QSC PLX 1804 as alternative to Crown Macrotech 1200

[fp_elite]

I've been playing a preamp/power amp rig for about 2 years now, and it sounds great for my music.

Sansamp RPM w/DBX 160 A in the FX loop -> Crown Macrotech 1200 -> Acme B2 2x10 & Bergantino 2x10.

Problem is, lifting the Crown is killing my back. I see a lot of QSC PLX 1804s in peoples' rigs here. Will I lose anything in sound quality if I switch to the QSC?

For comparison, I just picked up an SWR Amplite. With the RPM -> Amplite -> Acme cab, I noticed nasty digital grunge on a transient like a hard pop on the A string. I had the preamp/power amp gain dialed in to a good balance, and volume was loud, but not earth-shaking. Amplite LEDs never went above 0dB but it felt like I was at the max clean output.

Same volume/transients, Crown didn't hiccup, and had headroom to spare.

Is the QSC closer to the Crown or the Amplite in terms of headroom with the Acme cab? I know Acme has a rep as a power hog.

[walterw]

the SWR site was annoyingly vague about the amplite; it's "400 watts", but at what? 4Ω? 2Ω?

were you running the crown bridged? using one side? one side per cab? the crown specs say 480w at 4Ω per side. if the cabs are 8Ω each and you're running one per side, you're getting a good 300w per cab.

the 1804 specs at 800w/4Ω per side, a whole different ballgame.

[fp_elite]

Amplite specs from the manual: "400 watts at 4Ω" - no thd or anything to give it context.
My cabs are 8Ω ea, with the Crown running one side per cab, not bridged.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by fp_elite

With the RPM -> Amplite -> Acme cab, I noticed nasty digital grunge on a transient like a hard pop on the A string.

Just FTR, it wasn't digital, though I get you probably meant it sounded that way. Most solid-state amps, unless they are specifically designed to sound good when clipping, will have nasty harsh clipping. So the issue doesn't inherently translate over to other ultralight power amps. You have to take them on a case-by-case basis.

[fp_elite]

Yeah, I meant "digital-sounding" grunge when it clips. In any case, Amplite seems under-powered for my needs. How does the QSC deal with clipping?

Also, can anyone compare the sound of the QSC vs the Macrotech?

[punchclock]

I use a Yamaha pb-1 into a qsc plx 1604 into (2) TL-606 cabs (1x15). sound is clean. I dig it. plenty of power. speakers fart before the amp clips for me.

[walterw]

Again, that QSC has almost twice the power of the crown; it should be no contest. (especially when you lift the QSC for the first time!)

[fp_elite]

I'm ordering the QSC now, so I should be able to play through it in about a week. I'll post again after that.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by fp_elite

I'm ordering the QSC now, so I should be able to play through it in about a week. I'll post again after that.

Might want to check the TB classifieds first. There was a smokin' deal on an 1804 a week or two back.