POLL -Crossfire V Nakamichi V SoundStream

[p5tom]

Crossfire VR404
Bridgeable 4 channel amplifier, 50Wx4 RMS, 400W Max., Variable Highpass/ Lowpass Crossover from 50 to 500Hz for both Front and Rear channels, 2ch/4ch input switch, Input sensitivity selector switch, 5-way protection circuits, nickel plated connectors, MOSFET power supply, 2 ohm stable. 9.3"W x 2.1"H x 14"L
or
Nakamichi PA-1004
POWER AMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous Power Output
Power Output (4 Ohms): 50W x 4
Power Output (2 Ohms): 100W x 4
Bridged Power Output (8 Ohms): 100W x 2
Bridged Power Output (4 Ohms): 200W x 2
Minimum Speaker Impedance: 2 Ohm
Power Bandwidth: 5Hz�25kHz
Frequency Response (1W / 4 Ohm): 5Hz-80kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (at rated power, 4 Ohms): < 0.05%
Intermodulation Distortion: < 0.05%
Input Sensitivity: 150mV � 4V
Input Impedance: 22K
Signal to Noise Ratio (minimum sensitivity 22kHz bandwidth filter): 98dB

Stereo Separation (2kHz): 80dB
Damping Factor (20Hz, 4 Ohms): > 150
Crossovers:
High Pass 12-250Hz
Slope 12dB/octave
Low Pass 45-180Hz
Slope 12dB/octave
Bass Boost at 42Hz: Yes
Auto Bridging: Yes
Line Output: Yes
Remote Bass Level Port: Yes
Protection:
Short Circuit Protection Yes
DC Protection Yes
Thermal Protection Yes
Thermal Foldback Yes
Power Source: 12v DC negative ground
(10 � 15v allowable)
Current Consumption:
with music, 4 Ohms/Channel (avg.) < 20A
with sine wave, 4 Ohms/Channel < 35A
at idle < 2.0A
Dimensions:
Width 11-1/2"
Height 2-1/8"
Length 14-7/8"
OR
Soundstream VGA320.4
320W 4 Channel Van Gogh Amplifier
Features:
o RUBI (Rapid-Use Branched Impulse) proprietary power supply topology
o STACT (ST abilized Apex Current Topology) Reduces power supply stress by 50%
o Trident Amplifier protection topology
o Hawkins Bass Control Proprietary bass equalization topology
o IDI (Intelligent Distress Indicator) gives visual indication of amplifier
o protection status
o Harmonic Bass Alignment produces tighter, more accurate bass
o Fully regulated MOSFET power supply
o Triple Darlington Output Circuitry
o BIP (Bias Input Protection)
o Rail Stabilization Protection Circuitry
o Bi-linear selectable two-way crossovers for amplifier and line outputs
o Continuously Variable High and Low Pass Crossovers
o Balanced Line Inputs for the Highest level of Noise Rejection
o Vortex Induction Fan for Thermor Management
o Platinum RCA Inputs and Outputs
o Platinum 4-gauge Power Connectors
o Tri-mode Operation
SPECIFICATIONS
CHANNELS : 4
OUTPUT(Watts) : RMS @ 4-ohms : 80 x 4
RMS @ 2-ohms : 160 x 4
RMS @ 4-ohm Mono : 320 x 2
THD: < 0.02%
FREQ. RESPONSE(Hz) : 10Hz - 50k
SIGNAL to NOISE RATIO : > 115dB
DAMPING FACTOR : > 500
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 10 - 50k
INPUT SENSITIVITY (VOLTS) 0.15 - 12.0
CROSSOVER SLOPE 12dB
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY (Hz) 30 - 4k
DIMENSIONS (INCHES) : 11" x 2.6" x 13.8"

(omg)

 

[got wake?]

nak or crossfire over SS.

 

[p5tom]

Thanks man, any reason on the preference

(flame2)

nak or crossfire over SS.

I am also pointing towards the nak for pure sound reasons.

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

i like my crossfire woofer amp, but i'm not too fond of their 4 channel amps.
take the nak. seriously, those things rock.

 

[got wake?]

(flame2)

I am also pointing towards the nak for pure sound reasons.

the new SS equipment is nothing like what they used to be. they are OK at best. i know crossfire sub amps are awesome, but i don't have experience with their full range equipment. nak, well nak is nak, always good quality. is there a reason why you chose just those 3?

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

actually, the ss rubicon, tarantula and da'rtagnan amps remain mostly unchanged. although, they have seen better days. i'de take a rubi 1 over a rubi 2 any day. tarantulas... i have no experience with the new ones. i just hear that they still rock out... and are still power hungry.

 

[got wake?]

actually, the ss rubicon, tarantula and da'rtagnan amps remain mostly unchanged. although, they have seen better days. i'de take a rubi 1 over a rubi 2 any day. tarantulas... i have no experience with the new ones. i just hear that they still rock out... and are still power hungry.

it's not a matter of changed design, it's a matter of more laxed quality control(scratch) previously the quality had always been top knotch. not anymore i've heard of more and more complaints about build quality. a few guys even got amps that had circuit board parts rattling around in the case when it got to them(scratch)

 

[2words]

ss is $$$$$$$ crossfire bmf-1000d or whatever was a pretty good sub amp the rest like 4 channel im not sure, i think you couldnt go wrong with alpine. but thats just me...

 

[chuyler1]

The SS is out IMO. Not being able to double the power rating from 4 to 2 ohms is a sure sign of a weak amp. Now from the remaining two, I would choose the Nak and here is why:

You can use the Nak crossover as a subsonic filter because it goes down to 12Hz. The Crossfire only goes down to 50Hz. It is unclear from the website whether you can use both highpass and lowpass simultaniously but it does have a line-level output if you plan on adding a second amp for sub duties. You could also use a low-pass crossover on a head unit, then use the highpass at 12-20Hz to get the effect of a subsonic filter.

The Nak also has a 42Hz bass boost and an optional remote gain (I swear by the remote gain on my MTX amp...it sure beats running to the trunk between CDs when you need to fine tune the balance between your front stage and your subs)

Finally, without listening to both I am going to infer that the Nak will be a more dynamic amplifier capable of producing a cleaner audio signal but the crossfire may play louder with less sound quality. I just don't think these two amps are in the same class. If the Nak isn't too much more (and I'm asuming it is the more expensive of the two), I would go with it.

 

[got wake?]

The SS is out IMO. Not being able to double the power rating from 4 to 2 ohms is a sure sign of a weak amp. Now from the remaining two, I would choose the Nak and here is why:

not necessarily. it's a sign of regulation. the old SS amps class A amps (not true class A amps) could almost triple the power output going from 12 volts to 14.4 volts(wow) their power would double when you halve the load, though. regulated amps have their strong points, but so do unregulated. JL amps are some of the best regulated amps around.

 

[chuyler1]

Regulated or not they should still double their power...based on the laws of physics. JL is a different breed of amplifier that uses some other circuitry to regulate the output (not just the power supply). My PPI amp is regulated and can double its power from 4 to 2 ohms. My MTX amps are not and they do the same.

However, going from 12 to 14.4 volts is a different story, and you are correct in saying that an increase in output based on input voltage is the sign of an unregulated power supply. This is completely different than impedence though.

I believe Phoenix Gold had a 37x2 rms amp at 12.5v that put out 100x2 at 14.4v all due to the power supply taking advantage of the extra voltage, what most would call a "cheater" amp. You could get 400 watts out of a 75 watt rated amp, perfect for those 0-150 competition classes.

 

[got wake?]

so you're saying that because my DLS amps don't double the power they aren't good amps? i'd put them over your ppi or MTX any day of the week.

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

so you're saying that because my DLS amps don't double the power they aren't good amps? i'd put them over your ppi or MTX any day of the week.

(thumb)

 

[chuyler1]

But would you trade them in for a SoundStream amp?

According to DLS's website, they do double their rated power so I'm not sure what you're getting at. Which model do you have? "Typical Power" is not the same as the actual power rating. I'm guessing the rating DLS gives for typical power is equivalent to the value you would see on the birth certificate of an Alpine or RF amp (not sure who else still does birth certificates).

 

[1sty]

Not being able to double the power rating from 4 to 2 ohms is a sure sign of a weak amp

NO amp actualy can double its power from 4 to 2 ohms. Its thermodynamicly impossible. EIther the 4 ohm output is rated low or the 2 ohm output is rated high.

Another thing ot consider is that most Japanese amps do not double their output at 2 ohms. Or are even rated close to it. American and Japanese amps are just designed differently. Neither amp is better, they just fit a different need.

 

[got wake?]

But would you trade them in for a SoundStream amp?

According to DLS's website, they do double their rated power so I'm not sure what you're getting at. Which model do you have? "Typical Power" is not the same as the actual power rating. I'm guessing the rating DLS gives for typical power is equivalent to the value you would see on the birth certificate of an Alpine or RF amp (not sure who else still does birth certificates).

no i wouldn't trade them for SS, that's the whole point, just cause they don't double the power does not mean they are not good amps.

DLS A4, i've got 2 of them:
<table> <tbody><tr><td width="42%">[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]Nominal power in 4 ohm<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> <td width="58%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]: 4 x 50 W<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="42%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]Typical power in 4 ohm<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> <td width="58%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]: 4 x 85 W<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="42%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]Typical power in 2 ohm<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> <td width="58%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]: 4 x 145 W<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="42%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]Typical power in 1 ohm<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> <td width="58%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]: 4 x 220 W<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="42%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]Typical power in 4 ohm bridge mode<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> <td width="58%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]: 2 x 250 W<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="42%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]Typical power in 2 ohm bridge mode<!--mstheme-->[/font]</td> <td width="58%"><!--mstheme-->[font=century schoolbook, times new roman, times]: 2 x 400 W[/font]</td></tr></tbody> </table> nominal power is their underrated rating. even their typical power is a little underrated. the nominal power should not be compared to typical power.

i've also got an A6, which is rated 500 rms at 4 ohm, but only puts out around 1200 watts at 1 ohm.