Which amp?

**mustanglou** · 03-15-2007, 11:30 AM

Hi,

I'm trying to setup a computer (a mac mini) in my car. The stereo is completely stock at the moment. I would like to move away from using a head unit at all and simply plug the stereo out from the computer into an amp that would power the stock speakers. I think this is reasonable given some threads I've already read on this forum. I'm not looking for an improvement in sound over the stock stereo but it would be disappointing if the sound were worse than stock. Everything else being equal, a smaller amp would be better so that it would be easier to hide.

I know almost nothing about stereo systems. I was talking to a guy in a somewhat-shaddy stereo shop and he said I could use a 2-channel amp but I would be unable to control the balance between front and back. He was trying to sell me a $140 4-channel amp by the name of lightning or thunder or something similar. Ideally, I would like to spend around $50.

Can anyone recommend a decent amp that fits into my requirements (sounds at least as good as stock, around $50, not huge)? I've browsed around amazon, ebay, crutchfield, etc... to price amps but I have no idea what I'm looking at. For example, I found a few 4-channel Blaupunkt Velocity V420 amps for around $20 but will this work? Usually, most of the amps I've run across around start around $150 so I'm suspicious about this Blaupunkt. Thanks

**XC-C30** · 03-15-2007, 11:39 AM

The guy's right aboout that you won't be able to control front and rear separatly... You'll indeed need a 4-channel amp. Lightning audio however is crap! But then again, you won't find anything under that budget that's ok.

You won't be able to find an amp for $50 that's even equal to the stock amp in your HU!

You'll at least need to double or even tripple that budget, only to find something that puts out 4x25watts or something.

**mustanglou** · 03-15-2007, 11:53 AM

Thanks for your reply. So how many watts do I need? The Blaupunkt I found has 4x20. It sounds like you're saying even 4x25 wouldn't be enough. What do you recommend? Thanks

**XC-C30** · 03-15-2007, 12:21 PM

usually a HU with built in amp will output something in the range of 15-20 watts per channel with massive distorition already. 20watt per channel could however, be enough, but it has to be clean power. As a rule of thumb you may look at $1 per watt at least. I'd look for an amp that puts out about 4x50watts. Be sure to look at RMS ratings, and stay away from fleamarket brands! Go for desent brands. Thet may cost a few $$ more, but in the end you'll be happy paying that little extra!

**durwood** · 03-15-2007, 12:28 PM

haha I actually have one of those blaupunkt amps. They actually arent too bad, equivalent to headunit amp, but I would say a little less distortion. The amplifer circuit inside are IC chips (headunits amps) vs a standard pair of transistors that most amps have. If you need a small and simple amp solution they are not bad. BAcjk in the day I stashed it away in my dash, they are pretty damp small. Don't expect them to be spectacular on volume. Otherwise you could find some other options. Stick with name brand.

**mustanglou** · 03-16-2007, 11:33 AM

Ok, I picked up an amp today. It's a kenwood KAC-8402, 4/3/2 Channel. It was an open box item for $119. I know not everyone likes kenwood but I figured for my goals, it should be fine. Thanks for everyone's help