Crest Audio CA 6

Pupiit · #1 08-13-2010, 09:52 AM

I currently own a Crest Audio CA 6, but I'm wondering if there's a better deal for the money it's worth out there. I'm running it into two speaker cabinets from the 70's, which both have a 10" speaker, and multiple tweeters, and an 18" sub from the 90's. My issue is that the Crest is too powerful for the speakers I have now. I did get the Crest for free, which is nice.

I'm a teenager, in the southeast US, and I'm finding it difficult to find a job, in the present economy, and I would like to play in a band.

I'm wondering if I would be getting a better value for the Crest by selling it, and getting a different setup. Presumably, it's value will drop, so I think i'd be getting a better deal out of it by selling it now.

I'm looking at either a GK Blackline 600 + Goldline 410 combo ($700 on Musician's Friend) or a Peavey Tour 450 and a 410, which I haven't decided on. ALso, how much could I get for the Crest? It's in mint condition, and costs $1200 new.

Opinions?

Thanks!

INTP · #2 08-13-2010, 11:17 AM

I bought a CA6 many years ago and was surprised that they're now asking that much new. It surprises me that they'd sell that many because there are so many less expensive offerings out there. I have no idea what you'd be able to get for a used one, but I doubt it's anywhere near the new asking price.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with mine, after all these years. The only drawback I see is that it's 1) deep, and 2) heavy.

Zooberwerx · #3 08-13-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pupiit

I currently own a Crest Audio CA 6, but I'm wondering if there's a better deal for the money it's worth out there. I'm running it into two speaker cabinets from the 70's, which both have a 10" speaker, and multiple tweeters, and an 18" sub from the 90's. My issue is that the Crest is too powerful for the speakers I have now. I did get the Crest for free, which is nice.

I'm a teenager, in the southeast US, and I'm finding it difficult to find a job, in the present economy, and I would like to play in a band.

I'm wondering if I would be getting a better value for the Crest by selling it, and getting a different setup. Presumably, it's value will drop, so I think i'd be getting a better deal out of it by selling it now.

I'm looking at either a GK Blackline 600 + Goldline 410 combo ($700 on Musician's Friend) or a Peavey Tour 450 and a 410, which I haven't decided on. ALso, how much could I get for the Crest? It's in mint condition, and costs $1200 new.

Opinions?

Thanks!

Since it was free, I'd hold onto it as a backup if nothing else. They're workhorses fer sure. Too much power? Eh, that's why you have attenuators and volume control(s). The CA-6 will come in handy if you upgrade your speaker setup to something like two 2 X 10 cabs (which is a vast improvement over the 1 X 18!). JOOC, what are you using for a pre?

Riis

Pupiit · #4 08-13-2010, 11:52 AM

I've got a cheap 100$ mixer from Radioshack, that has a 7 band EQ, and a pre switch.

Zooberwerx · #5 08-13-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pupiit

I've got a cheap 100$ mixer from Radioshack, that has a 7 band EQ, and a pre switch.

If I were you, I'd save my pennies and build a rig around the CA-6. You can find some really nice SS pre's for $150-200 (used) and a couple of decent 2 X 10's in the $400-$700 range. Sell your existing speakers and you'll end up with a pretty impressive gig-worthy rig.

Riis

raytsmith · #6 08-13-2010, 02:01 PM

If it were me, I'd keep the Crest. Used ones go on eBay for around 450-550, and you are unlikely to get anything better for that price.

If you don't like the weight, or want a more smaller, more convenient rig, that would be a good reason to switch, but thats about it.

CA amps have never given me a minute of trouble, you will probably never need more amp as your rig grows, and you can easily switch out preamps for different sounds as your playing career changes.

Having more power than you need is a good thing- more headroom, less distortion, and longer amp life because it doesn't run as hard.

Pupiit · #7 08-13-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

If I were you, I'd save my pennies and build a rig around the CA-6. You can find some really nice SS pre's for $150-200 (used) and a couple of decent 2 X 10's in the $400-$700 range. Sell your existing speakers and you'll end up with a pretty impressive gig-worthy rig.

Riis

Thanks. Between this and the other posts, it looks like the best thing to do is going to be to keep the Crest. What (used) preamps would you recommend? Also, most 210s and 410s have 1/4" inputs on them. The crest uses raw speaker wire, is it possible to solder the raw wire onto 1/4" jacks?

Thanks.

jazzblade · #8 08-13-2010, 02:33 PM

Yea I would save that AMP and work around it like the others said. Its a beast that should give you all the power you need for a long time. Heavy as Fxxx though.

As for preamp lots to look at, like a Tech 21 SansAmp products.

You can get bare wire to phone jack cables or buy a speaker cable and cut off one end and strip it. Just make sure that the HOT + wire goes to the TIP of the jack, ground goes to -

BassmanPaul · #9 08-13-2010, 02:47 PM

Go to Radio Shack and buy a dual banana plug. You can make a good cable from 16Gauge Heater cord from Home Depot or any other home reno store. The banana will plug right into the Crests output terminals.

Paul

Zooberwerx · #10 08-13-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pupiit

Thanks. Between this and the other posts, it looks like the best thing to do is going to be to keep the Crest. What (used) preamps would you recommend? Also, most 210s and 410s have 1/4" inputs on them. The crest uses raw speaker wire, is it possible to solder the raw wire onto 1/4" jacks?

Thanks.

As far as preamps go, consider (used) SansAmp RBI / RPM, BBE, Yamaha PB-1...just follow the classifieds and the right deal will appear eventually. Personally, I'd go with a SansAmp as its more of a "known" entity.

If you're stuck using enclosures with only 1/4 input jacks, strip the amp end of the speaker cable and install banana plugs. They're like $2 each and easy to use. Or you can strip the insulation and use the binding posts to clamp them in place. It'l work fine either way...just watch your + / -'s.

Riis

lo-freq · #11 08-13-2010, 06:27 PM

Yamaha PB-1 is a great-sounding preamp with a good DI and boatloads of gain that can be found used for decent prices.
I gig with one regularly and recommend it highly.

Past gear I've used include a Demeter VTBP-201S preamp and an EA iAmp-600 head, along with brief encounters (1 or 2 gigs) with a Demeter HBP-1 and Kern IP-777 preamps, so I have an idea of what good bass gear sounds like.