No. But they are manufactured by the same people, and have the same input sensitivity.
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looking for the PROPER POWER AMP
- Thread starter Goldburn94
- Start date
No. But they are manufactured by the same people, and have the same input sensitivity.
I suggest anyone concerned about this topic do a blind gain matched AB with their gear and decide for themselves.
I would ask @BbbyBld about it. I am sure they have done a number of tests on the CA and ProLite amps.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Can we talk about how you need heavy speakers for good tone too?
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Woahhhh. Majorly side tracked here.
1. Proper is something that isn't ≈60lb and doesn't hum like a beehive while giving my amp the power it claims at the correct impadance for the cabs I spoke of.(I've seem young musians duped into buying off brand 3rd world electrical hazzards so it's just some caution)
DSP seems unessasary for me. People got along without destroying their equiptment before. Unless @winegamd can sell me on it
The Prolite2.0 and the CA9 are my main contenders right now due to the simplicity. Qsc I've heard good things about but and is similar but lighter than the CA.
I'd like to say weight isn't an issue (still young and mostly able bodied) but I'm no meathead. So is the tone really worth the weight
P.S love the enthusiasm
Thanks for the PDF @Jim Carr
1. Proper is something that isn't ≈60lb and doesn't hum like a beehive while giving my amp the power it claims at the correct impadance for the cabs I spoke of.(I've seem young musians duped into buying off brand 3rd world electrical hazzards so it's just some caution)
DSP seems unessasary for me. People got along without destroying their equiptment before. Unless @winegamd can sell me on it
The Prolite2.0 and the CA9 are my main contenders right now due to the simplicity. Qsc I've heard good things about but and is similar but lighter than the CA.
I'd like to say weight isn't an issue (still young and mostly able bodied) but I'm no meathead. So is the tone really worth the weight
P.S love the enthusiasm
Thanks for the PDF @Jim Carr
FWIW, I just purchased a Crown XLS1500 and it does the trick. Doesn't seem noisy and gives me the power I need. And its very light.
Not necessary, but if you're gonna shop used, you can find 2 ohm stable amps cheap because there are lots out there. Good value, but maybe over kill if you're talking new prices.
An amp that is spec'd @ 2 ohms will likely have output transistors that can handle high currents and the amp's design is (if a quality amp) will be anticipating the temperatures associated with the higher currents.
If it is between the CA9 and the Prolite 2.0 and weight isn't a concern, I'd go for a used CA9.
- Feb 12, 2006
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An amp properly designed fo 4 ohms will be every bit as robust in practice as an amp designed for 2 ohms.
There are plenty of examples of good 4 ohm amps and poor 2 ohm amps...
There are plenty of examples of good 4 ohm amps and poor 2 ohm amps...
BurningSkies
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The OP isn't really pushing a whole lot of firepower. There are piles of decent player-grade power amps out there that can serve up 500w per cab. Probably more important to make sure the input sensitivity matches the preamp he's using to make sure that the amp is being appropriately fed. While we know that shouldn't be an issue, it often is. I did a side by side with a CA9 and my IPR (a good friend got a used CA9 the same time I got my IPR) and the end opinion was they both sounded good but the IPR was lighter and easier to carry.
Chef
In Memoriam
I've had plenty of both big iron power amps, and, light weight power amps.
I opted for the qsc-plx stuff back when I was still using preamp/poweramp for bass.
Big power, nice features, good price.
I didn't notice any diff in tone or performance from the heavy Crest/Crown/Peavey stuff I had been using.
ymmv; etc.
I opted for the qsc-plx stuff back when I was still using preamp/poweramp for bass.
Big power, nice features, good price.
I didn't notice any diff in tone or performance from the heavy Crest/Crown/Peavey stuff I had been using.
ymmv; etc.
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
As far as I'm concerned, a "proper" power amp for a bassist is one that:
- delivers at least 200W/ch at 8 ohms
- is 2 ohm capable (because you never know when you might want to add another cab down the road)
- incorporates limiters (avoids clipping)
- incorporates HPFs at a user-defined frequency, including 30Hz and 50Hz (hugely important for not destroying driver cones)
The HPF is crucial to me. I run a SansAmp RPM through a QSC PLX1202, and because the SansAmp doesn't have a HPF, I rely on the one inside the QSC. Would love a lightweight Class D amp, but I haven't found one with the right HPF flexibility yet...
- delivers at least 200W/ch at 8 ohms
- is 2 ohm capable (because you never know when you might want to add another cab down the road)
- incorporates limiters (avoids clipping)
- incorporates HPFs at a user-defined frequency, including 30Hz and 50Hz (hugely important for not destroying driver cones)
The HPF is crucial to me. I run a SansAmp RPM through a QSC PLX1202, and because the SansAmp doesn't have a HPF, I rely on the one inside the QSC. Would love a lightweight Class D amp, but I haven't found one with the right HPF flexibility yet...
Preamp just got to the door. Let's talk about input sensitivity and how that effects your tone. If that's okay with every one else
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Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
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QSC makes great amps, too. Link Removed Check out the RMX 1450. These and their big sisters come up pretty cheap on evil bay, too. They weigh about the same as the Crest CA6/CA9 amps. Can't go wrong with a QSC RMX or Crest CA.
If you want to add weight to get more tone you can always do what this industrious McIntosh owner does
(The owner is just joking around
)
(The owner is just joking around
)
- Feb 12, 2006
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Input sensitivity should not affect the tone at all... provided you have a "proper" preamp.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
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I have never found input sensitivity to have any relationship to "tone." What is your preamp?
