Best car amps I had were the Zapco competition Z series if I remember they were white.
DLS Reference series was nice, AB class pleasure and power.
So here are the amps I have tried and have experience with:
JL RD400/4 - 4 Channel Class D amp 70W per channel RMS @ 4ohms ~ $329 USD
JL RD500/1 - Monoblock Class D 500W RMS @ 2ohms ~ $329 USD
Focal FDP 4.600 - 4 Channel Class D amp 150w per channel RMS @ 4 ohms ~$800-1000 USD
Mosconi Pro 4|10 - 4 Channel Class A/B Amp 120w per channel RMS @ 4 ohms ~ $1200 MSRP
Every single one of these amps is great. Some are just more expensive. They all do what they say and have some premium features that make them easier to install. I have found that getting a DSP makes more of a difference to your system then the amps do.
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I really enjoyed my PPI PC650 & PPI PC2150 amps way back in the day.
Another favorite was JL audio slash series.
- EM-Phaser EA2350 - insane control even in 1ohm stereo. Dual power supply and dual 60AMPS fuses required at least one big battery and a good alternator.
- STEG K series with selectable cut off external filters. The best sounding amps I have ever heard. Also the regulated power supply of these amps helped them to produce the amount of power rated without depending so much to voltage drop. Total stable even in 1ohm.
- DLS amps reference line was pretty sweet sounding and very reliable. But the old black models. DLS and generally the car audio scene is not like it was before 10 years.
- Old school Kicker, Rockford Fosqate and Soundstream.
But if I would pick one it will be definitely the Steg K series. I miss those amps. I think they are still making them.
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Those were THE amps. Couldn’t afford one back then, just listened to competitions and I remember one monoblock of the series driving a wall of 2 Digital Designs subwoofers 9515 series, maybe was reaching like 0.5ohm resistance, so much drive and current, so good amps…
Adcom 4404 and 4702 were just amazing.
Arc Audio SE with team modifications
Not much going on in car audio, looks like I have to post something 
Most impressive amp to me is the mosconi/gladen Pico 2ch. I’m using it to power my 10’ closed sub and it’s quite impressive how that tiny thing drives my sub
Back in the day for SQ it was the Precision Power Art series, Xtant, Zapco, Mac, Phoenix Gold and, some of the Soundstream amps (Nelson Pass designed). For SPL there was a ton of high power / high current stuff. Nowadays…I have no idea.
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I’m not that deep into all the brands but from what I researched when I setup my carstereo, Mosconi/Gladen had a good reputation in terms of quality amplification and audio equipment in generell… At least in Europe and it works pretty good for me
Audio AQ750 which is no longer available. The company switched over to Soundqubed and have a 850 but I don’t think it’s the same. The metal casing is similar though. It moved my Sundown Audio SA12v1 with ease without ever getting hot. Loved that little amp and did rated power.
I have only used Rockford Fosgate R2. This is the one I’operated bass level control. It has high level inputs for factory radio installation as well as rca jacks.ve had for years and it works great. it comes with ‘Punch Bass’ option and remotely.
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I’ve only loved Zapco Z series from decades ago. Not sure about the new stuff but those where hard to beat back then. The sound quality and power was amazing.
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The best Car Hi-Fi Power Amplifier can make all the difference in listening to music while driving. Not only does it provide more power and clarity to your favorite tracks, but it also improves the sound quality of the entire audio system in your car
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Welcome to HifiGuides! I’m not a car audio expert, but in my current system in my 4Runner and in the system I had in the truck before this, I used Rockford Fosgate power amps and I have been very happy with them. I also couldn’t agree more with what you said. 
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as a side jack…assuming you can manage the form factor difference from household audio equipment, how suitable or unsuitable is car audio gear for home use?
as JA says, welcome! and your wise insight in how the quality of the gear you buy for your auto audio is a big influence on how much you can / would / will enjoy your sound system.
it seems you have an interest in car audio…what is your vehicle and what have you installed in it?
For amps I highly enjoy Sundown Audio if it’s made in korea, not the chinese SFB models, or alpine PDX is also great as well.
I am not allowed to start a new thread, so I’ll just use this one! I had to write this because I have just recently discovered - or re-discovered, if you will - my car stereo!
My little Chevy Malibu is a great little commute car. It does everything I need it to do, including play tunes. Funny thing is, I NEVER have used the CD player. I always just flip on the radio, even though radio today completely sucks. And honestly, I feel like the radio portion of the rig is terrible. So, I usually just listen to ball games with it, along with the occasional stints on the classical station I like.
Well, yesterday I decided to actually bring a CD along with me to do the daily grind with. So, I got in the car, turned everything on, and inserted the CD, not knowing if the player would even work. It was a new CD that I just received. This one, actually
I was actually astounded by what came out of those speakers. This system sounds incredible! It has plenty of power, it’s got a full EQ set of tone control settings as well as manual (Bass, Mid and Treble), it’s got balance, a fader, a monochrome but very decent display in the dash - amazing for a stock unit. All this time I just figured this stereo was junk due to its poor radio performance, but there is much more to this OEM rig than meets the eye. What a great surprise! And what a difference it makes for the drive time when you have decent tunes to enjoy.