New car, i know its not a GM

[bricooper78]

Well, overall maybe, but the upgrade is you put a little bigger chip in it, as in a more powerful chip, so instead of a 1000w amp, maybe you bump it up to 1200..

But I'll let Dave tell ya what he did, and I just deleted the huge ramble I did about a bunch of stuff it may have just confused ya

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com...erms=amplifier

there, these guys are good at giving explanations, in "english" instead of tech

[kzulfic]

Could've left it, I would've figured it out eventually. Maybe a bunch of Google searches later, but I would've gotten it.

[bricooper78]

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com...erms=amplifier

I just edited as you posted that probably.

Happy reading, I'm outtie for the night. have a ton of kid related crap for the next 2 weeks

[caraudiodave]

So basically the mosfets that I'm upgrading to will give it slightly more power, but more importantly, they will improve the sound quality. This amp is starting off as a better amp than anything out today. I'm just making it better. The resistors that I'm replacing we're already good but I'm using all new ones as they have a 1% tolerance and with 10 years of use they are getting worn out. The caps that I'm using will be a huge improvement in sound quality. Google Elna capacitors. Standard replacements cost $1.31, Elna caps cost over $5 a pop, and there are 12 on this amp.

[AleroB888]

Originally Posted by caraudiodave

I always wanted to go up that extra step. With my new car now I can do it. I cant wait to hear that amp with the dynaudio speakers (I really hope I can get the 8" mids in the doors).

If you want to research amps research the other one that I am selling soon. Its a Phoenix Gold ZPA0.5. a 2 channel that puts out 1000 watts. I am upgrading the MOSFETs with higher end ones and the capacitors are being upgraded to ELNA caps. It should be close to the same quality as the Mac. I would keep it but I dont have a need for a super crazy high end 2 channel amp.

I can vouch for the MOSFET amps in general. I've used a few and have had one in my home system since the early '90s. Silky smooth top end like tubes but also super clean. And of course, the better quality caps help as well. Should be interesting.

[young gun]

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[caraudiodave]

Originally Posted by young gun

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Um ok... Nice way to have nothing to contribute but still find a way to post whore.

Please refrain from crapping in my threads in the future please.

[kzulfic]

Originally Posted by caraudiodave

So basically the mosfets that I'm upgrading to will give it slightly more power, but more importantly, they will improve the sound quality. This amp is starting off as a better amp than anything out today. I'm just making it better. The resistors that I'm replacing we're already good but I'm using all new ones as they have a 1% tolerance and with 10 years of use they are getting worn out. The caps that I'm using will be a huge improvement in sound quality. Google Elna capacitors. Standard replacements cost $1.31, Elna caps cost over $5 a pop, and there are 12 on this amp.

Interesting, I'll have to do some research. So how did you decide this amp was a good base to modify, anything different from others.

[young gun]

Originally Posted by caraudiodave

Um ok... Nice way to have nothing to contribute but still find a way to post whore.

Please refrain from crapping in my threads in the future please.

Just making a friendly joke I thought, but then again It was only a meme and I didn't put any of my own text in it. Clearly your username insinuates that you like your audio! I have no problem with that. I know nothing of audio so yeah I didn't contribute anything productive but not with the intent to whore it up. You already stated your very logical reasons for choosing this car I guess I was poking fun at that with the intent of laughs. Yet it is hard to poke fun at the face lifted CC, as I hated the CC at first but this face lift really makes the car pop. Hope there is no hard feelings!

[caraudiodave]

Originally Posted by kzulfic

Interesting, I'll have to do some research. So how did you decide this amp was a good base to modify, anything different from others.

I was really into car audio back in the day (90s, 00s) and this was a highly regarded amp back then. Since then, brands have moved away from sound quality and focus more on power (watts). most higher end amps from 10-20 years ago are way better than what is out now.

If you combine the designs from then with modern components, you get a great combo. try seaching for these amps on ebay (or anywhere) and all you will find are non-functioning ones. People that own them still are either using them or collecting them.

Originally Posted by young gun

Just making a friendly joke I thought, but then again It was only a meme and I didn't put any of my own text in it. Clearly your username insinuates that you like your audio! I have no problem with that. I know nothing of audio so yeah I didn't contribute anything productive but not with the intent to whore it up. You already stated your very logical reasons for choosing this car I guess I was poking fun at that with the intent of laughs. Yet it is hard to poke fun at the face lifted CC, as I hated the CC at first but this face lift really makes the car pop. Hope there is no hard feelings!

sorry didnt mean to come across harsh...rough day at work. Yes I have some background in car audio, but ive also had some experience with fast cars. some people dont understand that different cars serve different purposes. if I wanted fast I would have gotten a fast car. this car is a daily commuter, but the stock stereo did not meet my expectations, so i figured that if Im going to upgrade I will do it right.

BTW no hard feelings...I hope there are none from you.

[young gun]

Originally Posted by caraudiodave

sorry didnt mean to come across harsh...rough day at work. Yes I have some background in car audio, but ive also had some experience with fast cars. some people dont understand that different cars serve different purposes. if I wanted fast I would have gotten a fast car. this car is a daily commuter, but the stock stereo did not meet my expectations, so i figured that if Im going to upgrade I will do it right.

BTW no hard feelings...I hope there are none from you.

It is cool, this place tends to be harsh and a good location to release some anger, just wish I was around when amraam was more active

One thing I don't understand is how damn expensive some of the audio components can be! I guess I will never know the difference between a $100 amp and a $1,600 one

No hard feelings either. I will probably never meet you outside of the internet anyways so why hold a grudge against some dude who got mad at a picture I posted

[caraudiodave]

Originally Posted by young gun

It is cool, this place tends to be harsh and a good location to release some anger, just wish I was around when amraam was more active

One thing I don't understand is how damn expensive some of the audio components can be! I guess I will never know the difference between a $100 amp and a $1,600 one

No hard feelings either. I will probably never meet you outside of the internet anyways so why hold a grudge against some dude who got mad at a picture I posted

There are things that I dont understand...but I leave it alone rather than questioning people about it.

If we ever do meet I will play my system for you. Im 100% sure you will know the difference between $100 amp and a $1600 amp then. Most people just dont care. Of those who care, most of them are uneducated and spend money in a stupid way. I have seen people spend money on junk, and replace it with junk time after time. They end up spending the same amount as me (well maybe not this time) and end up with antiquated equipment.

[young gun]

Originally Posted by caraudiodave

There are things that I dont understand...but I leave it alone rather than questioning people about it.

If we ever do meet I will play my system for you. Im 100% sure you will know the difference between $100 amp and a $1600 amp then. Most people just dont care. Of those who care, most of them are uneducated and spend money in a stupid way. I have seen people spend money on junk, and replace it with junk time after time. They end up spending the same amount as me (well maybe not this time) and end up with antiquated equipment.

When it comes time for a audio upgrade I know who I'm asking

[caraudiodave]

[caraudiodave]

I mounted the amp. I have the power and ground set up, but my processor is not installed and the speakers arent in yet (RCAs and speaker wire are run though). this is a very slow process, especially with working full time and a baby at home.

sorry for the crappy iphone pics, was too lazy to get my dSLR.

[bricooper78]

Is it weird that I smiled looking at that picture?


mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm McIntosh... the REAL ones, screw Apple!

[AleroB888]

So that's how it's done.

[kzulfic]

Nice, looks good, to bad you aren't closer, I would like to hear this in person, I've never heard something of this quality before. You've totally changed my view on car audio, still trying to wrap my head around understanding all the technical stuff, but I'm making progress. Been reading a lot of audio forums and how stuff works has been a good help too.

[caraudiodave]

Thanks.

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

[caraudiodave]

sorry for the slow progress. i started installing my door speakers.

factory:



so far the 3" mid is a good fit after minor trimming:


the 6.5" mids will fit by cutting the factory speaker out of its plate and mounting the new speaker in its place. More trimming needed: