47 replies to this topic

[Pyroay]

I am considering changing over from my Phoenix Gold amps to a Soundstream DaVinci, which is the amp I have always wanted in my system but never been able to afford. I am looking for peoples thoughts.



Currently configuration is
- Dynaudio System 360 front stage (fully active)
- 2 x IDMAX 12’s
- Rear fill
- .Processing (inc crossovers/EQ/time alignment) is through Alpine PXA-H700.

Phoenix Gold QX amps
QX2350 - 2 Channel; 2 x 100rms to Dynaudio 8” midbasses
QX2350 - 2 Channel; 2 x 100rms to Dynaudio 3” midranges
QX4150 - 4 Channel; 2 x 50rms to Dynaudio 1.1” Tweeters (MD100) and 2 x 50rms to rear fill


The DaVinci would be used as amplification only since the H700 does all the EQ/crossover and time alignment duties and I have an Earthquake PHD5000 sub amp so the sub channel of the DaVinci would also be unused. I didn’t think 500rms would be sufficient for 2 x IDMAX’s but maybe the TRUE power from it is a little more… .

For those who don’t know it is a Soundstream Limited Edition 7 channel amp rated at
4 x 50rms
2 x 100rms
1 x 500rms @ 1ohm on sub channel

SPECS
THD < 0.1%
Signal-to-noise Ratio >100dB
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Bandwidth 15Hz to 50kHz
Stereo Separation > 90dB
Damping > 200
Input Sensitivity 200 mV - 5.0 V


I would run it as
2 x 50rms to tweeters
2 x 50rms to mid’s
2 x 100rms to midbass
- Loose rear fill
- Earthquake PHD5000 on subs with 1000rms to each

What are people thoughts on the DaVinci amplifier, I don’t think I have ever heard anyone talk about them…
It is very well built and the only one I have ever heard sounded awesome in SEJUK’s car.
Of course the drawback is it is very big to mount at
- 483mm x 356mm x 140mm

[jamesyboi]

both are nice , i'm running one of the smaller phoenix gold amps on frontend atm ..

i like those amps , and the precision power art series ( for it's time , they rocked!)

[edy]

That would be awesome Pyroay.

Just a thought though, have you considered running it in this way...

2 x 50rms to rear fill
2 x 50rms to tweeters
2 x 100rms to mid's
Midbasses run off sub channel at 2 ohms

edy

[james26]

Ohh man that Davinci is gorgeous! If you know where to get one then I reckon u should get it - old school soundstream - u can't go wrong can you? Ur the SQ winner - what do u think? Personally I'd get it merely to watch people's jaws drop when they saw it! The Davinci is prob one of the best amps SS ever made!

[fuddbutter]

mmmm DaVinci

[s_tim_ulate]

Im running Soundstream Picassos. Love em.

Im surprised that the Davinci's have THD of 0.1%. The picasso has 0.02% iirc

Anyway sweet amps and look very cool...

I says go for it, especially if they are easily incorporated into your install.

[Pyroay]

Well in definately want one i guess before launching into a whole new set-up and spending the money i thought i'd check and see what people experiences have been who may have actuall used one / owned one or tested one.

No point spending the money if what i have is actually better...

[icacha]

DaVinci is good ONLY if it works with no engine noise.

They are prone for engine noise on channels 1,2,3,4. It's a design fault...

They were suppose to fix it with the MK2, but you still get it in some if your unlucky.

Don't get me wrong they are an awsum amp, it's just if you happen to get one that induces noise you will be screaming

Oh forgot to mention, the amp is stacked like a multi story building so make sure you don't bump it as it will all fall apart (not literally)

Pic of one I installed that had the engine noise and went for repairs
[attachment=127:attachment]

Edited by ICACHA, 29 July 2005 - 07:44 PM.

[kinoshita]

IMO, the Davinci is a face amp...mainly for aesthethic purposes..for that money i reckon there r better choices out there. i cant personally say whether they r good/bad, heard them in in install but never seen the internal be4. if it was me.i would run the PG old Mseries...1 of the best amps ever built. Try opening 1 of them up n u see wat i mean

[APS]

Perhaps you should use the amplifier before commenting on what happens to be a legendary Soundstream product. Do you see me posting all over saying no dont use that use this its better. Thats a very small minded approach to car audio which is a very broad subject.


Now i dont know about you but i dont go bagging products without giving them the time of day to, sit, listen, adjust. Maybe you should think about what you are saying. Aesthetics huh well yeah the amp looks sexy but like any high end equipment takes a very long time to setup correctly, hell some installers dont even know where to start or finish when installing one of these.

It took us a few hours to work out one of the two Tarantula monoblocks in my demo car and it had us dissapointed untill we worked out all the ins and ends of all the buttons and didnt it jump out and bite ass in the butt when it showed us what it means to have the largest voltage rails ever incorporated into a CLASS AB monoblock.

By whose tests and what reviews have rated this so called Pheonix Gold amp as the best amp ever built?
There is so many brands on the market which make awesome products and everyone rates them differently, but there is no point in putting a product down to make yours look superior.

I think the problem lies in the setup of the product and even i have been dissapointed with high end amplifiers untill i actually get them going the way they should.


George

kinocrapa, on Jul 30 2005, 01:18 AM, said:

IMO, the Davinci is a face amp...mainly for aesthethic purposes..for that money i reckon there r better choices out there. i cant personally say whether they r good/bad, heard them in in install but never seen the internal be4. if it was me.i would run the PG old Mseries...1 of the best amps ever built.  Try opening 1 of them up n u see wat i mean   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited by highimpact, 30 July 2005 - 11:45 AM.

[icacha]

PG Titanium amps aren't the most solid built amps either. They rattle like there is no tomorrow due to 'again' poor design. And again it still is a fantastic amp also...

Xenon on the other hand were built much more solid, but not as good in SQ as the Ti...

[Cinbabe]

ICACHA, on Jul 30 2005, 03:05 PM, said:

PG Titanium amps aren't the most solid built amps either. They rattle like there is no tomorrow due to 'again' poor design. And again it still is a fantastic amp also...

Xenon on the other hand were built much more solid, but not as good in SQ as the Ti...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am seriouly considering a davinci amp as well,I can get them from US for good price as I fed up with Apine crap which I having( apology for alpine fan out there as I am used to one of u guyz till they start to stuff me around with set up and repair cost).I am also thinking of Davinci 12 inches sub...............is the sub as good as the amp on the same line???
Only serious advice please as I am in the process of getting these stuff and hope they will saftify my needs.
kind regards

[icacha]

Cinbabe, on Jul 30 2005, 05:19 AM, said:

I am seriouly considering a davinci amp as well,I can get them from US for good price as I fed up with Apine crap which I having( apology for alpine fan out there as I am used to one of u guyz till they start to stuff me around with set up and repair cost).I am also thinking of Davinci 12 inches sub...............is the sub as good as the amp on the same line???
Only serious advice please as I am in the process of getting these stuff and hope they will saftify my needs.
kind regards

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You know you can send your repairs to alpine directly, but you have to pay first before they send it back to you...

So I don't know who is stuffing you around...

Was the DaVinci sub available here? I got no advice on that sub at all as I didn't even know they made one

Just cause you want a DaVinci amp doesn't mean you will like the sub. I would say listen first then gamble, bit safer that way...

[APS]

The DA VINCI range of subwoofer was awesome in every aspect. Technology used that was before unseen in any subwoofer of its kind. I had one of their 15 inch version and it was the most unbeleivable sub i have ever heard.

They were never brought into this country as the motor structure being the type of technology it was couldnt be repaired easily in case of a failure.

My sub lasted a long time it never failed on me i wish i could get more of them.

[kinoshita]

hey,
i never said it was a bad amp :huh: :huh: he asked for opinions n that was wtat i felt. I might not have owned a Davinci Gold plated but i did listen to setups utilising them. It sounds good i say.but for wat price..errr 4000usd ?? A MC4000M cost similar n produce so much more power. And since i saw he is using PG amps now, i just mention the Ms series cos again IMO thats the best PG amp series ever built. Ive owned their ZPA, ZX series both Ti n white ones And also....amps liek the Davinci, people with a little bit of common sense would know that a big chunk of the money u r paying goes to the cost of the Gold plated casing n heatsink. So.why am i wrong if i said it that its an asthesitcs purpose amp. And also.....on reviews n tests.....i dun think ive to prove anything....go to any decent car audio forum boards n search for Ms series.......u can find heaps of test n comparision done.
Ultimately its his money....I wouldnt care less if he wanted to buy a diamond embedded amp.

Edited by kinoshita, 30 July 2005 - 09:32 PM.