sundownz

More SAE-1000D abuse today. I played it for about an hour straight today on Bass Mekanik hooked up to the Nightshade at 1 ohm nominal (~0.7 DCR)... started on 20 Hz - 60 Hz on tones (40 full tone tracks) then played most of the music tracks on the CD. The SAE-1000D was incredibly hot... and the motor on the Nightshade was actually quite warm after this test session. I was really quite suprised the little amp was able to warm up the Nightshade. I cranked the gain on the SAE-1000D wide open and set my head unit (JVC KD-AR8500) to maximum unclipped volume for the testing. So the amp was most likely clipped significantly but still held on for an hour. It was VERY hot but never shut off... so... with a proper gain structure playing music and not sine waves, I cannot imagine having issues with this amp.

One more note... this proto is only about 60% "done" so to speak. The final version is already planned to have a few changes to the coil, cone, and soft parts to allow for more abuse / power handling.

I would compare it most closely to an FI Audio BTL from what I have experience with so far. This is pending further power testing to make sure it can handle similar power levels, which is the goal. If the proto fails to hold up as well as the BTL it will be re-designed... the intent of the Nightshade is to be a top tier SPL woofer that is at least listenable

Unfortunatly not. I'm pretty swamped getting the SAZ-3000D out at this time. It's near the top of the list after the SAZ-3000D and an as yet unannounced lower line subwoofer project. Rest assured, though, that I am working as hard as I can!

I need to take it back out of the car, I just had to test it!

Seriously, that rear view is on there good! I still can't believe mine actually pulled out a chunk of glass... the epoxy is still holding to that chunk of glass still stuck on the rearview as well. Your windshield seal flap is nuts. May need to resort to extreme measures to keep that sealed PS: You know I had to at least test it It was too massive to just let it sit around. Oh Yeah, I know. How much does it weigh again? Like 90lbs? I may have to come pick it up next week sometime, or just grab it at the show in Roanoke Rapids. I need to weigh it... the box said 55 pounds, but for some reason it feels heavier.

They are dual 2 ohm, roughly 1.5 ohms each on the DMM for DCR. So I was close to 0.7 DCR in parallel. I'll be doing more testing on the SAE-1000D to further verify stability. A 0.7 DCR load should present no issues as that is 1 ohm nominal, albeit on the lower side... but so far so good on testing With FOUR of them on one speaker I doubt they would even get very warm daily. Remember... 0.7 DCR... not nominal.

* There she is. This proto is totally chrome... production models will have the chromed basket but will have a black anodized top plate and back plate to match the black / silver / black color scheme of the SAX and SAZ amplifiers. * Big fat tinsels with "tie down" routing to prevent slap. * Nightshade vs. a TC9 based sample I am also working with on an unrelated project. The TC9 weighs around 35 pounds for reference. I hooked it up for the first time last night and knocked the rear view mirror off in my Civic using an SAE-1000D for power and a roughtly 4.4 ft^3 box tuned to 35 Hz (6 x 6" port).

For those interested... I started initial stress tests on the SAE-1000D proto. It is hooked up at a ~0.7 ohm DCR on the Nightshade 15" proto... actually knocked my rearview mirror off last night with this combo. My car has no engine right now but I rigged up two large batteries to the vehicle and my 60-amp bench power supply and went to town. I played Bass Mekanik for about 20 minutes and the part of the heatsink where the power supply transistors started to get warm but thats about it. I'd like to get more testing done on it, but it seems like it will do just fine provided it is not being clipped.

Seriously, that rear view is on there good! I still can't believe mine actually pulled out a chunk of glass... the epoxy is still holding to that chunk of glass still stuck on the rearview as well. Your windshield seal flap is nuts. May need to resort to extreme measures to keep that sealed PS: You know I had to at least test it It was too massive to just let it sit around.

Rich, Just now... I was testing stuff in the Civic (yes, with no engine). I have the SAE-1000D and the Nightshade 15" Proto hooked up and it knocked my rear-view mirror off. The glue didn't release... it pulled a hunk of glass out and fell off, also breaking the mirror since it fell on my shifter. Good times

I suggest using a DMM on a sine wave to find where it gets to the 5.5 - 6 volt area. Then set the gain on the amp at that volume level to a point where you know that is as loud as you will want it. That should prevent any problems.

They are made for a 6 volt input. Set the gain structure accordingly so you won't hit 8 volts on the HU and it'll be fine.

They are gains.

All Sundown remotes are gain knobs. Some companies do supply a bass boost knob, although that is usually limited to "bling" companies like MA Audio in my experience.

I am accepting payments now for those who want to get in now. You can wait to send your payment all the way until April 25th. I opened payment now since some guys seem to have trouble holding onto money and like to pay early, but you also have the option to wait and pay as late as the 25th. Payment can be made via Paypal (preferred) or money order to: Sundown Audio ATTN: SAE-1000D Pre-Order 151 Rebel Hill Dr Mooresville, NC 28115

I was looking at getting 4 of them and strapping them (pair per vc) on Fi Btl 15 Dual 2 ohm (1.4 dcr) sub woofer. The electrical system was going to be a 180 amp (at idle) irragi alt and 2 kinetik 1400 or 1800's. I'll get my proto back and beat the sense out of it and let you know how it does I don't expect that you would have any issue with four of them on a single BTL, but I'll make sure for you.

All of my Team guys have been great so far and I appreciate their hard work and dedication to the sport so I do what I can to back them up. That means you too

Hmmm... that isn't normal, so I would not continue to use that one.

A few things have been shuffled based on what I want to get out for Team Sundown SPL guys too It's a bit of a compromise between best sellers and stuff that will be popular in the lanes for my Team.

I did not know it was so far down the line. Aaron, Yah, I am trying to make priority based on what will sell better -- especially with my local dealer network. Unfortunatly the larger amps really aren't movers, especially a giant Class A/B amp. It looks like it got bumped down another notch... working on some other subwoofers with Stereo Integrity that may bump down a few other projects as well (no details right now, sorry guys). BUT, the SAZ-3000D still remains at the top over everything else. I'm waiting on the SAX-250.2 as well... I want 2 or 3 of them for the Civic front stage I'm working as hard as I can to get everything out as fast as possible... releases are going to start speeding up now that I am becoming more established so you may even see the SAX-250.2 in as little as a year.

Is 0.7 ohms the DC Resistance? If it is the DCR then I would expect them to do okay, if the DCR is any lower I would be concerned about protection and overheating as these amps are quite small in size. What subs are you running and have you measured them with a DMM to see the real DCR with speaker wire and whatnot? The discount stops at 225 dollars per amp, as is the price for two amps. As a fully shipped price that is incredibly low and won't be seen again anywhere after the pre-order sale. I will get one of my protos back from a friend in the next week or two (you have time to wait as the pre-order will still be running) and I will beat on it at a 0.7 ohm DCR and get back to you.

All authorized Sundown dealers will be able to get the SAE-1000D, including the SSA shop

Thanks Mike!

Not sure if my memory is correct, wasn't it manny? Yep, his is the only catastrophic failure that I have seen to date. lovin it. You deserve a trophy I think