[Ed70]

I used to run the Punch 75hd along with Punch150hd back when they 1st came out and they sounded amazingly good and powerful. I always wanted to know which RF series amps are the cleanest for SQ and detail. If some of you can share your experiences with the any of the old school TransAna, DSM, Power series etc i would really appreciate it. A while back someone recommended me to try the 4080 DSM sharing with me that those are very clean detailed amps.

 

[Randyman...]

I'd rewind to the Late 80's/early 90's Mosfet POWER series (after the unreliable BiPolar versions). But not the best in terms of connectivity (some have DIN input connectors and hard-wired B+/- and Speaker pigtails!) and size/efficiency. The DSM's and later are also good clean SQ amps with better connectivity. But lots of amps are good, clean and reliable

As with any amp that approaches a 1/4 century tenure, a re-capping is likely a good idea. Or get something a bit newer that still scratches the itch w/o worrying about repair history/condition (you will ALWAYS wonder if it needs to be recapped, or if a new A/B amp will sound better, etc).

IMO - nostalgia builds should be approached as such, and ready to roll with any "got'chas" that come along with decades-old gear in mobile environments. That said - A late 80's/early 90's Nostalgia Build might happen in my 1987 4Runner one day. I know the vehicle and the audio system will both need much more tinkering/upkeep than the daily driver with a modern audio system...

 

[Ed70]

I'd rewind to the Late 80's/early 90's Mosfet POWER series (after the unreliable BiPolar versions). But not the best in terms of connectivity (some have DIN input connectors and hard-wired B+/- and Speaker pigtails!) and size/efficiency. The DSM's and later are also good clean SQ amps with better connectivity. But lots of amps are good, clean and reliable

As with any amp that approaches a 1/4 century tenure, a re-capping is likely a good idea. Or get something a bit newer that still scratches the itch w/o worrying about repair history/condition (you will ALWAYS wonder if it needs to be recapped, or if a new A/B amp will sound better, etc).

IMO - nostalgia builds should be approached as such, and ready to roll with any "got'chas" that come along with decades-old gear in mobile environments. That said - A late 80's/early 90's Nostalgia Build might happen in my 1987 4Runner one day. I know the vehicle and the audio system will both need much more tinkering/upkeep than the daily driver with a modern audio system...

 

[Ed70]

Thanks for the feedback and yes looking in to a Nostalgic build on a 93 Acura Integra or 06 acura tsx. Those older amps are built like tanks and are known to be reliable, recapping is a must!
I was looking in to a RF 500X but was recommended the 4080 DSM for better sound quality.

 

[Randyman...]

Thanks for the feedback and yes looking in to a Nostalgic build on a 93 Acura Integra or 06 acura tsx. Those older amps are built like tanks and are known to be reliable, recapping is a must!
I was looking in to a RF 500X but was recommended the 4080 DSM for better sound quality.

Nice!

I doubt you are going to experience anything audible between them assuming the amps are in good working order (quiet!) and provide the power @ load you need. Go with the ones that really give you the warm/fuzzy nostalgia - and they will naturally sound better when you touch the volume knob. This is how we work as humans - so play into it and make your smile even bigger

 

[metanium]

I’ve used the DSM era extensively and likely have a nostalgia-bias, but they’re my favorites.

 

[Ed70]

I’ve used the DSM era extensively and likely have a nostalgia-bias, but they’re my favorites.

Thank you got your input on the DSM series amps.

 

[Ed70]

Nice!

I doubt you are going to experience anything audible between them assuming the amps are in good working order (quiet!) and provide the power @ load you need. Go with the ones that really give you the warm/fuzzy nostalgia - and they will naturally sound better when you touch the volume knob. This is how we work as humans - so play into it and make your smile even bigger

Good Advice 😉. I have other amps in my other vehicles but felt like going back to my early RF days and put together and old school set up.

 

[Randyman...]

Good Advice 😉. I have other amps in my other vehicles but felt like going back to my early RF days and put together and old school set up.

I think lots of the peeps here are entering (or well into) our "Nostalgic Years" at this point I'm hitting the "Just for Men" H55 True Black hair color rather often!

It's fun and gratifying - but always good to keep reality and modernization in-check. The human experience will overshadow most rational sense - so the experience is really the main focus for these fun builds! And lord knows with some of the modern speaker improvements and a cheap DSP - these older amps will absolutely sound better than they ever did 20-30 years ago!!!

 

[Ed70]

I think lots of the peeps here are entering (or well into) our "Nostalgic Years" at this point I'm hitting the "Just for Men" H55 True Black hair color rather often!

It's fun and gratifying - but always good to keep reality and modernization in-check. The human experience will overshadow most rational sense - so the experience is really the main focus for these fun builds! And lord knows with some of the modern speaker improvements and a cheap DSP - these older amps will absolutely sound better than they ever did 20-30 years ago!!!

Hahaha i used to use Just for Men years ago and one day i just said screw it and welcomed the greys. Todays builds seem rather complex and quite expensive loading tons of equipment.
The late 80’s/early 90’s was simple in getting a great headunit, great amp and speakers and solid quality rca’s and wiring. I still have and occasionally run my 2 sets of Boston Acoustics RC620 and Pro 6.4’s components and they still sound amazing. It has never crossed my mind to run a DSP and just mess with the features on my Kenwood 9907xr headunit.

 

[LineArrayNut]

Ran a punch 4080 dsm on morel silk dome tweets in the dash and rear doors components in the jeep gc Ltd. I had. Very clean. Still have it.

 

[Ed70]

Ran a punch 4080 dsm on morel silk dome tweets in the dash and rear doors components in the jeep gc Ltd. I had. Very clean. Still have it.

Thank you for you feedback on this specific amp model.