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Help me with light weight high watt power amps

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by ledyard, Jul 20, 2013.

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  1. Jul 20, 2013 #1
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    So there's tons of stuff out there for new technology light weight power amps. Based on my old school knowledge I assume Crown and QSC are still the kings. I had a QSC recently that wasn't a boat anchor but wasn't too new either.

    It will primarily be run at 4 ohms. But NEEDS to be able to do 2 ohm. I will drive a single 810 but when feasible I will use two. Needs to be at least 1500 watts in 4 ohm. I have found for me that 1500 real watts (not Carvin watts) will run a Ampeg 810 to my liking with plenty of headroom to spare.
    I would like to go new tech, as light as possible but obviously reliability is paramount. Preferably something I can find used.
     
  2. Jul 20, 2013 #2
    CL400Peavey

    CL400Peavey

    Nov 7, 2011
    Grand Rapids Michigan
    IMHO the Crest ProLite 3.0 DSP is the right balance of power, weight, options, and price.
     
  3. Jul 20, 2013 #3
    dukeisdog

    dukeisdog

    Aug 2, 2005
    Victoria, British Columbia
    +1!

    I ran a Crest Prolite 2.0 into my Mesa PH412 for the 2000 watts bridged and it was plenty of power for my needs. Ran it with 2X Sansamp RBI for a clean/dirty rig, sounded totally ridiculous.

    I'd say grab the 3.0 if you want the extra headroom, though IMHO, the 2.0 should be just fine.
     
  4. Jul 20, 2013 #4
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    Yep....**** !!! I forgot to include Crest in my top brands.

    Can the crest amps do 2 ohms?
     
  5. Jul 20, 2013 #5
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    wait.....if it has two 4 ohm outs then it doesn't need to do 2 ohms then does it?? :eyebrow:
     
  6. Jul 20, 2013 #6
    CL400Peavey

    CL400Peavey

    Nov 7, 2011
    Grand Rapids Michigan
    Sure. It has two channels that are 2 Ohm stable. So you could run four 4 Ohm cabs at once if you wanted. I am not aware of any power amp that will bridge at 2 Ohms though.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2013 #7
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    yeah I am an idiot. I was thinking in terms of "bass head" not "power amp" with my ohms. If there are two 4 ohm speaker outs then obviously I don't need to be able to do two ohms.

    I was just looking at the Crest Pro lite 3.0. Impressive at 4ohms bridged but not at 4 ohms a side which is only 870 watts. I would not feel good about that. It would have to be a very stout 1000-1200 a side minimum at 4 ohms to get me to feel good about running 2 big cabs.

    It was however pretty cheap used.
     
  8. Jul 20, 2013 #8
    DigitalMan

    DigitalMan Bring Back Edit/Delete

    Nov 30, 2011
    Bay Area, CA
  9. Jul 20, 2013 #9
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
  10. Jul 21, 2013 #10
    iualum

    iualum

    Apr 9, 2004
    60453
  11. Jul 21, 2013 #11
    CL400Peavey

    CL400Peavey

    Nov 7, 2011
    Grand Rapids Michigan
    A couple things to think about.

    1.) I would be surprised if 870 watts into an 810 wasnt enough.
    2.) If you need more than that you could always get two IPR1600's and bridge them. 1600 watts into each cab.
     
  12. Jul 21, 2013 #12
    dukeisdog

    dukeisdog

    Aug 2, 2005
    Victoria, British Columbia
    No doubt.. What venues are you playing that you'll NEED a 1000 watt 810 rig anyway? I'd be quite surprised if you found the Prolite to be too quiet at 4 ohms. Granted, I always bridged mine, but even at 4 ohms per side I'm quite confident you'll have plenty of power!
     
  13. Jul 21, 2013 #13
    BassmanPaul

    BassmanPaul Inactive

    Aug 25, 2007
    Scarborough Ontario Canada
    As someone who uses Carvin power amps every time I play I object to this comment. These amps have served me well in every way. They are certainly capable of delivering their rated power.
     
  14. Jul 21, 2013 #14
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    lololol.... I was waiting for someone to get offended. I was referring more to their older stuff like the redline 600 & 1000. which were such a joke power wise.
     
  15. Jul 21, 2013 #15
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
  16. Jul 21, 2013 #16
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    I need an 810 because I dont like anything else. plus when you have a larger production band I would look like a turd with small cabs or combos next to everything else on stage . and for any power with a class d output 1000 real watts would be minimum. its the safe zone that
    allows enough headroom without having to dime my amp. even with my 7 pro live I run gain and master on apx 7 .
     
  17. Jul 21, 2013 #17
    ::::BASSIST::::

    ::::BASSIST:::: Progress Not Perfection.

    Sep 2, 2004
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    I actually agree with him. The bx1500 I had ran out of power really early from my experience.
     
  18. Jul 21, 2013 #18
    Jeff Bonny

    Jeff Bonny Inactive

    Nov 20, 2000
    Harrison Mills
    I love this little Demeter Minnie 800. I wonder with all the class D heads out you don't see more 3lb half rack power amps. If I didn't already have the only other one I know of (a 400W SWR Amplite) I'd seriously be thinking about the Demeter. Doesn't do 2ohms though...
     
  19. Jul 21, 2013 #19
    BassmanPaul

    BassmanPaul Inactive

    Aug 25, 2007
    Scarborough Ontario Canada
    And mine has not. :)

    I guess I'm somewhat sensitive when it comes to Carvin. They have treated me pretty well. Most of their stuff is made in the US employing US citizens. How many other MI companies can say that?

    Besides which they were born the same year I was! :D
     
  20. Jul 21, 2013 #20
    CL400Peavey

    CL400Peavey

    Nov 7, 2011
    Grand Rapids Michigan
    I didnt realize the company was that old.... :D
     
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