Originally Posted by
jb2wheels
Just so I can participate...
I've dabbled in car audio but nothing serious.
When I adopted my dad's 67 Chevelle wagon roughly 15 years ago, I found out the amp he put in it in the early 90s was an old school HiFonics 4ch - either a Europa or Jupiter VII (it's been a few years since I even looked at it). That thing is still bada$$. He just bought what the guy recommended when he added a Sony CD player that was pre-amp only. He ran it into 4 Pioneer 6.5" 2-ways. It's been through 3 head units now and the 3rd is acting up. I also re-wired it with better power wires and running it 3ch (1&2 into the doors, 3&4 bridged into an ancient 8" Bazooka tube). Still running the ancient Pioneers in the doors (back doors off deck power). Amazed the speakers are still good.
This amp spoiled me. I've tried a handful of newer amps and been disappointed. The only one I liked (in my cheap price range) was the Power Acoustik BAMF-1600/4 I put in my Civic wagon. It stayed in the car when I sold it.
I also have a NIB Viper 1100.5 amp in the garage I bought for a car I wrecked before I got the amp into it.