Crest VS (V) series vs. CA series

I sure can. I have one of each, a CA9 and a V1100 which is identical your VS series cept on the V the attenuators are on the front where they belong.

I was running the V1100 with a F-1X and an Eden 210T and a 215XLT. Sounded great, lots of headroom and power but I got horny to try out a CA9 since I had heard so much about them. I pulled out the V1100 and slipped in the CA9, Okay...the CA9 weights 53lbs so I didn't slip it in exactly, more like grunted it in. Anyway, the difference was quite remarkable. Even my guitar player noticed the difference immediately and he's the most hopelessly tone deaf human being I've ever met. Same preamp, same cabs, same band, same practice room, same volume levels and the CA9 stomped the V1100 tone wise. You could just tell that CA9 had my 15's by the throat and they were going to do whatever the CA9 said with no arguments. The sound was tighter, fuller and could smack you in the chest like the V1100 couldn't do. It also, I don't know, feels different in your hands when you play through it. I don't know quite how to describe it. The V1100 is like driving a Chevy dualie and the CA9 is like driving a Freightliner.

 

what he said

 

Been using a CA9 for over a year. It's like opening of a can of Industrial Strength WHooPA$$ compared to my previous PLX2402. I probably wouldn't have changed so many cabs if I would originally had the CA9... In defense of the QSC gear... We have the MXA series amps for our PA system and they are dependable (very heavy) workhorses. From what I understand the "lead sled" or transformer loaded amps usually supply a lot more 'dynamic-headroom', and that is what us bassplayer need. It's like having that reserve of punch all the time even at the loudest most demanding situations. The switching type amps never gave me that. It's like a nitro switch on a Rail (dragster). Thanks to Jim Bergantino for enlightening me about this amp and what it can do. I thank him, but my back does not.

 

I bought my CA-6 with an Alembic preamp (rack mounted) a few years back. Well, I've been thru a few preamps in the meantime but the Crest remains. The thing lights up by Acme B-4 with power to spare. My only complaint is the cheap plastic air intake filter retainers on the back. They're easy to knock off if not careful.

Riis

 

i just wish the ca-9 had like those handles built into the frfont of it for putting it into my rack easier, ,i've pinched my fingers a couple times, and that really sucked balls

 

I don't have any experience with Crest's VS-Series amps, but I've been using a CA-9 for almost a year and I couldn't be happier with it's performance.

Like Big String I was using a QSC PLX2402 before I bought my CA-9. While the PLX2402 had many features I liked and was very easy to haul, for the life of me I couldn't solve the clipping problems I was having with it.

I tried a CA-9 from an online dealer with a 48 hour return policy. It arrived just in time for a Friday and Saturday gig; it's been in my rack ever since.

 

Another good power amp is the Crown MA-2402.

Should sound fairly similar to the CA9.

 

Never used a CA9, but I second that comment about the MA-2402. That sucker kicks.

 

I got a Crown K2 recently and bridged it into my El Whappo, 2500W @ 4 Ohms. Kaboom! The amp didn't even clip until about 80-90% up, and each note was like a cannon shot, headroom for days...it's not hype IMO. I seriously doubt you'll need an extra cab if you bridge your CA-9, I think the EW will love it.

 

...Ca-9(or ?) & Crown MA...there are no others...

~S~

 

Just to add... I've never found the need to bridge the CA9 into any of my cabs. In fact I rarely turn up the gain over halfway using one channel in parallel, and it's still has tons of headroom. The one time I did bridge my CA9 it seemed to have just too much power and I realize that could mean that other factors in my signal chain could have added to that outcome. I quickly changed it back to parallel. I was however using a Lakland Joe Osborn passive bass with standard Lindey Fralins that time, which are not extra hot.

 

I have my CA-6 mounted in a standard SKB case as well. It hangs its ass-end out a few inches but I live with it. The appropriate size rack case would set me back close to a hundred bucks.

Things kick ass, don't they? Enjoy the purchase!

Riis

 

I have a Crest CA-6 and used to have a Crest VS900. These two are not too far off one another on paper--wattage and weight.

Bottomlines for me were:

1. VS900 an incredible value on the used market. Very high level of build quality. A great budget option, even if old--still kicks newer amps aside.

2. CA-6 the ultimate driving experience. Nothing else I've ever tried jumps up, flies across the room, and knocks the taste OUT YO MOUTH like a CA-6 into a GS410. Yeah, it's got the edge in the tone department.

 

Wolf
I would not recommend a bag for this beast. Stick with the SKB. I made my own rear mount out of angle bracketts from Ace Hardware... works great. Your right about the hassle with the plugs. I only disconnect my speaker cable. I have the bannana stuck in the posts and screwed down. I have a 90 deg. cable from the preamp to the ca9. I've adapted but still wish it has speakons.