help me pick a power amp please

[melodicly]

I don't have much experience with power amps but have learned a lot from this site/members. I just wonder if you guys can give me some recommendations/words of caution before I go into debt. My Peavey died so I have to jump on something this week.

I am using a Sansamp RBI with a Eden 210xst 4ohm and a SWR 210 4ohm. Eden is 500W, SWR is 350W. Should I be looking at something that is 500W per channel or more? I will be expanding my cabs eventually, but should I try and trade my current cabs for 8ohm?

I am looking at Crest, Crown and QSC in the $200-$350 range that is light and fits in a 2 space shallow rack. IS that too much to ask?


Thanks alot guys,
Dale

 

[ggoat!!!]

Get the Peavey fixed for a few bucks. They usually last forever, and it's usually the power transistors that go out...at least on the old workhorse CS series, it would run about 8 bucks to fix a power transistor.

 

[melodicly]

I was already thinking about getting a seperate power amp anyway but if 8 bucks will get me running sooner than later I might do that. Something I could do myself or better off taking it somewhere? Thanks

 

[nboyer941]

carvin bx500 for $420...not bad.

500 watts with a tube preamp and it only ways like 4 lbs.

 

[melodicly]

I don't think that will be enough for me. I have been running 700W at 2ohm and using most of it. 500W limited at 2ohm wouldn't get me there I don't think. I use the low B quite often in this band.

 

[Vakmere]

Crown XTI 2000 or 4000.

 

[lowdownstu]

You have a peavey that died?!?! Mines been going strong and blowing the weeds off bigger amps for 15 years and I've never seen a dead peavey. Must have been a friday arvo job!!

 

[melodicly]

low down, check the Peavey firebass thread for details of what happened

I did forget about Carvin however and they have some nice stuff. Looking at the 1540L and wondering if this will fit in my shallow SKB rack. The rack specs are 10.5" and the amp specs are 10.5". Sounds like a tight fit to me, but does anyone know if it will fit? Any experience with it?

I am afraid the Crown XTI series is out of my price range. The only Crown I can afford is the XLS 402D which is only 450W/ch @4ohm. I would like at least 500W/ch @4ohms.

 

[serein2j]

carvin

 

[rbonner]

Crown or QSC, but you'll need a lot of luck finding a good rig for $300 bucks... You are talking a Cadillac and a Buick Lucerne. Both rightious devices. You might be able to buy a 1990 one with 122,000 miles on it for $300, but I'd get some of the new stuff. AT least something with 10# less dirt and grease in it.

BOB

 

[melodicly]

Right now the Carvin 1540L or QSC GX5 are looking about right for $400. Just not sure if the Carvin will fit in my rack. I know the QSC will but it is a bit heavier. Not enough to complain about though. Carvin is 750w/ch @4ohms and QSC is 700W/ch @4ohms. QSC or Carvin? Any thoughts?

 

[rpsands]

Ebay bstock xti 1000

 

[melodicly]

wow you're right ebay has them kinda cheap. I would have to get a new rack as it's 12.5" deep so I am still thinking QSC GX5 might be the best fit.

 

[totallybacan]

If you think QSC is the best fit, then get QSC. Don't ask for our approval. Personally, I'd go with Carvin or Crown. The 602 is amazing. If I were you, IMHO, I would wait a bit till you get some more cash and go with, as just mentioned, the 602 from Crown or Carvin 1540. Any more power and your speakers will fart out. Having more than 1000 watts available into just 4 10"s will be too much low end without a filter.

 

[melodicly]

Not really looking for approval, just trying to make an informed purchase since I know very little about these things. You guys have been great about giving me things that I wouldn't have thought about.

You mentioned a filter... is there a product out there that I can put between the amp and cabs that will keep too much power from my cabs? If this is the case I have found a few deals on 1000W amps that I can afford. Just don't want to be constantly worried about blowing speakers. Or are you refering to a low pass filter? Thanks

 

[BassmanPaul]

Take a look at Carvin.com. Their DCM1000 works for me every time.

Paul

 

[melodicly]

What kind of cabs are you running Paul. I have looked at that and wasn't sure if it would be enough juice.

 

[ggoat!!!]

Get a used old school Peavey CS-800 on eBay for a hundred bucks. You can run those wide open with the DDT compression protecting your speakers without fail. I've never had a Peavey deliver dangerous DC current to the speakers...which destroys them by the way.

I'm sold on old-school Peavey reliability after trying alot of other supposedly "better" brands over the last 20 years.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

What follows is info I have been compliling to help me find a poweramp that will give me at least 500w bridged at 8 ohms....

13 pound QSC PLX1804
600 watts stereo at 8 ohms per channel

Carvin DCM1540L $399
1500w at 8 ohms bridged
15LBS

IPR 1600 peavey
Digital
10LBS???
doesn't bridge > 300w


Peavey DPC 1400x
Weight 15 lbs.
8 ohms, 1,400 W
1u space

Behringer EUROPOWER EP1500
$250 at MF 800w at 8 ohms
16LBS

QSC RMX850 35LBS
1350W X 1 @ 8 Ohms Bridged
17 lbs

Hope that might be at least a little useful to you.

 

[melodicly]

Thanks bassist. So far I keep coming back to the QCS GX5. It's more power than I need right now, but if I decide to get a couple of Eden 1x12 8ohms it would work nicely. The Carvin 1540L is a close second, but I am pretty sure it won't fit in my rack. I haven't looked at the QSC PLX1804 much, but it is more than I can spend. Looks nice though. I'm trying to avoid Peavey because I never liked the way the DDT worked. It functions very well, but not musically to my ears. The behringer is tempting but I haven't ever heard great things about their stuff, unlike QSC, Crown, Carvin, Crest, and Peavey. This is only until I can get a Eden WT550 (a year or so I hope) so I am trying not to spend too much or buy new racks, conditioners etc.

Thanks for typing out the info. Have you picked one? What cabs will you be using? Preamp?