Is The Best Amp Still Alpine?
08-29-2005, 07:01 AM
#1
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Is The Best Amp Still Alpine?
I might pick up an amp to power these boxed boss subs (two 12s) and was wondering what might be a good priced amp on ebay or whatever. Alpine still the best? I never did like Rockford Fosgate.
08-30-2005, 12:45 AM
#3
I tend to get a bit irritable
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I wouldnt say Alpine was ever the "best". Although there really isnt any "best" it comes down to what suits your needs.
Audison is a great product, but I wouldnt call it the "best" either.
Audison is a great product, but I wouldnt call it the "best" either.
08-31-2005, 03:20 PM
#5
Alpine amps are great, but their features seem to sometimes obscure the sound. They make things sound too computerized almost. It's nice to have all of those functions, but it is way too much. Sometimes simpler is better 
08-31-2005, 04:14 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by nismos14
Alpine amps are great, but their features seem to sometimes obscure the sound. They make things sound too computerized almost. It's nice to have all of those functions, but it is way too much. Sometimes simpler is better
And honestly the best sounding amps are Tube but they don't really make the power to drive subs effectively.
08-31-2005, 07:26 PM
#8
Originally Posted by Maxstilln
I've had a few installers tell me some of the JL amps will shut down or clip out into protect under low loads so take that as you want.
09-02-2005, 10:34 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by nismos14
Any amp is going to do that when put under low loads that are not optimal for the amp, and even sometimes with the right load. Alot of it is about matching proper specs etc. to get the proper performance and sound out of the products you're using.
09-02-2005, 11:47 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by nismos14
Sounds like we're on the same page here, didnt want to sound like I was defending JL just something I thought I'd put my 2 cents in on.
09-02-2005, 12:22 PM
#12
Yeah no kidding, it happens when it comes to cars. Every guy (well most) who isn't willin to learn anything and just thinks everything thats in the movies or some ricer tell's them is true then comes on here and post about some non-sensical thing that isn't even remotely true, and they get owned on the .org.
09-03-2005, 03:44 PM
#16
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There are a TON af awesome made amps out there. There are also great choices that fit into any realistic budget.
Let's start with this....How much power do you want to give these subs? What impedence (ohms) are they? How much you looking to spend? Have you dampened (if not put some money in for that)
After we know this, we might begin to talk about what is the best amp for you, and still then, we're going to disagree because nobody on this forum has worked with/heard/compared with a well installed system
Arc
Zapco
Tru
Brax
Linear Power (Uh, I think this would be my choice though I like.
Audison
Butler tube....
JL audio
Zed
.............and the list goes on
Let's start with this....How much power do you want to give these subs? What impedence (ohms) are they? How much you looking to spend? Have you dampened (if not put some money in for that)
After we know this, we might begin to talk about what is the best amp for you, and still then, we're going to disagree because nobody on this forum has worked with/heard/compared with a well installed system
Arc
Zapco
Tru
Brax
Linear Power (Uh, I think this would be my choice though
I like.Audison
Butler tube....
JL audio
Zed
.............and the list goes on
for arc
09-04-2005, 02:43 AM
#26
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Posts: 163
Originally Posted by mattleo
no way the best amp company right now out is audison its a italian amp company .... i sell them at tweeter. crystal clean power blows alpine JL extant out of the water
Its xtant not extant. And i would like to see these amps!
more info por favor
09-04-2005, 05:17 AM
#28
The 'best" amp is an illusion. Maybe the question is what is the best amp for those subs. You got boss speakers, get a boss amp. A 500 watt rms boss sub maybe only 250 watts rms in real time on a higher quality amp. When you get higher grade speakers you get higher grade amps.
The "best" amp maybe that JBL sitting in the back of Alma Gates Bronco; you can power a bunch a subs and arch weld with it.
The "best" amp maybe that JBL sitting in the back of Alma Gates Bronco; you can power a bunch a subs and arch weld with it.
09-04-2005, 10:33 AM
#30
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im surprised no one mentioned kicker at all...although they are known for their subs more than their amps, i personally have a 1250.1 kicker amp that has pounded 2 12" L7 subs quite nicely for some time now. but yeah, i like the JL amps and also the Xtant amps...just my 2 cents...
09-04-2005, 11:41 AM
#32
Originally Posted by sodie14
im surprised no one mentioned kicker at all...although they are known for their subs more than their amps, i personally have a 1250.1 kicker amp that has pounded 2 12" L7 subs quite nicely for some time now. but yeah, i like the JL amps and also the Xtant amps...just my 2 cents...
I ran their older stuff for many years (ZR240, ZR360, ZX460, and DX700) and was very happy with it. Actually the ZX460 I had lasted quite a bit of years (this thing was supposed to do 30x4 RMS but it put out a little over 420 watts RMS total at a 4ohm bridged load). I bought it brand new in 1997, and I just replaced it this year (the issues that it had were caused by me) Since these things were 1ohm stable I even ran it with the rear channels at a 2ohm bridged mode for a while with no issues. Out of those amps the only one that quit on me was the DX700, it would cut out at higher volume levels (this was after about 3 years).
09-05-2005, 07:49 AM
#34
zapco was the best back in the day and i believe, at least my opinion is still the best now. the shop where i get my ID max's and DLS iridiums setup a civic will all of the oldest possible zapco amps, the zapco amps actually have plugs which connect each one almost like an electric guitar wire that goes into the amplifier they use. it is one of the first zapco amps ever produced,speakers are some really old brnad i cant remeber the name. and an eclipse CD player from like 1988. thsi was turned into a full SQ car and won first place in SQ comp its first time out i dont remeber where but they used over 30 year old amps and equipment mostly by zapco. i thought it was pretty neat it was like a completely vintage SQ car which beat all the new tech thats out there today.
09-05-2005, 10:25 AM
#36
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Wow. It sure is amazing how many people think their amps are the best! I wonder who is right?
Truth is, just about every single modern day amplifier is going to sound virtually identical to each other when equally driven. Want more power? Get an amp with more power. Armelius...Choose an amp that has the best features for your use: xovers, size, cooling fans, power output, inputs, outputs, bass level control, etc.
There's absolutley nothing magical about amplifiers when it comes to making something sound "smooth", "mechanized" or "warm". A watt is a watt. To say otherwise is extremely ignorant and just spreads the myth.
The only exception to this is tube amps. Apples to oranges. Not saying they're better...but they don't follow the same rules.
Tony
Truth is, just about every single modern day amplifier is going to sound virtually identical to each other when equally driven. Want more power? Get an amp with more power. Armelius...Choose an amp that has the best features for your use: xovers, size, cooling fans, power output, inputs, outputs, bass level control, etc.
There's absolutley nothing magical about amplifiers when it comes to making something sound "smooth", "mechanized" or "warm". A watt is a watt. To say otherwise is extremely ignorant and just spreads the myth.
The only exception to this is tube amps. Apples to oranges. Not saying they're better...but they don't follow the same rules.
Tony
09-05-2005, 11:04 AM
#37
They are all right, if it fits their particular needs, it is the best amp for them . As for me, this last time around I went with what I thought were pretty good bang for the buck amps, and I am pretty happy. Gotta love closeout deals.
Tony you should check out the last month's issue of Car Audio & Electronics. Pretty interesting stuff about their listening test between different classes of amps. One of them was a tube amp, pretty pricey one at that.
. As for me, this last time around I went with what I thought were pretty good bang for the buck amps, and I am pretty happy. Gotta love closeout deals.Tony you should check out the last month's issue of Car Audio & Electronics. Pretty interesting stuff about their listening test between different classes of amps. One of them was a tube amp, pretty pricey one at that.
09-05-2005, 11:09 AM
#38
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Thank you. Finally the voice of reason. (not suprised that it comes from a man w/ a DRZ ) I hope anybody reading this thread takes these responses with a grain of salt...
Funny how everyone LOVES their own equiptment, or had an amp that worked/works for them so it must be classified as "the best" or one of the best.
Like I should have more explicitely said before in my previous post pointing out just some of the many good amps out there (and no offense to any of you), none or quite near none of you making claims that your amp (or the amp you used....) have gotten to hear half of the decent to real good amps out there, in comprable systems swapped, on a reference home setup, or have your amps benched or anything.
At least some people have the sense to admit it's their personal bias or that they use this amp and have no desire for anything else, or mentioned that an amp is a good buy due to a warranty and good price or something.
Good sound is 80-90% install, and of the percent that is equipment, the amp is a pretty small % of that IMO. Get an amp you trust that puts out the power you need, with any features you need, at the right price..
) I hope anybody reading this thread takes these responses with a grain of salt...Funny how everyone LOVES their own equiptment, or had an amp that worked/works for them so it must be classified as "the best" or one of the best.
Like I should have more explicitely said before in my previous post pointing out just some of the many good amps out there (and no offense to any of you), none or quite near none of you making claims that your amp (or the amp you used....) have gotten to hear half of the decent to real good amps out there, in comprable systems swapped, on a reference home setup, or have your amps benched or anything.
At least some people have the sense to admit it's their personal bias or that they use this amp and have no desire for anything else, or mentioned that an amp is a good buy due to a warranty and good price or something.
Good sound is 80-90% install, and of the percent that is equipment, the amp is a pretty small % of that IMO. Get an amp you trust that puts out the power you need, with any features you need, at the right price..
09-05-2005, 11:20 AM
#39
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Posts: 115
Crap, that's a lot of opinion on the best amp for his Boss 12" subs. Seriously, how much better does an Arc Audio amp sound than an RF when hooked up to subs? Like many of the latest posters have said, get something that fits your needs. . .I would suggest a class D amp that puts out a decent amount of power, that is made by a reliable company. Alpine will do great in your set up, and there are many, many other very good brands that will do equally well.
Some stuff to look for:
If you ever plan on running subs in a ported enclosure, you might want to make sure you have a subsonic filter.
If you decide on a 4 channel amp that you can later use for a front stage [I wouldn't suggest a class D for this situation], you might want to make sure that the amps high pass xover isn't limited to less than 2000 Hz [in case you want to connect tweets to one set of channels, and the mids to the others].
If you plan on changing your subs some time, you might want to consider an amp like JL which can supply the same wattage to varying impedance loads [or an amp that delivers a suitable amount of power to your subs now, but that can deliver more to a lower impedance load], so that you aren't as limited later when you upgrade your subs.
If you want to start building up now, consider a four channel amp that can power your subs with the rear channels and your front stage with the front channels [later you could add a class d amp for the subs, and use the 4 channel for the front stage].
Again, try to think about what your plans are in the future, and you can save yourself some time/trouble/money. If you plan on building a future SQ system and will want the best for your front stage, you might want to get one of the many good amps discussed in this thread so that your amps will match when you build up from here.
dh
Some stuff to look for:
If you ever plan on running subs in a ported enclosure, you might want to make sure you have a subsonic filter.
If you decide on a 4 channel amp that you can later use for a front stage [I wouldn't suggest a class D for this situation], you might want to make sure that the amps high pass xover isn't limited to less than 2000 Hz [in case you want to connect tweets to one set of channels, and the mids to the others].
If you plan on changing your subs some time, you might want to consider an amp like JL which can supply the same wattage to varying impedance loads [or an amp that delivers a suitable amount of power to your subs now, but that can deliver more to a lower impedance load], so that you aren't as limited later when you upgrade your subs.
If you want to start building up now, consider a four channel amp that can power your subs with the rear channels and your front stage with the front channels [later you could add a class d amp for the subs, and use the 4 channel for the front stage].
Again, try to think about what your plans are in the future, and you can save yourself some time/trouble/money. If you plan on building a future SQ system and will want the best for your front stage, you might want to get one of the many good amps discussed in this thread so that your amps will match when you build up from here.
dh
09-05-2005, 11:34 AM
#40
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Originally Posted by 1996blackmax
Tony you should check out the last month's issue of Car Audio & Electronics. Pretty interesting stuff about their listening test between different classes of amps. One of them was a tube amp, pretty pricey one at that.
Tony