New Soundstream Reference Amps

Post by **Eric D** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:25 pm

I posted on this several months ago. Anyone see these amps anywhere, or can anyone get any photos of the boards on them.

I know they are probably not what the old Ref amps were, but I am still a fan of Soundstream and I would love to see what makes these amps tick.

Maybe one of you has a local dealer and can talk them into letting you snap some photos.

Audiophiliac · Post by **Audiophiliac** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:30 pm

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diy ... -pics.html

knightrider358 · Post by **knightrider358** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:38 pm

Doesnt look as good as the old REF amps, not a full darlington board and if I remember my old ref300 and 500 had larger power cap banks than that amp and its a big one but it does look better than most avg brand name amp board made these days BUT ill still stick to older gen amps and more so my PG amps LOL....

Misfire · Post by **Misfire** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:30 pm

She sure is pretty, always loved soundstream!

ChaosWarlord26 · Post by **ChaosWarlord26** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 4:23 pm

knightrider358 wrote:Doesnt look as good as the old REF amps, not a full darlington board and if I remember my old ref300 and 500 had larger power cap banks than that amp and its a big one but it does look better than most avg brand name amp board made these days BUT ill still stick to older gen amps and more so my PG amps LOL....

Just remember times have changed since the original Reference series. The technological advancements since the 90's have been made with leaps and bounds. I would like to see a pic of them side by side opened up. I am a huge fan of soundstream as well, just want to see and make decision based on the comparrison of the two. I plan on buying the new reference 4.760 to run my high's, already have a Rubicon 200.1 and cannot complain about the SQ what so ever......

Post by **Eric D** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:27 pm

I am very impressed. It is clearly a more modern amp, but it melds some of the design elements of the older amps with newer technology and construction methods.

I would really like to get my hands on one to try out. I am curious if they have lots of headroom like the old amps did.

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:32 pm

"[quote=diymobileforum]Hey there!

It appears that you've exceeded the maximum number of posts you can view, but wait, there's a simple solution. To unlock the forum and continue viewing messages, all you need to do is sign up for a free account. The entire process takes just a few minutes so create your account now and view as many threads as you like!

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damn it i dont wanna sign up! But it is a good ploy to make people sign up.

Stipud u should implement that on this forum! haha

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:33 pm

Oh and I wish I didn't see this thread, because I really want to sell my x200.4 now when I fix it and buy this amp. It looks really good. and I guess it sounds great.

Post by **Eric D** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:28 am

deathcloud wrote:Oh and I wish I didn't see this thread, because I really want to sell my x200.4 now when I fix it and buy this amp. It looks really good. and I guess it sounds great.

I don't know if I would go that extreme. The X200.4 is really a great amp, and I am not so sure this one would be better.

scottn29 · Post by **scottn29** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:35 am

I hate how they took away the low impedence of the old ones, these are only stable at 4 ohm mono

Post by **Eric D** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:16 am

scottn29 wrote:I hate how they took away the low impedence of the old ones, these are only stable at 4 ohm mono

Quite honestly, that may be a good thing.

Even though I love the old SS amps, they had very weak power supplies. The output stages are bulletproof but running low impedances on those amps usually killed the power supply.

But, these new amps may have bigger power supplies, so I suppose it might not be so nice if they cannot do lower loads.

Audiophiliac · Post by **Audiophiliac** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:15 am

No real reason to run lower loads than 4 ohms these days....2 minimum. Easier on the amp and your car's charging system for sure.

Nice amps either way.

scottn29 · Post by **scottn29** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 am

I would have liked to see a 2 ohm mono load ability on them, I usually run a dual 4 sub and need either 2 or 8 ohm mono for it. I was looking at the 4.920 to run my KISS system but it wont handle the 2 ohm load well, as a owner of one was running it like that and he said it overheated, and 8 ohm wont put out near enough power.

I am not worried about the extra current demand at 2 ohm, I run a single 4-ch amp for the whole system.

Post by **Eric D** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:09 am

Soundstream is running a contest to win some amps...

http://www.soundstream.com/Media/contest_ref.htm

You guys should enter. If anyone wins, please ship me the amp first so I can study it.

ElToro · Post by **ElToro** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:30 pm

scottn29 wrote:I hate how they took away the low impedence of the old ones, these are only stable at 4 ohm mono

It look like the THD is pretty low by today's pos standards...
Hence the 4ohms limitation.

I would rather run a bigger amp at 4 ohms at a lower THD then the opposite.

Post by **mhyde71** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:41 pm

my install has now just been entered-
Thanks Eric for the heads up!
If i win- you're on, you got it for studying!

Here are Just a couple/few pic's of what I submitted w/ fingers crossed.
BUT I didnt wipe anything down... I did not wipe my dash board down and stuff was in back seat... oh well- prolly not a chance then... but fun to try i guess
But i do wonder if there is a buy out option though...
I am not trying to give up my PG gear!- but then you wouldn't get an amp to look over- oh well- i'd prolly take the gear!
I wonder if it is required that you install it thgouh??

and the list i wrote up for them- (that was fun!)

Line Item Qty: Desription
1) (1) Phoenix Gold MS2250 (original) (sub duties)
2) (2) Phoenix Gold MS275 (front stage & rear Fill)
3) (1) Phoenix Gold TiDD10 Distribution / Time Delay Unit
4) (1) Phoenix Gold TiBass C.U.B.E.
5) (2) Phoenix Gold Ti Ground and power D-Blocks.
6) (4) Image Dynamics Chameleon's CXS62's
7) (2) JL AUDIO JL12W6D4''s (subs)
8) (1) Pioneer AVIC-Z1 Head Unit / Navi / DVD
9) (1) Apple Video iPod 30GB
10) (2) INViSiON REV III - DVD headrests
11) (1) Pioneer Blue Tooth Adapter
12) (1) FitzALL 220A HO Alternator
13) (1) Optima red-top
14) (1) BATCAP 800
15) (2+) 0-Gauge & 4-Gauge Wiring
16) (2) Phoenix Gold Zero-Point Battery terminals
17) (1) Phoenix Gold third brake light decal (hehe LOL)
18) (1) Phoenix Gold 0-gauge inline fuse holder & P
19) (1) Phoenix Gold TiRMD Display monitor

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:01 pm

Wow first place goes to you matt... Wow that shit is so nice. *BOWS DOWN*

Ur in it to win it!

ChaosWarlord26 · Post by **ChaosWarlord26** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:07 pm

That's why I said mine was not up to the challenge and I knew it. I am not degrading my skills at all, but my current setup just isn't worthy yet.

walker01s10 · Post by **walker01s10** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:01 am

Where could I get that image you have on the screens? I would like load that into my radio.

Thanks

Post by **mhyde71** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:27 am

walker01s10 wrote:Where could I get that image you have on the screens? I would like load that into my radio.

Thanks

shoot me your email and I'll send it - or maybe i can upload here for folks. lemme see... and be mindfull that the dimensions were made to specifically fit mine (avic-z1) so you might need to tweak a lil depending on screen size or whatever, but if it is a 6.5/7" screen it'll prolly be just about okay...

I need to find it too, think it is on this computer i am on now, lemme see.
or might be on CD ROM that is in the car, but thats prolly all scratched up...

matt

Post by **mhyde71** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:30 am

here you go that was easy
See if you cant get it just from downloading off here, if not or whatever, i can send directly to you... but this should do it i would think, but i dunno... also depends on what file format your pic's need to be, prolly jpeg which is what these are:

matt

Post by **Eric D** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:47 am

Matt, I have to complain. Your install is sweet, but I don't care for the "stuff" tacked on the top of the subwoofer enclosure. IMO you need to bury it somewhere. It kind of kills the symmetry of your install, and since everything else is built in, those items look like an after thought. But, that is just my opinion.

Post by **mhyde71** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:52 am

Eric D wrote:Matt, I have to complain. Your install is sweet, but I don't care for the "stuff" tacked on the top of the subwoofer enclosure. IMO you need to bury it somewhere. It kind of kills the symmetry of your install, and since everything else is built in, those items look like an after thought. But, that is just my opinion.

nah i hear ya, and i concur 100%... I have been meaning to build a processor rack and some kind of wire management, but just haven't had time, and got distracted and stuff... BUT yeah, I perfectly understand and agree, You should see the wiring mess behind the seats/box... I didn't even send in a pic of that, as that is a total wreck and would get booted for sure. BUT yeah I have some Ti Install gear (wiremanagement stuff, plaques, etc) that i wanted to use for processer rack w/ false floor on top there, but just havent gotten around to it.

point taken though

walker01s10 · Post by **walker01s10** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:43 pm

mhyde71/matt

Thank you yeah my kenwood has a 7" screen. So it should fit is not I'll adjust it.

Thanks again