Phoenix Gold Phorum

Hey guys, I'm just wondering whether you think the Elite.5 is a worthwhile upgrade over the TI1600.5?
The reason why I'm asking is because the 5-channel Elite doesn't have the bigger Sanken output transistors of its siblings - I think they're the same as those in the TI1600.5. The Elite of course does have the BB op amps, the nice caps, and a more powerful sub section (among other things), but are those things enough to offset the cost difference?
Thanks for any advice.

bdub wrote:are those things enough to offset the cost difference?

Yes, yes they are. The Elite.5 is arguably the best "total system amp" ever made in terms of sound quality and power, and while the Ti1600.5 is a capable amp, it's just not the Elite.5. Not even close.

That being said, the Elite.5 is a gigantic amp, roughly three times the size of the Ti, so if space is an issue for you, I would avoid the Elites entirely.

You're thinking of the TI2. I'm talking about the 2010/2011 TI line. The 5-channel is actually bigger in dimensions than the Elite.
That being said, I appreciate your feedback and tend to agree with you. Just trying to convince myself a bit more to spend money lol.

In my opinion... no. Now this is purely subjective as I've never heard either amplifier nor do I know the differences in parts, but in my experience, at similar power ratings, most PG amps sound similar. I've A/B'd M several different series PG amplifiers and I can't tell a noticeable difference other than when the power of one amplifier is triple that of the other, then the noise floor seems much lower. That being said, I also don't have golden ears, but I am willing to bet in a car audio environment you won't be able to tell the difference just by listening either.

bdub wrote:You're thinking of the TI2. I'm talking about the 2010/2011 TI line. The 5-channel is actually bigger in dimensions than the Elite.
That being said, I appreciate your feedback and tend to agree with you. Just trying to convince myself a bit more to spend money lol.

Oh, that's an even bigger difference then. That Ti line had the power ratings determined by dynamic power, and not rms power, so the Elite.5 actually makes more power. Iirc the Elite.5 I had was rated at 140 watts x 4 rms @ 4 ohm and over 750 watts rms @ 2 ohm and 1180some watts rms @ 1 ohm on the sub channel according to the birth sheet.

Kirghiz wrote:

bdub wrote:You're thinking of the TI2. I'm talking about the 2010/2011 TI line. The 5-channel is actually bigger in dimensions than the Elite.
That being said, I appreciate your feedback and tend to agree with you. Just trying to convince myself a bit more to spend money lol.

Oh, that's an even bigger difference then. That Ti line had the power ratings determined by dynamic power, and not rms power, so the Elite.5 actually makes more power. Iirc the Elite.5 I had was rated at 140 watts x 4 rms @ 4 ohm and over 750 watts rms @ 2 ohm and 1180some watts rms @ 1 ohm on the sub channel according to the birth sheet.

Not going from birthsheet, as I have stated, I've never owend either amplifier, but the manual ratings for each are: Ti1600.5 90 watts x4 @ 4ohm + 550 watts x 1 @ 2ohm, Elite.5 100 watts x 4 @ 4ohm + 700 watts x 1 @ 2ohm. I'm sure the Elite.5 is much more underrated than the Ti, as stated in the Elite.5 manual up to 30%, but at those specs there shouldn't be a noticeable audible difference based on power output alone. Rule of thumb, for every doubling of wattage you gain ~3db.

I have to go with the Elite.5 ...Best sounding amp I've heard to date and the sound quality is unreal compared to the long list of PG amps I've used over the years. I have mine currently installed, which replaced a TI500.4 and TI1200.1 (Old-Skool Titanium series , love them and are still my favorite amps besides the Elite series).

There shouldn't be a noticeable difference in the volume based on the power, no, but more power can lead to better sound quality by providing better control of the drivers. While that last statement is certainly debateable, the Elites have far better hardware in them to promote better sound quality than the Ti's, and really that is inclusive to every other amp Phoenix Gold has ever made too.

I'd really like to see someone here do a head to head comparison of comparable MS, ZX, and Elite amps, you know, for the hell of it.

Can't comment on the greatness of the elite.5 but to date the elite.4 is the best sounding amp I have ever run and had power to keep up with today's stronger speakers to boot ( I run dyn 242's). Only amp I consider remotely close is the arc 4200 and I think it is mostly on floor noise and headroom.

Well, thanks in part to your comments, I'm now the proud (and broke) owner of an Elite.5 and an Elite.2!

Thanks for the input everyone, it was valuable as always. Be on the lookout for a TI1600.5, TI800.4, Bass Cube and PLD1 in the classifieds, unless I can sell them locally.

fwiw I run a bass cube with my Elite.1. I wouldn't sell that.

Yeah I just might. I was considering selling it and using the lpl, but it does offer a lot more flexibility. I was mainly just thinking of recouping some of the cost lol.

I run a basscube with my Elite.5 and it really wakes / opens up the sub output (running an IDMAX10D4v3 at a 2ohm load) ...definitely use the cube, you won't be disappointed.

I am in sales, and there is a phrase I jokingly tell people to get them to buy.

"It's only money, and you'll make more".

I just swapped out my zx450 and zx500 for the elite .5. There is def more power there but space of sound has changed. A sense of smoothness. Currently only running 4 ohm sub so amp not being asked to do much. Have 2 ohm spg-555 Boston coming.

The biggest thing I notice is the smile on my face. That's when you know you have an improvement.

Worth every cent

dbjury wrote:I just swapped out my zx450 and zx500 for the elite .5. There is def more power there but space of sound has changed. A sense of smoothness. Currently only running 4 ohm sub so amp not being asked to do much. Have 2 ohm spg-555 Boston coming.

The biggest thing I notice is the smile on my face. That's when you know you have an improvement.

Worth every cent

This is great to hear! I used to run that exact combo as well, so if it puts it to shame, that's great.

BTW, what year is your Suby? Mine is an 05 LGT.

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This is great to hear! I used to run that exact combo as well, so if it puts it to shame, that's great.

BTW, what year is your Suby? Mine is an 05 LGT.[/quote]

Mines 2003 wagon

Going to do nice boot install on this
Looking forward to getting the router out and shaping some wood. Will post to forum when this starts

Wow, love the pic and I'm jealous of that front bumper you guys get overseas. Are you on LGT.com? I don't have any pics there but here's my mod list: 05 LGT

Looking forward to your build log.

Holy. That's some mod list. I keep my major mods to my race car. Only replaced suspension with bilstein height adjustables front simota 4 pot calipers and rotors so she stops when I need. Just going to do basic dump pipe flow and reprogram ecu. Running rota 8.5" wheels with 235/40/18 good years. Be interesting to see pics of yours.

Double post please delete