The "Help Me Buy a Power Amp Today" Poll

[Baird6869]

Man, am I confused.... bridging, mono, stereo, banana connectors.... whew. Lots of power amp info here in the TB Amps forum, but it is all over the place.

In any case, I need a power amp to drive my Jule Monique preamp. I am currently using the power section of my $1600 Mesa M9... which is crazy. My cabs are either 400W@ 8ohm Bergantino AE210's (1 or 2 depending on venue) or my Sadowsky SA410 (800W @ 4ohms).

In any case, I have done quite a bit of research lately, and I have narrowed down my possible power amps to the following models based on power, weight, price and reviews from TBers:

Carvin DCM1540L – 1500W @ 8ohm bridged - $399
Peavey IPR 3000 – 3000W @ 4ohm bridged - $449
Crown XLS2500 DriveCore - 1550W @ 8ohms bridged - $599
Crest Pro-Lite 2.0 – 2000W @ 4ohms bridged - $369
QSC RMX 1450 - 1400W @ 4 ohms bridged - $529

Which would you buy and why? If none of the above, what would you recommend?

P.S. PLEASE don't tell me to buy the Pro-Lite ONLY because the $1400, 47lb CA9 you owned for 10 years never let you down!

 

[wcriley]

Your wattage seems to be off for the IPR.

 

[JGR]

Look for something with an input sensitivity in the .775 - 1 V range to ensure you will be able to drive it to full output with that pre.

 

[nick98338]

Why? They are all way more money than I am willing to spend.

 

[CL400Peavey]

The value you have for the IPR is a single channel at 4 ohms. It's rated about double that.

What cabs are you planning on using?

 

[ChuckTrucks]

I've used one of those Peaveys with a PA.

 

[CrewsControl]

The Peavey doesn't have a bridge mode dip switch, or a bridge mode speaker output. For bridge mode, you need to make a cable that combines the two outputs.

I just use the channel A pass-through to drive the channel B input, and have each cab on its own channel. Or just use one channel if I only want to use one cab.

 

[BbbyBld]

Your wattage seems to be off for the IPR.

You're right. The IPR puts out 3000 into 4 bridged. The manual is confusing because it lists a x1 spec., but that's when you're running a single channel into 4 ohms. I believe it puts out about 1800 bridged into 8 ohms.

 

[Balog]

The Crest Pro-Lite is just a sort of upgraded version of the IPR. Bridge mode with no funky Y cable etc. I'd get that in the DSP version.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

I went thru this same quest recently.

I was trying to decide b/n the 1540L and QSC PLX2402. I bought the 2402, but then found a Carvin HD1500 for a price I could not resist. So now I have both.

I think there are a few variables you need to consider:

1. Input sensitivity - really important otherwise your preamp may not be able to extract all the juice the power amp has available.

2. Weight. I now have a 10LB shallow amp and a 21LBS 'deep-ish' amp. There is a huge difference.

3. Reliability - the main reason I opted for the QSC

4. Wattage - self-explanatory.

 

[scowboy]

I'm running the IPR1600 with two Bergantino AE112's and it pretty much smokes.

 

[rpsands]

The 1540L is a great amp and one of the only power amps out there that doesn't require a special cable to bridge. unfortunately, it's a poor match for your cabs, but not so bad as to be untenable. One side of it should be plenty to kick your 4 ohm cab's but and it is respectable at 8 ohms per side.

I virtually guarantee you'll be talking yourself into upgrading cabinets a month down the road if you go with the 1540L to "make the most of its wattage" or some other nonsense

 

[Baird6869]

You're right. The IPR puts out 3000 into 4 bridged. The manual is confusing because it lists a x1 spec., but that's when you're running a single channel into 4 ohms. I believe it puts out about 1800 bridged into 8 ohms.

Fixed in my OP, but can't change it in the poll. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[rpsands]

also, I doubt the monique will be happy with the 1.5v sensitivity amps. As another poster said, err toward .775-1.0 for that pre. Headroom can be king with preamps.

Used PLX's should also be on your list for sure, as well as the old Crown XTI series.

 

[CL400Peavey]

In any case, I need a power amp to drive my Jule Monique preamp. I am currently using the power section of my $1600 Mesa M9... which is crazy. My cabs are either 400W@ 8ohm Bergantino AE210's (1 or 2 depending on venue) or my Sadowsky SA410 (800W @ 4ohms).

Ok, So if you dont want to tote around your M9 I would be looking at a Invalid Link Removed or maybe a DPS model. It would be $350 brand new and has decent specs.

- 1000W RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- 600W RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
- 320W RMS x 1 at 8 ohms
- 900W RMS x 2 at 2 ohms
- 530W RMS x 2 at 4 ohms
- 300W RMS x 2 at 8 ohms
- 1060W RMS bridged at 8 ohms
- 1600W RMS bridged at 4 ohms

More than enough power to fart out your 210's run one on each channel, both bergs on one and your Sadowsky on the other, bridged into all 3 cabs, or any pairing on on channel and monitors on the second.

 

[metron]

Subbed!

 

[Baird6869]

also, I doubt the monique will be happy with the 1.5v sensitivity amps. As another poster said, err toward .775-1.0 for that pre. Headroom can be king with preamps.

Used PLX's should also be on your list for sure, as well as the old Crown XTI series.

I think the Carvin is 1.0v but. I may be wrong.

Thanks for the PLX/XTI recommendation.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

The Carvin is 1.0V and certainly plenty sensitive.

Careful with the QSC PLX series (older ones) as their sensitivity is more.

 

[chucko58]

A little late to the party... I voted IPR 3000. I own one, and so far it has been great for the money and weight.

The Crest ProLite 2.0 is the "pro" version of the IPR 1600, and from what I've seen, it's not yet a real on-the-shelf product.

The RMX is a boat anchor. Reliable (at least my old RMX 1850HD was), but heavy.

My personal experience with other Carvin gear is that their quality is not up to the others on your list.

I have no experience with Crown.

 

[Baird6869]

The poll results say Carvin.... So. I am buying Carvin. Thanks to all that responded!