zed or rainbow amp

[gijoe 10+ year member]

I have been shopping around for a nice two channel for a while now and I was pretty much sold on the Gladius, until today. I ran across a rainbow amp in the classifieds that is priced very well. The problem is, I can't seem to find any information on rainbow's amps, only their speakers. I am running a set of Boston Acoustics entry level components off of the head unit right now, they need more power and eventually they need to be replaced. I am looking to upgrade to something Focal, Rainbow or Dynaudio. I am hoping someone can help me out. The rainbow amp will cost me about $190 and it puts out more power than the zed which will cost me around $250. Should I stick with a company that specializes in amps (zed) even though rainbow is known for making quality products?

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[envengineer 10+ year member]

I've had rainbow and zed audio amps. Get the Zed. You won't regret it.

 

[Paddywad 10+ year member]

I would lean more towards the Zed amp as well. The quality is just as good or better than Rainbow. Just my $.02.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

While amp is somewhat important, I would certainly put budget priority to the best speakers you can afford and follow with the power you need to drive them. Either amp will make them sing. I personally would for for the most power, but if the Zed is underated , perhaps they are comparable.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

I am biased.

 

[Audio Junkies 10+ year member]

I'm assuming the Rainbow amp you mentioned is not the newer iPaul line. Keep in mind that except for the Kraftwerk M2000, the other two Rainbow Kraftwerk amplifiers have zero internal adjustment controls and must be used with other equipment to adjust the gain level and crossover.

The Zed amps are works of art. They are big, heavy, built like a tank and without a doubt some of the best amps made. Their power output is also underrated. If you have the room to fit one, I'd get the Zed.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing one of the new Rainbow iPaul amps in person though.

 

[gijoe 10+ year member]

Thanks for all of the information everyone. I think the Gladius is the amp for me.

 

[atsaubrey 10+ year member]

Obviously I run Zpaco....for now. I have three Zeds sitting in the closet....does that tell you anything?

 

[gijoe 10+ year member]

Uh, it either tells me that you think zeds **** compared to the zapcos, or that you're just waiting for the zapcos to die so you can use the zeds. Haha, i don't know what you're saying exactly. Sorry.

 

[tEh koRnDog 5,000+ posts]

where online can you even buy rainbow amps?

 

[gijoe 10+ year member]

It's in the classifieds. Check it out, seems like a good deal.

 

[atsaubrey 10+ year member]

Well, i bought the Zed's after the Zapcos and as soon as i start a rebuild the Zaps are getting ditched.

 

[king_jebus 10+ year member]

Zed. Period.

 

[gijoe 10+ year member]

Cool guys thanks a lot!