they posted. The new PC line doesn't quite reach their rated power, but they are still putting out a lot of power for what they cost, and they are made in Korea.

 

[Speedyed]

The PCX will also need to be recapped, but the PC line I'm talking about is the newer line. The PPI's were underrated, but not as much as people thought they were. If you check them out on YouTube, you will find people checking the power of them, and a lot of the older amps are not rating what they posted. The new PC line doesn't quite reach their rated power, but they are still putting out a lot of power for what they cost, and they are made in Korea.

I heard very good things about the PCX line so the new PC line you are mentionig here is from what year/s of production? A lot of people complained of any amps made after the PCX line stating they are cheap quality made in china. I did see a quite a few videos of old PPI (Art & PC) amp and most did not reach the power rated and came a bit short.

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Pc and art series didn't have massive eat sinks to be "cheaters" like Rockford, Orion and other US brands from that era. I heard the arts were designed to be water cooled. So yea, not under rated unfortunately.

 

[Speedyed]

Pc and art series didn't have massive eat sinks to be "cheaters" like Rockford, Orion and other US brands from that era. I heard the arts were designed to be water cooled. So yea, not under rated unfortunately.

Sounds about right as my Art series wasn not very powerful but was very clean and clear. DOoyou think a PCX480 will adeqautely run my Boston Acoustics 6.5 components with good detail and clarity?

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Yes. The 4125 would be a good option too if available.

 

[Speedyed]

Yes. The 4125 would be a good option too if available.

Very powerful but some damn big! Its almost a surfboard and have no room for it.

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Very powerful but some damn big! Its almost a surfboard and have no room for it.

I'm moving on from old school amps for that reason but still going to make a false floor to fit my new set-up.

 

[Speedyed]

I'm moving on from old school amps for that reason but still going to make a false floor to fit my new set-up.

Got it.

Do you know if ARC Audio KS amps put out clean power?

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Got it.

Do you know if ARC Audio KS amps put out clean power?

Never heard anything bad about Arc. They make badass products.