Amp recommendations

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

Going to looking for new amp(s) for my front stage, coming from a Zed Leviathan III. Here are my requirements:

- About $1000 budget.

- Looking for SQ-level amps, but still need power.

- Need 100Wx2 @ 4ohms and ~150W+x2 @ 8ohms.

- For the above reason, I think I'm looking at a 6 channel (bridge 2 pairs of channels) or 2 amps, one 2 channel for tweeters, one 2 channel or 4 channel bridged for mids (I plan on going 3 way eventually, so a 4 channel here would be best).

- Has to look somewhat decent. LOVE the finned heatsink. This isn't super important, but I don't want anything that looks like garbage.

- Would very much prefer new, but not against used if it's in really good condition.

- Class of amp doesn't really matter to me.

Here are my choices so far:

- Zapco Z150.6. Kinda hesitant on this one, I've heard some not so great things.

- Soundstream Reference series (one REF2.640, one REF4.920). These would absolutely be my choice as they are pretty cheap, look awesome, and have great specs, but unfortunately they're discontinued. Might be hard to find by the time I want to buy.

- Arc Audio. A KS300.2 and KS300.4 might work.

- Zuki. Hard to estimate power though.

Some others that are possibilities:

- Linear Power. Don't know prices, but pretty sure they're out of my league.

I won't be buying until about mid-February, so I have a little time. Looking for any/all options and opinions.

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

If I ever do a 3 way front stage again I'll go right back to slash amps. 450/4 and 300/2. Power for days

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

If I ever do a 3 way front stage again I'll go right back to slash amps. 450/4 and 300/2. Power for days

The 450/4v2 is weird, why did they do different ratings for channels 1+2 and 3+4? First pair of channels bridged gives me plenty, and second pair would give me 150W at 8ohms. Not to mention those are discontinued.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

You can still find them. They did it to run splits with its x10 crossover. They really are amazing amps. Best I've ever had and the favorite piece of the build.

 

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------

 

I still have a minty 300/2v2 put up that I'll probably never get to use again.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

The more I look at Zuki the more they look amazing.

 

[captainobvious! 10+ year member]

Did you ever decide?

The KS are great, as are the REF's. If you have the space, I'd go with the SS REFs.