Clarion Amps?

[stockton86]

so, I ordered a clarion APX 401.4 from bay stereo for $175, after shipping. This amp is 50x4 at 4 ohms, 0.05%, and 100db. Seemed like a good deal. BUT, they sent me a different amp! I got an APA 4320. This one is 80x4, still 0.05% and 100db s/n. I'm trying to decide which amp is really better. My speakers can supposedly handle 80 watts, but I think that 50 watts of good stuff is better than 80 watts of shit. Does anyone know if EITHER of these amps are any good? If so, which ones better?!? I don't know whether to keep the wrong one or not!

Thanks,

Jared

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[Berry47 10+ year member]

Clarion amps were made by zapco. I was very impressed with my old Claion amp and it was underrated by a good 50 watts when bridged.

 

[shaggy2dope69 10+ year member]

i had a 500 watt clarion for my 1000 watt 15, and that shit sounded **** good.. to me

 

[naughty#9 10+ year member]

Clarion amps were made by zapco. I was very impressed with my old Claion amp and it was underrated by a good 50 watts when bridged.

not made by zapco. they came from http://www.ubuy.com.tw which is the same supplier that arc audio uses. the boards were designed by robert zeff, who used to own zapco.

both of the clarion amps the origional poster mentioned are great amps. for $175 dollars, you just got an amp that other companies sell for much more. eton uses the same board in its pa3204 amps, which cost about 3 times what you paid for yours.

 

[stockton86]

thanks a lot for the input guys. I'm still a little unclear... Is the APX (50x4) any 'better' than the APA (80x4)? I'm guessing the 50x4 wouldn't be as loud, but would it be any clearer? FYI, clarity is my primary concern here. I spent money on Kappa subs that aren't nearly as loud as some much cheaper subs, but at least they've got good sound quality (I can't afford quality AND volume, so I choose quality, meaning clarity). More FYI, according to some websites that I've seen, the APA 4320 retails at $399. Interestingly, the older APX used to retail at $439 (according to some random website, who knows if that's accurate), and it's 30 watts less per channel! These numbers seem to make me think that the APX 50x4 is somehow a better quality. Am I full of it? Are they essentially the same guts? Should I use this 80x4 or look elsewhere for a 'better' amp? (I'm very willing to spend $250)

BTW, how about the alpine mrv-f340? 55x4, anyone know if that amp is worth $250? (http://store.yahoo.com/discave/mral432chanp.html and it's free shipping) Would the alpine be any 'better' meaning clearer or friendlier to my speakers (kappa 5 1/4 comps front, kappa 3-way 6x9s back)?

Sorry to throw so many quaestions out at once, any reliable input would be a lot of help.

 

[stockton86]

Okay, i'm starting to get the right idea. I read some other threads and realize now that a watt is a watt and you pay more money for more watts, features, durability, looks, and prestige. The bottom line that most agree on is that a watt from amp A is the same as a watt from amp B. Oh well, I already sold the clarion and bought the alpine. Hopefully it puts out it's rated rms and lasts forever. The extra $75 would be well spent then.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

not made by zapco. they came from http://www.ubuy.com.tw which is the same supplier that arc audio uses. the boards were designed by robert zeff, who used to own zapco.
both of the clarion amps the origional poster mentioned are great amps. for $175 dollars, you just got an amp that other companies sell for much more. eton uses the same board in its pa3204 amps, which cost about 3 times what you paid for yours.

Robert Zeff rules, a legend in the game //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/toast.gif.bc0657bf54b9ee653b6438524461341e.gif