Miata Mailing List: November 1999, Message #897

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It's always worth amping in a car that has lots of wind and road noise.  Even 
high powered head units don't really provide enough "clean" music, typically 
head unit amps are rated at 1% distortion, a tremendous amount compared to 
what's available with an outboard amp.  If you do plan on upgrading with a 
subwoofer later, buying a 5 channel amp up front is an excellent idea, it 
saves money and space.  The PPI amp that Ben Ruset suggested is an excellent 
amp and he's right about the underrating of PPI amps. Some companies do that, 
while others (like Jensen which he also mentioned) way overrate their stuff.  
Anyway. another good choice for a multichannel amp is the Alpine MRP- F356.  
It puts out 30Wx4+100W for the subwoofer.  It doesn't actually put out as 
much real world power as the PPI but it's a little cleaner. It also has 
crossovers built in to protect your rear speakers.  That also allows you to 
not use an outboard crossover (more money and space usage). BTW this is not 
nearly a big of an amp as the PPI is  I'm not sure of the price but it's 
probably a little cheaper than the PPI.  Another Alpine alternative is the 
MRV-F353, it puts out 50Wx4+150W for subwoofer. It is a large amp but Alpine 
overrates their amps especially in their V-series (which this is).  It's a 
little more expensive than the PPI but once again it has built-in crossovers 
and it's roughly the same size.  For those of you with M1's these amps fit 
nicely in the recess in the middle of the trunk.  Both brands of amps look 
great and are very versatile.  I use Alpine in my car and have had precision 
power before and have been pleased with both.  My current Alpine amp is the 
baddest cleanest amp I have ever owned or heard.  It's their Class T pure 
digital amp.  It's a little excessive at $900 but it's rated for 75Wx4+250W 
for sub and was certified to put out 108Wx4+318W to the sub.  How's that for 
underrating?

Michael Webb
95 Black PEP
Sol Kilr