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Is a QSC PLX 3002 too old to purchase ?

J

Jammin Johneboy

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Dec 23, 2011
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Ontario
#1
Hello I am trying to decide if a QSC PLX3002 is too old to buy. It is my understanding that once capacitors get around 20 years old they have lost a lot of their capacitance (dried up). I don't know exactly how old the units are that I am looking at. But I saw an owners manual online that shows a copyright date of 1998 & 1999. That is approaching 18 years old for some of them.

Here is the manual I saw, page 5: Invalid Link Removed

How long did they make these ? Is there any way to tell how old a unit is ? Is it possible to tell by the serial number ? When did they stop making these ?

When is a piece of electronic gear too old to buy without it being refurbished with new capacitors and anything else that might be needed ?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated .
 
#2
The gear tech guys will probably chime in here, maybe even Bob Lee, who is a member and works for QSC. There are many, lighter weight options out there now since the PLX models, some within the QSC line also. I used a PLX 1602 power amp for many years with no problems. Power amps are cheap these days, and easier to schlepp, if that is a factor. I'd pass and spring for a new one.
 
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#3
I have an old USA900 which I assume is older than the PLX model. I use it for monitors in the band and its has been working perfectly (knock on wood,hehe) for years. I also prefer it to the Crown XLS I also own when I use it as a bass rig. My brother has an even older USA850 and he has been using that for close to 20 years with no problems what so ever. They are around 40 lbs each so they are heavy but I love them. I did just buy a GX5 but I havent used it yet, apparently its only 26 lbs, I look forward to using it in the PA. I love QSC! Damn good stuff!
 
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#4
Thank you for the replies jnewmark and BasturdBlaster.

For me it is not so much the question of reliability but rather the quality of the sound produced. As capacitors diminish over time I know they can affect electronics resulting in less bass/low end reproduction.

I had a Roland rack mount digital delay that I bought used from someone. As soon as I brought it home and listened to it, it was obvious it had poor bass/low end response. It did not sound good. I made a list of all of the electrolytic capacitors in it, bought new ones and replaced them all. The difference in bass/low end response was huge. After replacing them all it sounded great.

So I am wondering about the ability of older amps, approaching 20 years of age, to be able to produce proper bass and low end response. Since I noticed that the PLX 3002 owner's manual had a copyright date of 1998/1999 that means some of them could be 18 years old. This is the reason that I am questioning their bass/low end reproduction .
 
#5
I have a couple dozen of the 3402's and hsve never had a problem, still sound just fine.

IMO, the failing (aging) capacitor argument is way overused. While possible, it's nowhere near as common as it would seem to be if you believed everything you see on the Internet.
 
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#6
Electrolytic cap aging was more of a problem in products built in the 60s, 70s, and into the 80s. Since then, good quality caps used by reputable manufacturers have overall shown excellent longevity as long as they are not abused through overvoltage, excessive temperature, etc. If the amp has not been subjected to such maltreatment, I'd say that the caps probably are fine.
 
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#10
I actually own that exact amp. Still works perfectly. I've had it for a long time. It's pretty light... About 20lbs. And cranks out a lot of watts. It does have a fan that isn't whisper quiet, but by no means is it "loud". You'd only hear it if you were playing a bookstore gig or something. Feel free to ask me any questions.
 
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#12
Thank you for the reply Masher88 and Munjibunga I appreciate it.

I do not have any further questions at the moment, but I may have some questions once I get it. It is 200 miles away in another city and my brother is buying it for me and bringing it down to me when he visits in a few weeks.

I keep hearing good things about them. I am excited and can't wait to get it. :thumbsup:
 
#13
Download the manual and check that the dip switch programming switched are set correctly for your application.

Before bridging, consider the risk of that much power into your speakers.
 
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#14
Thank you for the information agedhorse.
I will definitely download the owners manual and check out those DIP switches. I have no plans to bridge it at all, I am going to run it in stereo. I am using it for a couple of speakers I have in my music room. I have other amps and speaker cabinets for my bass rig.
 
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#15
agedhorse said:
I have a couple dozen of the 3402's and hsve never had a problem, still sound just fine.

IMO, the failing (aging) capacitor argument is way overused. While possible, it's nowhere near as common as it would seem to be if you believed everything you see on the Internet.
Click to expand...
thanking you for that. All us old amp owners are breathing easy again. Not that I was about to go recapping anything just in case.

You do tend to hear about the duds more than the non duds but I never heard of a twenty year rule. Phew!
 

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