5.1 Amplifiers with Optical inputs

RedGTiVR6 · 08-01-2006, 08:00 AM

PLEASE NOTE: this list is for informational purposes only. I HIGHLY recommend that you do some research on the amplifier that you choose to peruse. Search this and other forums, as well as using search engines to find reviews of the amplifier you intend to purchase, BEFORE purchasing it.

If anyone has any amps they would like to see added to this list, please make a post following the basic format I have here and let me know!

1. Hifonics Zeus ZX 5.1
This amplifier appears to be discontinued. It can probably be found used.

2. Phoenix Gold Octane-R R5.1MT
This amplifier appears to be discontinued. It can probably be found used.
Here is a link to the manual for this piece: http://www.n-core.se/products/PG/Oct...1MT_manual.pdf

Specs are as follows:
Front and Center Channels:
100 watts x 5 @ 4 ohm stereo @ 14.4v (max power)
50 watts x 5 @ 4 ohm stereo @ 14.4v (RMS power)
18 watts x 5 @ 4 ohm stereo @ 12.5v

Subwoofer Channel
200 watts x 1 @ 4 ohm @ 14.4v (max power)
100 watts x 1 @ 4 ohm @ 14.4v (RMS power)
36 watts x 1 @ 4 ohm @ 12.5v

This amplifier is only stable at 4 ohms. This amplifier will not work for situations where the system calls for a lower ohm load.

3. Performance Teknique ICBM-5.1 5.1
5.1 High Power Amplifier 2000W Max
Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoding
Pro Logic Decoding
1-Optical Input
1-Coaxial Input
A-Aux Input (Stereo): Max 2 Vrms
High Quality 24 bit ADC and DAC's
Dynamic Range: >100db ( on decoder line output )
Sub Speaker on/off switch
Center Speaker on/off switch
6Channel Level Control: +- 10db in 1 db step
Master Volume control
Selectable crossover filters: 40hz - 240hz in 10db step
Stop band slope of LPF: 24db Octave

Stats:
Front / Rear / Center Power @ 2 ohms: 100 Watts x 5
Subwoofer power @ 2 ohm : 360 Watts x 1
Frequency responce: 10 hz - 30,000 hz
THD: < 0.05%
S/N: >120db
Channel Separation: 80db
Variable Low and High Pass Filters
Fuse rating: 30A x 3
MSRP: $599.99
Please see here regarding this amplifier: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=47041

4. Alpine MRA-D550
The MRA-D550, 5-channel amplifier combines an amp and a multi-channel surround sound digital processor in to one unit.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...model=MRA-D550
Owners Manual:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/images/pro...RA-D550_om.pdf

FEATURES
• 2-Optical Input
• 4 Volt PreOut
• Ai-NET and RCA Input
• Amplifier Link Ready
• Bass Engine® DSP(6-ch Manual Time Correction, 31-Band Graphic EQ and Media Xpander)
• Blue Power Indicator
• DTS
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Pro Logic II
• Integrated Wire and Mounting Screw Covers
• STAR Technology
• Thermal Managment Processor
• V12 AccuClass-D™ Design
• Variable Turn-On Delay
CEA-2006 Power Rating
CEA-2006 Power Rating (40hm@14.4V = 1%THD+N), S/N 80dBA (Ref. 1W into 4Ohm): 60W x 5

RMS Power (at 12V,20Hz-200Hz)
Per Channel into 4Ohms (•1% THD+N) : 45W x 5
Per channel into 4 ohms : 45W x 5
MSRP: $900.00

5. Alpine MRA-F350
All you have to do is add an Alpine compatible source unit.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...model=MRA-F350

Owners Manual:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/images/pro...RA-F350_om.pdf

FEATURES
• Crossover (HP/LP)
• 5 Channel Operation
• Adjustable Crossover (HP/LP)
• Auto Overcurrent Protection
• Bass Engine®
• Bass Management
• Cross-Vented Chassis Design
• DC-DC PWM Power Supply
• Darlington Bi-Polar Outputs
• Discrete Pre-Amp Stage
• Gold Plated Power Screw Terminals
• Gold Plated RCA Jacks
• Gold Plated Speaker Terminals
• MOSFET Power Supply
• Manual Time Correction
• Non-Fading Pre-Amp Output
• Parametric Equalizer
• Phase Selector
• STAR Circuitry
• Solid Copper Bus Bars
• Subsonic Filter
• Thermal Managment Processor
• Top Mounted Blue LED Power/Status Indicator
• Triple Darlington in Push-Pull Configuration

CEA-2006 Power Rating
CEA-2006 Power Rating (40hm@14.4V = 1%THD+N), S/N 80dBA (Ref. 1W into 4Ohm): 50W x 5

6. Autosonik AA.6900 - 7690 068
http://www.autosonik.com/asp/multime...PLIFIERS&ID=23

Features: 6 channel amplifier with Dolby Digital, DTS and prologic processor built inside. Gain control, crossover control, OSD, remote control, IR sensor.

A Google search of this amplifier yields the above link and a link to a thread in the MP3car.com forums. That’s it.

7. Pioneer DEQ-P7650
MOSFET 50Wx5. Multi-Channel Processor with Auto EQ & Time Alignment
Features

Built-in DTS / Dolby Digital / Dolby Pro Logic II / Linear PCM decoder
6-ch. DAC
5-ch. built-in amplifier
SFC for multi-channel source
Built-in 6-ch. DSP
o 7-mode preset equalizer
o 2-mode custom preset equalizer
o Multi-Channel Auto EQ
o Digital SFC (Sound Field Control): 6-mode (Musical/Drama/Action/Jazz/Hall/Club)
o Digital listening position selector
o Auto Time Alignment
Optimum sound for car environment
o Dynamic range control
o Optimum down-mix for normal speaker layout
Bulti-in crossover network (L/R)
o Crossover frequency: 63/80/100/125/160/200Hz
High-voltage preout (5V)
IP-Bus input/output
6-ch. RCA preouts
A/V inputs
o 2 RCA Audio inputs
o Dual optical inputs for DTS / Dolby Digital / Dolby Pro Logic II / Linear PCM

Will Albers · 08-01-2006, 08:43 AM

Autotek MM5.1

The replacement model to the Zeus. Fully available. I have one!

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...hlight=autotek

RedGTiVR6 · 08-01-2006, 09:42 AM

I simply cannot find any solid information for this amplifier. I google it and I only come up with two links, both to mp3car.com.

I can't even find it on the Autotek web site.

I'd love to add it to the list, but if it's not even avaliable to end users, we can't quite add it just yet.

kickercivic1 · 08-01-2006, 10:19 AM

get it girl for bringing organization to this site.

coach · 08-03-2006, 05:09 AM

Alpine amps need a controller. There are about 8 supporting head units that I know of.

i was wondering if the information was going to be pulled out of that thread and made into a nice sticky. THis is great. Looks like we have a couple new options from Alpine and Pioneer.

Brent

ajscomp372 · 08-04-2006, 09:02 AM

The Performance Teknique ICBM amplifier supports DTS decoding as well.

jschrauwen · 08-06-2006, 04:00 PM

Which of these units would be best suited for a system not utilizing a head unit?

RedGTiVR6 · 08-06-2006, 06:06 PM

most all of them.

What's your budget for something like this piece?

What are your needs? Do you need full functionality? Full tunability?

jschrauwen · 08-06-2006, 08:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

most all of them.
What's your budget for something like this piece?
What are your needs? Do you need full functionality? Full tunability?

Most all of them?? - Hmmmmm, would that mean that the one Alpine unit is the only one requiring a head unit out of the 8 listed? Perhaps someone else could be more specific and mention which of these do, rather than don't.
I'm not sure knowing what my budget is will help in answering the query since it appears that there is a limited number of 5.1 units accepting optical in.
Needs?? - Need a clean sounding 5.1 channel amp that's not going to be competing in any competitions but give me the best quality 5.1 sound.
BTW, is that Focal Amp 5.1??

bimmerpc · 08-12-2006, 08:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ajscomp372

The Performance Teknique ICBM amplifier supports DTS decoding as well.

The ICBM-5.1 has Dolby Digital 5.1 ch Decoding
Doesnt say anything about DTS

$264

The Alpine MRA-d550
http://audiovideodimension.com/index...5&currency=USD
Has GOT DTS
$564

The Hifonics zx8000
http://www.caraudioimage.com/index.c...Product_ID=656
$238
also very cheap - but how do I connect it to my soundcard? 4 + 1 rca cables? doesnt say that it got optical....

ajscomp372 · 08-12-2006, 01:17 PM

I know the Performance Teknique amplifier has DTS decoding because it's the amp I use in my car. It doesn't mention it anywhere online, but it says that it decodes DTS in the manual for the amp.

bimmerpc · 08-13-2006, 04:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ajscomp372

I know the Performance Teknique amplifier has DTS decoding because it's the amp I use in my car. It doesn't mention it anywhere online, but it says that it decodes DTS in the manual for the amp.

Thanks then I know!

Do You have a subwoofer and do You think that the power is enough if so?

Do You have to use the remote for day to day use of the amp if connected digitally with the pc. I´m thinking about volume adjusting etcetera.. not the initial install/setup tuning (that doesnt matter because it´s a more rare used procedure)

Can You add modifications to the sound if connected digitally, like fading backsead/fronseat, balance, bass/treble, time-compensation without using the amp´s remote (like You do on home-hifisystems)

I ask since I want to use the touchscreen for all this while driving.

ajscomp372 · 08-14-2006, 12:01 AM

bimmerpc, in response to your questions:

1. I used all of the car's original wiring and speakers, including subwoofers. The power that this amp gives to the subs is great, at least for my car.

2. One problem that I have with the amp is that yes, you do have to use the remote for use daily with a PC connected digitally. You have to push the power button on the remote to turn on the decoder. I use the Auzentech X-Mystique to connect with the amp optically.

3. You can adjust volume on the PC side very easily. If you want to adjust volume on the amp, it is very easy with the remote (simple up/down buttons). For setup/tuning and such, I recommend that you connect this amp to the touchscreen in front with the composite video connector (on-screen display). Wire the remote receiver up to the front as well and setup will be very easy.

4. Some of the sound modifications you were talking about can be done on the amp: you can adjust crossover point, gain for individual channels, and whether the subs are on or not. The fading/balance/bass/treble can all be done easily on the PC. Those controls are even integrated into many forntends. Time compensation is another story. I don't know of any sound cards that support it, and I don't know of any PC programs that do it. You certainly can't do it on the amp. By the way, if you want to change amp settings using the touchscreen you will need to change the "channel" on the touchscreen from VGA to composite, if your screen can do that. But you'll have to use the amp remote to change the settings (not so easy to do in traffic, except for volume, which is easy).

And yes, you're welcome.

bimmerpc · 08-14-2006, 10:32 AM

With these facts at hand, would You say that If You had both the amp and souundcard in the trunk, You would rather switch it for a normal amp? By that I mean use for example Turtle beach roadie and have all audio signals decoded within the computer and just outputted via 4 + 1 RCA cables directly to the amp?
Using really good rca seems like the risk for interference would be reduced.
= No adjusting with remote and no power on switching needed..

Only problem I see is that the amp has to have 4.1 surround input via minimum 5 different rca connector (maybe 10 If there isnt one with stereo rca input) Sorry havent really checked the car-audio stores recently to see how the inputs looks like

ajscomp372 · 08-14-2006, 08:53 PM

If you had both the soundcard and amp in the trunk, it would be easier to use a standard amp. For your purposes, if you don't absolutely need to have dolby digital or dts, a standard amp seems to be a good way to go. Having the audio outputted directly to an amp that accepts at least five RCA inputs with good RCA cables would work well. Soundcards such as the Audigy 2 and others have cables that convert the outputs from the card to standard RCA.