Alpine S-A60M Overview and Amp Dyno

[@donaldhastyjr4066]

Alpine mono amps have come a long way in their build quality. Love em!!

[@stereomojo]

@@donaldhastyjr4066 I agree

[@christiandshatto7765]

These are good quality amps - I believe they do test all of them- I had one of these, older model, about 7 years ago, and it never disappointed. Good reliable board, and impressive rail voltage caps( nichicon, makes sense.)

[@stereomojo]

@@christiandshatto7765 yeah, it does seem like real good quality

[@needfospeedone]

Your getting high quality caps Nichicons, this amp will last longer than your car. Glad to see them in this amp very well made in my opinion.

[@stereomojo]

@@needfospeedone yes, very nice!

[@chrisnunya7171]

Man, I'd love to be there for the sound off event, but Alabama is a fur-piece (long way) from Ohio. That Alpine is real sharp! Alpine back in the day was awesome! As a matter o' fact, after Pioneer, Alpine WAS my favorite brand. But I actually know nothing about them these days. But after watching your video, I knew I was right liking Alpine! Another great video bud. 👍🏻

[@stereomojo]

Thanks Chris! Yeah, I remember the Alpine stuff being really nice and expensive!

[@pumapunkudevelopment3376]

You hit the nail in the head. Read my mind, I have been looking at this one. (Im watching as I type)

[@stereomojo]

You thinking about picking one up? Don’t forget to check out the new model if you need to be at 1 ohm. Thanks!

[@pumapunkudevelopment3376]

@@stereomojo no I rather get the one you sell

[@stereomojo]

@@pumapunkudevelopment3376 where do you live?

[@pumapunkudevelopment3376]

@@stereomojo dfw

[@stereomojo]

@@pumapunkudevelopment3376 I’ll take $140 shipped for this one. Can do cash app or PayPal

[@earnestmatlock9694]

Great video as always 👍. Well its an alternative to a China import amp. Yes its missing the extras like the ultra styling RCA plugs and the dedicated high level plug and cable. Not sure as to the outcome of someone connect high level to the RCA plugs and forget to flip the input level switch. It definitely meets its posted wattage output rating. I figure if it was placed somewhere without good air flow it would tend to get pretty warm. For the price point and wattage output and not made in China. I would recommend this as a good quality starter amp for those buyers to be aware of engineered cost cutting lack of features and understand it needs good wiring and plenty of ventilation for reliable operation. No copper coated aluminum power wire either. 100% CU .

[@stereomojo]

@@earnestmatlock9694 good input! I can’t disagree with anything you said. Thanks Earnest!

[@JasonWW2000]

That's an interesting design. Looks unique. I'm guessing the big inductor near the transformer is just for filtering. The output inductor is the other one that's partially encased. I've never seen that. I've seen smaller ones that were fully encased. I wonder why the top is open? It may be less about sheilding and more about heat dissipation. They can get really hot, usually the hottest component in the amp. This will probably increase it's reliability.

[@stereomojo]

Yeah, they seem to do things a little different, which can be good for sure

[@barrysinks3104]

Good power and well worth the price for a name brand amp. But I agree, this or the Pioneer, I would definitely go with the Pioneer. I like the midweek videos as well.

[@stereomojo]

Thanks Barry!

[@JasonWW2000]

I wonder which of the two sound better.

[@barrysinks3104]

@stereomojo Your welcome!

[@barrysinks3104]

​@@JasonWW2000 My guess is they probably sound about the same. I just personally like the Pioneer better. Plus its cheaper and more power.

[@Keith-me4zw]

Good job on your review. Nakamichi NKDS 900.1 has me curious its fused 120 amps and has a price of 99 dollars.

[@stereomojo]

@@Keith-me4zw thanks! That sounds like something I should check out

[@stereomojo]

@@Keith-me4zw I see it on Amazon. It’s the 800 right?

[@Keith-me4zw]

@@stereomojo that's it .I don't own one .

[@stereomojo]

@@Keith-me4zw I’ve got one on the way. Thanks again!

[@marcovaldovinos5009]

This amp is only missing to be a 1ohm stable and more price competitive. Those Mid week videos are perfect in my opinion.. God bless you and your Family

[@JasonWW2000]

The 1 ohm stable version is the S2-A60M.

[@stereomojo]

Thanks Marco! Yeah, it is a little pricey for what you get, but it did seem like really good quality. That new model is 1 ohm, but still rated 600 watts. That kinda stinks.

[@JasonWW2000]

​@stereomojo Think of it as having Rockford's Constant Power technology. Most amps would be 600@1, 400@2, 250@4. So by having full power at 1 and 2 ohm, you kinda get a bonus.

[@alconyers2003]

@@JasonWW2000 alpine been doin that since the pdx models back in like 2006

[@misterhat5823]

I disagree. I see quality parts instead of the one-hung-lo capacitors in this amp. It won't die in a year or two like your "price competitive" amp.

[@DustmanDiagnostics]

I really like those mid-week surprises, if they're a bit sporadic, that's cool, keeps you guessing. How's the Welsh Audio line up doing? Any plans for a 4 channel, maybe 6 channel for those 3 way active front stages (Hint, hint) Have a great week brother!

[@stereomojo]

lol, thanks Dustin! The WA-2K is doing good. I’ve sold 30 so far. There’s no solid plans for any other models just yet. I’ll do the mid-week videos as much as I can.

[@BassFace1776]

I love thes and the M500s. You cand find them for $50-60 used and they sre reliable as hell.

[@stereomojo]

Quality amps for sure

[@Stoneman1971]

Algorithm comment 👍

[@stereomojo]

Thanks!

[@dirt_ripper8734]

Out and about on my mobile device, but I wasn't missing a Stereo Mojo vid. Nice amp, and great looking amp, but.... If I had to choose, I'd choose the Pioneer simply because I run Pioneer in my wife's 4runner with great results. When My son and grandson aren't running Stinger ( nice little amps also ) they run Pioneer as well. Now if I had throw away money, I'd run Kenwood because they were the very first brand that I started out with in the 80s in my 77 Trans Am along with JBL. 😉 plus that Kenwood SQ 😋

[@stereomojo]

lol, thanks DR! Yes, all of that is good equipment. I like the Pioneer 871/8701 better, but this is a nice amp for sure!

[@dirt_ripper8734]

@@stereomojo a little aftermarket bass knob and this amp would be in business. Bet it sounds nice too.

[@onesikm3]

Dude this is legit! What are the odds that my neighbor today said to me here you want this and a moment before handing it off to me he tossed it on the ground from two feet above 😂 I’m hoping it still fires up and I’m going to push it at 1ohm

[@stereomojo]

@@onesikm3 cool! Let me know how it does at 1 ohm

[@jimmybarrett-sw8vt]

Been to Cullman Alabama a few times racing RC cars at a event called AMS

[@stereomojo]

That’s cool! Was it indoors at the AG Center?

[@jimmybarrett-sw8vt]

@@stereomojo yes sir

[@stereomojo]

@@jimmybarrett-sw8vt that’s awesome! It’s fun to go watch those cars

[@onesikm3]

Interested in a b74 team associated kit with very low mileage lol ? Ready to run I used to work at an rc shop for many years and need to let go of my toys now just saw your comment and I thought I could mention it 😊

[@thatguykai479]

Love grabbing these puppies used looking at half the price can’t beat 60-80$ only issue lik someone else said 1 ohm stable

[@KinderStudio-oz6px]

Do you prefer this or the MRV M500 given the difference in price point?

[@JasonWW2000]

I like these quality amps. Did it say damping factor over 1,000 ? I know that the damping factor isn't really relevant, but dang. You don't see specs like that for most amps. I bet it's got that tight, dynamic, controlled sound that I prefer. I've got an R-A90S 6 channel that I haven't listened to yet. It also has some impressive build quality. They seem to be aimed more at the SQ customer without being crazy expensive.

[@JasonWW2000]

Man, those specs look great. High signal to noise ratio, low distortion, frequency response down to 10hz. I'm always impressed with Alpine. I ran their W200 double DIN headunit from 2007 to 2021. I'm still using their H700 dsp from 2003. Great stuff.

[@stereomojo]

Yes, I believe you’re getting some high quality with this one. It’s pricey for the output, but sometimes it worth it to pay more. I sure would like to try the new model.

[@cbush254]

I had that amp. Only lasted about 3 months before it died.

[@beemackin2316]

Nice 1

[@stereomojo]

Thanks Bee!

[@mikeallen7349]

Will you please test a kicker CXA 1200.1D there's a lot of people with these amps and there's not a good video of them at all!

[@stereomojo]

thanks for the suggestion! That’s one that I would love to do. The price is the only reason I haven’t done it already. I don’t mind buying it, but I’m just worried about how much I might lose when I sell it. I’ll keep it on my radar though. Thanks!

[@mikeallen7349]

@@stereomojo well I know I've had about 5 or 6 of them in the past idk if you can get a discount from someone you know maybe but I know for a fact you can recover at least 250 to 275 in New condition on marketplace

[@pumapunkudevelopment3376]

Will it not be stable at 1ohm?

[@JasonWW2000]

The S2 version of this amp is 1 ohm stable. Not this one.

[@stereomojo]

I didn’t try it. Didn’t want to risk damaging it.

[@sholtodepuma]

It's in the middle of the road really, 1 ohm, Clip light and bass knob and it'd be nice considering the power and the build quality. Not really surprised they aren't made in Japan anymore but its a shame. Japan really showed the world what build quality was with the Technics SL1200

[@JasonWW2000]

You can get the 1 ohm ability and bass knob for a little extra money. No go on the clip light, though. I think the people buying these amps are not bassheads. They are regular people and will probably never max out it's capabilities. It's more about the quality, than it is the quantity.

[@sholtodepuma]

@@JasonWW2000 Absolutely, Seems like a solid amp for a customer looking for a small bass upgrade

[@JasonWW2000]

@sholtodepuma Did you see the specs? A high signal-to-noise ratio, low distortion and a frequency response down to 10 Hz. Not to mention a damping factor of over a 1,000. Man, that's impressive.

[@sholtodepuma]

@@JasonWW2000 I didn't look closely no. I've had a few Alpine bits in the past and they've always been top notch, Rockin the type Rs as I type 👌

[@stereomojo]

Yeah, I agree. The new model is over $200 I think. Maybe I can do that one too.

[@abruptlyblunt]

the quality between alpine and pioneer is relatively equal as is the 2 ohm rating, to me personally running an amp in a vehicle at 1 ohm is stupid, it runs an amp at it's worst efficiency and highest temperature, so which ever amp has the best efficiency and runs the coolest is the best amp to run.....

[@anthonydunn4613]

please get back 2 me for the show please i in Tn

[@stereomojo]

Hey Anthony, how far are you from Cullman, Alabama?

[@anthonydunn4613]

@stereomojo I'm in Knoxville TN so probably 4hr or so

[@stereomojo]

@@anthonydunn4613 that’s a pretty good ride. This will not be anything like the XS Power show. It’ll be much smaller.

[@anthonydunn4613]

@stereomojo ya but I like smaller shows with me in a wheelchair ♿️ I get wore out easily I use to do big Nopi shows in Atlanta in 2005 but not now . I got in a low rider mag then

[@stereomojo]

@@anthonydunn4613 oh wow, that’s cool!

[@bennyblanco14]

Alpine is weird ... on most amplifiers are rated more then actual rms and then there are many that are rated at 10% THD which is weird

[@stereomojo]

I wanna try that new 1 ohm model

[@JasonWW2000]

I always thought they met or exceeded their ratings. Maybe the non standard amps have the weird ratings? I know their new dsp amp the OPTIM8 has very weird power ratings at 10% thd.

[@d77543020]

What is everyone's obsession with Tiffany style rcas other than looks they have no benefit

[@stereomojo]

@@d77543020 that’s the reason. They’re locked in tighter, so their chances of coming loose on the board is less. I like them and prefer them. Why not?

[@Luminous.Dynamics]

Theyre better in every way