I have the Audiopipe and it is no joke. I'm saving up for an Aq3500d, but still will not sell the Audiopipe. For the price Ap has no competition! How do you know the Ap is rated too high? I've sat in many cars with mean high quality amps and I think it's really doing the whole 3000. A JL 500/1 won't push a 12W7 all the way, but the Ap off of just channel 1 at 3 ohm seemed like it was giving it all it could handle. That was with the gain turned a 3rd of the way up. I'm sure the Merlin is a good amp, but you should ask yourself can it do rated? It only has 3x40 amp fuses. I'd pass on the Merlin if i were you. For that price you could get a bxi2010d or bxi2610d, and I know they will put out more power than the US Amp. I'm not saying Ap is the best, but just a stronger amp than the Merlin, GUARANTEED!!!!!