System on a Tight Budget

Just a warning for you guys out there on this one.  Pimpin, your post made it sound like there was more power for him to get out of the gain... like it was a volume control.  This is an incorrect version of what gain is.  If your friend set his gain correctly it IS delivering FULL POWER at 1/8.

See the gain page at http://www.bcae1.com/

"Contrary to popular belief, an amplifiers gain control does not determine the maximum power that an amplifier can produce. As long as the preamp/drive signal has sufficient level, the amplifier will produce its maximum power output level. The gain controls are used to match the amplifer's gain to the gain of the other amplifiers in the system (in the case of a multi-amp system). The gain controls also allow you to match the amplifier(s) to the head unit."

"You should remember:

I agree that the Cadence is the better amp here.  It is surely cleaner.  However, it is surely not more efficient.  The Cadence information says it is a class A amplifier.  Class A amplifiers are very inefficient.  The Xtant and Kenwood are class D amplifiers.  Class D amplifiers have higher levels of distortion than class A and most A/B, but are FAR MORE efficient.

So, not to argue, but while the Cadence is the cleanest, it is the LEAST efficient.

i thought this kid was trying to save money while he was putting this system together, but almost everyone thats posted has told him to do what they want personally, not in his best intrest. my first post in which i suggested to keep the amp he already has and get two kicker comps 12's (only $90 each, or 10's for $79) is wise because it utilizies his current equipment and leaves lots of room in his $400 budget (about $220) for a nice set of interrior speakers, and a well built speaker box. the KX200.2 is enough to push the Comps right now, but the subs still leave room to upgrade to a different amp, maybe a KX400.1 class d monoblock, and use the 200.2 for a set of seperates, while he could still move the location of the coaxils he bought with the left over money to the rear. this would save this poor kid from buying two new amps, getting a mediocore pair of  coaxils that he will just junk in time to buy better ones, and in the end result in a great sounding system. i don't know if any of you actually work in the car audio business, but if you do and you can learn to sell to your customers in that manner, you will see the return. just a tip.