i just bought a alpine cda-9847 and infinity perfect 6.1's. what type of amp would you guys recommend to power the components? i dont want anything incrediblt expensive. just a good bang for the buck amp. i remember someone recommended audiobahns. if so which one? or any other suggestions?

thanks

 

i would not go for audiobahn for highs. the preset equalizer is horrible on the audiobahns.

do you have a budget? do you mind used equipment?

 

For budgets I always recommend Soundstream amps. The Rubicons and Van Goghs are fantastic, plus they're cheap. But certainly fantastic first

http://www.discountjungle.net/soundstream.html

Rubicons are no longer being made but they're still readily available. IMO, they are the best budget amps ever made. I'm sure their are/have been better, but I haven't heard them.

Try Froogle. The Rubicons are only $110 and up. There are gushing reviews all over the web. Here's a 75 watt RMS x 2 @ 4ohms amp for $110:
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?icatid...002&svbname=403

 

I disagree. Granted, I have audiobahn amps.....however, in an s2000, you wont notice what amp you have. As long as its a half decent amp, the sound will be great. My audiobahns have served me (and still are) very very well, and my local guys agree that it sounds fantastic. Although i havent heard all the new England and other systems, mine sounds better than anyone else in my area, and some of them have "better" equipment than me. Although I admit audiobahn aims towards the bling DUB side, their products (certain ones) are actually quite good. Again, its all about application. If I had a quiet car, like an LS430, where every dollar you spend car translate into better sound, sure.....in a buzzy s2000.....no need.

 

I can only speak for the Van Goghs. They sound great! You will definitely not be dissapointed. Very clean and loud.

 

if you disagree that it sounds horrible, then why would you use a different amp in a LS430?

dont get me wrong, i do believe that some budget amps do get the job done, but not audiobahn. MA audio is decent, and SoundStream is decent as well.

for instance, my amps, RF Power, i compared them directly to a TRU Copper, just as good, if not better. it was warmer, way more dynamic, the high freq extension was just as good. of course, it was also half as much. if youre seriously looking for a damn great amp with top sq and can also be good for SPL, RF Power.

 

I just did the same install, with some major help from a few local S2000 friends. Alpine 9851 plus the Perfects 6.1's. I went with a Diamond Audio D5 600.2 amp (used on ebay). If I could do it again, I'd probably go soundstream van goghs or tarantula's because of their quality and low price. Ubid.com has them ocaisionally with no reserve pricing. Be patient on your amp and shop around on the web, you'll find a bargain.

My recommendations for your install: 1) buy your speaker wire 16 ga and amp kit 4 ga at knukonceptz.com Great product at low price. No need to pay 3x the value for advertising. 2) cut the speaker basket and use it for your adaptor, no need to buy one...speaker won't hit the window. 3) dynamat the inside of the door and use dynasorb behind the speaker at etronics.com. 4) depending on the size of amp you buy, i bot PAS2KNUT's amp rack and cover....works and looks great. 5) buy modifry's DCI 6) 401XLN 5M monster interconnects from ebay 35.95 (if you can't find them that low, then consider Karma Kable interconnects from KnuKonceptz < $20) 7) i mounted the tweeter in front of the door handles using the mount supplied. if you search, there is a recent post and pic of this tweeter install....looks great. 8) while you've got it out, you might as well install the Alpine interface for your ipod...mine's installed (plugs into AI-Net, and then used velcro to install under passenger side dash. floor mats cover it), just waiting to load music onto the ipod that showed up this week.

Sounds incredible compared to stock. Crystal clear at 75mph with the top down.

You'll enjoy your setup.

Good luck!

 

the D5 600.2 is a great solid amp. im shocked that you feel the SS is better. maybe your installation was not up to par with your equipment?

 

Actually, I'm very happy with the amp and the price I paid, just not sure I'd buy used again. It definitely was "used" more than described, but I had it bench tested and it operates as new and yes, it performs very well. Diamond audio's new, are significantly more than soundstream, so if $ are a concern, they would be a good alternative to the Daimonds. The perfects seem to respond well to clean high power, so I wouldn't consider less than 100 rms.