Quality of 1000w BIAMP (the brand), Made in USA

[FunkyScoundrel]

I recently scored an old Biamp stereo/parallel power amp. It has two huge knobs on the front and a little American flag printed on it, made in USA (with obvious pride) and is not the Seymour Duncan product. I haven't yet turned it on because I'm going to go through it with computer duster and contact cleaner. I am hoping "Made in USA" doesn't just mean "assembled in USA." Can anyone give me any insight as to the sound quality and construction of this amp?

[bassbrad]

Biamp was a good quality sound reinforcement company in the 80's thru mid 90's, quality was a bit better than Peavey but not in the realm of Crown, BGW or Crest.

[will33]

I have an biamp 6 channel mixer that's gotta be 30 years old or better. Big 1-10 numbered knobs like are on old fender amps. I've never so much as cleaned it and every last little thing on it still works to this day, including the VU meter. It has a real spring reverb that actually sounds pretty good too, better than the built-in digital jobs on todays small mixers. It does get some feedback if you turn it up high, maybe could use some shielding in there somewhere but it's sound and reliability are good.

That and an old boat anchor CS800 was my "pa system" for a time. May have originally been sold with whatever poweramp you got.

That's my experience with biamp....still got it....still works.

[edbass]

Biamp was the next company for Conrad Sundholm after he sold the original Sunn company in 1971. I think it was founded in 1976; there may have been a 5 year non-compete in place but I don't know about that for sure.

It’s still in existence (Biamp Professional Audio Systems), and I believe still manufactures in Oregon, but for the last decade or so it’s specialized in commercial grade high tech AV control devices/amplifiers rather than consumer based sound reinforcement gear.
Somewhat similar to what California built Stewart Audio did a few years ago, I would imagine in response to the price competition from major SR amp manufacturers going to Asia with their production. But, like my “non-compete” theory also purely speculation on my part.

[FunkyScoundrel]

Right on. Thanks for the info guys. I'll fire it up tomorrow after I make the speaker cable and let you all know what I've got.