Alpine Amps?

Anyone else running an Alpine amp? My JBL Stadium 5 amp has evidently gone bad; and while Tech12Volts are stepping up and making it right (even though they don't have to), I've owned 2 Alpines in the past, and they were freaking awesome.

Specifically, I bought the

$260 Alpine S-A55V S-Series Class D 5-Channel Amplifier

Alpine S-A55V to replace the JBL Stadium 5 both because they've never let me down, and because it's actually a bit smaller than the JBL Stadium 5. Thoughts?

 

No experience with that amp but I ran a PDX600 for years and loved it, that thing never overheated even on days when temps were 100+. I also ran an M1000 for years, lots of power but that one would overheat if I pushed it hard for a while. I don't think you can go wrong with Alpine. You might find more power for less elsewhere but I like reliable amps.

 

Yeah, your thinking is a lot like mine. I don't need or want the most power; and I'm not at all saying that JBL is crap - I've owned other JBL products and they never let me down. With that said, nothing I've ever run from Alpine has given me any issues; all of their proudcts I've ever owned (2 head units and 3 amps) have been golden, so I figure I'll get it fixed and hold onto it just in case, and install the Alpine amp.

 

Alpine has a very respectable history with their amps and they seem to be continuing that tradition.

Thats a bummer the jbl amp didnt last cause jbl typically makes good equipment.

 

True; I don't have lots of personal experience with their amps, but have used other stuff from them and it's always been good stuff.

On top of that, despite being out of warranty by maybe a month, Tech12Volts is still sending it off to get repaired, even though James doesn't owe that to me. So I'll likely get it fixed but hold on to it as a backup.

 

If JRT is carrying it and is standing behind his sale and products, you cant go wrong.
He warranted a JBL Club4505 for me that failed and replaced it with the JBL ClubA5055 just as it was out of his 1 year warranty.

I would have taken anything he exchanged or gladly paid him the price difference, because "life without tunes was no fun at all"

 

Oh yeah, agreed. He's awesome.

 

Update: JBL amp is fine and I feel semi-dumb.

I noticed that while the level was incredibly low, all of the speakers actually did put out music. So I set out to do some troubleshooting yesterday. I immediately realized the equipment installer somehow got the speaker-level inputs wrapped around the corrugated wiring that goes to the seat sensor. Sliding the seat back and forth not only torqued the speaker level input wires, it also brought the corrugated wiring close to that side of the amp.

So after rerouting the wiring, I took a look at the switches on that side. I noticed a “Input level” switch (you can see where this is going….) and read the manual.

Turns out that if you have speaker level inputs, it pretty much has to be in HI2.

So, with the music on, I switched it to HI2, and suddenly everything sounds fantastic.

 

I have an Alpine pdx f4 that is at least 10 years old, been in 3 different vehicles and has been in my truck almost 3 years. It works flawlessly. It’s powering 3 way components up front and 2 way in the rear. It’s pushed lesser quality mid bass woofers to their limits on more than one occasion.

 

OP, Im confused if you want our thoughts on Alpine as a brand or on the S A55V?

Alpine as a brand is quality for what you paid for. Do they deliver good quality sound? Maybe…. Its good for most end consumers. I would rate them as a 7 maybe 6. All depends
on what you as an end costumer want. Some consumers are not good with their quality while others puts a smile on their face. The product is well made and will last, if thats what you are asking. My question is if thats the sound quality that you want.

For your new amp S A55V: not the best but again if it puts a smile to your face then leave it. Check the N/S ratio.
Whats good for you may not be good for others. Is it well done? I think they are. 50+ years proves it. So you want to spend a fortune on another amp? Probably not. So if it makes you happy I would leave it and call it the day.
How bad is the oem amp in our trucks? Believe it or not they are putting smiles on someone. Is it well done? Absolutely. Is it good sound quality? Maybe not. So when you ask if the Alpine amps are any good? Its a very subjective question. It all depends on whats good sound quality and well made to you.
Hopefully I got my 2 cents on this one.