Which amp for the car?

[gobble]

I need a 2-channel amp to place under passenger seat of my car.
Head unit currently is JBL and there is slight listening fatigue with it. Besides I would like to hear a more gripping sound and I dont think the HU amp is up to it.

It needs to be musical, foot tapping and clean sounding. No other audiophile expectations. 2x75 watts is good enough. Speakers are Rockfort Fosgate components. I suppose I can still use the fader in the HU with the amp? Else I will need a fader in the amp. No sub planned as of now.

How is Cerwin Vega 200.2? 7k to 8K is max I will spend.

Thanks
--G0bble

 

[metalmickey]

try changing hu to alpine or even pioneer!...RF components are neat with pioneer...

 

[magma]

the decison for an amp is correct
there are many amps

the JBL line up is good VFM (kenwood,pioneer all belong to the same group )

a small step up would be the image dynamics,kicker,ground zero

a step above the would be the audisons , tru techs, DLS etc

the top end would be the stegs (expensive - but superb )

woudl not reccomend the cerwin - look for something else in that price range

 

[metalmickey]

@magma-forgot mosconi?when you mentioned audisons,stegs & all?!

 

[jithudigitised]

i think you would be better off with an entry level 4 channel amp. That will also complement the RFs.

 

[rjstyles]

I need a 2-channel amp to place under passenger seat of my car.
Head unit currently is JBL and there is slight listening fatigue with it. Besides I would like to hear a more gripping sound and I dont think the HU amp is up to it.

It needs to be musical, foot tapping and clean sounding. No other audiophile expectations. 2x75 watts is good enough. Speakers are Rockfort Fosgate components. I suppose I can still use the fader in the HU with the amp? Else I will need a fader in the amp. No sub planned as of now.

How is Cerwin Vega 200.2? 7k to 8K is max I will spend.

Thanks
--G0bble

With no sub, simply pick up a good 2 channel amp and you are good to go.The choices are umpteen in the market and Kenwood, Pioneer, JBL, Focal are your best VFM 2 channels.

 

[musicbee]

I have Pioneer in both my cars. I've tried many like Sony, Alpine, Kenwood, etc. but always came back to Pioneer. Don't know the latest models but I'd recommend Pioneer any day.

Also, JVC is pretty good but not sure you get the latest ones locally.

 

[gobble]

Guys
Rather than just brand names, I was hoping for specific model recommendations and a brief note about their merits and demerits.

Thanks
--G0bble

 

[sajjad4joy]

Go for Celestra or ZAPCO. Check this link for more info.
BeeSound Inc Official Thread - Distributors of HAT, Celestra, AudioWave, German Maestro, Zapco and Tchernov - Page 45

 

[rjstyles]

gobble not many people go in for 2 channel amps and the range is pretty limited. Most of the 2 channel amps at the price range you have mentioned perform at almost the same level.

Since you are based in Bangalore, a quick trip to Auto Fusion, Kormangala or EVO , Cambridge Layout should help you decide. When it comes to car audio the availability of an audition is almost zilch, you best chances are that you might get to hear what is installed in the owners car.

My 2 cents, I have been an ardent fan of the eFX and JLaudio amps. See if you can lay your hands on a 2 channel amp from these brands within your budget. I have been using a 4 channel amp from eFX for about 5 years and I am pretty satisfied with it.

Also stay away from Sony and their infamous Xplod.

 

[Vixfx]

The JL Audio Slash V2/V3 series are awesome, I would definitely recommend them as I own the V2. However, these might cost upwards of 25/30K.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Gobble, sincere advice, please buy an Alpine headunit and you most probably will not even look for an amp. No Pioneer, no JBL, no Kenwood etc...only Alpine. The sound is really a class apart and truly worth an audiophile's ear. Even the inbuilt amplification is very very good, much better than other HUs you come across. I use an Alpine in my car with Hertz speakers all around, no external amplification, it just sings so well.

If you do want to buy amps then look for Nakamichi (available with Audio planet in bangalore), Alpine or Blaupunkt, all within real world prices.

However it is the source that makes music and no Pioneer can do what even an entry level Alpine does. Knowing your taste a little, I dont think the amp upgrade will exactly take you where you want to, it is the source.

 

[gobble]

The JL Audio Slash V2/V3 series are awesome, I would definitely recommend them as I own the V2. However, these might cost upwards of 25/30K.

Out of Budget :sad:

Gobble, sincere advice, please buy an Alpine headunit and you most probably will not even look for an amp. No Pioneer, no JBL, no Kenwood etc...only Alpine. The sound is really a class apart and truly worth an audiophile's ear. Even the inbuilt amplification is very very good, much better than other HUs you come across. I use an Alpine in my car with Hertz speakers all around, no external amplification, it just sings so well.

If you do want to buy amps then look for Nakamichi (available with Audio planet in bangalore), Alpine or Blaupunkt, all within real world prices.

However it is the source that makes music and no Pioneer can do what even an entry level Alpine does. Knowing your taste a little, I dont think the amp upgrade will exactly take you where you want to, it is the source.

I dont see an alpine HU that does not have a CD changer. Only an AMerica specific ipod specific one. But there is this Nakamichi HU MD-45Z. Dunno its pricing and availability though. http://www.nakamichi.com/pfv/ICE/MDPlayer/MD45z.htm Will try and audition at Audio Planet.

Go for Celestra or ZAPCO. Check this link for more info.
BeeSound Inc Official Thread - Distributors of HAT, Celestra, AudioWave, German Maestro, Zapco and Tchernov - Page 45

The ST-2X is the cheapest at 11K and no dscount except for ST-?D products. BEsides its totally new unheard of- dont know reliability over say 3 years. But since the dealer is a stones throw from my house, I will drop by and try and audition.

gobble not many people go in for 2 channel amps and the range is pretty limited. Most of the 2 channel amps at the price range you have mentioned perform at almost the same level.

Since you are based in Bangalore, a quick trip to Auto Fusion, Kormangala or EVO , Cambridge Layout should help you decide. When it comes to car audio the availability of an audition is almost zilch, you best chances are that you might get to hear what is installed in the owners car.

My 2 cents, I have been an ardent fan of the eFX and JLaudio amps. See if you can lay your hands on a 2 channel amp from these brands within your budget. I have been using a 4 channel amp from eFX for about 5 years and I am pretty satisfied with it.

Also stay away from Sony and their infamous Xplod.

Anything in eFX below 10K ? Will look for AutoFusion. I see 250c2 http://www.scosche.com/car-audio/product/1730 but no online reviews.

--G

 

[Dr.Bass]

I compared the entry level Nakamichi to the Alpine and clearly preferred the Alpine. The higher end Nakamichi is supposed to be good. Visit Audio planet, I am sure they can get you a good Alpine without the changer.

 

[hydra]

If you plan to retain that HU and those speakers, it might be a good idea to get an entry level Kenwood amp. It should smoothen the harshness down. I'm a bit rusty on the model numbers, but I think what you're looking for would be an 8403 or 8404. The older model that I'd heard, the 8401, was quite nice sounding for the money.

You may not get a 2 channel amp in this budget. The amp I've mentioned above is a 4 channel amp, but it can be bridged to 3 channel or 2 channel. The amp should come within your budget. You might find a used one for sale on gearheads.in

You'll also need to budget for a 8AWG power cable (you can always use Finolex), a fuse holder, a fuse, a grounding terminal, a battery terminal and a pair of RCAs. The terminals are skippable. A amp power kit will have all this stuff.

 

[hydra]

I agree with Dr. Bass about considering changing the HU, rather than getting an amp. A change of HU might give better overall results for the money than an amp.

The newer Alpines are somewhat brighter, though not as much as the JBL HUs. With the RF speakers they might tend to be somewhat harsh. If you can get an older Alpine in the used market, something like a 9881 (should come within your budget) or even older, it might do the trick. Even one of the older Blaupunkt HUs (if available used) would be a good buy. Or you should look for a JVC HU (very VFM) or a Kenwood HU.

 

[gobble]

You'll also need to budget for a 8AWG power cable (you can always use Finolex), a fuse holder, a fuse, a grounding terminal, a battery terminal and a pair of RCAs. The terminals are skippable. A amp power kit will have all this stuff.

While researching this topic many moons back, I recall discovering that many reputed and expensive car wiring kits costing upwards of 2K use Aluminum cables!!

Can I purchase the fuse holder and each of the stuff above individually?

I agree with Dr. Bass about considering changing the HU, rather than getting an amp. A change of HU might give better overall results for the money than an amp.

The newer Alpines are somewhat brighter, though not as much as the JBL HUs. With the RF speakers they might tend to be somewhat harsh. If you can get an older Alpine in the used market, something like a 9881 (should come within your budget) or even older, it might do the trick. Even one of the older Blaupunkt HUs (if available used) would be a good buy. Or you should look for a JVC HU (very VFM) or a Kenwood HU.

I compared the entry level Nakamichi to the Alpine and clearly preferred the Alpine. The higher end Nakamichi is supposed to be good. Visit Audio planet, I am sure they can get you a good Alpine without the changer.

I looked at the alpine site they dont have a product without CD changer. But a 2nd had one is a good idea.

--G0bble

 

[hydra]

While researching this topic many moons back, I recall discovering that many reputed and expensive car wiring kits costing upwards of 2K use Aluminum cables!!

Can I purchase the fuse holder and each of the stuff above individually?

Yes, you can buy everything individually from most car audio shops. You can use Finolex or Polycab cables for the power cables: The equivalent of 8AWG will do. They will be a bit stiff and tough to run and bend, so your installer might give you some lip about it

I looked at the alpine site they dont have a product without CD changer. But a 2nd had one is a good idea.

Alpine used to have two HUs (about 3 years back) without CD Drives. One of those, the iDA X001, used to be able to bypass the iPod DAC and use the HU's DAC (24bit B-B DAC). They have most likely been discontinued now, if they are not on Alpine's website. This HU also could play files off the USB port. If you manage to find a used one it will very much be within your budget. They used to be about 12k or 14k new, if I remember right.

If you manage to find a good older HU, you might not get the play-over-USB facility. The KOS A200 or A300 (newer) ( http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KOS-A...515335&sr=1-1-fkmr2&keywords=Kenwood+KOS+A300 ) is a very nice and nifty solution. And cheap too. You can use this player to feed your HU's AUX-in and use a USB Drive/Hard Disk to play WAVs. It has been a bit since this unit was discountinued, BTW.

EDIT: There's a used KOS A300 with controller and screen for sale at Rs.5.5K in New Delhi. Here: http://gearheads.in/showthread.php?10692-Kenwood-KOS-A300-USB-amp-IPOD-Interface

EDIT 2: Full Kit available for $50 here: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KOSA300/Kenwood-KOS-A300-Factory-Radio-Upgrade-System.html

EDIT 3: A Pioneer P80RS for sale for Rs.8K!!!: http://gearheads.in/showthread.php?11998-Pioneer-DEH-P80RS-(Urgent-Sale) This is still one of the best sounding HUs in the around 20K-new-MRP category. It was the king of the hill when it came out, and the newer (and now discontinued) RSII kept the position. It will not do USB natively and the add-on USB Kit is clunky and insanely costly (if you can get one). But for playing CDs, this unit will kill anything you can buy new at say 12K-14K.

 

[sound1]

I am using Rockford Fosgate Prime R300-4 with Kenwood 7016 HU. It's 4 channel 50W each, it drives the fronts and subwoofer. I love how the setup sounds -- addition of power amp does make difference.

It's probably out of your budget though. I don't remember how much I paid but surely more than 10k a year ago.

If you really have decided to buy a power amp, I suggest you stretch the budget a little bit (say 5k).
It's hardly 2 month fuel bill but lasts several years. Worthwhile to spend a few grands more if you ask me

EDIT: Make sure you buy 4 channel amp. I am sure you will want to buy a sub later, no point in upgrading again after 6 months.

 

[gobble]

Yes, you can buy everything individually from most car audio shops. You can use Finolex or Polycab cables for the power cables: The equivalent of 8AWG will do. They will be a bit stiff and tough to run and bend, so your installer might give you some lip about it

Why 8WG only? Why not 10 or 12AWG?

The KOS A200 or A300 (newer) ...<snip>... You can use this player to feed your HU's AUX-in and use a USB Drive/Hard Disk to play WAVs. It has been a bit since this unit was discountinued, BTW.

Hmm.. but I think like you said below ....

It will not do USB natively and the add-on USB Kit is clunky and insanely costly (if you can get one).

EDIT 3: A Pioneer P80RS for sale for Rs.8K!!!: Pioneer DEH- P80RS (Urgent Sale)) This is still one of the best sounding HUs in the around 20K-new-MRP category. It was the king of the hill when it came out, and the newer (and now discontinued) RSII kept the position.

I plan to use a ipod nano I got for free or a usb thumb drive only which is pocketable. I dont want any CD's litterring my car ... I will have to skip that but thanks for looking.

I dont want to wait indefinitely for a great 2nd hand deal. If I see that older Alpine unit that plays usb while I search for a new product nothing like it.

Think I will visit Audio Planet this sunday and see what I can find ...

--G0bble