Howdy all,

I have long tinkered with the idea of replacing my SS PN4.1000d in my fairing with an Arc Moto 600.4 to regain some FM reception and space under the hood. With the size of the SS sitting on my stock head unit and all the other junk I've got in there it is just plain full. If I could downsize that amp I might have enough space to fit an iPod module in there some day. For now the stock head unit is going to stay.

I would like some opinions of sound quality and just plain raw power comparison between these two amps. My only complaint with the SS is its size and interference with FM reception. With the Arc PSM feeding the amp I am pleased with the sound quality of the SS. It is built like a tank and has never let me down. I have no need for more volume from my four front speakers that it powers (WDX6 Motos in the fairing and Mmats 601.4s in the lowers). I seem to recall hearing from Gannicus one time that he found the SS to have a little more grunt that the Arc 600.4 but I could be mistaken. Also if anyone knows whether or not the Arc is really kinder to FM than the SS is that would be good info to have as well. I seem to recall reading a post somewhere that someone had some reception issues with the Arc amp also.

I guess this possible swap is something I would like to do if I knew I wouldn't lose any sound quality or volume and would regain some FM reception. If someone has done the swap and not noticed any difference in FM reception then I just cannot justify spending the money. That Arc amp is crazy expensive for no more power than it puts out. If someone knows from experience that it is a noticeably better amp than the SS then I might give it a try.

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions.

 

Going from the SS amp to the ArcMoto you will regain some of the FM signal but with any class D amp you will get a degraded FM signal it is just the nature of the beast with the class D switching inside the amps.

 

To me the ARC amp sounds drastically better than the soundstream. Dont know about the fm reception. I have one of both amps and they are test mules. Every time, the Arc sound better to me.
m

 

Thanks for that info y'all. With the DSP in play do you think the sound quality difference will be as noticeable?

 

Have you ever considered a stinger spx 700.4? I had no fm problems when I ran it. SQ is solid too.

 

 

I've never run the SS amp so I can't give a comparison. I have run the Arc Moto 600 with no issues. I get FM reception where i live without any antenna on my bike at all. To put in proper perspective, I don't listen to FM much though, usually a usb stick or steam.

 

And there u have it. FM is just a shix source of tunes for anyone trying to go next level audio. I get that some folks just like to let the FM radio do it's thing but when ur investing all this time and energy into quality audio, FM is like kissing ur sister. It's just fuxxing wrong.

Luv,
T.

 

 

I don't always care about the "best" audio quality. For goodness sakes I still ride a Shovelhead, this thing is a motorcycle first and foremost, not a sound system to show off to my friends. There are several stations that I like to listen to because of their content, not their sound quality. I also still use the weather band from time to time.

I can also connect my phone as well but just don't like fooling with it that much. I appreciate the mention of the stinger amp but I haven't seen many reviews about it's FM kindness so far. I have also heard that the Rushmore head units are not as susceptible to interference as my old HK unit is. Is this correct?

Thanks for all the replies folks, I appreciate the guidance y'all have given me over the past year or so.