Alpine PDX-V9

Name: Alpine PDX-V9
Brand: Alpine

A high-efficiency 5-channel Class-D car amplifier built for precision audio and good thermal performance

Overview

The Alpine PDX-V9 is a 5-channel car amplifier. It puts out 100 watts RMS to each of four channels and 500 watts RMS to a dedicated mono subwoofer channel. Alpine built it around thermal management, discrete pre-amp circuitry and a 6-layer glass epoxy PCB. It belongs to Alpine's PDX series, which won the 2010 CES Innovations award.

Specifications

Power output	100 watts RMS x 4 + 500 watts RMS x 1
Amplifier Type	Class-D (Digital)
Channel Design	4-channel + 1-channel (Mono)
Power Supply Design	DC-DC PWM Power Supply
Pre-Amp Stage	Discrete
Final Outputs	MOSFET
Crossover	Variable High Pass, Low Pass and Band Pass Filter
Gain Control	Continuously Adjustable Gain Control
Subsonic Filter	Variable Subsonic Filter
Bass Control	Remote Bass Control (RUX-KNOB) Ready
Low-battery Protection	Low-battery Protection
Low-impedance Possibility	Low-impedance Possibility
Current Protection	Over-Current, Over-Voltage and Thermal Protection
Board Circuitry	S.T.A.R. Circuit
Board Design	6-layer Glass Epoxy PC Board
Power Indicator	Top Mounted LED Power/Status Indicator
Input Channel Mode Setting (CH1/2 & CH3/4)	Input Channel Mode Setting (CH1/2 & CH3/4)
Input Channel Mode Setting (Subwoofer)	Input Channel Mode Setting (Subwoofer)
Thermal Control	Thermal Management Control
Frequency Response (4-channel)	5Hz-100kHz (+0,-3dB)
Frequency Response (Mono)	5Hz-400Hz (+0,-3dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) @ 1W	<0.005%
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) @ rated power	<0.05%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio @ 1W	95dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio at rated power	122dB
Damping Factor (4-channel)	>500
Damping Factor (subwoofer)	>1000
Total system efficiency	~80%
Power supply efficiency	>90%
Output stage efficiency	>90%
Impedance stability	Stable at low impedances and capable of rated power from 2 to 4 ohms for all models.
Thickness	2” thick
Speaker terminals	Accept up to 8GA wiring
Power connector	Accepts up to 4GA wire

Design

The PDX-V9 comes from a completely re-engineered amplifier series aimed at performance, sound quality and reliability. A Power Management Processor monitors voltage, temperature and output to optimize operation. A stacking system lets you pack units tightly, with the heatsinks coupled directly so they share cooling. The trim ring comes off for custom painting. The power connector is new, removable, low-loss and high-current, and the speaker terminals use a quick-disconnect design.

Context

The Alpine PDX Series received the 2010 CES Innovations honors award. The PDX-V9 is described as synonymous with extremely high resolution and detail, and professionals regard the PDX series as the top choice among digital amplifiers.

Market

The PDX-V9 turns up on the secondary market. One listing showed a price of $999.95, likely reflecting retail value with warranty. One unit from 2016 showed wear on an internal ribbon cable, and the suggested fix is better cable routing for clearance. Users report long-term reliability, and one owner says they ran three units with zero problems.