ARC Audio SE vs Arc Audio XXK vs Art series

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

btw, w/e u chose I am sure it will sound great. U have some very nice items that u are considering. As for the shop, if u have the money than by all means have them do all ur installs and everything. I would've but I'm a college student //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif. But I would trust them completly as they do a great job.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

I was assured the 4100SE sounds very much like the ARC xxk4150, close to the same headroom.

So between a 4100SE and an xxk4050, the 4100SE will appear a bit more powerfull.

The SE's are not for everybody. To justify the pricetag you have to consider what it does offer in comparison to your needs, as its an overbuilt amplifier.

-Bandpass xovers (12/24db on LP & HP) Brad Ott at @ Arc, who is the production manager and does all the QC in Modesto, works closely with Robert Zeff claims the potentiometers selected for the SE's are qualitywise as good sonically as those in the Arc DXE processor.

-balanced inputs

-Level/gain on EACH ch

-regulated, will make no less that rated power down to 12v

-Top mounted controls (a plethera of them)

- System flexibily- 4ohm stereo or bridged, 2ohm stereo or bridged, 1ohm stereo stable. Making monster power on the lower loads that your typical 4ch cannot tolerate.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

If I remeber right the 2500XXK has dampening factor of >2000.

Useless and meaningless.

A DF of 2000 is not sonically better than a DF 50.

DF is not one of those specs where higher always equals better sound. There is a point at which going higher yields no sonic benefit.......which is around 20.

As to the original question....I agree with Alphakenny. Purchase the most power you can within your budget, while maintaining the features (crossover, etc) that you desire. It really is that simple. Don't pay for features you won't use, and don't pay more for less power. All of the amps mentioned are great quality....power, features that you need and your budget are all you need to concern yourself with at this point.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

Brad Ott at @ Arc, who is the production manager and does all the QC in Modesto, works closely with Robert Zeff claims the potentiometers selected for the SE's are qualitywise as good sonically as those in the Arc DXE processor.

WOW! Nice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/veryhappy.gif.fec4fed33b4a1279cf10bdd45a039dae.gif

You can't hear that damping factor, so why pay for it? You also need to understand that the damping factor will change quite a bit depending on install and how you use the amp.

I'd go with a used XXK personally. They are for sale everywhere and can be had for very reasonable prices.

 

[GeeTEye 10+ year member]

I wondered if some parameters such as damping factor can even be detected. 160 vs 300 vs 2000. I guess in the end if its a quality product such as the Arc, no matter what way XXK vs SEI go I really won't be disappointed. I spoke with a guy at Arc today and he told me tht the XXK will be discontinued next year and.....that last year they were the top of the line. Technology.......

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I wondered if some parameters such as damping factor can even be detected. 160 vs 300 vs 2000.

You will not hear a difference.

 

[thadman 10+ year member]

spend your money on a super high quality 3-way front stage with ribbons

Peerless XLS 8" midbass $160/pair (awesome midbass if you can find em)

+

Seas W15LY-001 $230/each

+

LCY 108 ribbon tweeter $$$ ? $400/pair?

Something extremely high-end along these lines + an H701 (or any high-end processor of your choice)

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

I wondered if some parameters such as damping factor can even be detected. 160 vs 300 vs 2000. I guess in the end if its a quality product such as the Arc, no matter what way XXK vs SEI go I really won't be disappointed. I spoke with a guy at Arc today and he told me tht the XXK will be discontinued next year and.....that last year they were the top of the line. Technology.......

The XXKs have already been discontinued. Just alot left over as they phased in the new lineups. Although once theyre gone, theyre gone. I think an SE would be overkill for your setup both feature and power wise to the cost ratio. A used XXK or even a new one if you have access would suit your needs and put a warm smile upon your face.

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

The XXKs have already been discontinued. Just alot left over as they phased in the new lineups. Although once theyre gone, theyre gone. I think an SE would be overkill for your setup both feature and power wise to the cost ratio. A used XXK or even a new one if you have access would suit your needs and put a warm smile upon your face.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ARC-Audio-2500-XXK-2-Channel-Amplifier-Amp-NEW-2500XX_W0QQitemZ300029451083QQihZ020QQcategoryZ18796QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[GeeTEye 10+ year member]

Thanks for the link, but think that one is waaaaay to powerful for anything I need in this setup.

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

U can use it to run some IDQ 10s //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif. They use to sell 4150XXk's too, but I guess its sold out. maybe http://cgi.ebay.com/ARC-AUDIO-FD4150-4-CHANNEL-AMPLIFIER-FD-4150-640W-REM_W0QQitemZ300021263197QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4950QQcmdZViewItem ?

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

I wouldn't buy anything Arc online- buying used equipments is a more sensible option as this is Arcs main page..

http://www.arcaudio.com/arc-05/index2.htm

 

[kublkmax 10+ year member]

Well I have ran the Art series and The power classes from PPI. I loved them. But I am now running xxk's and won't look back. I would switch to the SE's if my budget had allowed it. The problem with you getting the Art series is the age of the amps. you can not buy them new. You don't know how they were treated and you can't get replacement parts for them. Now Since you are looking at high end amps I would tell you to research TRU and Genesis as well. But I am verry pleased with my Arc's and it would take a hellava amp to get me to change them.

 

[GeeTEye 10+ year member]

Well I have ran the Art series and The power classes from PPI. I loved them. But I am now running xxk's and won't look back. I would switch to the SE's if my budget had allowed it. The problem with you getting the Art series is the age of the amps. you can not buy them new. You don't know how they were treated and you can't get replacement parts for them. Now Since you are looking at high end amps I would tell you to research TRU and Genesis as well. But I am verry pleased with my Arc's and it would take a hellava amp to get me to change them.

Powerful statement. I have seen a few "New" PPI art series on ebay that were never run, but like you said you can't get parts anymore. You are the only person who has replied back that has actually run the 2 brands. Seems like for the money the XXK's won't disappoint. Thanks for the info.

 

[kublkmax 10+ year member]

you won't be disapointed with the xxk's