after many sleepless nights tossing and turning while thinking what amp i should get, i have managed to narrow it down to these two. The Soundstream Rubicon II 500.2 OR Phoenix Gold Tantrum T500.2.

Both amps put out 500rms X 1 @ 4ohm both amps are 2ohm mono stable (i believe) and for the life of me i dont know what to get. Ive owned a PG t300.2 and was very pleased with it. I was deadset going for the Pg t500.2 until i saw the Soundstream which i can get for $90 cheaper. Someone please give me your thoughts on these 2 amps only if you have had experience with either

PG all the way...

I was turned off SS when I heard they aren't made in the US anymore..

I own an XS2500 (previous model to T500.2) exact same power specs and all. Best amp I've ever owned! and underrated (570wrms birth).

PG Tarantula? Yousaywhatnow?

Is that like the soundstream outlaw

everyone seems quick to bag SS, but honestly even if they are made OS, that dosent mean there crap!

there both awsome amps and i would be happy with either.

as i ask everyone else, what do u like the look of??

casue at the end of the day, they will both do the same thing and sound the same.
get the one that will look the nicest in ya boot and leave it at that!!!

To quote your first post:

"The Soundstream Rubicon II 500.2 OR Phoenix Gold Tarantula T500.2. "

Listen to your inner voice. It's telling you to get soundstream. If you call a PG Titanium a Tarantula, methinks its time for you to stop dreaming and pick up a soundstream

Personally i'd go for the soundstream. Rubi or tarantula it doesnt really matter.

Mate..my soundstream 600-4 is handmade in the USA (sticker on the back..as i just discovered).

so yeah..get the soundstream

oh yeah sorry i meant Pg tantrum :oops:

The rubicons II are made in the usa i believe and are meant to be quite good. i dont know where the PG tantrums are made tho

I really don't think you'd spot the different: two good quality amps, same price range, same power rating (roughly, anyway).

If budget's the over-riding concern, get the cheaper item.

Thats good advice..
as long as you are happy its ok..


save yourself $$$..they still do the same job.

Phoenix Gold. Soundstream is a once great product, still have my 400-4 in the wagon, but the new stuff is rubbish, ALL made in Korea or simliar. (not necessarily bad, but when its priced at US made pricing it is a bit hard to swallow)

soundstream, they have great after sales service

Soundstream can be had cheaply in the USA. Im pretty sure they are replacing the Rub X00-X series with X0X models, if that makes any sense.

i don't see why they'd go back to the old naming nomaclature for anyway, it would just confuse people

if the pg works for you then go PG again, as for offshore manufacturing alot of brands are doing it these days and its debatable wheter there is a significant drop in quality, some of the best electronics come out of korea, having previously owned a PG then you will have some indication on its preformance.

and yes ive run and listened to many a PG amp