Kicker SX400.2

[bad_boy2k]

Salut baieti!
Am si eu nevoie de ajutorul vostru. Daca a auzit cineva sau a avut de-a face cineva cu ampuri Kicker si poate sa-mi spuna ceva dpdv SQ.
In speta, este vb de SX400.2. Va atasez mai jos specificatiile. Ce m-a atras la el este atat DSP-ul incorporat, capacitatile lui cat si pretul foarte prietenos. Review-uri prea multe nu am gasit despre el, dar ce am gasit pare foarte incurajator. Daca stie cineva va rog sa postati linkuri aici. Va multumesc anticipat.

va atasez mai jos niste poze cu el si cu DSP-ul




Built-In 32-Bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
24-bit audio resolution
44.1kHz sampling frequency
0.7 millisecond response time allows additional, non-digital amplifiers to be used in the system
Kompressor adjustable expansion / compression system
Contour Mode fattens bass output at low to moderate listening levels
Attack Mode enhances the sharp, quick attack in bass and midbass
Redline Mode controls dynamic peaks for a more even output
Digital high- and low-pass crossovers
10Hz – 16kHz variable high-pass frequency adjustable in 1/12th octave steps
30Hz – 20kHz variable low-pass frequency adjustable in 1/12th octave steps
6 – 36dB / octave variable crossover slopes
Digital KickEQ fully parametric equalizer
20Hz – 20kHz variable frequency adjustable in 1/12th octave steps
0.5 – 10 variable bandwidth (Q) in 0.5 increments
Boost or cut 0 – 18dB in 1dB steps
Selectable left / right independent phase
UltraMatch gain control circuit
5-stage input circuit for optimal level matching and the best signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio
1, 2, 4, 8, or 16-volt input range selection
12dB adjustment in 0.5dB steps for each input range
Memory presets
4 presets for installers or tweak-a-holics
Each preset is pre-loaded with common settings for easy setup
Customize each preset for quick access
Sick Bay diagnostics
Real-time amplifier diagnostics and troubleshooting
Keeps a running history of past trouble faults
Check current voltage and temperatures
Recall minimum and maximum voltages
Recall minimum and maximum temperatures
ISIS Vacuum Fluorescent Display
The flexibility and precision of DSP is just the beginning. The SX series is all about pure, clean, audiophile power, with handpicked tight-tolerance components and a no-holds-barred design philosophy.

Features
Audiophile components throughout
Double-sided glass epoxy circuit boards with large copper traces
Oversized Litz wound toroidal transformers for improved efficiency
Large TO-218 bipolar output devices for higher current capacity and reduced resistance
Triple Darlington output device configuration for lower distortion and excellent sound quality
Custom-wrapped HFQ electrolytic capacitors for maximum bass impact
Precision tolerance metal film resistors and poly film capacitors in the audio signal path
Isolated dual power supplies
Fan cooled
Remote level control
Custom-tooled oversized power and speaker output terminals
PreAmp Signal Transfer (PAST) output RCA lack
Soft muting circuit controlled by the DSP
Soft start turn-on circuit for deduced startup load
Removable cast aluminum EndKaps

2-Channel Amp Specifications
Amplifier Type: 2-channel
RMS Power @ 4 Ohms: 100W x 2
THD at 4-Ohm RMS Power: n/a
Bridged RMS Power @ 4 Ohms: 400W x 1
Speaker Level Inputs: no
Preamp Outputs: yes
Built-In Crossovers: HP/LP
Bass Boost: 0 - 18 dB
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio: >100 dB
Dimensions: 16 L x 10 W x 2 1/2 H

[bad_boy2k]

Model SX400.2
RMS Power
In Watts, All Channels Driven
@ 13.8V, 4Ω Stereo, 0.02% THD 88 x 2
@ 13.8V, 2Ω Stereo, 0.2% THD 175 x 2
@ 13.8V, 4Ω Mono, 0.4% THD 350 x 1
Dynamic Power
In Watts, All Channels Driven
@ 14.4V, 4Ω Stereo, 1% THD 100 x 2
@ 14.4V, 2Ω Stereo, 1% THD 200 x 2
@ 14.4V, 4Ω Mono, 1% THD 400 x 1

pare destul de incurajator 88wati "curati" cu THD de doar 0.02%
apropo, el ar fi sa functioneze cu o pereche de componente 2x70W RMS

[bad_boy2k]

primul review dar la alt model din aceeasi serie...
Performance Auto & Sound
February 2005
Kicker SX900.4
Text by Dave MacKinnon
We've had a short hiatus in terms of test reports from our friends at Kicker. Canadian marketing and distribution of Kicker products is now in the hands of our friends at Gemsen Distribution. Working with the US manufacturer, they chose to send along one of Kicker's new SX multi-channel amplifiers, the SX900.4.

FEATURES
The SX900.4 is a four-channel amp, rated to produce 115W x 4 into 4Ω, 225W x 4 into 2Ω and 450W x 2 into 4Ω. Subtle is not in this amplifier's vocabulary.

The real stand-out feature of the SX line of amplifiers is the 32-bit digital signal processing. Sure, digital control over amp features is nice, but Kicker has thought long and hard about what the digital system will control and how it will control it. The interface to the digital system is a five-button keypad and blue-on-black LED display called ISIS (pronounced Eye-Sis). This stands for Indicate Status and Input Settings. From the ISIS control you can choose from one of the following menus: System, Gain, EQ, Low-pass, High-Pass, Phase, Mute, Kompressor and Security. The list of sub-menus is quite extensive, but easy to comprehend.

Before we start, I should let you know that Kicker defines the two pairs of channels in this amp as Amp1 and Amp2, so we'll pretend it's actually two amps for the remainder of the discussion. Let's take a peek at a few of the important ones. The hi- and lo-pass crossovers are adjustable independently of each other and for each amp. The lo-pass crossover is adjustable from 30Hz to 20,000Hz in 1 / 12 Octave steps. The crossover slope is also adjustable from 0dB per Octave (off) to 36dB per octave. The Hi-pass crossover cannot be set within 1 / 3 of an octave of the low-pass crossover to prevent a notch filter condition. That being said, the hi-pass crossover is adjustable from 10Hz to 16,000Hz in the same frequency steps and with the same slope adjustments.

The gain controls on the amp work in stages. There is an overall gain range setting that determines the maximum input to the amp. This is adjusted from the System Menu and can be set at 1V, 2V, 4 V, 8V or 16V. In the 16V range, you can easily use the speaker outputs of any head unit as a signal source without fear of overloading the inputs. The second stage of gain adjustment is in the Gain menu. Here, you can fine tune the gain for each amp and each channel independently in 0.5dB steps up to 12dB. If that's not enough gain, then you simply switch the Gain range down one setting. Dead-nuts accurate!

Another cool feature in the SX900.4 is the Kompressor system. This is a very elaborate dynamic compression / expansion system. The Contour control adjusts dynamic expansion below a set threshold, similar to a loudness control on a deck. The Attack control expands the dynamic performance above a preset level for additional impact and punch. Finally, the Red-Line control is a limiter circuit. Red-Line provides a quick clamp on the output so you can play hard without damaging your speakers.

The SX900.4 has a single parametric equalizer on each amp (pair of channels) that is adjustable from 20Hz to 20,000Hz in 0.5dB steps from -18dB to 18dB and in a bandwidth range from 5 to 10 in increments of 0.5.

The ISIS display defaults to providing amplifier temperature, supply voltage and amplifier name. Further information can be retrieved from the System menu and that includes max and minimum voltage and temperature, run time and access to the Sick Bay- The Sick Bay stores the last five fault information messages the amp saw. Anyone can access it easily!

There are more digital features including security settings, display brightness and access to an internal pink noise generator. But we need to look at the electronics of the amp before I run out of room.

The chassis of the amp is large at almost 26 inches with the EndKaps in place. There is a large power block and three 40A ATC fuses on the left end of the amp. The block will accept 2awg cable. On the other end are three sets of RCA jacks (two inputs and an output called PAST (Pre Amp Signal Transfer). A BLAST (Bass Level And Signal Transfer) port allows you to connect the provided remote level control or upcoming optional features.

Inside the amp is a high-quality, two-sided circuit board. The power supply has a single multi-conductor torroidal transformer. The connections to the transformer are immediately at the base of the power supply switching devices to reduce resistance. The power supply uses 12 IRFZ44N N-channel HEXFET MOSFETs rated at 94W each. Each channel has a pair of TP35C and TP36C complementary, high-power, silicone transistors rated at 125W each in TO-218 plastic cases. Input stiffening is handled by four 2,200µF, 25V caps and the output of the power supply uses eight 1,000µ, 63V caps, a pair of chokes, and two 470µF, 63V caps. The digital control board is 99surface-mounted with a few small electrolytic capacitors. The main board is comprised of 1and 5resistors, discrete small signal transistors and a combination of foil and electrolytic capacitors. Small buss-bars are used to transmit current.

PERFORMANCE
I was anxious to get the SX900.4 on my bench for some listening and measurement. First to the power - the amp made 173VV per channel at 4Ω and 335W per channel at 2Ω. It didn't seem to care much about supply voltage and efficiency was about 60 Loaded down with a 4Ω bridge on each channel the amp cranked out an incredible 458W per channel at 13V and 518W per channel at 13.6V. What was really cool, thanks to the digital gain control, was that the two channels' output varied by less than 0.00955 dB-effectively identical.

In terms of evaluating sound quality, I connected the amp to my Conrad Johnson CD pre-amp and LSi9 speakers. Without getting into the Kompressor features, the amp sounds quite stunning. Imaging and staging were achieved with pinpoint accuracy. Very few amps are capable of producing a sense of depth for the performance, but the SX900.4 had no problem at all. Tonally, it was ruler-flat.

CONCLUSION
The SX900.4 wasn't designed for people who take their music lightly. This amp is all about accuracy from its digital controls to its sonic performance. It is indeed laden with more features than -as the owner's manual proclaims - you can shake a stick at!

[civic_ex]

am auzit Kicker SX 900.4 in masina celui mai bun prieten al meu. Sunetul e comparabil cu JL 450/4 (seria slash), desi Kicker-ul era mai zgomotos la volume mici, si nu asa dinamic. Impingea un set de Seas Lotus Reference, 2way activ. Intradevar, ampliful arata foarte bine, cu display-ul electronic albastru, dar nu mi sa parut prea grozav. Mult mai slab decat JL-ul, cu nimic mai puternic decat Polk momo 300.4 (75x4@4ohm).
Inca ceva de stiut, acele grilaje de metal (albastre) la capatul amplifului s-au deteriorat foarte repede. Suruburile incepeau sa alunece, si vopseaua a venit foarte repede jos de pe ele.
Mie personal nu mi-a placut cum suna, mi sa parut chiar penibil amplificatorul, cel putin pentru suma la care se achizitioneaza acest 4 channel.

[bad_boy2k]

aha... pe de-o parte imi place ce aud, sau.. citesc. doar atat?

[civic_ex]

am uitat sa mentionez un lucru. ventilatoarele, daca tin bine minte avea (2), faceau un zgomot ingrozitor. Masina in care a fost instalat amplificatorul era o Honda Accord model 2000, cu piele, si auzeam zgomotul pana la pasagerul din fata, daca motorul era oprit, sau era la relanti.
Daca ai ocazia sa il achizitionezi la un pret foarte convenabil, cumpara-l. Daca platesti retail, nu il lua. Sant amplificatoare mult mai bune la banii astia. Cel putin asta e parerea mea.
Sper ca am fost de folos.

[civic_ex]

Eu am ramas si voi ramane pe viata de aceeasi parere: Kicker nu e un produs orientat SQ (cel putin nu acuma), poate in trecut, inainte de 2002 cu linia lor veche de amplificatoare, dar in nici un caz acuma.

[bad_boy2k]

ok. ms mult pt parere.