I’ve been looking for a replacement for my component amp, which will need to power a set of Focal 165K2P (on passives). I’m getting hissing and static with my current amp, which disappears when a friend’s is connected. I would like to remain under $200, and the footprint will need to be as small as possible, since the amp will be placed under the seat. A quick
ebay search turned up the following results, and I would like some input.
Clarion APA2160 (80W x 2) - $145
PPI PCX-440 (160W x 2) - $150
Orion XTR5002 (125W x 2) - $190
Directed Audio 2400 (125W x 2) - $130
Viper Audio 400.2 (100W x 2) - $150
Avionixx AXA440.4 (220W x 2) - $145
Crossfire VR402 (100W x 2) - $165
Based on specs alone, I’m leaning towards the PPI (high power, S/N = 110db, dampening = 500). But considering their great specs and low price, the fact that I rarely even see them mentioned is a bit concerning. Is there something hideously wrong with the newer PPI amps? (Well, this is a year old, but still…)
The Clarion likely puts out too little power (less than my current one, which is rated 100W x 2), and I really only mentioned it because of the affiliation with Arc about which I’ve read. I’d really prefer to have more power on tap, and their next model up is too large to fit. But there’s a potential that these are vastly underrated… ?
I’m already running an Avionixx 1200.2, so a matching set would be nice. However, I’m extremely disturbed at the reports of noise from the 440.4, since that is the exact problem I’m trying to escape. Is there anyone who has used this amp and
not experienced any of the publicized noise problems?
Regarding the rest, I have no experiences or true opinions. I’ve heard the names mentioned, but that is the extent of my knowledge. So which do you think should fit my purposes best? Or are there any others I should look at instead?
Edit: Oh, and I can consider the ED Nine.2, as well. I’ve read only positive reports, but it seems like the owners of these amps were already heavily in favor of ED, as a company. So I’m not sure that I’ve seen the most objective of reviews.
