[airbornflght]

I'm looking for a good quality 4 channel amp.

I have a set of Rainbow SLC 165 components in the front and a set of Infinity 5030cs components in the rear. I'd like to find something for $250 or less that is 4 channels and provides 75 watts rms/channel or so.

I've seen the Soundstream Reference 400.4 pop up, but I'm not convinced of the quality of the amp considering their history, and I'd like to know if there are any better deals to be had for the money.

I've seen cadence amps XaH175.4, Zuki Eleet 4, among others recommended. The zuki is a kind of expensive.

Essentially, for $250 or less, what is the best 4 channel amp I can purchase that will put out at least 50 watts per channel rms @ 12v?

I just want a great sounding amp that is designed and built well.

Thanks guys for the help. I've been out of the loop for a long time and it's been kind of difficult to figure out what the good products/brands are now.

 

[ousooner2]

I'd try to find a PPI p900.4. I love my 100.4 also..but it'll be closer to $250

 

[WLDock]

The Soundstream actually seems like a nice amp for the money....there are a lot of nice features to the REF amps if you want class A/B.

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...s/120187-new-school-soundstream-gut-pics.html

The Precision Power seems to be a good choice for a class D.

 

[robert_wrath]

Given the projected budget, I'd strongly recommend for SQ purposes Sony Mobile ES 7547:

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...anted-big-red-sony-xm-7547-a.html#post1520174

AmpGuts.com

 

[airbornflght]

I think I want to stay class AB. I've read that fullrange class D amps have gotten much better in recent years, but I've read they still don't sound as lively as class AB amps.

So far, I've found:
The soundstream 400.4 for around $200
The cadence 175.4 for around $180
The Image Dynamics 450.4 for $300
The Zuki audio is probably too expensive, and it seems to be hotly debated anyway, although, it does seem to be focused on what I want. Tons of dynamic range and headroom.

I've also seen a kenwood xrf amp, but it's seemed to have gotten iffy reviews. Buying amps always seems like a gamble to me because there are a hundred variables from the design, the materials, to the workmanship that all have to come together. I wish this wasn't so damn hard

 

[its_bacon12]

I think I want to stay class AB. I've read that fullrange class D amps have gotten much better in recent years, but I've read they still don't sound as lively as class AB amps.

Slim to no chance you will notice a difference.

 

[ZAKOH]

I wonder what will be the price of the new PPI Black Ice amplifiers. Their specifications look respectable. The full range PPI Black Ice amplifiers are Class A/B amplifier and their wattage ratings are not that much lower than those of Class D PPI Phantom amplifiers.

 

[airbornflght]

So from the amps that have been listed do you think I'd hear much of a difference between any of them or are they a fungible commodity for the most part?

 

[Angrywhopper]

JL Audio JX360/4. Will do 70x4.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tyroneshoes]

My Clarion apx4361: Nikola/zeff class a/b with a great crossover. 90x4, 320x2 $175

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...-treo-amp-other-stuff-i-clean-basement-3.html

 

[WLDock]

Buying amps always seems like a gamble to me because there are a hundred variables from the design, the materials, to the workmanship that all have to come together. I wish this wasn't so damn hard

To be honest...if class A/B is what you are after and $200 is your budget...this really does not seem that hard. I really don't see how you could go wrong with the Soundstream that you are looking at.

Did you see the reviews?
http://www.soundstream.com/Media/images/PA_REF.PDF
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...85-soundstream-ref4-400-initial-thoughts.html
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum.../63148-sounstream-reference-4-920-review.html

Did you see the features and very good built in crossover?
http://www.soundstream.com/manuals/2009/Reference Amplifier (2009).pdf
http://www.soundstream.com/AudioProducts/Amplifiers/reference.htm

Did you see the PCB of the larger 4 channel and the 1KW mono?
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9701/img1363lu.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h402/cabron1919/DSC08244.jpg

For $200 what is there not to like? Seems like they made a nice amp...

 

[Cruzer]

I think I want to stay class AB. I've read that fullrange class D amps have gotten much better in recent years, but I've read they still don't sound as lively as class AB amps.

So far, I've found:
The soundstream 400.4 for around $200
The cadence 175.4 for around $180
The Image Dynamics 450.4 for $300
The Zuki audio is probably too expensive, and it seems to be hotly debated anyway, although, it does seem to be focused on what I want. Tons of dynamic range and headroom.

I've also seen a kenwood xrf amp, but it's seemed to have gotten iffy reviews. Buying amps always seems like a gamble to me because there are a hundred variables from the design, the materials, to the workmanship that all have to come together. I wish this wasn't so damn hard

u dont want class d because of sound, yet ur considering a Cadence amp?

 

[xanderin]

An old PPI Arts A404 would work for you.

 

[tyroneshoes]

Call me biased but I think my clarion is the best choice.Apparently an Arc cxl clone

Clarion U.S.A. | APX4361

 

[WLDock]

Yes, for $175 he can't go wrong with the Clarion also. Can't really do much better for $200 and under...unless ones finds a special deal.


Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

 

[airbornflght]

I've been reading up a bit, and the clarion looks great, but a SNR of 86db is a bit concerning.

It looks like the soundstream is almost a winner. One question. Between the 400.4 and the 760.4. If the 400.4 is available for $200 and the 760.4 for $280, is the 760 worth the extra $80.

It looks like all I'm getting is 45 extra watts and perhaps a higher damping factor. From my understanding, for sound to increase 3db the power level must double because it's a logarithmic relationship. And since 3db is fairly well accepted to be the smallest discernable difference in loudness, is there any real reason to go for the extra 45 watts?

And I guess while I'm at it, if I were to spend $300 or less, would there be anything prefferable to the 760.4, or would that again be the best quality for the money?

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the 400.4, but have a few last minute questions.

 

[DiMora]

Eclipse PA5422.

Buy it before I do.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eclipse-Fuj...r_Amplifiers&hash=item1e6a4448ca#ht_500wt_922

 

[Coppertone]

Zapco reference 360.4 for $225.00 shipped.

 

[Coppertone]

By the way this is bnib still with the plastic wrapped around it.

 

[airbornflght]

So I'm very interested in the zapco based on what I know about them. But Isn't that a $750 amp? Why so cheap?