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Power Amps

Red Planet

Red Planet

Inactive
May 29, 2005
6,487
2,152
Atlanta
Disclosures
I'm cranky in my old age.
#1
Looking a different options for replacing the amp I have in my rig.

My requirements are 800 watts bridged at 4 ohms in a light weight package. Currently using an RMX 850 but it is just a little on the heavy side.

I was noticing the QSC PLX2 1804 will give me 900 a side at 4 ohms (which is more than I need) and is only 13 pounds.

What are some lightweight options that will yield 800 to 1,000 watts?
 
#2
I would recommend that you buy the most powerful, light-weight pro quality power amp that you can afford. By having more power than you originally wanted, you can run the amp cooler and have plenty of headroom.

My QSC PLX2402 was overkill for the rig I used it with (an Acme B2 and a EVM 15 in an EV designed TL606 cabinet) but I never had to push it.
 
#3
BillyB_from_LZ said:
I would recommend that you buy the most powerful, light-weight pro quality power amp that you can afford. By having more power than you originally wanted, you can run the amp cooler and have plenty of headroom.

My QSC PLX2402 was overkill for the rig I used it with (an Acme B2 and a EVM 15 in an EV designed TL606 cabinet) but I never had to push it.
Click to expand...



I am sure that is a great amp and I do agree with your point however me wants lighter than that.

Are there any other amps out there in the weight class of the 1804? Its 13 pounds. That is what I'm talkin bout.
 
#4
Red Planet said:
. . . My requirements are 800 watts bridged at 4 ohms in a light weight package. Currently using an RMX 850 but it is just a little on the heavy side.

I was noticing the QSC PLX2 1802 will give me 900 a side at 4 ohms (which is more than I need) and is only 13 pounds . . .
Click to expand...

When I was shopping, I didn't find anything as light as the 1802 with equivalent wattage. Keep in mind that the 02 series does not go to 2 ohms and cannot be bridged.

I settled for the Crown XTi4000. It's 18 pounds, goes to 2 ohms and is bridgeable, but I don't like that the inputs are only XLR.
 
#7
Red Planet said:
Looking a different options for replacing the amp I have in my rig.

My requirements are 800 watts bridged at 4 ohms in a light weight package. Currently using an RMX 850 but it is just a little on the heavy side.

I was noticing the QSC PLX2 1802 will give me 900 a side at 4 ohms (which is more than I need) and is only 13 pounds.

What are some lightweight options that will yield 800 to 1,000 watts?
Click to expand...

Just get the 1804 (not 1802 ;) ) and only use one side of it. It's lighter and shallower than what you've got now, so who cares if it has an extra 900W amp in it that you don't happen to be using?

Oh, and just in case you were thinking that 900W is "too much" and that you only want 800W, that would be mistaken thinking. The wattage ratings are a general guideline only, and the amount of wattage actually generated will vary widely depending on a number of factors.
 
#8
carvin makes a bunch of amps in various power configurations. there usually is one of them on sale every month and you can pick up refurbs and floor models on their ebay website that carry the full 3-year warranty. I just picked up a DCM-1015 which gives me 1,300 watts bridged mono at 4 ohms. it has a dual 15-band eq. It was a floor model for $295 ishipped. They fit in a shallow rack case, are USA made and rock solid. Has a nice quiet fan and lots of imput, output flexibility. I pair it with a sansamp RBI. it sounds great.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#10
That is correct I was talking about the PLX2 series 1804 model. I'm all for options but 13 pounds..... my goodness that is inticing.

Just asking if there were any similar power/weight ratio amps.


I suppose the 1804 is it at that weight/wattage.
 
#12
Just noticed in my original post I put 1802 when I ment 1804. I edited it.

Back to refering about headroom, I do have an RMX 2450 but it weighs in at 44.5 pounds. Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That QSC PLX2 1804 is looking very very fine.
 
#14
fish slapper said:
I have an 1804 and couldn't be happier. Driving a 4 ohm Schro 1210R with one channel. I can't imagine needing more power than that but I'm GASing for a 1212L to use that other channel but we'll need to book WAY bigger venues to run that.:bassist::bassist::bassist:
Click to expand...

That is the only problem with the 1804 as soon as I come up with the funds to purchase one then I'll be wanting another cab for the second side.:hyper::bassist:
 
#16
Bear in mind that if you get the 1804 and only use one side of it you're not wasting half the amp - you effectively have an oversized power supply that will be more sag resistant and you have extra cooling capacity. I regularly use my PLX 3002 driving a single 8 ohm cab on one side - talk about an easy load!

Alex
 
#17
Alto D3
Power EIAJ @1%THD, both channels driven:
8 ohms per channel (EIAJ) 2X370W
4 ohms per channel (EIAJ) 2X750W
˙BRIDGE MODE : 16 ohms per channel (EIAJ) 1X740W
8 ohms per channel (EIAJ) 1X1500W
˙Dimensions : 19" (483mm), 3.5" (88.8mm) tall (2 rack spaces),
10.4" (264mm) deep
˙Weight: 5.30Kg


Link Removed

Output RMS:2 x 500 w (4 ohms), 1000 w (8 ohms bridged mode)
Power Section:high efficient digital power amplifier
Transformers:switching power supply
Weight:6,8 kg / 15 lbs


the Alto is a general purpose / PA amp, the Tecamp is marketed specifically for bass.
I am not technically qualified to comment on that.

Both should fit your requirements...
Edit: sorry, didnt notice your bridged 4Ohms requirement... still worth looking at.
 
#19
Here is the reasoning behind my power to weight ratio quest.

The rack is around 15 pounds the Ampeg is 26 pounds, the QSC is 35 pounds and the EQ I'm guessing is 3 or 4 pounds.

Add all that up and it gets heavy.

I am going to an SWR M2 Preamp which will take the Ampeg and the EQ out of the equation. It should make my rig a lot lighter but the PLX2 1804 and me building a smaller rack out of Aluminum Tubing would all add up to a very much lighter rig.


BassRack_1365.jpg
 
#20
I was headed down this road on my first attempt at a rack head.:crying:

I had a six space flight rack with Power conditioner, Demeter pre, DBX compressor, and a GX-5. Almost weighed as much as the Schro 1210R. Re-confiured: got a Furman power strip (to the floor), returned the DBX for a Demeter pedal comp, returned the GX-5 for the 1804, returned the Road Runner case for a Gator 3 space rack bag. Mucho better.:hyper:

That weight stuff is important when you're an old guy like me.:hiding:
 

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