Hello,

Which would be preferable assuming approximately equal cost - JL Audio 300/2 + 500/1 or Zapco Reference 200.2 + 500.1?

Both brands utilize balanced inputs which I would feed from my stock non-bose HU. I am not sure which components I will get for my doors yet but I am pretty sure that I will buy the 4080 box and use a 10w6v2 or similar.

Thanks for your insights.

Paul

 

Definatly go with the Zapco amplifier. It is the only amplifer with a true balanced input. Any questions feel free to send our way. We build sound quality competition systems and are a Zapco dealer. More then happy to explain the Zapco difference. Give us a call or e-mail directly

 

Yeah, I would stay away from JL. I don't trust them. Make make good subwoofers but I wouldn't get their amps. Go for Zapco.

 

I trust JL's build quality... but the Zapco is a better sounding amp.

 

Thanks for the responses! Zapco it is. Any advice on where to mount them in my 05 coupe? I'll be using the 4080 box, so I don't know if it is possible to mount them in the stock location which would be directly under the 4080 box, if I'm not mistaken.

Paul

 

what are you basing this statement on? We sell zapco and JL and love them both. but i have also had problems with the lower lines of both also. when we sent our customers C2K'2 out to Zapco for modification it took them 3 MONTHS to get them back. But yes, if you have the money i would go for zapco because they do have the ONLY true balanced inputs.

 

Well, this is only an opinion. I would go with a name I can trust and JL isn't one of them. Zapco has been around quite a bit longer so I would go with them. As for balance imputs, as long as the amp has differentially balanced inputs, you'll be fine. Better yet, get some of the Audio Control Crossovers and Line-Drivers, some of them have both balance inputs and outputs.

 

If we want to be sticklers, NO amp with RCA inputs uses true balanced inputs. Tru balanced inputs require three lines per channel.

All any amp with RCA inputs uses are "balanced-compatible" or "quasi-balanced" inputs. No matter what the marketing department says...

 

looks like you havent checked out zapco in a while. their good lines us symbilink cable and not rca's. some of them have both inputs also though.

 

Are you saying the Reference line (which for those of us old enough remember when it all said American Graffitti on it) is not good?

 

Oh, I forgot to mentioned that this isn't exactly true somewhat. Soundstream (when they were at their best) had about 4 amp line which had balanced inputs: Tarantula, Human Reign, XXX, and Davinci. I believe the last three had true Balanced inputs and I think the Davinci even came with a line driver to boot. So, you are wrong and right being that these are no longer made but if you can find one cheap, get them. Probably some of the best amps out there.

OK, correction. I did find out that these amps weren't made for some time but still can be found on ebay once in a while. So, yes you have to go back a few years or more (when they were made) to find the best Soundstream Amps. I also found out that they aren't own by Power Acoustics (Just the thought of them being owned by PA makes me cringe). They were bought by another company (a huge Company called Epsilon Electronics, which I believe also owns PowerAcoustik, Farenheit, and SPL). As far as I can tell, they aren't as bad I as I thought. Too many rumors when they were bought out in 2001. Oh well, I'm glad I still have the Old Chromed Tarantulas