I've had my soundstream amps (rubicon 702 for subs and rubicon 604 for 6x9's & front components) for about a year now. They seem to be very clean and powerful to me, but they get really hot. In the long run, I don't think they will perform as well as they have for me thus far. What have you heard about them and what experiences have any of you had?

If i upgrade, I was thinking about Phoenix Gold or Hifonics .....what would be your suggestions. I want a clean amp for the innards and a D class amp for the 2 momo 10's.

 

I bought two new Soundstream amps way back in 91-92. They are the D series. I now run 3 D100II's and a MC300 (very old stuff). These amps were/are great.
I did own a Reference200 and it was crap. I know a lot of people who have experienced these amps burning up due to excessive heat.
If your amps a very hot to the touch during normal use, get a fan to cool them. You will GREATLY extend their life! I housed my 4 amps in a amp rack. It's a sealed enclosure with fans at both ends, one pushing, one pulling.


I also know from experience that Phoenix Gold amps sound great! My friend used to have a M44. If I weren't using Soundstream, I'd be using PG.

 

finally, a response. thank you so much for the input.
i just ran across some infinity perfect components. have you heard the dish on these beyooots?

 

Soundstream Rubicon :thumbup:
Pretty good stuff, but I would take the PG over it. Hifonics stuff is a little OG from back in the day. They used to be really good stuff, I don't know how they are now.

 

Soundstream Rubicon amps, like other said, are nice amps. However, since you mentioned PG as a possibility, I'd kinda lean toward them. They produce clean sound and are well worth their price. I happen to really like the new line of JL amps, too...wouldn't hurt checking into those a bit.

 

aren't jl amps as expensive as PG's? For the money, what would be better, or the best of all?

 

That's probably true...and actually, you're right...I'd lean toward PG amps before JL if the cost was about the same. I just really like both...

 

The only PG amps I would cconsider are the Titanium line. As for the JL, just make sure your OK with the output power remaining the same at 1.5-4 ohms. I like them a lot as well and they aren't nearly as expensive as comparable PG Titanium amp.