List Of 5.1/optical Amps

**Canuck** · 11-07-2005, 01:12 PM

Alright, so, What im trying to do here is to compile a list of amps that would allow those wanting to go without an H/U or decoder to get from their Laptops Optical out/Motherboard Optical out/Soundcard Optical out straight to an amp. So...I've done a bit of researching and here are the amps that i have found mentioned on the forum and other places:

1. Hifonics Zeus ZX 5.1
Where to get it? I dont know!, Cardomain stopped selling it!!

2.Phoenix Gold Octane-R R5.1MT
Possibly discontinued, Cardomain stopped selling this too? (hmmmm, whats going on here?)

3.Performance Teknique ICBM-5.1 5.1
I think this is the most affordable unit @279, but i have NO information about the SQ.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/csexpo/icpete51hipo.html

4. Alpine MRA-D550
Available through Crutchfield, but kinda expensive @ 899

5.Alpine MRA-F350
Available through crutchfield @ 459, but i think you might need an Alpine H/U.

Okay, so thats all i found...If you guys can find more amps, lets build this list and possibly do a comparison and determine what the best option is for those wanting to use their optical outs direct to their amp.

ALSO! The million dollar question is......Do you get a THUMP on startup/shutdown if you are using the optical outs on your laptop/mobo/Soundcard?

to be continued...

**BulleDK** · 11-07-2005, 01:55 PM

Autosonik AA.6900 - 7690 068

I can't find any spec. of this product!

www.autosonik.it

**Scouse Monkey** · 11-07-2005, 02:01 PM

Blaupunkt do one.

**RoyN** · 11-07-2005, 02:34 PM

I wonder about the thump too.... possibly you get one when the optical fibre goes "live", but if it waits for some sort of "connection validation" (which I supposed it should) then I guess not thump :thumbsup:

**Phythorian** · 11-07-2005, 03:20 PM

Zeus Hifonics:

http://hififabrik.de/index2.php?loca...cript?a=126501

They are German, but will ship worldwide,I bought from them before and they have a good service, and fast delivery.

costs: € 639,- shipment USA € 40,-

**bridqer** · 11-07-2005, 09:04 PM

I have no thump, whine, noise... anything with my Via MII10000 digital coaxial spdif out to PG Octane-R R5.1MT

But that is not optic.

**aoLhaTer** · 11-07-2005, 09:25 PM

Optical and coaxial both carry a digital PCM stream; the only difference is the means of transmission

**fonseca** · 11-08-2005, 12:29 AM

No thump on startup or shutdown when using digital out (coax or optical) at all. Also, no hdd noise, GPS mouse noise, touchscreen noise, etc. I'll never use analog again.

**Canuck** · 11-08-2005, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the posts. So, it seems like optical does solve the Thump problem

. I was on searching today under 5.1 amps, cause they seem to pretty much all have optical inputs and i found this link with 3 amps that were not mentioned so far. These are Soundstream D'artagnan, Vector D 5.1 and the Audison LRx 6.SR. However, I am not positive that all three amps have optical ins because the website fails to mention what type of ins their amps have

My question to the forum is has anyone used a Performance Teknique amp, or even better the amp in question(ICMB-5.1)? The reason im asking is because it seems like a great deal with an average price of 260 bucks.

Oh yea, heres the link for those 3 other amps:

http://www.12voltshop.gr/pi872827655.htm?categoryId=7

**Snootch** · 11-09-2005, 06:26 PM

Instead of finding an amp with optical input, why not use a piece of gear that has multiple digital inputs, and analog outs, such as this processor to stop the thump?