Power amp choices??

foldgerz

foldgerz

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Dec 19, 2011
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LaCrosse, Wisconsin
www.burninwhiskeyband.com
#1
I'm looking for a new power amp for my bass cabs. Being used with a single 2x10 at small venues and/or two 2x10 cabs for larger events. Both cabs would be 350 watt and 8 ohm. I have done some looking around and the Crown xls2002 and the Qsc gxd4 are the two amps I am interested most In.. so my question is, what your opinions are on pros and cons, reliability, user experiences, and so on... if there are any other amps that fit in the same range as these two that would be a better fit please fill me in. Or even if there would be a better matched amp all together?...
 
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#2
To run my 2x10s I chose a Carvin 2000HD. My cabinets are all 4Ω so I run a pair. one per channel with the amp in parallel mono. I use the pair in a vertical 4x10 stack what ever the gig I play. Two take the same stage area as one. If I ever need more I can add a second pair and still the amp is within it’s ratings.

Carvin make really good power amps at a great price. You should check them out.
 
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#5
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I run crest pro lite. It’s good, not necessarily super light but lighter and they sound decent for the $$
 
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#7
foldgerz said:
What are these different brands sound traits? Are they all crystal clear with no voicing differences? Or do they have suddle or huge sound differences... I wish I could a/b all the different brands to get a better feel for there products.
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The pro lite has a voice, I got it because people on tb said it didn’t, but it does. Not bashing them, I have been happy with the unit for the last year and a half (I think ) that I’ve had it.
 
#8
I run a Behringer NU 3000 with whatever cab I'm using. I have a 4 ohm 215 and an 8 ohm 210. The amp pushes either of those cabinets at those ohm ratings very well (maybe even a little too hard). Runs 300 watts rms at 8 ohm per channel and 600 watts rms at 4 ohm per channel. They don't get much love on here but I haven't had any issues with mine and it sounds good to me. Plus it's super light at 6.6 lbs.
 
#10
Crown and QSC both claim to be nearly transparent. I used to use an American Audio power amp. Really affordable, but REALLY heavy. I have been using a Crown Xti for a long time - almost 10 years. I have no complaints with Crown.
 
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#14
I had both a Crest Pro-Lite 2.0 and 3.0 .. sold the 3.0 as it was just too much for my needs, but still have the 2.0 although it only gets SR use at this point (if needed), but even if it sits, I can't see myself moving it along ... when I was searching a couple years back, it kept calling me back over the other 3-4 I was looking at, and I never regretted it ...
 
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#15
i own a stewart pro reference 1000 and a stewart pa 500. they are kind of hard to find in the used market these days, but they're cheap when they do show up. i bought the pa 500 missing one knob but in otherwise perfect mechanical condition for 70 bucks shipped. it does 110 w per channel at 8 ohms, 190 at 4 ohms. or 275 at 2 ohms.
 
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#16
Last month I got a xls2002. I use it with a Hartke 410xl. And a BBE acoustic max preamp. It´s actually really good. I play with a loud drumer so I usually set it at 7.5/10, and the gain knob on the preamp at 9/10. The clipping light on the preamp never turns on. All of this with a sr505. Bass at 0, mids +1 or 2. treble 0 or +1
I have tested it and I know I have a lot of headroom and volume if I need to.
If you get it you´ll be fine in terms of power. You might only plan on getting another cab sometime.
You are getting 370w @8 ohm and 650W@ 4 ohm. For like $500. (You already know that). Good deal.
The tone is very clear
The fan makes practically no sound.
You can carry it with one hand and your cab in the other if you want. It´s very light.
Input voltage 0.7V or 1.4V.
I love it.
 
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#17
foldgerz said:
Is the 1000 big enough?? What size cabs are you running with it?? Watts, ohms, speaker size etc...
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Depends on what you want. I ran it with an Aguilar gs410 before, but then downsized to an avatar 210 cab. Both 4 ohm. The xls1000 can do 700 watts at 8ohms bridged or 1100 watts at 4 ohms bridged. That seems sufficient for most situations. 2ohms per channel, runs 550w each side. 4ohms @ 350w/side. I especially like the built in HPF. It's worked well for me.
 
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#18
scuzzy said:
Depends on what you want. I ran it with an Aguilar gs410 before, but then downsized to an avatar 210 cab. Both 4 ohm. The xls1000 can do 700 watts at 8ohms bridged or 1100 watts at 4 ohms bridged. That seems sufficient for most situations. 2ohms per channel, runs 550w each side. 4ohms @ 350w/side. I especially like the built in HPF. It's worked well for me.
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Thanks everyone for all the help. Now is with 700watts bridged is that peak Power? I just don't want to have the option to run my cab to hot. I know you have control of the knob I just like the piece of mind that it's not possible...
 
#19
ceesaar00 said:
Last month I got a xls2002. I use it with a Hartke 410xl. And a BBE acoustic max preamp. It´s actually really good. I play with a loud drumer so I usually set it at 7.5/10, and the gain knob on the preamp at 9/10. The clipping light on the preamp never turns on. All of this with a sr505. Bass at 0, mids +1 or 2. treble 0 or +1
I have tested it and I know I have a lot of headroom and volume if I need to.
If you get it you´ll be fine in terms of power. You might only plan on getting another cab sometime.
You are getting 370w @8 ohm and 650W@ 4 ohm. For like $500. (You already know that). Good deal.
The tone is very clear
The fan makes practically no sound.
You can carry it with one hand and your cab in the other if you want. It´s very light.
Input voltage 0.7V or 1.4V.
I love it.
Click to expand...
I think it's awesome that input voltage is either or now!!
 
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