AmericanPro 1409 or Alpine MRD-M500 Class D

[notw 10+ year member]

I own the AmericanPro "Bass Machine" vs-1409 which is powering one db Drive Platinum 12. I am looking at the Alpine MRD-M500 as a replacement for the AmericanPro. I have had many people talk very highly of the Class-D amplifiers. I want more power and quality from the system that I have so I figured that I might go with the MRD-M500 concidering I know a guy that wants to sell it to me.

My question to you guys is which amp will offer me more quality and power.

Here are the specs for all three items in question:

Features of the AmericanPro VS-1409 include:

(The watts shown below are the rms ratings for this amp)

* Four Channel Bridgeable Amplifier

* Power Ooutput: 320W x 2CH. = 640W @ 2 Ohm Max.

* 220W x 2CH. = 440W @ 2 OHM

* Bridged(Mono): 640W x 1CH. = 640W @ 4 OHM

* MOSFET DC-DC Switching Power Supply

* Built-In Dual Protection: Short Circuit/High Temperature

* High/Low Adjustable Level Input

* LED Power Status Indicator

Features of the db Drive PL12D4 include:

* 3" dia high temperature 4-layer voice coil

* Extreme excursion motor structure & suspension

* Multi-layer treated paper cone

* Layered UV treated foam surround

* Dual spider linear design

* Strontium (SR) magnet with attractive rubber boot design

* Attractive matte black anti-resonance die-cast aluminum basket

* Integrated tinsel leads for high excursion

* Machined push-button terminals

* Rigid dustcap design 12" 1500 watts Dual 4 ohms voice coils

Features of the Alpine MRD-M500 Class D include:

*Amplifier Type Mono Channel

*Bridgable Not Bridgable

*RMS Power at 4 Ohms 250 W x 1

*RMS Power at 2 Ohms 500 W x 1

Performance:

*Frequency Response 20 Hz - 200 Hz

*Signal to Noise Ratio 90 dB

*THD at Rated RMS Power 1 %

*Crossover / Equalizer

*Bass Boost With Bass Boost

*Bass Boost Frequency 160 Hz

*Low - Pass Frequency 30 Hz - 200 Hz

Other Features:

*MOSFET Circuitry Yes

*3 Way Ready No

Current wiring setup:

I have the subwoofer bridged at the sub itself in "series" at 8Ohms with the AmericanPro amp. I tried bridging the sub in "parallel" at 2Ohms but the amp isnt stable at 2Ohms when bridged so that didn't work...

Also I am not running a capacitor with the AmericanPro and my volt meter stays just below 14v when the sub hits but I hear that a class-d amp requires a cap or the watts are greatly diminished by the lacking volts the amp requires.

I just need some insite before I go spending a bunch of money.

Thank you all very much in advance for your help!!

notw( notw000@gmail.com )

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[pawn man 10+ year member]

hands down get the alpine. you will be glad

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Forget about the cap - that was idiot advice.

Unless you're in a Yugo 500, 600, 800w is not going to be an issue.

I actually owned one of those Am Pro amps several years ago. There is nothing about your comparison that favors the American Pro. It's from one of the more "entry-level" brands available, the impedance capability vs power output doesn't match up with your sub, and even if it did it is only about 250w rms.

The alpine is better in every way.