Switching to Class A/B for Subs?

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

His amp comparison I believe was simply swapping between both arc amps but I will clarify it with him. He has done MANY installs and specifically told me he will never use class D amplifiers of any brand again. He went so far as to recommend that if the ARCXXK 2500 does not fit to just go with another line of amps that makes an A/B that will. He does not want to see me using a 1500XXK....
So squeak what exactly is your definition of properly testing A/B vs D if changing the amp and using the same settings and the adjusting for the SAME power is not enough? To me that IS a proper test. If someone has tried this several times using the same ARC amps then let me know of a better person’s advice to take on this matter. Maybe the 1500XXK just sucks balls and there is some other magical reason, despite it being made for sub duty, I don't know but I am listening. I need to understand why someone who would be so against class D's and I know there are others out there as well.

Here is a segment of the mail I received.

"Justin, In plain and simple English, they have no F'ing clue, most

people do not. I have tested dozens of amps and D class sub amps on an

SQ system always lack a great deal, even the Arc and it was not a cheap

amp in the least.

There are those that think an Alpine 9835 sounds just as good as an

Eclipse 8443 or 8053, there is a world of difference.

( I have owned $2,500 HUs, $2,500 DAC's, Rainbow Reference speakers, etc)"

Number one, if he knew which amps he was listening to that right there invalidates the results //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

"Testing" and owning multiple amps doesn't inherently create validity in his statements. There are many things that can create bias in his opinion. Jim mentioned a few of them. Not probably conducting the comparison another. Etc etc.

Here is a pretty good start.....

http://forum.elitecaraudio.com/showthread.php?threadid=123226

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

Your 'some electrical knowledge' is missing some gaps //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif You can run a 2nd wire if you would like, atbest the only thing your factory wiring has is a fuse. No regulators or electrical precedence is going to be affected //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

Well I have other vehicles where the power goes through a voltage regulator before it goes to the battery, but I was doubting this on a truck...

Anyways there not a Fuse, but maybe more like 10 of them integrated into the stock battery terminal. Right now I have the stock terminal connected to my knukonceptz terminals via 0ga, but the wire going to the stock terminal is still factory.... If I remember the factory wire (something like 4ga) is soldered in place to the stock terminal with all the fuses running off to various truck components...

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

so could I use this alpine PDX amp for my components?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALPINE-PDX-2-150-2-CH-DIGITAL-AMPLIFIER-PDX2-150-NEW-07_W0QQitemZ140087352596QQihZ004QQcategoryZ39733QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

Yes.

But you can buy it from me instead //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I've heard some noise complaints with the PDX series...need to hear some for myself though. The ones at a local dealer weren't hooked up at the time //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

Ive heard that about t00b amps too

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

so could I use this alpine PDX amp for my components?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ALPINE-PDX-2-150-2-CH-DIGITAL-AMPLIFIER-PDX2-150-NEW-07_W0QQitemZ140087352596QQihZ004QQcategoryZ39733QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sure can.

I haven't heard of the noise issue Jim mentioned.

But they also put out a fair amount over rated power. I believe the 4.150 was tested to do pretty close to 500w x 2 bridged.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

Well I was pretty set on getting some matching amps for comps and subs, alpines seem to offer this.

However it is more important to get the right equipment I'm thinking. squeak, I know your not the hugest fan of ARC amps. I feel they are overpriced a bit as well. However I can get practicaly new 2100XXK(100x2) for my DLS Iridiums (100x2) watts. Would it still be wise to go with the alpines just for looks or go ahead and buy a higher end/quality amp?

I started this thread because I eventualy wanted to make sure I can buy a matching sub amp and could not decide on Class A/B or D as well which I also feel may be a problem with the XXk line since it is discontinued. BUT if that is a good deal it might be better to just go with it?

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

The problem with the arc's IMO is the loud *** fan and the incredibly annoying spade terminals. The alpine doesnt have either. Its also about 1/2 the size.

Im actually going to get some eventually because my arc's wont fit where i want to put them. The alpines will no problem.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

The problem with the arc's IMO is the loud *** fan and the incredibly annoying spade terminals. The alpine doesnt have either. Its also about 1/2 the size.Im actually going to get some eventually because my arc's wont fit where i want to put them. The alpines will no problem.

The 2100XXK has a loud *** fan?

so the alpine PDX >ARC?

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

squeak, I know your not the hugest fan of ARC amps.

I have nothing at all against Arc //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif If they fit your budget, power and feature requirements, I think they are a stellar option as they are extremely well built and Arc has exceptional customer support!

I'm just not a huge fan of choosing a specific amplifer for the wrong reasons //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Would it still be wise to go with the alpines just for looks or go ahead and buy a higher end/quality amp?

I honestly wouldn't consider the XXK amps any "higher quality" than the Alpines. Those Alpine amps are very nice amplifiers....I almost went with them myself. I haven't heard much of anything negative about them at all (as I said though, I haven't heard of the noise issue Jim mentioned) and they output a fair amount more power than rated.

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

The 2100XXK has a loud *** fan?so the alpine PDX >ARC?

When you wail on the amp the fan speeds up, its really annoying hearing it whirr up and down.

The Alpines are just cooler IMO

 

[///M5 10+ year member]

Especially when you wail on them in your garage with the car not running...

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

I would hope no ones car is so loud that you cant hear the amps fan.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Just get an exhaust that's illegal in California //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif