I need some car-audio-guru help to find a cheap amp

**jonoc** · 07-29-2004, 08:59 PM

Car audio guru's, I'm looking for a cheap amp. I found this one, it seems like it's a basic setup. I'm happy with my current audio setup but I need a 4-channel amp to complete my setup. I know all of you are laughing at this pitiful amp but I was wondering will this do? or is there a better place to find a sub-$100 amp that's decent for this project? Is ebay a good place?

http://www.cardomain.com/item/BOSC350

I've got a '96 Camry (2 5 1/4 and 2 6x9's, no subs and no plans for any)

Feel free to ask me any questions if I missed any details.

**brandon** · 07-29-2004, 09:43 PM

Hrm, usually I'd say the following:
"I'd rather have no amp at all than use something like this one"
only I have actually heard this amp perform, and was sort of impressed with it. Granted it's no old school rockford or kicker, but for the price it's not a bad deal.
One of my co workers has the exact same amp pushing 4 6-3/4" Pioneer 35RMS speakers in his truck and the amp did a fairly decent job of it. At high volumes you can really hear the distortion coming out when cranking Fear Factory.
Check on ebay, you might find something better and or cheaper.
I tested one of the new Pioneer GM-4000P amps when they first came out, 35RMSx4@4ohms, I saw one the other day for 85 bucks or so on ebay, new.

**riddle14** · 07-29-2004, 10:11 PM

You might want to check out www.thezeb.com. I baught a Lanzar Amp from there about a year ago for 79.99 and it is a 100x4 and it rocks. I just went there and I see they don't carry Lanzar anymore but they have Power Acoustik that makes some good stuff for pretty cheap. There are a couple 4 channel amps there for less than 100 bucks. Check it out. I personaly wouldn't buy a used amp from ebay. I too was going through what you are right now and I got to thinking that if I spend a couple of dollars more I can get something with a warranty and won't cut off on me in 2 days. Just my .02 cents!

**trancified** · 07-29-2004, 10:23 PM

www.cbrstereo.com
get a phoenix gold...

**jonoc** · 07-29-2004, 10:42 PM

Great responses guys, thank you!

I have one more question... for the wiring kit, all you need to do is make sure the RMS is equal to or higher than the max wattage (e.g. 160W [4x40])? What other tips can you give me about a wiring kit?

And that's all I need right? Amp and wiring kit? (I've got wires and crimpers and all that) Is the anti-pop thing necessary for everyone?

Thanks AGAIN!!!

**riddle14** · 07-29-2004, 10:50 PM

what is the anti-pop thing?

**jonoc** · 07-29-2004, 10:53 PM

It's basically a device that delays power to the amp until the sound card is initialized.

Turn-on amp POP Stoppers

**brandon** · 07-30-2004, 12:15 AM

Get the higher end wires if you can afford them. Wires DO make a differance.
8ga wire will do for the amp you are going to be using, but if you even think you might upgrade in the future why not go ahead and run 4ga wire, better to wire once than twice as it is a pain in the *** sometimes.

Originally Posted by jonoc

Great responses guys, thank you!

I have one more question... for the wiring kit, all you need to do is make sure the RMS is equal to or higher than the max wattage (e.g. 160W [4x40])? What other tips can you give me about a wiring kit?

And that's all I need right? Amp and wiring kit? (I've got wires and crimpers and all that) Is the anti-pop thing necessary for everyone?

Thanks AGAIN!!!

**WhiteRabbit** · 07-30-2004, 02:22 PM

plus, 4 gauge kits on ebay are $36 SHIPPED from audiopipe. no reason not to go 4 gauge!

you can get earthquake 85x2 RMS amplifiers off ebay for less than $100, maybe a little over $100 shipped. and I guarantee you they will spank any amp suggested here, even if you bridged that pioneer 40x4.

also for cheap power, check out USAccoustics from sounddomain. they should still be cheap. not as powerful as earthquake, but itll do the job.

the earthquake model is 2.3 or thrust250. the 300.1 is the same amp too, but a late model, so it might be more expensive. they like to change model names every generation, kind of a bummer. But they are actually underrated. earthquake usually measures 5 rms over their advertized rating, and also measures power output at 12 volts, rather than 14. so that 85 RMS per channel is actually WAY strong for 85 RMS!

**benvolioT** · 08-03-2004, 01:00 AM

I was checking out that same amp for the same reason (cheapness) and have a question (bear with me, I don't know much about amps):

The web page for this product (http://www.cardomain.com/item/BOSC350) says it "feature[s] high- and speaker-level inputs." I take it this means you can go direct from HU output to amp input. Since I won't have a HU, I'm wondering if I can go direct from sound card output to amp input, or if that will be underpowered?

Sure love this forum! Can't wait to start building my own system once I get some questions figured out!