[Maplicito]

I thought I knew what amplifier I was going to get, but further research, seeing some price lists, and a change to my finances has me reconsidering what I purchase when I'm able.

I thought I'd list the amps I'm considering and see if anyone here has any experience and comments. SQ is more important to me than SPL.

I had planned to get a 4 channel amp, but chances are I need to get a 2 channel amp instead, and run my rear speakers off the head unit, then perhaps down the road get another 2 channel amp.

I can get any of the 2 channel amps I'm going to list at roughly the same price neighbourhood - I'll list some 4 channel amps I was considering if the money happens to be there. The Arc Audio amps, I'm somewhat hesitant about, because my deck is a 5v deck, and they can't be set any less sensitive than 2.5v, but that's not a deal breaker.

Anyhow, how do people feel about the following amps, and why? Thanks for the help!

The 2 channel amps I'm looking at are:

Arc Audio FD 2100 (2x 50w)
Arc Audio FD 2200 (2x 100w)

Focal Solid2 (2x 75w)

Helix/Audiotec Fischer Dark Blue 2 (2x 80w)

Boston Accoustics GTA-602 (2x 60w)

IF it ends up that I can bump my budget to a 4 channel amp, I'm looking at the following:

Arc Audio FD 4150 (4x 80w)
Arc Audio XDI804 (4x 80w)

Diamond Audio D600.4 (4x 90w)

Focal Solid4 (4x 75w)

Boston Accoustics GT-475 (4x 75w)

Polk Audio PA D.4000 (4x 125w)

Helix/Audiotec Fischer Dark Blue 5 (4x 75w +1x 350w)


Edit: I forgot to mention, I'll be using the amp to power Hertz ESK 165 components rated at 100w per channel. I know most of the amps are rated below that, but given that the 14w/channel head unit I'm using at the moment powers them as loud as I want for the majority of my music, I don't think that will be a problem.

Also - the Helix Dark Blue 5 - is there any reason I can't mix and match loads, and run the 4 full range channels at 4 ohms while running the sub channel at 2 ohms?

 

[fcarpio]

If you end up choosing the Polk you may also want to look at the NVX 4 ch amp. It is essentially the same amp but it cost less. Some may argue that the PPI (among others) is also the same amp ($169), but it is the same chassis but not the same components.

This is the NVX:

NVX JAD800.4 (JAD8004) Full Range Class D 4-Channel Car Amplifier

 

[Maplicito]

Hey, thanks for that. Any idea how you feel the PA/NVX would stack up against the other amps?

One thing I neglected to mention is that I will be using it to power Hertz ESK 165 components. They are rated at 100w per channel, and I know most of the amps fall short of that, but I don't need tons of power. I'm currently using a cheap Pioneer head unit while I wait for a replacement for my Nakamichi, and at 14w per channel, it still plays most of my music as loud as I would like it.

Another question I have - if I were to get the 5 channel Helix, is there any reason I should or shouldn't use its sub channel instead of the Hertz HCP 1D that I already have? It gives specs for 4 ohms and 2 ohms - I assume that I could "mix and match" - ie, that I can use 4 channels at 4 ohms while running my subs off the 5th channel at 2 ohms?

So far, I'm leaning toward grabbing a 2 channel Focal or Helix, but that's based on "keyboard jockeying" - unfortunately, I have no hands on experience with any of these amps, and no way to listen to them here.

Thanks guys!

 

[Jstaguy24]

the Polk is a great amp. I regret selling mine when I moved and sold my blazer. I am running a jbl gto5 ez 5 channel amp now. You can pick them up for 225 on eBay. I am running my entire system off of it. Still in building process but it's been great so far.

 

[HertzGuy]

Hifonics ZRX500.2 Zeus Series 500W 2-Channel Car Amplifier

Not to be a dick, but if all you want to run off your amp, which from what you said is just a pair of ESX 165s, then just find an amp in your price range. People are going to jump all over this one. But honestly, I have used VERY cheap amps and have used Expensive amps. I have used companies from Soundstream to Hertz to Phoenix Gold (in their hay-day) to MTX to Kenwood to JL Audio to Kicker to Jensen and HAVE not noticed a Noticeable difference to "Sound Quality". Yes, some "cheaper" amps have Inflated Power numbers, yes they have "cheaper" parts, but most of my cheap stuff I still have that I purchased back in Late 90's early 2000's and still works!
So don't worry too much about name brand, get an amp that will give you the Wattage your looking for and to the "average" listener, your likely not to notice a Difference AT ALL!

But, this is my Uneducated, Unprofessional, totally biased, Humble opinion.
Especially if your budget is tight, and your Deck at "14W" is Loud enough, then you probably don't need to spend "big bucks" on an amp.

Good luck!

 

[edzyy]

PPI P900.4 and bridge it

 

[Maplicito]

Hifonics ZRX500.2 Zeus Series 500W 2-Channel Car Amplifier

Not to be a dick, but if all you want to run off your amp, which from what you said is just a pair of ESX 165s, then just find an amp in your price range.

Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, I'm just running a pair of ESK 165's but the amps I'm looking at actually aren't a whole lot more than the one you linked. The Helix Dark Blue 2, I can get for 125ish, and the Arc Audio FD 2100 is about 100. I kind of would like something that gives me a reason to upgrade my speakers if I get the chance but not so expensive that if I don't get to upgrade the speakers, I feel like I blew a lot of money.

If I had had more money on Black Friday, I could have gotten some Milles for $400, but I figured I was probably better off running ESK's on a decent amplifier than Milles off a head unit, and seeing if I can get something equivalent next year.

I could be way off in what I'm trying to do, but that's the line of thinking I have right now :laugh: