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Yes, I've read "the Appearance of Quality." Just to clear that up. I just was curious about your opinions. maybe top 5 SQ Amps. thanks for your time.
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No Linear Power? The 2.2 is Stereophile magazine's auto reference amp.
Posts: 7993 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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Oh, I KNOW McIntosh was NOT left out of this discussion. The engineers get happy when they move a resistor half a mil and get "slightly" better signal to noise, for God's sake!!!! And with features like Powerguard protection circuitry, how can you go wrong??? The Griz has spoken.
------------------ Brian Obara Metro Audio Dynamics Omaha, NE
Can you smellellellellell what the Griz is cookin'???
Break it down!!!
Posts: 734 | From: Omaha, NE | Registered: Aug 1999
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If the Linear was not impossible to get, I would have included it. However we have had amplifiers on order since March and they still have not shown up, so I am not even considering them at this point......
------------------ Peter Lufrano - Owner The Autophile http://www.TheAutophile.com
Posts: 100 | From: Berkeley, CA, 94578 | Registered: Oct 1999
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I feel that between the two choices that all manufacturers have in making their design, either a Votltage driven amplifier, or Current driven amplifier. Voltage driven amplifiers are more "musical" while Current driven ones are "harsher". Using Current driven amplifiers to drive heavy loads such as the mass of a larger driver, like a sub-woofer, is more efficient, while using Voltage driven amplifiers to drive the upper range of frequencies, tends to make a happy combination. Voltage driven amplifiers such as Alpine, PPI, Kenwood, Hi-Fonics, etc... And Current driven amplifiers such as Rockford Fosgate, Carver.... The choice of speakers will also be very important, and that choice must be with your ears.
------------------ E.C. Wuz here
Posts: 1057 | From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 'eh | Registered: May 1999
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I have limited experience in listening to different amps, but I must say that my RF amps are really nice. I personally feel that SQ has more to do with the speakes and installation than with the amps used. That is of course assuming you are using a decient amp and not one of those $50 jammies that claim 500 watts you can find in most electroncs stores.
There are soooo many things that affect sound quality like the quality of cables used and proper possitioning of speakers. I think that the most important component in a SQ install is the source. If the CD changer or head unit is crappy, the best amps and speakers cannot compensate for it.
------------------ The one with the most toys when he dies, WINS!
Posts: 305 | From: Brooklyn, New York, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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Finally someone else who likes Linear Power, but he likes to port everything !
Posts: 7993 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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I still wish I never sold my 5002IQ and 3002IQ (both purple). Had a customer in with a mint cond. 1752IQ the other day, it was sweeeeeeet. Too bad it was black
Maybe I'm just old, but in the late 80s, if you ran SQ you ran Linear Power or SS.
------------------
And that's the bottom line, cuz: LORD DUKK SAYS SO!
The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
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I see most of you included Zapco, but not much discussion on them. I guess it's undisputed, but what are there strong points?, weak points? I don't see a lot of them competing, is it the price?
Posts: 490 | From: Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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With Zapco I think it's the price and lack of real serious marketing. Besides the name sounds a little flacky to one who doesn't know better. IMO it is one of the best amps made period. I had a chance to tear down a studio and was impressed with the design, build, SQ and power. But Zap-co.
If you liked the older LP stuff you should really LIKE the new stuff. I replaced a 5002IQ (250x2)in my truck with a DPS-350 (90x2) and the SQ difference was incredible! though I lost 3 db in the highs.
I keep most models in stock.
Please let me know if I can help.
Thunder. Because Size Does MATTER!!
PS: He who says they can not hear the difference in amps has not been given an "acurate" test. (Same car, same speakers, gain matched amps off of a bench, no use of EQ's in amps, nothing else touched but the amp.)
Posts: 541 | From: Pearl, MS | Registered: May 1999
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PS: He who says they can not hear the difference in amps has not been given an "acurate" test. (Same car, same speakers, gain matched amps off of a bench, no use of EQ's in amps, nothing else touched but the amp.)
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I agree that the name sounds more than a little "flaky" for those who have never heard of it. Why do you suppose they don't put more effort in to marketing. We (the store I work for) started carrying it last year and no one, and I mean no one, had heard of it. Of course I am in Northwestern Ontario (Canada). So I put a little demo system in my truck, nothing big, a Studio 100 running 2 JL 10W4-D4 subs and a Studio 50 running a set of JL XR 6.5" coaxials in the doors. That's it 150 watts total, and I pulled a 132 db in a local comp. Not earth shaking, but not bad for 50 watts per sub! It opened a few eyes, including my own.
Posts: 490 | From: Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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If all of you can tell the difference in sound amp to amp, I suggest you get in touch with David Navone. He was offering $10,000 in years past if you could identify the sounds of certain amplifiers. The way you all make it sound, that would be an easy jumpstart on funding for another car. Can't be that tough to identify.....can it?????
------------------ Tim Dreager Autosound Audio Technologies '87 Buick Grand National '90 Nissan Maxima SE I A S C A Pro SQ 301-600
Posts: 65 | From: Tulsa, OK | Registered: Nov 1999
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I am not trying to claim that I or anyone else has "BIONIC" ears. BUT I think you will agree that MOST people can hear the difference in a BOSS Audio caliber amp and an amp like Linear Power, RF, PG, SS. or other high end brands. I know I can on my test bench, much less in car.
If no one could hear the difference we would have "Optimus" amps winning IASCA finals. (Boy would'nt that do wonders for Rack Shack's business!!!) :-)
Thunder. Because Size Does MATTER!
Posts: 541 | From: Pearl, MS | Registered: May 1999
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I will agree that it's difficult to impossible to hear the difference between two high quality amps but it very much is possible to hear the difference from mid to high and mid to low line amps. Whatever navone says.
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I believe that test had VERY specific test criteria. Mostly comparing a high end amp to another high end amp.
Posts: 2737 | From: Mankato MN | Registered: Jun 1999
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Well, I'd like to see the full rules to the Navone challenge. I find it's generally pretty easy to tell the difference between 2 amps, if you know what your listening for. I believe Dukk and I had this conversation long ago too...
------------------ STILL waiting to hear a GOOD pair of HLCD's!!
If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway...
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Audiophyle I agree. I would like to see the rules. From parts I have heard test is with a scope to make sure all levels are the same and what not. He claims that you cant hear a diff. Well I can say that I have never tested
Posts: 8036 | From: Huron,Oh | Registered: May 1999
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