I've been using the ADS P440.2 for the past few weeks, which I bought from Soundhabit, and I am using it to drive the JL Stealthbox.

I do not listen to music very loud in the car.
But even so, I got the impression that the Stealthbox wanted more power than that relatively small ADS could put out. The Stealthbox sounds "nice" in my car. But it does not make a big impact.

I made the mistake of telling this to Jason @ Soundhabit, while I was orderering my Focal 130K speakers yesterday. He told me that another customer is interested in this ADS amp, but Soudhabit is all out of them. So he offered to buy my amp back from me, and give me a really good deal on a more powerful amplifier.
Soundhabit is currently offering the Orion 800.4 (100w X 4) for only $389. That sounds tempting. But I wonder how good Orion amps really are. I've heard them play really loud. But I never heard a system with Orion amps that sounded good.
Basically, I listen to a lot of acoustic music, whereas most Orion customers are seemingly into "loud" music. Usually hip-hop or dance.

Should I get this Orion amp ? Or should I get another brand with slightly lower power, but more than my ADS ?
I was thinking 50-75watts X 4 from PPI, XTant, or even Rockford Fosgate or MTX, which should brige to 200-250w to drive the Stealthbox, and give me more power to drive the Focals when I get them.

Any thoughts ?

If I do get this Orion, would it even FIT in the A4 -- mounted vertically to the rear seat ?
It looks awfully long...

Thanks,
Peter
98.5 1.8tqms

I would go with the Phoenix Gold XS 2300. It is a tiny amp with sufficient heat sink and it puts out 300x1 at 4-ohm mono. You could also bump up to the XS 2500 if you felt that it wasn't enough power. They are listed at $229 and $289 respectfully at soundhabit. That's my 2 cents! And by the way, just so Foo doesn't jump on me, the power supply for PG amps is "unregulated".<ul><li><a href="http://www.phoenixgold.com/xs.html">http://www.phoenixgold.com/xs.html</a</li></ul>

It's $389 and I think it's the newer version of my PPI PC450 (also 50x4)
and that one you've heard in my A4. Qbass / xover...nice.

After yesterdays conversation, I got the impression that you don't
want the Orion's. It's just that the deal made you think about...
100Wx4ch (4ohms) for under $400.

Lemme know what you pick. Good luck!
-AlexD

Never in my life have I spent so much money without doing extensive research. And NEVER have I bought stereo equipment (home or car) without listening first.

But based on all the positive things I've read on this board (and my snobbish attitude that Audi drivers are more reliable sources than the general masses), I am going to probably get the Phoenix Gold PS XS 4600. 75w X 4.
$355 from Soundhabit.

Thanks for the link to the website.

-- Peter

<p>Jason C
'93 S4 (340hp MTM Stage III+)

although Soundhabit doesn't carry Xtant, they make excellent stuff.... put it's gonna cost ya a few bucks!