Stub Mandrel Posted June 9 Share Posted June 9 I'm fed up of the gravitational distortion caused by our pa amp. Are there any recommendations for affordable class D amps, minimum 350W rms per channel? I've looked at Behringer 800 and LD700 but some real world experience of their reliability/ quality and other options would be welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted June 9 Share Posted June 9 In a desperate rush last year I bought a Citronic amp from Terralec. We use it for monitors but it has been excellent. https://www.terralec.co.uk/power_amplifiers/2_x_500_watt_digital_power_amplifier/39344_p.html The only drawback is fan noise if the amp is close to the action. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted June 9 Share Posted June 9 Ran a Behringer 2x500W successfully for a number of years with zero issues. Can’t remember the model number so not much help I’m afraid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 9 Author Share Posted June 9 5 hours ago, JPJ said: Ran a Behringer 2x500W successfully for a number of years with zero issues. Can’t remember the model number so not much help I’m afraid. I've looked at those. Has anyone tried qtx? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 I had a Behringer EP2400 for years (old heavy amp) with no problems and bought an iNuke (class D) off someone on BC with no problems other than being as ugly as sin Not 4,000W but 2x500W and now with a neutral looking black case and sold as the NX series. I've also got a couple of Peavey IPR3000 which have been 100%. Probasbly not much help other than to say that cheap PA power amps seem to be generally reliable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 1 hour ago, Phil Starr said: Probasbly not much help other than to say that cheap PA power amps seem to be generally reliable. But inconsistent. I've had three amps over the years from W-Audio. None deliver anything like the power they claim (which is fine - I don't need that much), one blew up at a gig, one worked fine but only for a few years before it died, and my current one is excellent. Go figure. In truth, I would never use a cheap power amp as my main amp for anything. The cost saving isn't worth that constant nagging doubt. My recommendation is to keep a constant eye out for a cheap-ish pre-owned Powersoft Digam amp. They do come up from time to time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 1 hour ago, Phil Starr said: I had a Behringer EP2400 for years (old heavy amp) with no problems and bought an iNuke (class D) off someone on BC with no problems other than being as ugly as sin I've also got a couple of Peavey IPR3000 which have been 100%. That's OK Phil, you can't help your looks and we forgive you 🙂. I'm no oil painting myself. +1 for the IPR3000, we had one for years and it was rock solid. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 (edited) 4 hours ago, Happy Jack said: But inconsistent. I've had three amps over the years from W-Audio. None deliver anything like the power they claim (which is fine - I don't need that much), one blew up at a gig, one worked fine but only for a few years before it died, and my current one is excellent. Go figure. In truth, I would never use a cheap power amp as my main amp for anything. The cost saving isn't worth that constant nagging doubt. My recommendation is to keep a constant eye out for a cheap-ish pre-owned Powersoft Digam amp. They do come up from time to time. To lose one W-Audio amp seems a misfortune, to lose two seems like carelessness OK, it's a fair cop, I should have said some cheap power amps can be reliable. Edited June 11 by Phil Starr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 (edited) I would look at somethng by QSC. They have a great reputation and my now 10 years old K12s and subs have been faultless (new power switch put on one cab, did it myself, very easy). I have no idea if they make class D stand alone amps but worth a look turns out they do GXD 4 looks ok. Edited June 12 by police squad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Re-visiting this I think you probably need to tell us your budget and maybe what sort of spec. I'm picturing something that will give a reliable 300W rms into 8ohm per side, 500 into 4? If you want reliable then Crown, Yamaha and QSC all offer bullet proof offerings. At the cheaper end Thomann's own brand the T-Amp look good value and users on BC have given good reviews in the past. I'd also stick with Behringer as a recommendation from my own experience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 5 hours ago, Phil Starr said: If you want reliable then Crown, Yamaha and QSC all offer bullet proof offerings. Good advice. Peavey are also decent. All can be had used for little money if you don't mind the fact that they weigh. Avoid really cheap power amps which are aimed at the rubbish end of the disco market. They have little to no protection circuitry and can take out your speakers if they blow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 I can't believe I only sold my QSC PLX1602 for £250. There's no need to buy a cheap amp new when you can get that kind of pro-grade amp for that kind of money. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 59 minutes ago, Jack said: I can't believe I only sold my QSC PLX1602 for £250. There's no need to buy a cheap amp new when you can get that kind of pro-grade amp for that kind of money. I feel your pain. I got just £150 for a mint RMX1450HD in a rack case when I switched to active speakers. Heavy beast, but bombproof and uber powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 On 13/06/2024 at 18:26, Dan Dare said: All can be had used for little money if you don't mind the fact that they weigh. This matters for me... in the long run the rack will have pa and monitor amps, plus a comprssor/enhancer, 6 way mic mixer (for the drum kit) and possibly a graphic so light will matter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted June 15 Share Posted June 15 7 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: in the long run the rack will have pa and monitor amps, plus a compressor/enhancer, 6 way mic mixer (for the drum kit) and possibly a graphic Is it time to bite the bullet and go for a digital mixer? If light weight, and I'm guessing portability is the issue tou could dispense with the rack altogether. Compressor and graphic would be built in and with 18 channels you could dedicate 6 to the drums and mix them as a subgroup (or make your drummer carry their own sub mixer) You'd have so much more besides with a digital desk. That of course leaves you still needing an amp if you want to stick with passive speakers. Thomann do a four channel class D T-Amp and Behringer do a four channel amp too, there may be others. If not I have my two Peavey IPR's mounted together in a simple wooden sleeve which gives you 4x300/500W in something you can carry one handed, with a single finger if you want. Alternatively you could think about upgrading your speakers. Used PA prices are pretty strong at the moment so you might be able to trade in a complete PA for good money. I know you bought the GR Bass cab so I'm assuming generally light weight is important to you. Ditching the rack and having everything on board with the mixer might be a better long term solution. If not the Crown XLS1502 would be a great amp at 3.9kg The Behringer NX3000 a budget alternative (ignoring Behringer's over inflated power output claims v's the Crown's rms ratings) You might find some of the Crown amps used here as they are a recommendation for people using a pre/power combination for bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 15 Share Posted June 15 13 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: This matters for me... in the long run the rack will have pa and monitor amps, plus a comprssor/enhancer, 6 way mic mixer (for the drum kit) and possibly a graphic so light will matter... Appreciate that, but large all in one racks will always be heavy and cumbersome. I switched from a large rack to multiple stackable rack cases. It's a lot easier to make several journeys into the venue from the vehicle with manageable loads than it is to struggle with a single behemoth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 Lots of interesting thoughts. My brother gave me a PA two huge 2x15 cabs, soundcraft mixer and a hefty amp. I had to swap for two smaller 1x15 cabs just to fit in car. Have light cheap powered cabs for monitors/small pa. Cost is a bit of a barrier at the moment - as I own the PA, it keeps things simpler not to invest band funds. If we do go for a band pa it will be different. I may just go for the Behringer or qtx solution for now and see where we go from there. I have come up with a solution to the monitor amp...hold plan was a snall amp to power the two 12" monitors (150W per channel). But the amps in my matching powered 15s will fit the passive 12s. I can swap over one amp which gives me the option of running two 15, two 12 or all four speakers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted July 9 Author Share Posted July 9 OK, that rare thing... I'm reporting back what I did. I've ordered a Behringer NX3000, it's more powerful than we need (I found the RMS figures) but can handle 2 ohms. That gives us a degree of future proofing, while running an amp comfortably within its ratings will hopefully extend its life. It's turned out one of the guitarists has passive Peavey woofers/tops with a built-in crossover. His tops aren't as good as mine though. But if we need a mega PA we can use all of his plus mine at 2ohms a side. And our singist has just got hold of a 16-channel digital desk which has a screen on the front you can 'cast' to a tablet. Now have to organise a large empty venue to try it all out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted July 10 Share Posted July 10 On 09/07/2024 at 15:02, Stub Mandrel said: Now have to organise a large empty venue to try it all out. Ah, you mean a gig. Or is that just me? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted July 10 Author Share Posted July 10 2 hours ago, tauzero said: Ah, you mean a gig. Or is that just me? One idea is to offer a someone a free gig if they accept we would spend the first 30-45 minutes faffing around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.jpg.7e18f76540598a8efc0e6ca9be453059.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.