[bothan42]

Title of the thread says it all. My x604 took a dump on me yesterday. It wont play some of the upper range frequencies on the left speaker. It's really weird but cant resolve so time to replace.
Right now the system setup
upfront: Boston Z6 passive
hu: alpine 9886
Changer: alpine s624
Processor: PXA701
Sub: Older 12" Alpine Type R
Sub amp: alpine mrv-t757
What I would like is a 4 channel with at least 100 watts a channel that's not very bright and packs a pretty good punch. Size of the amp doesn't matter. I've been considering JL, either a 450/4 or 300/4. I like the sound but want some more options. SQ is my priority.

 

[cubdenno]

If you can handle the "chrome" look, the cadence TXA6004 is great! It's not a mainstream brand but has great sound quality and fo9r the money very VERY hard to beat. I have the two channel model and I run it instead of a Tru billet B2110 which is sitting on my shelf.

TXA-6004 - AMPLIFIERS - Cadence Acoustics, LTD

Though it looks like they are out of stock. Sorry but still... give them a look

 

[bothan42]

Thanks for the reply. I dont really know much about cadence will look into them. The amps I do know about are Xtant, JL audio, Alpine, McIntosh, PPI. I wouldn't mind a mac but there pricey but I love the sound they put out, just pure sex. If anybody knows an amp with similar characteristics but not as pricey please shout it out.
Other suggestions mush appreciated.

 

[keep_hope_alive]

you're sure you didn't change something on the H701 to cause that? you've swapped RCA's with the other channel to make sure the problem doesn't move?

have you bench tested it?

why not get another 604X? How about Zapco? Genesis? Memphis?

 

[bothan42]

The h701 isnt setup yet and not in the car. When I had problems with the xtant I had the HU hooked to the amp and amp to speakers. At first me and my installer friend thought it was the speaker or crossover on the left side. It sounded like the db was turned down on the passive crossover or the tweeter was bad. So we replaced the speakers with a new set of Z's and same problem. The speaker wouldn't put out much bass and the tweeter wasnt playing some of the upper freq. We checked to see if the speakers were out of phase that didnt make a difference. I had the amp bridged to two channel to run the speakers and switched the amp back to four channel to see if that would resolve and didnt. We finally decided to swap the left output, which was the problem, with the right output to see what would happen. At first it sounded like it resolved the issue. I had great mid-bass response and the tweeter was coming through clearer. But after some critical listening today it just seems the speaker isnt playing the upper range frequencies. So I hooked up the alpine 757 two channel and setup the HP crossover and am getting the sound I'm missing. So, when this happen I concluded it to be the xtant as the problem. If anybody has more suggestions to resolve the xtant problem I would love to keep it.
Thanks for more suggestions of amps. I wouldnt mine owning another xtant but it would have to be one before MTX took over and I think I might want somthing a little newer. I have been looking at zapco. I just dont know much about any other amps other than the amps mentioned in my previous post. I here zapco makes good amps. How would you describe their sound.

 

[keep_hope_alive]

good troubleshooting. Zapco is a better amp than Xtant. i run older Xtant and am happy. If/when I move away from them Zapco will be my second choice, Genesis my first. I have seen too many great systems running them.

 

[bothan42]

Thanks for the comp. I've been reading up on Zapco amps and am very impressed with there build quality and the DC ref line looks to have some great ways to setup a system. There are some good deals to be had right now on some DC refs and need to see if I can scrounge the money up for one. I just wasn't planning to spend the money on an amp, thought I had the amps all squared away.
I swear this is like building a motor for my car. Just when you think you have it together and it's working you have to throw more money at it. As long as this doesn't turn into the money pit and I don't get stuck in the floor making dollar bill airplanes I think I'll be ok:laugh:.

 

[krispyrob]

xtant has a repair program, you can ship your amp to them and they will repair it at a flat rate of $150. I just sent in my x603, cuz the replacement cost is obviously much higher. But hey, if you are using this as an excuse to upgrade, go ahead, but you might try getting it repaired and then re-selling it to get some of your money back. Just a thought.

 

[bothan42]

That's a good idea. Did you just contact Xtant directly to see about repairs for the amp? Let me know the process you went through to get your amp repaired. Thanks for the support.

 

[krispyrob]

Yup, just contacted xtant directly. You have to pay for the shipping to them, but I'm under the impression that they pay to ship it back to you. The number to contact them is 1-888-449-8268. I'm under the impression that this is there general repair policy for out of warranty items. I just called them up, told them I wanted to have them repair it, and gave them the serial number. They took down a credit card number (money order works too) and are going to charge me when they receive the amp. They gave me an RMA number which I wrote on the outside of the box and gave me an address to ship it to. It cost me $27 to ship it UPS ground with insurance for $300. I just shipped it out on wednesday, the amp is in Texas right now. Hopefully the turnaround time won't be too bad. Anyways, hope that helps!

 

[bothan42]

It does help! Keep me up to date on the turn around time and your experience with this. Really interested. Don't think it will stop me from getting a new amp but will help with recouping some costs.

 

[tophatjimmy]

if you're still taking amp suggestions, mine would be an Arc 4150. Either CXLR or XXK

Vuuurrry nice amps.

 

[bothan42]

Guess I'm going to have to look that amp as well. I wonder how they would compare with a zapco dc ref 1000.4? I really don't need the processor on the zap but it would be nice to have if I go away from the pxa. What my plan is for now is to use the front channels to run my comps passive and bridge the rear for my sub.

 

[krispyrob]

Hey, just wanted to give you an update on my X603 repair. I just got the amp back yesterday, hooked it up, and everything works great! I think my power supply ended up being bad from the invoice that they gave me. They tested it's output and everything too, made sure it met or exceeded all specifications. I'm very happy with the repair service. $150 + shipping to them. They covered the shipping back to me. Anyways, I would highly recommend sending your x604 to get repaired through their program, and then sell it if you want to upgrade. Either way, it's a much better alternative to having it sit around as a paper weight. Make sure that you think you can recover the repair cost by re-selling it though. An x603 went on eBay about two weeks ago for just $130. Anyways, hope this helps!

 

[bothan42]

thanks for keeping me informed. I went ahead and upgraded to a Mc420m and just got installed today. But I do plan to send the xtant off to get repaired. I can still use it in my system. I'll just replace my alpine 757 with it and use the rear channels for the sub and if I ever go three way or want rear speakers i can use the front channels.

Glad to hear everything worked out for ya.