The Clarion DPX1000.2 arrived neatly packaged in a multi-colored box containing a graphic shot of the amplifier and an input end panel layout. The box contains the amplifier packed inside two foam end caps, manual and registration form, remote level control together with phone cable and a high level input connector. The DPX is a 2-channel amplifier that according to the manufacturer makes 2 x 250 watts into 4 ohm, 2 x 450 watts into 2 ohm and 2 x 500 watts into 1 ohm. This amplifier also appears to be Clarion's first "Digital" power amplifier. The DPX is a full-featured amplifier in that it has on-board electronic crossovers as well as bass equalization. Another interesting feature is that the amplifier can be configured to run in full-range mode. This is certainly not the norm for digital amplifiers. The manual also states that the power supply is unregulated, and that it uses Mosfets for superior control of output wattage.
The amplifier measures in at 14"x8.25"x2.125". It has a single extruded piece forming the heatsink together with sheet metal end plates and a bottom cover. The heatsink is flanked by two small finned areas, in between which there is a grained section. The center section is silk-screened, and is also home for the Clarion logo. There are also two rows of countersunk holes on either side, enhancing the physical appearance. The countersunk holes and finned areas appear to be anodized black. The right hand side of the DPX contains the DC power and remote turn-on inputs together with the speaker outputs. All connectors appear to be gold-plated and of average quality.
The left hand side, the business end, contains all of the audio inputs along with rotary controls and switches. From right to left we have: high level, RCA and remote level inputs, gain control, the subsonic on/off switch, bass boost level, low pass filter frequency control, and the crossover slope selection switch. The final two slide switches are for low pass/full range mode and stereo/bridged/mono selection.
The line level input sensitivity range is stated to be from .25V to 2.5V. The subsonic filter operates below 24 Hz, whereas the low pass filter is continuously adjustable from 55 Hz to 550 Hz. The filter slopes can be changed from 12 dB/oct stereo to 24 dB/oct in mono mode. The bass boost circuitry allows up to 15 dB of boost centered at 45 Hz.
The manual is nicely written and is quite informative. It contains a good description of the features and functions and also contains several pages of system diagrams.