• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Tired of lifting my CA9, options?

arbitrary

arbitrary

Oct 24, 2005
4,175
1,787
Boston, MA
#1
The background:

I love my read purity preamp but never use it because it is mounted with a crest ca9 for the poweramp. And I also love the CA9, but am damned tired of carrying it. As a result, I use my markbass F1 99% of the time since it is sooooo tiny and portable. it really is an adorable amp.

I'm basically deciding if I should get a new poweramp. What are my options for a lightweight poweramp with similar power ratings, sound, quality, reliability, awesomeness, etc?

For gigging I switch between a bergantino ht322 and a NV610. and I'm not trying to break the bank here; looking to spend less than $500.

thanks!
 
#9
I was in the same boat and ended up with a QSC Powerlight 2 (well, it's actually the install version, but with a few mods to the output connectors, it's the equivalent.). I found it on Craigslist for $175 and I don't miss the Crest at all.

I wonder how long it's going to take for the "all power amps sound the same" crowd to show up.
 
#11
Jim Carr said:
Keep the CA9 as a spare or as a PA head, and get a Mesa M9 (2 ohm capable) and leave the whole rack at home—unless you become the PA guy. Still have my CA6 but it is in a PA rack now.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but for me... I tried out all of the Mesa heads and ended up not liking any of them. I am an SWR fan and to me, that sound is beautiful! Just need a good power amp to supply my Gran Prix the ground shaking umph it needs from a power amp! ;)
 
#12
iammr2 said:
What about the "heft" to the big iron sound? Is it still there?
Click to expand...

I've found it to still be largely there, assuming an AC supply that's adequate to the task. Up in mountain towns out here in Colorado, it can get a little sketchy, which seems to either result in weak lows or sometimes blown breakers.

I'm not sure if I would go to a purpose built bass amp from the likes of SWR or others to get the same amount of oomph as I've gotten from bigger Crest, QSCs, etc., I've used.
 
#13
Stewart World 2.1, out of production but still supported be the manufacturer.
17 lbs, true dual monaural rather than stereo; the only thing the sides share is the center tunnel fan and the AC cord.
Extremely transparent, a real workhorse 2 ohm stable (even strapped if you have the AC current to feed it; call Stewart for details) pro caliber amp that was ahead of it's time and fairly available for <$500.
 
#14
edbass said:
Stewart World 2.1, out of production but still supported be the manufacturer.
17 lbs, true dual monaural rather than stereo; the only thing the sides share is the center tunnel fan and the AC cord.
Extremely transparent, a real workhorse 2 ohm stable (even strapped if you have the AC current to feed it; call Stewart for details) pro caliber amp that was ahead of it's time and fairly available for <$500.
Click to expand...

Right... and where would I get one?? NONE have been available for quite some time!


edwinhurwitz said:
I've found it to still be largely there, assuming an AC supply that's adequate to the task. Up in mountain towns out here in Colorado, it can get a little sketchy, which seems to either result in weak lows or sometimes blown breakers.

I'm not sure if I would go to a purpose built bass amp from the likes of SWR or others to get the same amount of oomph as I've gotten from bigger Crest, QSCs, etc., I've used.
Click to expand...

Don't understand what you're referring to. My SWR is a PREamp. I need a power amp to use it.
 
#15
What about a Yamaha P2500S? Light weight and uses the power supply in a different way as most class D amps utilize a switching power supply (which ultimately robs the bottom end of the amp's sound) from what a tech told me and on the Yamaha, it does not and therefore doesn't rob the low end.
 
#17
Ronny49 said:
Right... and where would I get one?? NONE have been available for quite some time!
Click to expand...

? :confused: Have you actually looked for one?

None listed right now, but four of them have sold since June on eBay alone. Search "Stewart World 2.1" and click completed auctions.

They pop up on eBay fairly regularly; I've bought five of them since 2011. IMO a great bargain in the SMPS power amp market for the past few years.
 
#18
Anyone know about the Yamaha P2500S power amp? I'm trying to determine which to purchase between it and the Crest Pro Lite 2.0. I need an amp right away and these two have piqued my interest. I want the one that provides the most thunderous bottom end.
 
#19
Ronny49 said:
Anyone know about the Yamaha P2500S power amp? I'm trying to determine which to purchase between it and the Crest Pro Lite 2.0. I need an amp right away and these two have piqued my interest. I want the one that provides the most thunderous bottom end.
Click to expand...

Both are excellent choices but, then again, I'm impressed by most of the available lightweight alternatives. That being said, I see a lot of favorable reviews on the Crest Pro Lite but not much with regards to the Yamaha line...bit of an unknown to me. As for me, I went with a series of Crown DriveCores for use with my bass rig and PA but that had a lot to do with availability, dealer service, price, free shipping, etc. I sold off all my lead sleds (CA-6, QSC RMX's) as a matter of convenience...my bandmates now love me and don't dread set up / break down.

*Do read the manual cover-to-cover and then read it again. Most of the perceived shortcomings are a result of operator error and/or mis-application.

*Bridged mono mode / option is a must in my book.

*Don't be afraid to spend a little more for extra wattage. The price difference is near-negligible and the surplus power sometimes comes in handy should you need to re-assign or upgrade / add speaker enclosures.

Riis
 
#20
@Zooberwerx

Thanks for your response!~

I know very little about the Crest ProLite 2.0 other than that it is almost 2000 watts bridged at 4 ohms. I too only run in bridged mode at this time. But Crown had expressed to me that their XTI 6000 and ran in stereo would give me what I'm looking for and he also informed me that it is their Macro technology. He said it is not a genuine XTI, but that they made a Macro amp into an XTI, which is only the XTI 6000 and that it would give me the power to run in stereo using two MarkBass 810 cabs which are rated at 1200 rms watts each. But $2000 is not in my current budget for just an amp.

So running mono bridged is the only ticket for me right now. The yamaha is rated at 1300 watts and the P3500S is rated at 2000 watts. I was told by a tech that the Yamaha is the only class D amp not to use a switching power supply and therefore it is the only not to rob the amp of its real bottom end. But I have heard many great things about the Crest CA9 and thought I really should give Crest a shot.

For the money, the Crest ProLite 2.0 looks very interesting. I can get a brand new one with warranty for only $325! The Yamaha P2500S is at $345, though the wattage is less... but what the tech said keeps me interested, regarding the bottom-end bass sound. And bass... is what the bottom end should be all about.


(Not like some... who use the bass for regular guitar, just a bassier guitar, not a real bass. It's kind of sad to me, that I know a few guys who claim to play bass, but really shouldn't be... that they are really regular guitar players at heart)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back