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Author Topic: QSC PLD amps  (Read 25502 times)

Mike Goodreau

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QSC PLD amps
« on: November 27, 2015, 05:30:07 PM »

I own a half dozen QSC PLD 4.5 and 4.2 amps and am considering buying more. I have had to replace 2 of these and wonder how they have performed for others? QSC has been good about servicing these but I certainly don't need more amp failures. Anybody have experience with these they want to share?
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Nils Erickson

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2015, 05:42:53 PM »

So far, mine are working like champs; I have yet to have a failure with QSC amps, though I have only owned about 15 or so.
 I have five of the PLD amps, mostly used this past season.  They are solid performers, sound good, and sip electricity.  Sorry to hear you have had some trouble. 

Cheers,
Nils
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Bob Faulkner

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2015, 09:06:38 PM »

We have 2 of the 4.2 series.  No issues.  Though, ours are used exclusively for monitor duty. 

What kind of failures are you talking about (hardware?  software?). 

The firmware updated on all the amps?
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Mike Goodreau

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2015, 10:49:22 PM »

We have 2 of the 4.2 series.  No issues.  Though, ours are used exclusively for monitor duty. 

What kind of failures are you talking about (hardware?  software?). 

The firmware updated on all the amps?
One made loud popping noises, the other gave error messages saying "outputs shorted" and shut down repeatedly for no apparent reason.
They also sound awful when clipped. Ours primarily run monitors as well.
I have updated firmware regularly.
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Brian Jojade

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2015, 01:09:32 AM »

They also sound awful when clipped.

Um, so?  Don't drive amps to clipping. Ever. Problem solved.
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Brian Jojade

Mike Goodreau

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2015, 11:07:18 AM »

Um, so?  Don't drive amps to clipping. Ever. Problem solved.

Try telling that to the tour guest engineers!!  But that's the least of my worries. I saw one of the install version shoot flames out of it!
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Mark Wilkinson

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2015, 12:24:18 PM »

One made loud popping noises, the other gave error messages saying "outputs shorted" and shut down repeatedly for no apparent reason.
They also sound awful when clipped. Ours primarily run monitors as well.
I have updated firmware regularly.

Which (4.5 or 4.2) did what?
May i ask what monitors / speakers you are driving?

I have two 4.5's that have given no trouble, albeit with very light use...
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Steve Payne

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2015, 02:10:52 PM »

With a very broad stroke of the brush...over the past 4 decades we have powered our systems with Crown, Crest, QSC and Lab Gruppen amplifiers.  While QSC have not been my favorite overall,  they proved to be the most reliable, have the best service/support and generally be the greatest bang for the buck of the lot.  YMMV.
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Mike Goodreau

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2015, 03:53:53 PM »

With a very broad stroke of the brush...over the past 4 decades we have powered our systems with Crown, Crest, QSC and Lab Gruppen amplifiers.  While QSC have not been my favorite overall,  they proved to be the most reliable, have the best service/support and generally be the greatest bang for the buck of the lot.  YMMV.

I have also been a longtime QSC user, with few real problems. These new ones make me nervous,however.  The 4.2's drive highs in bi-amp monitors. EAW micro wedges or Worxaudio Max1.5m's. The problems have been with 4.5's driving lows in wedges or EAW KF 364 House speakers in passive mode.
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Bob Faulkner

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Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2015, 02:26:53 PM »

We've used QSC amplifiers for 20+ years (w/the occasional Crest and Crown).  Two issues in 20+ years with QSC... and support was great. 

We'll stick with QSC, but I'm a little nervous with our PLD 4.2 amps as well.  Mostly because these amplifiers are computers.  And I'm well aware of how computers are (they have become nothing more than commodities).  I trust QSC... what I don't trust is the computers.  This is why I will never go digital for a console (another story for another time). 

Don't recall where I read/heard this... class D amplifiers don't do too well for bass frequencies.
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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: QSC PLD amps
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2015, 02:26:53 PM »


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