So after a few months I finally decided to pull the trigger on the Crown XLS1500. I believe it will suite my needs pretty well and at an affordable price point it was hard to pass up. I will be running the XLS1500 into two custom built 2x15 4ohm cabs using the BBE BMAX as a preamp. Excluding the cabs, does anybody currently run this setup or a similar set up?
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Crown XLS1500 and BBE B MAX
- Thread starter martarmetal
- Start date
I've run a Carvin DCM1500 into a BBE BMax into two 4ohm cabs as my main gig rig for 7+ years now. It's always worked great for me. I'm currently auditioning some new power amps to replace the DCM1500 but only because I've been having some overheating issues (I think the fans died).
I'm also looking into buying the Crown XLS 1500 to go with my Sansamp PBI and RPM.
What I really like is the weight of this amp, just over 10 pounds. I'm currently running both SansAmp preamps through the front end of my Mesa Titan v12, until recently I tried them with a separate power amp....sounds way better in my opinion.
What I really like is the weight of this amp, just over 10 pounds. I'm currently running both SansAmp preamps through the front end of my Mesa Titan v12, until recently I tried them with a separate power amp....sounds way better in my opinion.
I run the BMax-T into a QSC GX5. Works great but it's heavy. I'm looking at the same set up as you. I want a lighter rig but I love my BMax-T so a lighter amp will be replacing the GX5. How is the BMax driving the XLS 1500? The are always questions about input sensitivity but the BMax preamps never seem to have an issue driving anything. In fact many of them have too hot of an output requiring some people to send them in to BBE for a free mod. Anyway just wondering how it's working for you.
By the way I used to have the SS BMax and ran it into the GX5. Also worked great. The SS version has a great clean tone and is super responsive to my ears.
By the way I used to have the SS BMax and ran it into the GX5. Also worked great. The SS version has a great clean tone and is super responsive to my ears.
What a coincidence. I'm just about to try out a GX5 as a potential replacement for my Carvin DCM1500 this week. It's heavy but actually slightly lighter than the DCM1500, so I'm not so worried about that part.
Funny, I have recently looked at the new Class-D powered Carvin's as a possible replacement for my GX5.
My GX5 has been reliable as an anvil. The shallow rack depth is a plus as well but the 24 lb weight makes it a bit of a pain to lug around. I have it racked up with a Furman and the BMax-T and everything weighs about 40 pounds. I have an opportunity to start playing out with some old friends doing some corporate entertainment gigs so I'm looking at investing in a lighter amp. I would buy a QSC PLX 1804 but I don't want to spend that much money. The Class-D Carvin's (along with most other brand Class-D amps in the same power category) weigh about 11 pounds. I'm a little OCD about aesthetics so the Carvin's being all Black to match everything in my rack appealed to me. I'm weird like that.
My GX5 has been reliable as an anvil. The shallow rack depth is a plus as well but the 24 lb weight makes it a bit of a pain to lug around. I have it racked up with a Furman and the BMax-T and everything weighs about 40 pounds. I have an opportunity to start playing out with some old friends doing some corporate entertainment gigs so I'm looking at investing in a lighter amp. I would buy a QSC PLX 1804 but I don't want to spend that much money. The Class-D Carvin's (along with most other brand Class-D amps in the same power category) weigh about 11 pounds. I'm a little OCD about aesthetics so the Carvin's being all Black to match everything in my rack appealed to me. I'm weird like that.
For what it's worth, I tried to do the same thing in buying a Carvin HD2000 to replace my heavy Carvin DCM1500. It did not go well, as my rig got substantially less volume out of the HD2000 before clipping than the DCM1500, despite nearly identical power ratings at the ohm/cab combos I tested them with. The HD2000 is currently at Carvin's service department to see if there is a defect causing this. However, in the meantime, I've already ordered a GX5 and am going to try it out this week.
Also, FYI, the HD2000 (and I believe most of Carvin's newer power amps) will not fit in some shallow racks -- for me, the HD2000 was slightly too deep for my three-space SKB X-Rack. They would probably fit in most shallow racks that have two full-size lids though (i.e. Gator).
Update: Minutes after I made this post, Carvin's service department emailed me to say that they had modded the input sensitivity on my HD2000 to match the DCM1500. Once it comes back in the mail I'll post again regarding whether that fixes the above volume issue.
I'm interested in hearing how the Carvin works. Keep us posted.
FYI. I have had my GX5 since September of 2008. It has been completely trouble free the entire 5 years. I have used it with the 1/4" patch cable jumping the two outputs so I can use the single input and get a dual output. I used that to power two vertically stacked Avatar B210 cabinets putting 500 watts into each of them. The set up works great.
FYI. I have had my GX5 since September of 2008. It has been completely trouble free the entire 5 years. I have used it with the 1/4" patch cable jumping the two outputs so I can use the single input and get a dual output. I used that to power two vertically stacked Avatar B210 cabinets putting 500 watts into each of them. The set up works great.
Bob Lee (QSC)
In case you missed it, I work for QSC Audio!
- Jul 3, 2001
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- Former Technical Communications Developer, QSC Audio
I hope it solves the problem but keep in mind that changing the gain won't change the point at which an amp output clips into a particular load.
I presume those cabs are 8ohm? You'll need to look into the DCM series to reach a similar volume, then, because the HD2000 only delivers 260 watts per channel at 8ohms -- I bought it to use with 4ohm cabs (500 watts per side). The new DCMs are still very lightweight and probably better quality than the HD series, but I haven't tried them.
I used a BMax/XLS1500 rig for a little while, and the output of the BMax actually worked nicely with the power amp. I currently have an ART Pro Channel pre, and, to be honest, I preferred the BMax. The output of the Pro Channel isn't as high, and I think the pre is shorting out on me occasionally. Just make sure you understand the EQ of the BMax before you use it.
scottbass
Bass lines like a big, funky giant
I used an XLS1500 to drive two 4-ohm cabs for several years. I never used a a BBE preamp, but I did use a Sansamp RBI and it worked great. I also used an Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp with this rig. The Ampeg puts out a lower signal than the RBI, but it was still plenty to get the sound - and volume - I needed through the XLS1500.
I've been gigging an XLS1500 with a Mike Pope preamp for a few months and couldn't be happier with it. I also gigged an XLS1000 with several preamps, mainly a Yamaha PB-1 and that also sounded great. I run each Drivecore bridged at 4 ohms.
I've been using the BBE BMAX-T and an XLS1500 for a few years now. Loving that setup still. I did have the BMAX and used it for a while too......the T has the warmer tube tone to it.....but both preamp are great. The XLS has been awesome.....so light and a lot of headroom no matter what cabs or stage I've been on.
- Aug 21, 2003
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I used BBE BMAX-T and a Carvin DCM1500 for a while before jumping over to Markbass heads...I really liked it.
Well I finally got everything and I must say, Im thoroughly impressed. Running the BBE BMAX pre into the xls1500 works great. There are no issues from the pre output to the Crown. Pushing both 4 ohm 2x15 cabs with the xls1500 really produces an unbelievable feeling. I feel like my main rig is finally complete (for now). Thank you all for the recommendations and help. Heres some eye candy for everyone...
Crown XLS 1500 with Yamaha PB-1 is my main rig these days. Love it. I generally have to cut the bass and boost the mids and highs though on the PB-1 though.
Very cool! Congrads and I hope you continue to enjoy it for time to come. I've owned multiple rigs since and even had my T up for sale at one point......always end up going back to it though. I'd say the only thing I've had to do is change the tube in it. I took the 12AX7 out and put a 12AU7 in it to lower the input gain. The thing was SO sensitive to just the slightest movement. I run my power amp all the way up as I prefer the sound of it that way.......so by lowering my input gain I am able to make volume adjustments with ease now. 
Some may never have to change the tube out like this.....it's all about how you run it....input levels....etc etc. It worked for me though. Good choice and best of luck!!
Some may never have to change the tube out like this.....it's all about how you run it....input levels....etc etc. It worked for me though. Good choice and best of luck!!
