Good amp in 300 - 400 dollar range?

[stuckinok 5,000+ posts]

If you are using the stock head unit I would reccomend somthing along the lines of a JL clean sweep to ensure you are getting a clean signal. Then you can get a nice amp after that. I mean the best amp in the world will sound like shit if its getting a crappy signal.

Garbage in = Garbage out

 

[MFD41 10+ year member]

Personally, I've auditioned dozens of amplifiers and found a few that I liked. Good luck. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

of the dozens you've tried... which ones were the best?

 

[MFD41 10+ year member]

I have considered using a clean sweep vs. just getting a new head unit.... I wanted to try to keep the integrity of my truck, and finding a 1.5 din unit is very hard thats ipod compatible... I figured that i would try the cheapest route first... ( a hi/low adapter) ... and then work up from there... So, I figure I'll get a really good amp and try it out... if it doesnt work, then I'll move to a clean sweep or new HU, and I know for sure that it'll sound great with the good amp already in place... thats my thinking anyways.... Im about to run over budget, so Im trying to use the process of elimination first...

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

of the dozens you've tried... which ones were the best?

I liked Zapco AG and Reference amps enough to upgrade all of my amplifiers, Xtant's M-series was very good, and Soundstream Ribicons on the sub. That's about it. This said, I've hardly heard everything out there, just a small portion.

Now that I think about it, have you looked at older Zed amps? US Acoustics USA-series can be had pretty reasonably and a USA4080 would meet your power requirements. I often see them on Ebay and in the classifieds. If you find that it's not right for your system, there's a good market for resale. Just something to consider:

http://ampguts.realmofexcursion.com/US_Acoustics_USA4080/

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

Wait are you still keeping the stock HU? If so by a processor.

Sundown SAX100.4, could sell to you for around $350 under warranty //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Perfect condition, etc.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_5753SIXTY2/Rockford-Fosgate-3SIXTY-2.html?tp=117

Something along the lines of that is what you want. Maybe not as fancy. Like the MTX REQ or something. Line drivers connect via RCA's usually so you would need to convert all you connections to a RCA adapter. But Line drivers are more for noise distortion from HU's using that RCA outputs.

 

[MFD41 10+ year member]

thanks everyone!! I think I might just need to replace the HU to stay within budget, and use a good quality amp to keep it simple... the way I want to do it, it would be cost prohibitive, and more expensive than getting a much better quality radio....thanks for all the input, Im going to look into the amps listed... any advice keep it coming!! thanks again

 

[stuckinok 5,000+ posts]

There are two places that you dont want to go cheap on and they are.

1.Processing/ Head Unit

2. Sound deadening

If you get those right then everything will sound better. Just because you buy badass amps and speakers they will still sound like shit. Doing things right the first time will save you money in the long run.

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

There are two places that you dont want to go cheap on and they are.
1.Processing/ Head Unit

2. Sound deadening

If you get those right then everything will sound better. Just because you buy badass amps and speakers they will still sound like shit. Doing things right the first time will save you money in the long run.

Agreed.

For deadening, I can recommend these products. They're very effective and the quality is superb, as is the support:

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com

 

[fuqueue]

I have a JL 300/4 on its way in a couple days, I'll let you know how it does. Word is that the "slash" series is totally badass. From what I can find, it seems to be JL's flagship series.

But the amp of my dreams is totally the Phoenix Gold Roadster 66 - Its got a 4-channel with liek 75 or 150 watts rms per channel, and a totally seperate class D for the sub putting out 600 rms. Both sides have seperate power supplies, and quality circuitry, this thing is totally beautiful

 

[blackmax 10+ year member]

I am selling my Planet audio (zed made/designed) HVT754. $300 shipped and its yours it is mint.