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Which lightweight power amps should I get?

Thundar

Thundar

May 15, 2008
4,517
6,414
Hooterville, Arkansas BR549
#1
Ok...running the PA/board/sound for my band has now fallen into my lap, and I want to seriously downscale our PA for smaller shows. We currently have 2 Crown 802D's, 2 Crest CA-12's in rolling racks, not to mention the Peavey 1600 and Audio Centron 1200 we have as back ups...Jeez:bawl:
Anyways, we rarely even need the 802D's much less the CA-12's, so I want to slim it down to one amp for the monitors and one amp for the mains and subs. So I am looking at the new Crown XLS or XTI's, new Carvin lightweight L series, and the new Peavey IPR power amps. Im liking the idea of the Crowns and Peaveys because they have on-board crossovers (one less thing to rack up). Add to this, I am seriously considering a new smaller board (16 channel with EQ and effects on-board) so it will all be in a nice neat package.
Anyways, our keyboard player, singer, and guitar player are big wusses that dont like to help carry crap, so its me and the drummer most of the time hauling all this mess (its all our PA though too). Oh...add to this, the keyboard player and guitar player now want to be able to add/cut whatever they like out of their monitors, so we either have to use 2 amps for monitors now or buy a 4 channel power amp (4 monitors/4 sends)...what a deal.
So, any recommendations on either of the Crowns (which series?), the Carvin L's, or the IPR's? I know the IPR's are not all quite out on the market yet, but I can wait.
Help a fella out! :hmm:
 
#2
Crown XTI's are good and I see a lot of other sound companies using them too. If you're just using a crossover now, then the XTI's will get by for you without needing that, but I highly recommend adding a DBX DriveRack if you're the one running sound during a show (or at least a good feedback destroyer).

You might want to look at a few QSC K12's for your monitors too. I would recommend that you make the guitarist and keyboardist pay for/carry their own if they want a seperate mix for themselves.. That should end their desire to make any more requests of you and the drummer.

As far as a board, I'd look at a Allen and Heath ZED 428. Has just enough of everything to be a main and monitor board for your situation. Plus you'll have a good board that will serve you for a few years :)
 
#6
Plstrns said:
My new Peavey IPR 1600 is the best sounding amp I've ever played. I'll get a IPR 3000 or 4500 next.

7 lbs, 530w @ 4 ohms, 800w @ 2 per channel, of course.
Click to expand...

Please list all other amps you've played, so we know what to think.

Anyway, I can recommend QSC PLX series. Since I sold my passive EAWs, I kept only one PLX 3402 for the mains and subs (on my JBL passive rig) and a PLX 1602 for the monitors. 1700 watts is plenty for the mains, and OK for the subs. I can run two monitor mixes through the 1602 to our four 8-ohm monitor cabs.
 
#7
It would be a shame to let those CA12's go. Yes, they are lo-tech by comparison but the sound is fantastic and the power is ridiculous. In fact, CA12's and MacroTech 3600's still sound better to my ears than any of the Class D or Class H amps I've heard or owned (I'm currently running QSC PL236's but have also used XTI's, and PLX's).

If it were my money I would probably go with powered boxes before I bought new amps. Those K12's sound mighty good at the price point or take the plunge into a JBL VRx mini array system.
 
#9
testing1two said:
It would be a shame to let those CA12's go. Yes, they are lo-tech by comparison but the sound is fantastic and the power is ridiculous...
Click to expand...
The CA-12's aren't going anywhere ;) (nor are the Crowns). We use those for our large/outdoor shows and they sound amazing. I just want a lightweight set-up for the regular bar gigs where that 9,000 lb rolling rack nightmare is getting on my nerves.
I really dont have any use for powered mains or subs, as the ones we use are lightweight and sound good..but I will keep that in mind.
 
#10
Gotta say I have the new QSC powered 12's and the double 12" sub. Very nice. We have a full FOH so haven't used it for the band yet BUT they for now we use the full system as a rehersal PC and at gigs one of the tops is the gtr players monitor and the other one is used by our drummer for his Yamaha drum kit AND is monitor mix. The tops have two inputs with volume controls so he plugs his drums in one side and monitor mix from FOH ouse in the other. Even at half volume he is still to gosh darn loud. Now he doesn't have to cover the room just the stage and himself. The rest of the band uses IEM. CP
 
#11
musicman7722 said:
Gotta say I have the new QSC powered 12's and the double 12" sub. Very nice. We have a full FOH so haven't used it for the band yet BUT they for now we use the full system as a rehersal PC and at gigs one of the tops is the gtr players monitor and the other one is used by our drummer for his Yamaha drum kit AND is monitor mix. The tops have two inputs with volume controls so he plugs his drums in one side and monitor mix from FOH ouse in the other. Even at half volume he is still to gosh darn loud. Now he doesn't have to cover the room just the stage and himself. The rest of the band uses IEM. CP
Click to expand...

My new band has the QSC powered speakers, from what I've heard of them, after a few gigs, they sound great. Nice and light, easy setup. Very cool stuff.

Randy
 

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