MA Audio Amps & Subs. I am currently running 2 MA Audio 12's (120XE) on an old school Linear Power amp. I am looking to replace the amp and I am leaning toward the MA Audio HK line (seems like alot of "bang for the buck"). I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the HK2000D or the HK1000D or MA Audio components in general. So far I love the range and sound of the 2 12's - but I am, admittedly, a rookie. Thanks for the help guys.

 

anyone? (bump)

 

Keep the Linear power and ditch the MAs.

 

The Linear Power gets extremely hot. I have the gain turned all the way down and the sub level on my HU at 0 and the amp still overheats and cuts after 30 mins of continuous use. Why do you say ditch the MA's?

 

Why ditch the MA audio idea? The subs aren't the greatest, but thier amps are plenty powerful. I don't know the current prices for thier amps, but I wouldn't throw out the idea simply because of the brand name.

 

So then you would run Pyramid? Pyle? Rockwood? I personally would throw it out based on brand name and experience. If you like em, go for it.

 

Ive got this Emerson cd player and Roadgear speakers, that **** slams.

/sarcasm

(Listen to Don)

-Kevin

 

it's ok to be sportin those brands Kev...

 

my old roomate used to sport the rockwood amp on his jbl 8 back in HS. that was entertainment.

 

Is the amp running at too low of an impedence? I wouldn't think it would overheat with that massive of a heatsink (unless it's hooked up incorrectly). How is it hooked up? Linear Power is supposed to be a really good brand (not very pretty, but perform very well). I'm not too familiar with MA, but I wouldn't buy it because it looks like mainstream junk (could be wrong, just my opinion).

 

I'm running the amp at a 1 ohm load - it's supposed to be 1 ohm stable. Me, personally, I don't like the amp. I had 2 LP amps, a 250 (or so) 2 channel that i was running on a set of 6x9's awhile back and this 500 that I am currently running. I know that LP amps had a decent following and the name was pretty well respected , but for my dollar, the amp sucks (IMHO).

Anyway, I would not put MA gear in the same class as Pyle, Pyramid and Legacy etc products. I've seen plenty of MA gear used in winning competition vehicles. In fact, from what I have read they won several awards at the db World Finals (I wasn't there so I can only go by what I read). Anyway, I expect to recieve the HK2000d today and I will be installing it tonight. I will keep all of you that are interested abreast of how it performs. Thanks for the help!

BTW - if anyone wants to buy the LP 500 off of me I will be letting it go for next to nothing.

 

MA Audio is definately a step above Pyle, Pyramid, and the liking IMO. They are a decent budget brand. I would put them more along the lines of PowerAcoustik, Profile, US Acoustics, Hifonics, etc. The lower line MA's are usually a bit overrated, but their HK series Mono amps have definately proven themselves at the competition level.

 

My thoughts exactly tplaya! Anyway, i got the hk2000d and here are my thoughts:

First off the the amp is HEAVY. I didn't weigh it before installing but it definitely is solid and appears to be well constructed / overbuilt. The inputs all take 4ga power wire (I will have to upgrade my distribution block from 8ga outputs to 4 ga outputs) and the connections are all allen type and not screws (which i hate). Now for the performance. Like I said my old LP amp ran very hot and would go into protect after only a few minutes of continuous play (this was with gains down and sub level down). This MA amp doesn't even get warm! After the installation, I went to grab a bite to eat (Chic-Fil-A lol) stopped by a friends house to let him check it out, then just went on a joyride through downtown Atlanta. So, if I had to guess I probably had this amp running constant (gain about 1/2 way and sub level about 1/2 way) for over 2 hours. No burps, no heat and never went into protect! Plus, this thing pushes POWER! FYI - I have the amp hooked to two MA audio 120xe 4 ohm DVC subs (rated 350 RMS) at a 1 ohm load. I am admittedly no expert, but I have been dabbling in car audio for awhile now and I have had amps from Alpine, Pioneer, Linear Power (obviously), Phoenix Gold, Eclipse and Kicker and all I can say is that this amp and these two inexpensive 12"s sound GREAT to me. Probably not audiophile quality, but definitely makes me smile I can tell you that the amp has more than exceeded my expectations and I would recommend the mono amps to others if asked.

The only problem that I have experienced so far is slight dimming of my head, tail and interior lights. (I have a yellow top but I have not done "the big 3"). But i realize this is a problem associated with my power supply to the amp and not a problem with the amp itself.

Next I plan on trying a 4 channel to replace the Eclipse I am currently running. I will post and let you know how it goes.

Thanks!!

 

If you are experiencing alot of light dimmage, get the big 3 done as soon as possible, as you are obviously asking alot of your car's electrical system. Depending on how much draw the amps pulling, you need to be careful about having too low of voltage at your amplifier, as it will begin to send a clipped signal to the subs/speakers and can cause damage to them relatively quick.
Also, with an amp that's rated at around 1800RMS, you might consider upgrading your wiring to a 1/0 or 2 guageinto a distro block, and then you can run the 4 gauge out to the amp. And go ahead and do the big 3 with the 1/0 or 2 guage as well.
Lastly, if you have a digital multimeter, set your gains accordlingly. There is a tutorial here:
http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63933
However, instead of setting your gain to use the amps optimal RMS power, I would use a number closer to 1000RMS to set your gains. So, you should be looking for a target voltage of around 32V at the speaker terminals.

 

And make sure you have either a 0dB or -3dB 50Hz test tone to play while setting the gains.

 

Thanks again tplaya...I will get the Big 3 done this weekend and I guess i have to go buy a multimeter as well. I planned on upgrading to 0/1 ga. wire....guess i will be doing that this weekend too....

 

one of Tottie Johnson's vans at the USAC event in Kansas City.

MA Audio HK4000 amps powering 6 RE MT's

 

damn, that is nuts. I personally think that MA is no that bad. There are worse.