[Alias essSQuee]

Hello,

I have searched but have not found a 'modern', up to date, list of amplifiers on the market which utilize a regulated power supply. Most amps, as I understand it, are unregulated.

What I'm specifically looking for is a regulated amplifier that will make it's power in various voltage loads and pull from the battery if it needs to when the alternator is tapped out without sagging one bit.

I know JL Audio amplifiers make this claim firmly and have my full interest, but I don't want to only consider a single choice. I suspect that ZED-designed amplifiers of today are getting their power and claim to be using fully regulated power supplies.

I have been relegated to having to search various amplifier literature and marketing and have ended up with more questions than answers because marketing isn't always accurate or straight to the point like JL Audio's is.

So, if anyone knows where a modern list of regulated amplifiers are (especially class-D amplifiers), that would be appreciated greatly and would help my search.

If need be, I will buy the JL Audio HD series amps, as they seem like no-brainers and I'm sure to be happy with them, but I don't want to count out other manufacturers who may have alternatives worth looking into.

 

[ATOMICTECH62]

The 2 you mention are the only ones Im aware of.
To make fully regulated amps it takes more mosfets,bigger transformers and larger heat sinks.In a world of low price competition manufactures dont want to add this feature.
Plus it makes the amp less efficient.There are other reasons I wont go into.
20 years ago most US made amps were regulated but they were class AB models.

 

[t3sn4f2]

Just settle on a wattage rating and buy an unregulated amp with twice that power. Bridge channels if you must. And no it won't cost more, we really only pay for dBw more than anything else.

HD600/4 - Car Audio - Amplifiers - HD - JL Audio

Rated Continuous (RMS) Power @ 12.5 V
[email protected] 4 Ω 150 W RMS x 4
$799


XD800/8v2 - Car Audio - Amplifiers - XD - JL Audio

Rated Continuous (RMS) Power @ 12.5 V
- Bridged @ 4Ω 180 W RMS x 4
$699

Comes out to pretty much the same once you factor in the difference in THD %s power was measured at.

 

[Alias essSQuee]

Hmm,

Perhaps I'm paranoid, but I want to ensure all the distortion-free dynamic headroom that the amplifier gives over what the speaker is rated at for my system. I don't want any driver in my array to be starved for power when an dynamic peak exceeds my alternator's capability and the voltage momentarily drops as the remaining amps are pulled off the battery. You understand that the regulated JL-Audio amps will fully supply the undistorted wattage they claim even when voltage drops to 11v. That's assurance that none of my dynamic peaks will meet with distortion and the output in those moments will be guaranteed.

With unregulated amps, I would have to find out what the 11v output to speaker wattage would be and hope that distortion doesn't become a problem on my midbass amp.

Sure, the unregulated amplifiers are cheaper, but there is something really awesome about knowing EXACTLY what output you're getting and being able to design your system for that output regardless of how limited your alternator's electrical is.

 

[ATOMICTECH62]

Have you considered using old school regulated amps like Orion,PPI Art series,Autotek,Hifonics VIII/VII,Mcintosh,Clarion?
The Macs and some Clarions have the power guard so the signal stays clean no matter what voltage they get.
All regulated amps eventually reach a point where they cant keep up ether.This happens around 11-10.5 volts.

 

[ImK'ed]

Phoenix gold ti2 1600.5 has regulated power supply and the 4channel does aswel, i think the monos in that range dont though

 

[ImK'ed]

Your thoughts are/were the same like mine 10years ago thats why i bought my first JL product 1000/1 and loved knowing that it is making at least rated power even if voltage drops, one thing to take note is and im sure you already know this, if voltage drops a few volts the amplifier will pull a heck amount of current to keep power the same. But to be honest i ran a 1000/1 and an old class A/B alpine v12 150rms x2 in two different cars civic and mazda and both had stock batteries and stock 70amp Alts and small standard ground no big3 or anything and everything was spot on!

 

[Treesive]

Arc se amps are regulated. I think the ks series is as well at least partially regulated.

 

[jriggs]

Mosconi Zero line are regulated. Zero Line – Mosconi America

 

[Alias essSQuee]

One more bump, as I have time before buying to decide on what amp. Remember, Class-D full range amp that with a regulated power supply that makes its rated wattage from 11v - 14.4v.

 

[thehatedguy]

Can't go wrong with the JL HD amps. I liked them a lot and would run them again in a second.