Need a poweramp!

bellis1 · #1 09-03-2010, 11:21 AM

So i'm in a bad spot. I've got a guy coming to buy my ONLY head this week. He's also buying my back up cabinet, so with those two purchases- i'll have about $900 in my hand. I have decided on getting the SWR MM Preamp (for $899 [unless any of you know where i can find one used]) and I have about $300-$400 in my bank account. I'm looking for a LIGHTWEIGHT, reliable poweramp (1k watts and up) for around that price.

ANYBODY!?!?! (Craigslist postings, Ebay auctions, classifieds on here, personal sales, new ones, anything. I need to know something soon!!)
Please help!

JackANSI · #2 09-03-2010, 11:24 AM

I know people love to bash them on theory/second hand knowledge, but I can find no fault in personal practice with a Behringer EPX3000.

Just open the thing up and remove the "filter" if you're going to be playing in smokey bars. That thing gets clogged with tar/nastiness in about 20 hours of use and causes the amp to act funny when you start pushing it..

I'd put an EPX3000 against any other amp twice the price, anywhere, anytime..

CharlieC · #3 09-03-2010, 11:25 AM

Your search is over!

Crown XLS 1000 ... I use it myself

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Amp?sku=485459

bellis1 · #4 09-03-2010, 11:29 AM

@ CharlieC - I was looking at those, but I need something 1000 watts and up. I saw where you can bridge the xls's and get 1100 watts but I talked to a local DJ and he said "I highly recommend not bridging. It's dangerous."

CharlieC · #5 09-03-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis1

@ CharlieC - I was looking at those, but I need something 1000 watts and up. I saw where you can bridge the xls's and get 1100 watts but I talked to a local DJ and he said "I highly recommend not bridging. It's dangerous."

There is nothing dangerous or wrong with bridging, most bass players bridge to get the most power for their single speaker/s load.

Crown XLS 1000, all the way!

Plenty of power, dead-quiet fan, runs cool all night long, fits shallow-depth racks, and weighs 8-pounds.

... or get the XLS 1500 for $399

There currently is 10% off sale there at MF, plus free shipping + no state tax

Good luck!

CrUiSeR · #6 09-03-2010, 11:36 AM

Pm coming your way soon

bellis1 · #7 09-03-2010, 11:40 AM

If I decided to bridge the xls, I would switch the BRIDGE mode, on the amp, and then run a cable from the bridge output (positive or negative?) into the input of my cabinet?

If this is not correct, please let me know. thanks.

CharlieC · #8 09-03-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis1

If I decided to bridge the xls, I would switch the BRIDGE mode, on the amp, and then run a cable from the bridge output (positive or negative?) into the input of my cabinet?

If this is not correct, please let me know. thanks.

The owners manual that comes with the XLS tells you exactly how to wire it when set to Bridge-Mono mode.

Basically, it's take the "+" feed for your speaker load from Chan-1's "+" terminal and then take the "-" feed for your speaker load from Chan-2's "+" terminal, or use a correctly-wired Speakon cable to do the exact same thing (like I do.)

bellis1 · #9 09-03-2010, 11:49 AM

Where do you get "correctly wired" speakons? Do I just go to a music store and ask "Can I get a Speakon wired for bridge mode?" One more thing -

I can biamp my cabinet (SWR 810) so therefor, there are two inputs. Do I need just ONE cable to bridge the amp? Or do I need two separate cables? I'm sorry, i'm just trying to understand.

CharlieC · #10 09-03-2010, 12:05 PM

Most quality Speakon cables have 4-conductor, "NL4" plugs on both ends. This is the only type you can modify for "bridging use". The budget cables with "NL2" plugs on the ends can not be used for this purpose.

Basically, you modify ONLY ONE of the NL4 ends, using a little screwdriver, by moving the wire from PIN "-1" to PIN "+2" as marked inside the plug, and then you are done. You should then mark this end of the cable as "AMP" since this plug MUST go to the amp side.

Do not do this yourself if you are uncomfortable. Take it to a music shop or to a gear nerd and they will do it for you at little or no cost, but bring the owners manual along to show them what exactly you want to do.

CharlieC · #11 09-03-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis1

I can biamp my cabinet (SWR 810) so therefor, there are two inputs. Do I need just ONE cable to bridge the amp? Or do I need two separate cables? I'm sorry, i'm just trying to understand.

Sorry, no idea, I'm an Ampeg guy :-)

Maybe someone else can help? or just call SWR.

JackANSI · #12 09-03-2010, 12:11 PM

You're going to find the power output of the XLS1000 and 1500 incredibly anemic for use with bass (live) unless your cab is crazy efficient or you play at really low volumes..

bellis1 · #13 09-03-2010, 12:14 PM

@JackANSI - :/ What poweramp do you use? And do you have any recommendations for something along the lines of what I need? (See posting)

bellis1 · #14 09-03-2010, 12:15 PM

Oops. Sorry, just saw your posting earlier. Behringer. Gotcha.

CrUiSeR · #15 09-03-2010, 12:17 PM

Cool
good luck
don't skimp on your power!

CharlieC · #16 09-03-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackANSI

You're going to find the power output of the XLS1000 and 1500 incredibly anemic for use with bass (live) unless your cab is crazy efficient or you play at really low volumes..

I play high-volume rock and my XLS 1000 drives the 4-ohm load of my 2 Ampeg PN-410HLF cabs and shakes the ground without breaking a sweat.

If that's anemic, then I'll take it! :-)

superbob67 · #17 09-03-2010, 12:21 PM

I've been using a Crown XLS 1500 (1500 watts) for about two months now. I absolutely love it! Only 8.5 lbs!

superbob67 · #18 09-03-2010, 12:22 PM

And incidentally, I'm pushing an Ashdown 8x10 or 4X10 depending on the size of the venue with the Crown XLS 1500 (Bridged). I've had NO problems having PLENTY of power and we play LOUD!! Who ever the DJ was who told you that "bridging was dangerous" hasn't been around very long.

interstatejoe · #19 09-03-2010, 12:40 PM

That DJ doesn't really know what he's talking about. If you can follow simple directions and use correct, good cables you're fine running bridged. I'm running my QSC RMX850 bridged into either my Ampeg 810E or Warwick 411PRO and I can shake doors, walls, floors etc. with no problems whatsoever.

Alex1984 · #20 09-03-2010, 12:51 PM

Man...you just missed this: FS: Marcus Miller MM2 Preamp $400 shipped CONUS

Don't skimp on power. If lightweight wasn't a requirement I would've said QSC RMX or Crest CA. But the PLX from QSC is nice too. Other candidates: Crown, Stewart World, and possibly even Peavey (though my experience with the CS800 wasn't too great).