okay, there is always lots of talk about what amps people like the most. i would like to see a poll of what amps are the best. i have listed 10 common and affordable brands of amps. i know i couldn't get them all. if you like something else then please reply with your preference. tell why you like the amp and why you don't like certain amps. please be specific. thanks for all the input!

 

phoenix gold is my amp of choice. They have a built in cooling fan, lots of power and are extremely durable.

 

Best overall amp? None of the above!

There are MUCH better amps out there:

McIntosh
Zapco
Arc Audio
Brax
Butler Tube
etc.

If I had to pick one out of your list, I'd go with JL Audio.

 

Audiobahn out of that list.


McIntosh if I was rich

 

He's talking about reasonable, I'm pretty sure!

Blake

 

i'm talking about reasonable, and what i have seen people with. please, give me your input. i'm sure a lot of people out there would like more information about amps. share your wisdom.

 

Alright. Out of what you have, I only like JL Audio and Alpine. The rest you can flip a coin over with the exception of Kicker and Fosgate but "old school" (from over 5 years ago) when their amps were really good. Although it's not listed, the same goes for PPI. If you're on a budget, look into Crossfire, Planet Audio, and U.S. Acoustics amps. Good build, and wattage is what it says.

 

Alpine makes some great 4-channel digital amps!

 

ive used audiobahn with a degree of sucess but would never buy them again. I love planet audio they are rock solid but if you looking to throw some subs mtx or kicker if you on a budget and if the skys the limit get some xtant or diamond

 

I would rank them in this order:

JL
Alpine
None of the rest.

Like someone else mentioned, the old school Kicker line (Z series) and the old old RF stuff (IX and DSM line) are quality amps for sure but their new lines are rubbish, plain and simple. Same with PPI, the Art series of amps are still considered some of the top SQ amps. Under rated power specs and CLEAN power.

Myself and another SQ junky friend of mine are doing installs at the moment that involve the Art series amps. We both spend more than we should on car stereos, so the price of these amps didn't make the decision for us. What I'm saying is if you want some quality products and aren't afraid to look for an older amp you can find stuff at half the price that's a better piece of equipment.

 

cutting edge audio, great ****, ads powerplate amplifiers are great as well.

 

Xtant.. I have 604 for sale..

 

Older Xtant stuff, before they were bought out, is killer audio gear. The newer stuff isn't bad equipment, just not the same level of quality as it once was. That seems to be the case with MANY of the amps today.

 

Precision Power amps are the best. Zapco is also very good.

 

I disagree. They *used* to be good, their Art Series amps IMO being the best stuff they ever put out, but that was "back in the day", before the Directed buyout. I tried a newer PCX480 and was not impressed at all. Zapco OTOH has and still puts out some of the best and most expensive amps money can buy. Ask on any of the car audio forums (Elite Car, Sound Domain, etc.) who makes the best amps, and Zapco will be on just about everyone's Top 5 if not Top 3 list.

 

Someone wanna sell me a nive McIntosh tube amp for cheap?

Blake

 

If you're looking for cheap and good quality, check out the PROFILE CLARUS Series amps, here's a link:

http://ikesound.com/category-category_id/131

 

I agree with SpeedKing, PPI used to make awesome amps.. I have their old Art series in my convertible toyota and they still sounds great. I've also heard that new PPI's aren't that great.

Profile amps are o.k.. and their customer service is pretty good.. I blew 3 of those amps and they replaced it pretty cheap.. I bought them when i was in college and didn't have that much money.. but after sending it in 3 times, it comes out to be about the same as mid range amp.. I was running my subs with it.. I recommend profile.. but only if you aren't looking for high end sound and not going to push hard.

I also will say that new Xtant is awesome I have the 604's. I also just bought Wael's old McIntoch amp. They are good.. but I still prefer Xtant 604. People that I spoke with who had 604's, say that is the best amp they ever had. I'll probably install it in my Acura..

 

JL from the list easily, high quality amps, and not only do you get the power they advertise, you get a WHOLE lot more (very underrated IMO). If I could tell you any amp though, I'd say Zapco is the best out there, but very pricey, if you're on a budget (but still want quality), try Eclipse or Orion. My eclipse is great, never comes close to overheating, or even heats up much at all like other amps I've owned, and it backs up what it says it pushed.

 

SPOautos and I were talking today about AMPS and he searched on the net about the McIntoch MC431M (I just aquire this from Fritz, who bought the car from Wael). Anyhow, it was rated at 4x100.. apprently someone tested and it was rated at 231 per channel.. hmm can someone say underrated?? I was blown by that.. I've heard Mac amps were great.. but thats just insane. I can't wait to install it on my FD..

 

herblenny...I'm not sure when you bought your profile amp, but i do agree that previous profile amps sucked, but the clarus series seems to be among the more favored (at that price range) on the forums of caraudio.com, they or not over/underrated. they are what they ae, and they are cheap.

I wish i could afford a mcintosh amp , those things are incredible.

 

Yeh.. mine were bought back in 1994.. Its old.. but after 3 rebuilt.. it still works..

 

Old school Rockford Fosgate Punch amps!!!

 

hehehe, i dont mind tru tech, dls and audison, just a few extra names that i didnt see get a mention :P

 

I've heard of those brands (European, ya?) and from what I know they *are* high end gear, however, they're hard to get stateside.