Poweramp experts chime in: Used Crest CA9 or Qsc RMX

BiigM · #1 08-25-2010, 08:09 AM

Hi.

I'm getting a poweramp to pare with my demeter vtb-201s.

I have an offer to buy a used crest CA9 for 960$

A new Qsc Rmx 2450 will cost me 790$

A new Qsc Rmx 1850HD will cost me 815$

Which should I get?

Thx :-)

Fuzzbass · #2 08-25-2010, 08:17 AM

They're all good amps, but the Crest is the king of that bunch... you'll pay more, but it'll be worth it.

That said, you might not need all that power. It would help to know what kind of speaker cabinets you have (including impedance), and how loud you think you'll need to get: does your bass go through a PA, or will your rig need to fill the club?

BiigM · #3 08-25-2010, 08:22 AM

You can see my gear in my sig. :-)

I will be using the NV412 the most. I usually use my DB750.
And I play rather loud. I play gigs with PA and without. But I'm usually around the same level on the amp either way. Festival gigs to clubs. almost always around the same level :-)

Plstrns · #4 08-25-2010, 08:25 AM

The CA9 is great, but it's a real back breaker. It should also retain it's value better.

BiigM · #5 08-25-2010, 08:32 AM

the rmx'es are 44.5 pounds, the CA9 is 47 pounds. so difference is not that big. And I'm use to the db750 which is around there too :-)

By the way, the CA9 I'm looking at has speakons too :-)

So everone is for the used CA9?

Kael · #6 08-25-2010, 08:40 AM

Aside from the Crown MA 2402 power amp, the Crest CA9 stands at the top of the lead sled power amp list. If you don't mind carting the weight, you won't ever regret it.

Plstrns · #7 08-25-2010, 08:42 AM

Sorry, I was thinking it was in the 60# range.

BiigM · #8 08-25-2010, 09:21 AM

Any more opinions on this?

There's offcourse the risk of buying used from another country even though the seeler has impeccable ratings. And the fact that the qsc would have a warranty.

I'm a bit torn as you can hear :-)

mrpackerguy · #9 08-25-2010, 11:54 AM

That's a lot of $$ for a CA-9. I've run both the CA-9 and the QSC RMX. CA-9 wins hands down. It's like they made it for bass usage. Really a powerful workhorse. You might do better to hold out here for one, but neing in Denmark, might not be a reasonable option to hold out here for one.

BiigM · #10 08-25-2010, 11:56 AM

The prices between the states and Denmark are not comparable. It would at least double the money from new :-)

Jim Carr · #11 08-25-2010, 01:03 PM

I think either amp is a great choice. Are you certain you need all that power? I got a CA6 and found it to be a bit of overkill, though one might easily fall in love with such oceanic power!

My CA6 has never run out of power while driving my "big rig," a 610 Epifani setup (4 ohm UL1 410 + 8 ohm UL1 210). I have never needed to bridge it, though I have done so just to try it.

Yes, the CA9 is more power (for the same weight), but honestly I doubt you would notice much difference between them for bass.

For me, if I am using a single cabinet (small rig) with the CA6, I use only one channel. This has often been useful because the unused channel can be repurposed for running monitors, acting as a spare if the keyboard players amp dies, etc.

The QSC rmx series quality and performance are comparable to the Crest, so don't think you can go wrong. BTW, the prices (in Denmark) that you have found seem OK, though you probably would be sad to learn what I paid for my 12 year-old CA6 (~$540).

Small rig and big rig: