Eclipse "Icepower" Digital Amps
The gently curving black chrome heatsink, removable polished endcaps and blue lEd illuminated plastic bar give the new Eclipse digital amplifiers a very striking appearance. as in the past, the new amplifiers make use of icEpower digital technology to achieve high efficiency. But improvements make the new generation za, Xa and Ea amplifiers up to 45 percent more compact than their predecessors, making for an easier installation. www.eclipse-web.com
AMPS
Audison Thesis TH
What puts the Thesis TH series on our want list? For starters, each of the three amp models use an audiophile digital input and control section with a direct digital input designed to be used with Toslink outputs from compatible source units. using a Pc or the optional dash-mounted aSc1 controller, the input sensitivity and crossovers can be set in the digital domain. also, any one of four bias currents can be selected: from a pure audiophile class a to an "energy saving" mode, which configures the amplifier in a low-bias, low-power setting. www.audison.com
Pioneer Premier Prs-A900
What do you create when you want the best in sound? Something like the PrS-a900. Built using current feedback- type class a/aB circuitry, it features independent l/r power supplies to direct electric current with superior stability and effectiveness. T-shaped copper-coated shields on the PcB block possible power supply noise from the output stage, as do its non-magnetic bus bar and speaker terminals. This results in an astounding S/N ratio of -108dB through its four, 50-watt output channels. www.pioneerelectronics.com
Alpine KTP-445 Power Pack
Cute, the tiny KTP-445 amplifier connects to any 2008 alpine head unit. Based on trickle-down technologies from alpine's PdX amplifier, the 45 watt x 4 unit is so small that it will fit behind the head unit in the dash cavity of most vehicles. it simply connects in-line with the head unit's power harness without the need for additional wiring or special tuning. if you want to expand your system in the future, it also has a HP crossover. www.alpine-usa.com
Clarion DPX Hybrid
While other companies are pursuing digital technology for efficiency, clarion developed the dPX Hybrid series using class g/H analog circuitry. By regulating the power supply voltage according to the input signal, these amps offer the efficiency of a digital amplifier but achieve the sound quality of a class aB design. The dPX are available in three power sizes, with the largest peaking at 1,550 watts. www.clarion.com
Critical Mass Ula-A5
Our interest was piqued when we saw the claim: "The most powerful 5-channel mobile audio amp." The ula-a5 boasts 200 watts through each of its four class aB channels into 2 ohms and an impressive 2,500 watts through its single class d channel into 0.75-ohm load. it also comes with a full crossover set and subsonic filter. That's pretty impressive for a single chassis amplifier. www.criticalmassaudio.com