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Crest CA-9 vs. QSC PLX2502 (PLX2 Series)

Which power amp?

  • Total voters
    92
Tony G

Tony G

Supporting Member
Jan 20, 2006
11,210
1,642
#1
I've had the Crest CA-9 now for a couple of months, and while I am very happy with the sound, I am very unhappy with the weight and size. The thing just feels heavier every time I pick it up. I have the CA-9 racked in a 2 space anvil style case, and it weighs close to 75lbs. I'm trying to talk myself into keeping the CA-9 based on tone alone, but it is soooooooo heavy. The new PLX2 series PLX2502 only weighs 21lbs, can fit in a gator shallow rack, and has a lot more options. But, and this is a big one, does it sound near as good as the CA-9? I've often thought about getting a Stewart 2.1, but am not crazy about the reviews I've read about them. QSC seems to have a great reputation here, but can it take on the mighty CA-9 for bass reproduction?

I like using a power amp with my UL502 and UL410 on the gig, as it really seems to get me to push the UL410 a little more to get a fuller response and more punch. While the UL502 works great alone, I do find the CA-9 adds that little bit of girth I was missing. Will the PLX2502 cover that for me?
 
#3
Never heard both, Have a PLX1104 in transit. Hopefully it has the oomph of my Kustom (Which I assume the CA-9 has). That deep down in your belly bass goodness. I'll be very upset if it doesnt. LOL. But 75lb man? I'm here cussin bout the 41lb my Kustom is in the rack. Check out the plx1804. At 13lb.
 
#4
Xed32 said:
Never heard both, Have a PLX1104 in transit. Hopefully it has the oomph of my Kustom (Which I assume the CA-9 has). That deep down in your belly bass goodness. I'll be very upset if it doesnt. LOL. But 75lb man? I'm here cussin bout the 41lb my Kustom is in the rack. Check out the plx1804. At 13lb.
Click to expand...

FWIW, having owned a Kustom Groove Bass 1200 (which is a fine amp for the money, IME/IMHO), the CA9 just kicks it from here to the Moon and back.

Tom.
 
#5
Xed32 said:
Never heard both, Have a PLX1104 in transit. Hopefully it has the oomph of my Kustom (Which I assume the CA-9 has). That deep down in your belly bass goodness. I'll be very upset if it doesnt. LOL. But 75lb man? I'm here cussin bout the 41lb my Kustom is in the rack. Check out the plx1804. At 13lb.
Click to expand...

Well, I like the 02 models over the 04 models, as I like to bridge down to 4 ohms for some insane headroom.
 
#6
xgabriele said:
I guess what I'm wondering is, would anyone here ever recommend another power amp over the CA-9 based on tone alone?
Click to expand...

Well, I have to do the grueling A/B test to be sure, but I'd put my [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] in the running. Of course, it's also the only amp that will ever make a CA9 feel light! :eek: :smug: :p
 
#7
tombowlus said:
Well, I have to do the grueling A/B test to be sure, but I'd put my [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] in the running. Of course, it's also the only amp that will ever make a CA9 feel light! :eek: :smug: :p
Click to expand...

Wow, that thing is a monster!!!!

So, I guess what you are saying is that I have to sacrifice tone for weight, or weight for tone?
 
#8
xgabriele said:
Wow, that thing is a monster!!!!

So, I guess what you are saying is that I have to sacrifice tone for weight, or weight for tone?
Click to expand...

Well, I am sure that you are going to get opinions all over the board on this one (or at least at two polar opposite ends :p), and I also believe that there are great sounding units incorporating both the heavier technologies (large conventional transformers and power supplies, ceramic woofers, baltic birch ply, what have you) and the lighter technologies (class D, SMPS, neodymium drivers, Italian poplar, etc.). Depending on what units you compare, what related gear is involved, and upon your personal preferences, I could see you either favoring the tone of the heavier units, or finding a small enough tonal discrepancy so as to favor light weight. Heck, with all the variables involved, you may even find light weight combinations of gear that end up sounding/working the best for you!

That said, talking power amps only, my experience has been that in general, I have gotten my best results from the heavier, 'lead sled' style of amps. My most notable exception to this is the lightweight (SMPS) amps in the Bergantino IP cabs. But, how would they sound with the DSP and a CA9 crammed inside? ;) :D :bassist:
 
#12
X
I sold mine because the weight and huge size.
I had mine before many other TB'r and used it pretty much but found myself leaving it a home more until I didn't use it at all.... I'm still greatly endorse this amp for what it can do for the electric bass... "just whoopin!"

I've elected to hang on to my DB750 for a power amp source of great power and punch for this reason, even though I still love the whole amp too. It' usually stays home too, but if I need more power it's way easier than the CA9 to haul and is a back up too. Not saying the DB750 is a CA9 but it really packs a whallop too.

Hey Toad... don't you EVER take that moving logo off your profile !!!!!
 
#13
xgabriele said:
I've had the Crest CA-9 now for a couple of months, and while I am very happy with the sound, I am very unhappy with the weight and size. The thing just feels heavier every time I pick it up. I have the CA-9 racked in a 2 space anvil style case, and it weighs close to 75lbs. I'm trying to talk myself into keeping the CA-9 based on tone alone, but it is soooooooo heavy. The new PLX2 series PLX2502 only weighs 21lbs, can fit in a gator shallow rack, and has a lot more options. But, and this is a big one, does it sound near as good as the CA-9? I've often thought about getting a Stewart 2.1, but am not crazy about the reviews I've read about them. QSC seems to have a great reputation here, but can it take on the mighty CA-9 for bass reproduction?

I like using a power amp with my UL502 and UL410 on the gig, as it really seems to get me to push the UL410 a little more to get a fuller response and more punch. While the UL502 works great alone, I do find the CA-9 adds that little bit of girth I was missing. Will the PLX2502 cover that for me?
Click to expand...

In case you decide to keep the Crest CA9, this may help a little:

I also have the Crest CA9 in a 6 space SKB rack. It is quite heavy, but I bought this little SKB cart that helps A LOT for rolling the case around. Easy to attach, easy to remove. Locking wheels are great too!

Invalid Link Removed

Good luck!
 
#15
Joshua said:
I'm not familiar with that rack, but I have mine in a 4 space SKB with an Alembic F1X and it comes in under 60 lbs. Maybe try a different rack?
Click to expand...

I would love to find a lighter 2 space rack that fits the length of the CA-9, but I just haven't. Since I only use the CA-9 for gigs, I keep it in its own rack, and my UL502 sits in a Gator rack bag that I use for everything including gigs and rehearsals, so that I don't have to carry the CA-9 around to rehearsals and such. I got the rack pretty cheap, I think for about $50 here, and it fits the CA-9 great. It is a plywood Anvil ATA style rack, and weighs about 20-25lbs on its own. It is heavy, and makes the CA-9 feel even heavier, but it fits it great.
 
#16
SR5X5 said:
In case you decide to keep the Crest CA9, this may help a little:

I also have the Crest CA9 in a 6 space SKB rack. It is quite heavy, but I bought this little SKB cart that helps A LOT for rolling the case around. Easy to attach, easy to remove. Locking wheels are great too!

Invalid Link Removed

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have a movers dolly that I used to wheel everything into the gig already. The main complaint is getting it in and out of my car, in and out of my house, etc.
 
#17
I love both the tone and the volume I get from the Stewart World 2.1.

I have not compared the 2.1 with a CA9. However I purchased a CA9 a couple months ago to satisfy my own curiosity. You're right, it's a HEAVY sucka! I have finally gotten around to having it properly racked. When I put it in a 4 space rack with two tube preamps, the rack was too uncomfortable for me to lift. I've recently put the CA9 by itself in a 3 space rack (lightweight SKB ATA) and the weight is manageable. Obviously I'll keep my preamp(s) in another rack. That setup is both bulkier and clumsier than a typical rack rig, but necessary for me and my bad disks.

I'll A/B the two amps at rehearsals and gigs and post my thoughts. This won't happen for a week or two, however.
 

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