What Power Amp is in your Rack Rig??

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Regarding Crown Macrotech 5002 VZ: I really doubt there are any amps of appreciable power that are Class A that one can actually put into three rack spaces and weigh low enough that someone would actually want to cart it in a bass rig. That sounds like unsubstantiated hype to me, though I'd have to look at the manual to see what the actual topology might be.

The MA5000VZ is class AB. The "VZ" power supply kind of emulates two-tier class H.

 

[greenboy]

As I figured, Bob. I never did get around to looking at the manual after I heard what they weigh ; }

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

QSC PLX3102 because it's light and loud. to my ear all the light weight power supply amps lack the "depth" and "bottom" (i've had crown and stewart light weight amps too) of the heavy power amps. I also have a couple QSC RMX1450's. They sound better to me, but to heavy to haul.

The lack of "depth and bottom" might be that they have no audible hum in their noise floor.

 

[JSK5String]

to my ear all the light weight power supply amps lack the "depth" and "bottom" (i've had crown and stewart light weight amps too) of the heavy power amps.QUOTE]

This helps prove that we all have different ears. My lightweight Carvin is pushing plenty of bottom end and depth to my ears. I guess this is why there's more than one choice out there for us!

What kind of strings are you using and for what kind of tone are you striving? I'm using flats going for an old school classic rock type tone. Something like JPJ or Glover.

 

[srxplayer]

Does the QX5 have the full range/crossover switch?

Yes it does. Has a switch to allow one channel as a sub for freq. under 120 or 100 hz. (Can't remember what the roll off is) and the other for mid/hi freq.

 

[dominic54321]

Glad you started this thread, as an antidote to "The Only Good Bass Rig is a Lightweight Class-D Head" movement - although I have both the Genz Shuttle 6.0 and 9.0 - I believe the best bass rig is a great preamp/power amp setup.

Currently, have both the mighty Alembic F-1X and the classic Yamaha PB-1 preamps, and the still-excellent Carvin DCM-600.

Past power amps were QSC 1400, Carver M-2.0T and Carvin DCM-1500.

MV

Couldn't have said it better myself! I also have the Shuttle 6.0 and 9.0. I also have an Aguilar DB750(my fav all in one head) a Carvin DCM2000 and DCM1500, Demeter VTBP201, and Yamaha PB1. Nothing can compete with the preamp/poweramp setup! My favorite setup of all time is the Demeter VTBP201/Crest CA9! The Alembic F1-X/Crest CA9 and Yamaha PB1/CA9 were also on my fav's list!

 

[lowmid1]

QSC PL236. I started with a Crest FA901, moved up to a Crest Ca-9 and then got the PL236. I carried the Ca-9 and PL236 both and would switch back and forth during the gig until I finally was satisfied that the QSC could hang then I sold the CA. I really like the QSC Powerlites.

 

[blowinblue]

This will do until such time as I can purchase some quality gear.

M. M.

 

[rpsands]

I am seriously gassing for one of those XTI2000s with how cheap they are coming on the Ebay now. Seriously the price of a DCM-1540L with DSP and more watts. They came down another hundred backs after I ordered my Carvin

 

[blowinblue]

I am seriously gassing for one of those XTI2000s with how cheap they are coming on the Ebay now.

My first choice would have been a Crest CA 9, but since I was not willing to deal with their weight and depth the Crown XTi 2000 was an entirely satisfactory substitute. I could certainly do without the onboard DSP of the Crown, but it weighed in at a reasonable 18 lbs and its butt didn’t stick out too far to the rear. Plus, it had the perfect balance of dual channel watts to bridged watts for my needs/wants. As an added bonus, Crown customer support is top notch and their forum is very helpful, IME.

M. M.

 

[RWP]

An older Crown CE2000. Heavy but it never leaves my basement.

 

[defiepilex]

New poster here. I'm running a QSCGX5 through an Ampeg PR-1832. It's loud and heavy and does what i need it to do. Forgive the camera phone pic.

 

[Turock]

Hafler PRO 5000.
The main reason I chose this amp is because BP magazine used this same Demeter/Hafler as their reference rig. I also own a QSC PLX1202.
Although I still own the Demeter/Hafler, these days I prefer my V4BH or my SVT 2PRO.

 

[johnk_10]

i use Crown xti2000's (i have 3 of them). IMO, they sound great, are powerful 2K watts bridged), are fairly lightweight (18 lbs), have a ton of features (DSP eq, XO, limiting), and i got mine for $399 each, NIB shipped. I also have two xti1000's that i use for my PA monitors. all the xti's have been great performers, even when pushed.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I had the opportunity as a QSC employee about 12 years ago to buy one of the PLX beta units. So in my bass rig is a PLX1602. I have it in bridged mono into an EV B1150M cabinet. A BBE 383 preamp (dbx 166xl comp/limiter in the FX loop) drive it.

 

[mr.redpants]

I sold two 1 r.u. amps (Stewart and Peavey) and got a QSC 1450 lightly used off CL for $225. So, I have $400 left over after the changes (mentioned to my wife several times), and I gain 20 lbs (?) and get a little workout for free
Thanks Bob for the advice !!

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

a QSC 1450

The was a QSC model 1400 (discontinued) and an RMX1450 (still in production).

 

[dhomer]

Solid state Bmax through a Carvin DCM600. More than enough of everything, especially since I set a BFM O15TB (2-12 version) underneath it.. One thing about the amp setup though. It will try to reproduce the subsonic. I use a 35Hz highpass filter (Harrison Labs PL-Sub) in the preamp effects loop.. The reason I have this power amp? Found it on ebay for a very good price...

 

[greasyogre]

I use a Carvin FET 900. It's the only thing in my rig that I've never had a problem with, and it has about as much power as you can send to a 2X10+1X15 setup.

 

[pablomigraine]

Carvin DCM1000 and DCM2000......, for about 200 gigs each.