experience with budget amps?

**vijainair** · 10-19-2009, 12:07 AM

Okay, so it's been a year since I planned out my carPC, but with college and troublesome events over the year forced me to keep the project on hold. As of right now, I can get a decent setup going. My original goal was that I could build a carPC for under the cost of a comparable in-dash navigation system (so ~$850). I got pretty much everything decided except for one of the most important component: the amplifier to replace the headunit.

I've come across two budget amps that really piqued my interest: Soundstorm F4.400 and Jensen Power 760

I'm keeping the stock speakers of my Scion tC (Toyota claims RMS output of 40W x 4 at 4ohms), so I'm looking for something basic, durable, and will get the job done at a low cost (right now, under $75, which could cover either amp).

I barely have a clue when it comes to picking audio equipment, and I know mp3car isn't a car audio forum, but I wanted to see if any other users who have/had these amps post their experiences (quality, longevity, etc).

Thank you very much and all help is truly appreciated.

EDIT: I plan to upgrade my stock speakers and subwoofer during/after graduate school, which will be 2 years or later. I figure when I do that, I'll use better quality amps.

**Sonicxtacy02** · 10-19-2009, 08:36 AM

i've used these types of off-brand amps all my life in car audio.. i've only had ONE that failed prematurely. I've owned both sounstorm and jensen amps and never have had a single problem from them. You might not get the sound clarity of a higher quality amp.. but there's no reason you have to go spend $$$ on an amp if you dont care

**dvwjettaiii** · 10-19-2009, 12:24 PM

I've been using a Profile Baja amp for the better part of the last 10 years and it never gave me any trouble. I tried a slightly more powerful Rockwood (not Rockford) amp for about a year and it had much better kick (I was powering subs) but it started malfunctioning after a while so I went back to the Profile. It only cost me $75 ten years ago! I think I got my money's worth out of it, but it won't die so I keep it running. I'll upgrade eventually but like you, college takes all my money.