Soundstream Questions

Post by **Eric D** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:28 am

Anyone use Soundstream and know what they can do? Since it is warm out finally (60+) here in MI, I am considering pulling my system in my truck and trying some other amps I have lying around here.

I dug out my Reference 705s and just benched it. Rated for 50Wx4 and 200Wx1 into 4 ohms, I measure 24.5V prior to clipping on the main 4 channels and 49V on the mono channel (it is just another pair of mains bridged internally).

Well if I do the math that is 150Wx4 and 600Wx1 into 4 ohms. This is nuts. I have the 4 main channels bridged into my 8 ohm test speakers for 300W x 2 at the moment and this amp is not breaking a sweat. Crystal clear even at full output. Am I missing something? This is even more headroom than PG amps. This one amp could potentially run my whole install, and I think that may be what I do with it later today.

marko · Post by **marko** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:10 am

yeah i have a big soft spot for soundstream amps but got stung when i bought my continuum

(a 705s in chrome), it's nothing more than a fancy door stop now!

i got a few ref300's as well and these sound nuts and i should have them in my system really but their reliability puts me off, they sounds lush on my garage set up though

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:45 pm

marko wrote:yeah i have a big soft spot for soundstream amps but got stung when i bought my continuum (a 705s in chrome), it's nothing more than a fancy door stop now!

i got a few ref300's as well and these sound nuts and i should have them in my system really but their reliability puts me off, they sounds lush on my garage set up though

Are they that unreliable? Ive always wanted to give em a try.

marko · Post by **marko** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:49 pm

i bought my ref300's cheap as they were all blown and had output issues but got them back to life so now they are semi-retired lol! nice light use to preserve them..

SolacE · Post by **SolacE** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:25 pm

I have a 705s and an airbass to go with it. TONS of headroom and very much so underrated!!! Ultra clean and warm sound. Never had any trouble with any of my old school SS amps that I have used over the years. They are #3 on my list of favorites...

bogart · Post by **bogart** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:33 pm

I've run a 405 and I've run sx500's and they were great amps both and had more then enough power. This was in the early 90s and the equipment was new. They never failed me but I've heard that a few runs are like unethical hookers...just when it starts getting good you gotta fork over some more cash to keep em in the game

Post by **mr tibbs** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:53 pm

Damn, if I would have known it had that kind of power I would have kept it for myself!!

marko · Post by **marko** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:59 pm

mr tibbs wrote:Damn, if I would have known it had that kind of power I would have kept it for myself!!

the test report i have on the continum from an old mag suggests other wise but still an unerated clean amp...

itchnertamatoa · Post by **itchnertamatoa** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:41 am

I've used and still use soundstream
I got a few from you a while back, they still work great
gotta love those class A picasso's

shaheen · Post by **shaheen** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:49 am

mmm, my entire post dissapeard

Well you know I did work on that Da Vin, benched it and it sounded really good, I know the older ones have left right gains as well as fairly robust builds, as long as you stay away from thos little wonders.

The 705 is a Continuim as Marko pointed out and provided it has not been worked on before or blown up prior is a pretty bullet proof amplifer. They have tons of headroom and have always rated very highly in comparative studies.

What I like is if the thing does go tits up , you can contact SS and they will send out the scematics, which in your case is a bonus when it comes time to repair.

marko · Post by **marko** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:36 am

just remembered i have a 405RUB and an original tarantula in box that is just eye candy, it's the one that doesn't have the raised spider on it that was added later on in production.. the only issue with it is the lighting is missing but i have a pair of 12v blue cathodes to go in there

just got to figure out how the original lighting wiring is

shaheen · Post by **shaheen** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:03 am

ok, something very odd is going on , my posts are being deleted, Marko , the wiring for the lights is very easy , it runns throught the light switch to the power balast for the cathods (which is usually a seperate module).

There is a remote turn on on the amp board which you can scavange off.

I used this for my lights, but ditched the cold caths as they too fragile , so went to Maplin and bought LED strips , they easier to work with and need 12V direct. Let me know if you need any help with the amp I can rush over with my soldering iron