Looking for new Power Amp and would like opinions...

[zenland]

Crown or QSC Audio? (any others? besides Carvin)
Also looking at getting some new speakers for side fills.
We already have a Crest Audio 900 watt amp I was told would be good
for side fills instead of monitors.
(Any opinions on side fills vs. monitors in front of you?)
We've been using it for the mains and it's good but looking to upgrade.

We use a Yamaha MX 12/4 mixing console which is from '97?
Not a lot of options with the board as far as newer products go but, I think will work.
The drummer/lead vocalist and I are meeting the GC sales guy this Saturday and if anyone has any suggestions as to what to do or, look out for, the band I'm in would appreciate it.

Thanks

[Offshore Angler]

I'm a big fan of Crowns. Never had one let me down. Remember, you can lose an amp and still get through the job, but when a power amp goes you're screwed. Only problem I have with Crowns is the weight, but they deliver the goods.

[zenland]

OA-What about these power amps?

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showit...RCH&GroupCode=

[Gravity Jim]

My ol' buddy Gary worked for years in customer service at Crown, and he will back up the conventional wisdom: they are designed and built to sound great and to maintain Crown's reputation for bullet-proof reliability. QSC also makes a good sounding amp. Carvin? I dunno....

Those XTi amps might even be overkill for your application, but if you need the built-in DSP functions (you want EQ and delay presets for running a really big show), then go head on.

[zenland]

Gravity Jim-I just want it to sound good. Not really big on the effects use
although some might be nice.
We are a three piece and don't need to much but, headroom for the vocals
is a must have!

Still wondering about going over a 1000 watts for that?

Edit here:
We would only get one if that would work for vocals.
Power Output
Stereo: 275W @ 8 ohms; 500W @ 4 ohms; 700W @ 2 ohms
Bridge-Mono: 1000W @ 8 ohms; 1400W @ 4 ohms
The Bridge-Mono: @ 8 ohms sounds, ok?

[mmcquain]

We use Crowns and QSCs at church and have only had 2 Crowns "die" on us after 8+ years of service (probably 20 hours per week/52 weeks per year) with NO maintenance to speak of (they're ugly, dusty, etc. but keep on working). And, believe it or not, I've had decent luck with a Behringer EP2500 - not a ton of power but plenty to drive some floor wedges or my Peavey Horn/15" mains. The price is better than Crown or QSC and so far no problems with reliability.

[Mikey]

You may want to look into Ashley.
They are, IMO, the best PA amps around and you rarely find them used because they just keep going. I don't have one simply because i can't afford one, but I know those who do.

Crossfyre uses a Behringer PMX2000 powerd mixer for the FOH and a Crowne for monitors. Man, I wish Crowne made a powered mixer at 500 per side.

[zenland]

Thanks for the suggestions and help folks.
We went with the XLS 802 Crown Power amp. Basically 2100 Watts Mono Bridged (@4 ohms) and we might have to much.
Should make the vocals easily heard though.

nevermind the edit...whoops!

[JM3]

I just bought a QSC RMS 1850 HD

Got a good price... and it is high current, good to 2 ohms

It does not break down (yet)

They are good long lasting amps

[JAM]

Thanks for the suggestions and help folks.
We went with the XLS 802 Crown Power amp. Basically 2100 Watts Mono Bridged (@4 ohms) and we might have to much.
Should make the vocals easily heard though.

nevermind the edit...whoops!

Cant have too much power. You made a good choice.

[Kap'n]

Yep, and QSC or Crown are both fine in this price range.

[zenland]

JM3-We were comparing the QSC 2650(I think it was that one?) with the
XLS 802. They were real close but, I said if brand name means anything
(and I know QSC makes a great product) we decided that was the best bang for our money.

JAM-Yep
Used it on a couple of gigs so far and have more coming this Friday and Saturday. We have really been impressed with the unit.

[jerryjg]

Carvin