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Best power amp for pre/power rig

g4string

g4string

Gold Supporting Member
Sep 19, 2002
4,069
2,585
49
Melissa, TX
#1
After talking w/ Jim at Bergantino, I have decided to get rid of the QSC PLX 1604 and go with a more suited power amp for my rig. What would the "daddy" of all the power amps for a pre/power set up. I am looking at getting the same wattage as my QSC, just a different amp. Thanks guys!!
 
#7
I loved my QSC RMX850, but it wasn't enough to drive my two Acme Low B2s. I then bought a PLX 3402. While a very nice amp, I did not care for the sound when matched with my Kern preamp. No worries though, the PLX 3402 kicks butt in our PA. I then purchased a used Crest CA-9. Wow! Heavier than hell, but the sound I was seeking.
 
#11
I'm a PLX 1202/SVP-Pro/Whappo jr. user and it seems fine to me but, maybe I don't know what I'm missing. Crown Macro Tech is probably the "led sled" with the highest esteem. A few years back I was doing a mini tour with a local beach music band ( can you imagine a beach band from WV??? ) and were playing at the Alabama theater in North Myrtle beach. I took a peek back stage at the power amps. 25 (I counted them) wall mounted Crown Macro Techs.
 
#16
BFISHER1970 said:
I switched from a QSC plx3402 to a Crown Macrotech 2400
Night & day difference! I couldn't be happier! much more solid low end with the Macrotech. BTW I use a Demeter HBP-1 for my preamp. It's a very nice combo.
Click to expand...

Night and day difference = different gains.

Good power amps don't have any more or less low end or different sound than what's going into them.
 
#17
Bob Lee (QSC) said:
Night and day difference = different gains.

Good power amps don't have any more or less low end or different sound than what's going into them.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with that, except that by your definition none of us is talking about good power amps. This is more about the best of the adequate, affordable, liftable power amps for bass.
 
#18
After spending much time with my PLX 3002, Stewart World 2.1, and Crest CA9 (using them with different preamps - at a wide variety of gain settings - different cabs, different basses, on many, many gigs), my strong preference (if weight is not an issue) is for the CA9. IME, to my ears, it does sound better, even at similar volume levels. If weight is a factor, I prefer the Stewart. I sold my PLX 3002 (which served me well for many years).

Tom.
 
#19
paulraphael said:
I'd agree with that, except that by your definition none of us is talking about good power amps. This is more about the best of the adequate, affordable, liftable power amps for bass.
Click to expand...

You should learn something non-mythological about power amps, then. We are indeed talking about good power amps, by any objective definition.
 
#20
Bob Lee (QSC) said:
We are indeed talking about good power amps, by any objective definition.
Click to expand...

I'm talking about a subjective definition, which involves listening to them.

I suspect that's the defintion Tombowlus is using too.

I'm not sure if you're calling any phenomenon that isn't predicted by Audio Engineering 101 a mythology. I think the less defensible mythology is the assumption that a handful of measurements, based on sinewave test signals, can adequately predict the psychoachoustic experience of listening to music.
 

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