Alpine PDX-V9, 5-Channel Extreme Power Density Digital Amplifier

I was shopping around to build a good quality yet cheap SQ setup (not SPL so let's get that out of the way). I was about to hit the checkout now button on 2 amps from JL Audio, one 4 channel, the other one mono. All my speakers are JL, a component set in the front (60 watts RMS per side), and a single 12 inch (300 watts RMS). Then I remembered I saw this Alpine which actually had all 5 channels and more power to a 4 Ohm Sub. I knew it was going to be good yet while I was waiting for delivery (took about a week) I had buyers remorse, I was regretting spending the money, as I was unboxing it started fading fast. I am surprised at how freaking awesome this is.... I kept my factory head unit and chose to use a Clarion EQ pre-amp. I thought I would have to get a separate crossover because I wanted to run an active front stage. Surprise: This amp is ready for prime time! It has the crossovers you need. You can use the channels 1 and 2 for the tweeters (make sure you turn the input gain all the way down when tuning and slowly work your way up, tweeters only handle around 25 watts rms and this amp pumps out 100 per), and channels 3 and 4 for your mid range drivers. The instruction manual is very clear on how to set up your crossovers even if you've never done it before. Reading other reviews I can see some people don't think this amp is very strong, but let me tell you I have all the thump I want in my system, and I am sure you can hook up dual 12 inches or whatever floats your boat and this amp won't break a sweat. That being said, it's loud, it's wonderful, this is probably the best sound system I have ever heard in terms of quality and how loud it is without annoying people or making your head hurt....One Issue: This amp comes with speaker adapters for the amp, which work great, except if they are not working correctly which was the case with one of the ones that came with mine, no biggie, I was finally able to get it to work but it got me thinking that if for any reason you break one you are screwed since there is no other way to connect the wires to the amp but through this adapters.I am no audio expert but here are some tips:1) Make sure you are using good wires and make solid connections all over your system, failing to do so will lead you to blame Alpine for your products not sounding great, or cutting off, or hearing engine whine noises or what have you. You can buy the most expensive equipment out there but if your connections are no good, you're expensive equipment will make no difference.2) Be very careful with what you are doing if your are setting up an active front stage, you WILL blow your tweeters otherwise.3) My system sounds like everything I have ever dreamed of, this is because this amp is amazing, but also because I am sending very clean signal to it by using an EQ (you don't need one if you have a good sound processing head unit or something that will clean up your music signal), don't expect to send poop to it and get amazing sound out, you will get amplified poop out...This product is special. End of story....

I'm using this with a Nakamichi head unit and DynAudio component speakers. The sound is balanced and the bass improved markedly over the head unit amplifier's output. At volume levels that are inadvisable, there is no discernible distortion and it doesn't seem to heat up much either. I doubt that I will ever stress it, but it's good to know that I have capacity in reserve.I'm only currently using 4 channels (active sub). Using this amp's sub channel is a future change that I will be making.In summary, it's compact, efficient, precise and good value around $400.Edit: Adding an extra star, as it's now been installed for over a year, and driving a small sub. It's performed flawlessly. A great, cool-running (at lower power levels) and compact amp.Edit: Now running a 12" Infinity Kappa 120.9w flawlessly. This was a very good purchase.

It has been some time that I have been wanting to get back into quality car audio. I finally did and boy am I glad I chose to go almost exclusively Alpine. I have an 02 Ram 1500 quad cap with the Thunderform box with MTX Audio 5510-22 5500 Series Subwoofer. These were an upgrade to what came with the box. In the front I have the Alpine SPR-60C 6.5" Car Audio Component System (Pair) and the Alpine SPR-60 6.5" Car Audio Coaxial Speakers (Pair) in the rear. I was thinking that the setup would be "pretty good" and possibly needing more speakers. Well let me tell you, this system powered by this amp will rip your face off if set up properly. The first comment I get every time after they stop grinning is how super crisp and clear the audio is even at the top volumes. I used to be an installer and I can't say enough good things about Alpine hardware. I did try a Kenwood head unit at first and then replaced it with the Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD Receiver with Bluetooth and HD Radio Built-in. Even that was leaps and bounds better. This amp has a birth certificate that states it puts out close to 1100 watts continuous total power. To be able to power my whole system with a unit this small still boggles my mind. I have had zero issues with this amp and I play the crap out of it for hours and hours on end. I don't throw 5 star reviews out easy but this unit deserves every one.

Installed this amp in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air where space constraints were somewhat of an issue. It is powering Focal Access 165A3 3-way components for the front stage, and MB Quart PVM 216 components in the rear of the vehicle. It also powers two 8 inch Infinity Reference 860w subwoofers with no problems. The sound, in my opinion is excellent, especially for a single amp that is capable of powering the entire system. I really like the fact that Alpine came up with a way to make ALL the PDX series amps the same size, so you don't have as many issues fitting them in the vehicle. If you are on the fence about which 5 channel amp to buy, I wouldn't hesistate to buy this one. It has a subsonic filter for the subwoofer channel, and many options for running it either with passive crossovers, or you have the option to run active crossovers for those of you that really like to dial in the system. Great product being a digital amp, small footprint, good looking.