21 replies to this topic

[atsq2]

I was told by a shop that Soundstream monoblocks was really good...

Is it? How does it stack up against Phoenix Gold? Zapco? etc...

[gooki]

all prety much in the same class.

[ultim8DTM5]

I would never put Soundstream in the same class as Zapco and PG, unless it was from the mid/late 90s SS products.

The last few years SS has particularly gone downhill in a big way, seems they have succumbed to the marketing drivel which has killed off quality in many brands.

The last great SS amps were the Tarantula monoblock (original) and Da Vinci; even then the Da Vinci had functioning problems!

[shiny_car]

soundstream offer a few different series of amps, all of which are excellent.

you're probably looking at either the rubicon II series or tarantula. tarantula amps are phat, but so is their price. the rubicon amps are excellent value and very gutsy.

unfortunately the main limitation behind SS amps is their availability, including from good quality retailers (as opposed to bulk stores).

worth a look though.

[nightshadow]

when soundstream went downhill i heard they had started making parts in japan at a cheaper manufacturer then asembling in us.

[ultim8DTM5]

I don't think they would make them in Japan, its not reflective of "cheap manufacturing"

[shiny_car]

outsourcing to parts of asia for manufacturing hardly (necessarily) makes an amp cheap quality. it makes it cheaper for us, the consumer.

if SS have dropped in quality, that's a pity. they were a great product. i've not heard major probs though.

i think part of the problem for consumers in australia is that they have become quite expensive. at least relative to the competition, so they are probably not such good value. but if you overlook that, they are still very good. so you may pay $2K for what is an excellent amp; but an equivalent amp may be had from a different brand for much less.

but, i've never used SS amps. so i can't properly judge this, so i may be totally wrong.

[roughcactus]

Soundstream did have some QC problems a couple of years ago...with amps just going up in smoke due to power supply problems. I had 2 700sx amps and they were fine, the Airbass remote sub level control on the other hand was the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned.

We have been selling the new stuff for a while and it appears that they are now back on track...many amp manufacturers outsource component supply to offshore companies...this has little impact on QC...remember where it is made is not so important...the standard it is made to and the build quality is VERY important.

[Mr Neil]

SS are a nice amp, but they can fry eggs

[dasherhalo]

roughcactus said:

......... the Airbass remote sub level control on the other hand was the biggest piece of poo I have ever owned.

I had someone fairly high up on the import-chain for SS flat out refuse to supply me an air-bass remote: the quote above fairly well covers his opinion!!!! :mrgreen:

I think their Rubicon series (the original, not series II) were the last of their really good amps, and the Reference amps were the last of the collectables, thought all of their limited edition amps are drool-worthy in my opinion!!!

A combination of good quality opposition and reports of inferior quality would prevent me from paying retail prices for the current crop of SS gear.

My 2c

[EcHo_2134]

Both my soundstream amps are made in the US, i opened up and checked them..

Beatifully made, rivals some the computer motherboards i've seen.

Just my two cents

[ultim8DTM5]

Heheh seriously man, those MADE IN THE US stickers can apply to 5% of the construction in the US (I think?)

If they are old school, they more than likely are US products

[poid]

The newer amps are made in Korea or somewhere.

Seriously though, i have heard a few people claim that the new amps arent up to scratch, since SS were taken over. But no evidence to support said claims.

Even some of the SS amps of 10 years ago used to have issues, despite being US manufactured.

Regardless i would happily purchase one

[MAS Andrew]

Have been selling and using Soundstream amps for the last 15 years. I can tell you that the current Rubicon II series of amps is the best range ever only behind the original Rubicon class A series of 1998/99 and the old MC series of the late 80's/early 90's.

They are indeed made 100% in the USA.. As are the Tarantula and Van Gogh series of amps. Only these two ranges made at a different facility using a different design. The Rubicon II is the tried and true SS design of old, the others are not. Pity they have decided to drop it for 2004, seems that good manufacturing is too expensive for the new SS owners.

Van Gogh range has some of the old SS features and are just starting to become available. Time will tell on these.

I can give locations of Soundstream dealers in all states of Australia. No there are not many as there are not many true high end stores left.

[forbidden]

Soundstream had major financial difficulties in the last 4 years, they had been bought and sold a number of times, yet somehow still managed to bring some products to market. They are now a split personality company. Their high end products are still the tried and true 'stream gear that the older more distinguished gentlemen may remember from years gone by. They hand built and hand tooled alot of product. The airbass was a catastrophe, nuf said.
They have now had a monsterous cash infusion from thier new owner. This has also resulted in a new breed of amplifiers that are made in singakoreachinatiawanapore in order to hit a lower price point and appeal to more consumers. This is not an indication of inferior quality at all. Rockford, Kicker, Kleenex Gold and others now do exactly the same. The new owner of the Soundstream company is returning the brand to the once proud name that it carried for years. I have used many of their amps over the last 16 years and highly recommend them. The new owners with the cash infusion they have given have really jump started this company again, the owners are none other than Power Acoustik.