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Amplifier advice needed, stick with my U.S. Amps?

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:12 am
by stfo
Hey guys, im running a U.S.Amps DE-1000 in one of my rides, but would like some advice on which amplifier I should switch to.

I need an amp that is not mono block so that I can switch from playing strictly bass, to playing highs when I flick a switch on the amp.
Not sure what to look for exactly, advice here would be greatly appreciated~!

I need about 1000 watts RMS or more at a 2 Ohm load.

What should I be looking for? An amp with a certain crossover in it? Or just anything 2 channel without it being mono block?

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:35 am
by JeremyC
Why do you need an amp that can play both bass and highs, on the same speakers? I could see it if you were looking for a 4 channel, the fronts for highs, and the aft two channels for a sub.

One more thing, you said you needed 1000 watts. Is that rms or peak?

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:35 am
by Robert Wollenberg
What? Please explain further. What do you mean switch from playing strictly bass to playing highs by flicking a switch on the amp?

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:51 am
by JeremyC
So he can hook up his PA speakers. Heck I don't know. I asked the same thing.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:53 am
by Robert Wollenberg
I'm trying to imagine something, anything, but nothing is coming to mind. I've done some pretty odd things in the past, been pretty creative with some relays and what not, but I'm just not painting a mental picture here.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:09 am
by stfo
lol, when we go camping I like to hook up some home speakers to the amp.
I remember being able to switch from bass when driving, to mids & highs when camping hooking up home speakers.

Since I have purchased mono block amps though, I have been unable to do this. I need 1000 watts RMS or more.

I was looking at some like 'Tru, Zapco, Arc Audio,' and a few others but not sure which would be best for this application.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:14 am
by JeremyC
So what mids and highs do you plan on running on 1000 watts?

Either way your looking at a 1000 watt class A/B amp, and thats going to cost you.

Why not run your subs on one amp, and a seprate amp for the mids and highs. Then rewire your external speakers so you can hook your sub amp to the subs, and your mid and high amp to your external mids and highs. That way you can still run class d for the subs, class a/b for the mids and highs, and excede 1000 watts rms.

IMO thats going to be your best bet. It will keep the cost down, and give you more than what you were looking for.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:19 am
by stfo
lol, I dont need 1000 watts rms for the highs and mids. What im saying is I need the 1000 watts rms for my subwoofer, and when we go camping I put the wires from my box to the home speakers, and flick the switch on the amp and the next thing you know we gots a party.

Ok, so any A/B amplifier will do what im looking for yes?

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:44 am
by JeremyC
I figured that. So yeah any class A/B should work.

I just don't understand why you don't rewire your house speakers. It would be alot easer and cheaper, and would give you over 1000 watts rms.

So are the house speakers 4 or 8 ohms. If they are 8 (which is normal) you need an amp that can do 1000 watts RMS at 8 ohm.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:52 am
by stfo
I dont need 1000 watts into the home speakers, they are going to be played at way lower levels. I see what you mean, that the load will drop and I will loose wattage, and im fine with that.
Why not re wire the speakers? Because we hook up different speakers to the amp all the time, and the speakers are used for the home as well... not strictly for the campgrounds.

So on every A/B amp there is a switch so I can do this? The reason I ask is because I had a U.S.Amps usa-1000 and it did not have it, and I believe it was A/B