Best SQ on a 4 channel Amp?

[iriejp1 10+ year member]

I've been lurking about on this site for a while now to try and read as much as possible before upgrading my system. And first off, let me just say I am very grateful to have such a resource with knowledgable members to confer with. You guys are awesome.

If you don't want to read the rest...here's the quick and fast...What is the best amp that would put out 100+ x4 RMS for $500 or less with SQ being the most important factor? I'll be using them top drive my HSK 165's.

My plan is to slowly revamp my system with as high a quality ingredients as possible. So far, I have listened to several sets of 6.5 components that have been recommended here and have settled on the Hertz HSK 165's. I must say, I was not a believer. I talked to a local rep via phone when looking for somebody who could demo some Focal or similar comps for me, and he was gushing about them. It sounded like a pitch from somebody who just got the line in to their store...so I was against them from the start. But when I got there and heard them for myself...he was right! They were incredible. Honestly, I thought they blew the Focals out of the water. They were just as good if not better than the JL ZR650CSi's he had for $799.95(I know...this was retail though), and was better IMO than the Kenwood XXV04's the rep said were his personal favorite. Those were $899.95. The HSK 165's were $379.95. I also listened to the Alpine SPX 177R's, some ZAPCO comps another rep at a different store was sprung on (I was not that impressed), as well as some Premier's that were suprisingly decent. All besides the HSK's were in the $500+ retail price range. And the HSK was just as good if not better then all of them. If you haven't heard them in person...these are pretty **** good guys.

Anyways, I'm here now to try and pick out the best SQ amp I can get to power these comps as well as my 6x9's in the rear (6x9's are from old setup...will probably be gained down). I am looking to spend $500 or less. Any ideas? I would appreciate any inputs. Remember, absolutely best SQ possible...

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Surprisingly there is an amp for sale right here on our forum that fits into your needs quite well.

See this thread.

I would be remiss if I didn't state that I do not know that member and as such am in no way vouching for his conduct as a trading partner and consequently I would leave it up to you to decide whether the inherent risk is worth it but certainly there's an SQ-oriented amp that fits your output and budget requirements. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wave.gif.002382ce7d7c19757ab945cc69819de1.gif Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you'll find your time here well-spent and best of luck to you in finding what you need. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

6x9's //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif. i hate rear fill. brings the sound stage way back but thats just a personal preferences as some people do like the surround sound feels. i don't however.

also i'm not one that thinks that amps have sound. to me, more important things are speaker placement and how you tune the system that will ultimately make or break a system.

so if had $500 to spend then maybe alpine pdx 4.150 which will do 150 x 4 or zapco reference 1000.4 which also does 150 x 4. of those two i'd get the alpine due to efficiency, size and looks. also a note, buy the most power you can afford from a solid company and also put more into size and features in the amp that you need.

 

[iriejp1 10+ year member]

Ya, I was looking at the Alpine fairly closely. I think I am looking for an AB vice a D as it would appear that, for the most part (although there are many variables), they tend to provide better sound quality. So with that being said I believe I should find one with a built in fan as I live in a place that gets over 100 in the summer. And being mounted in a closed trunk will get pretty hot. So that's also something I've been considering...

 

[Russkels55 10+ year member]

my xtant amp has awesome sound quality. people just dont know how good xtant amps really are. this will for sure give you what you need and it is at an awesome price HERE or look for a us amps tube amp that will defanitly give you the best quality over any amp.

Russ

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

agreed. xtant amps are killer. i run my comps with one and will roll with it until it burns up. at one point i ran my entire system with it. it even pulled that off well. the amp is in my sig, and is a/b.

 

[Russkels55 10+ year member]

the one in you sig is the one i have for sale the only reason y i am not using it is cuz i have a us amps tu 4360

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

bad *** amp. wanted to do a full xtant system front to back before they got bought out by mtx. no $ now after buying other equip. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif

 

[mattmcss 10+ year member]

arc audio xxk series ? The 4150 does 80x4 @4 ohms, underrated should do closer to ~90 per channel

PM Me I have one for sale if interested

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

wow, this isn't exactly the who's who list of SQ amps....

if you don't mind buying used look for Zapco, Helix, Tru, Brax, Audison, Genesis, and Arc amps (I'm sure I'm leaving some out). Some "old-school" amps that rock would be the Art series by PPI and "Audio Art" amps; neither is made any longer.... Diamond D7 and D9 amps would be a nice choice too...

some links to classifieds:

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5742

http://forum.elitecaraudio.com/showthread.php?threadid=135179

http://cgi.ebay.com/MB-Quart-RAA4200-Reference-4-channel-amp-MBQuart-NR_W0QQitemZ250034101248QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Memphis-Big-Belle-MC1300D-5-channel-amplifier-amp_W0QQitemZ280033892941QQihZ018QQcategoryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://forum.elitecaraudio.com/showthread.php?threadid=135494

http://cgi.ebay.com/Diamond-Audio-D7104-reference-series-4-ch-amp-audison_W0QQitemZ320034547994QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/HELIX-H400-ESPRIT-1000-WATT-4-CH-AMPLIFIER-BRAX-NEW-06_W0QQitemZ250033670010QQihZ015QQcategoryZ18796QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRU-TECHNOLOGY-T-4-100-Audiophile-Amplifier-XLNT_W0QQitemZ160034456282QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZAPCO-Amplifier-AMP-1000-watts-1000-4-Reference-series_W0QQitemZ300033196249QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[iriejp1 10+ year member]

Thanks to everyone for the quick response! They all look intriguing. So far I really like the Alpine, the Zapco, and the Memphis. On that Memphis he's showing being able to run 2x225 RMS + 1x1000 rms on it. With that being said, I should also be able to run 4 channels at 4 ohm and 1 at 1 ohm no? I'm guessing the wattage would be like 4x100 + 600x1 right? Obviously the numbers will be slightly off. But the idea of running 4 channels at 4 ohm vs. 2 as he's claiming will still work. It doesn't matter if you run 4 or 2 channels + the extra sub channel...it will just vary the output wattage correct? Cause if that's the case, I have a DVC 1 ohm sub I could power with it along with my comps and 6x9's all on one amp and could ditch this crappy *** Sony mono amp I've got (no laughing...I didn't know before...).

 

[Speedyd718 10+ year member]

sx series kicker amps? 700.4 or 900.4.

 

[leonsv 10+ year member]

zed audio draconia with burr brown (pretty underrated)

 

[Radioflyer97 10+ year member]

Alpine MRV F545 (125x4) it's fan cooled and looks pretty //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

expect to shell out around $400

see pic:

http://www.tecnosoundsanremo.it/images/alp_mrv-f545_p.jpg

 

[JiggaD369 10+ year member]

Art all the way.