ProSoundWeb Community

Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB: The Classic Live Audio Board => Topic started by: Dave Gunnell on May 19, 2014, 07:22:34 PM

Title: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Dave Gunnell on May 19, 2014, 07:22:34 PM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Brandon Wright on May 19, 2014, 08:18:42 PM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave

My 650z rig is powered with the crest pro200 series; also processed by the UX8800. They have been rock solid for me. Just a simple, no frills, lightweight amplifier. Power output is comparable to the powerlight 3 series but is a little less efficient due to its linear output stage. However, some might also argue that the linear output stage offers a sonic advantage over the switching PL3s. They are cheaper than the PL3s as well.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: jason misterka on May 19, 2014, 09:07:36 PM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave

We have owned fifteen PL3 amps that were purchased upon their release (8+ years ago?) and have never had a single failure. Can't say that about the other amps we own...

Jason
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: chuck clark on May 19, 2014, 10:47:40 PM
QSC are wonderful. I own several, but my favorite? +1 Crest Pro200.
But then I've only been mixing for 30yrs. What do I know? 
Chuck
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: claude cascioli on May 19, 2014, 10:48:35 PM
Hi All:

qsc is a great choice the rmx series has a lot of bang for the buck . i have bunch of qsc got rid of my crowns .ps the new crowns are garbage qsc is a great company that takes care of there customers crown could care less just ask them about an amp out of waranty. the plx or pl amps are all great amps. i love qsc there great. stay away from crest also crest is not the company it used to be. crown and harman sucks
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: chuck clark on May 20, 2014, 12:01:45 AM
Does Mr. Gunnel have 1st hand experience w/ Crest? Yes Crest got bought by Peavey, but because Hartley wanted access to their wonderful engineering staff.  Crest is still the opposite of Behringer- that is, they are built with TOP grade electronic components through-out. In over 20 yrs I've only had one experience w/ Crest's service department and that was with an amp that was in a building that burned down and one channel still worked! They fixed it immediately and it was back on the job in less than 10 days including shipping time both ways.
So which should you listen to? Someone who has years of personal experience or someone who "suspects" or "heard something" ?
I'm selling Crest Pro 200 amps to "dumb" DJ's now who blow up EVERYTHING but the Cresties are rock solid. Sorry but in my 30 yrs. I've Blown up -er I mean owned LOTS of different kinds of amps and when I say they're good -it's NOT just because I heard it somewhere. Thank you very much. (end rant)
Chuck
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: chuck clark on May 20, 2014, 12:31:12 AM
Sorry Dave, I just realized you were the O.P. and were quoting someone else. My apologies!
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: EvanKirkendall on May 20, 2014, 12:35:00 AM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave


Lab Gruppen fP series?




Evan
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Doug Fowler on May 20, 2014, 12:21:16 PM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave

Check out speakerpower.net.  PL3 series is a good choice, in any case.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: John Penkala on May 20, 2014, 04:24:11 PM

Lab Gruppen fP series?




Evan

Nice amps. Although, I think the cost might be more than the OP wants to spend.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on May 20, 2014, 04:28:22 PM
"Bang for the buck", and "touring grade" do not seem to be very compatible terms.

JR
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: John Penkala on May 20, 2014, 04:41:30 PM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave

I have Crest 9200, 8200, and 5200's with UX3600/UX8800 processing running KF650z's and JFL210's. I'm very happy with them. QSC, Crest, and Crown will all do the job. I would be interested in comparing warranties. I know that Crest has a 5 year warranty which might align with a company's purchasing cycle. It's just something I would check out. Also, I would also leave a some money in the budget for a "spare" or two, regardless of manufacturer.

JP
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Mike Pyle on May 20, 2014, 07:38:42 PM
Probably the lightly used Powersofts I have for sale in the marketplace.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: paul bell on May 20, 2014, 08:20:04 PM
Check out speakerpower.net.  PL3 series is a good choice, in any case.

I'll second that. I'm using the SpeakerPower amps AND the PL3.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Steven Barnes on May 20, 2014, 08:51:46 PM
Lab Gruppen FP Series stuff for touring grade, QSC PL3 for price.

We have about (20) LP Series and (30) QSC PL340 amplifiers in rental stock, It has been quite a while since we have sent one of either back for repair.

On top of the rental inventory, we have 500+ QSC PL3 series amplifiers installed around the US and had 3 repairs last year. They have been a great workhorse many of the running 16+hrs a day 7 day a week.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Jim McKeveny on May 21, 2014, 07:41:28 AM
Cheap, light, powerful, and reliable do not assemble in the same package.

If you can lose the "light" metric, buy as many QSC RMX5050's as you can for stack power. 2450's are great biamp wedge power. Both may be old school - but its a very good old school - and can be found used for fair money, and repaired (rarely necessary) locally.

Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Brian Oppegaard on May 30, 2014, 06:45:10 PM
Hi All:

Per the thread title, I am investigating power amplifiers to replace some aging inventory, and I don't want/need any DSP in them (using EAW UX8800 for DSP).  Looking for regional touring quality with very good value, and I rarely deal with riders.  So far it looks like the QSC PowerLight 3 series (PL325, PL340, PL380) is fitting the bill.  Any thoughts on these amps?  Any others that can compete at the same cost/quality point?  Will be powering EAW KF650z rig and subs.

Appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

Dave

Great amps

Brian Oppegaard
President
www.speakerpower.net
Title: Posting Rules
Post by: Mac Kerr on May 30, 2014, 06:50:53 PM
Great amps and if you are doing EDM shows or otherwise need big sub power, the SP2-12000 or SP2-8000 are compatible extensions of the PL power range. Same rear to front airflow. I have more to say on comparing amps at post 16 here: http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php?topic=149919.10

Brian Oppegaard
President
www.speakerpower.net

Brian,

Please read the rule regarding manufacturer participation in these forums. You may not promote your own products or products you represent unless responding to a question about that product.

Thank you

Mac
admin
Title: Re: Posting Rules
Post by: Brian Oppegaard on May 30, 2014, 10:35:22 PM
Sorry about that. Post edited.
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: eric lenasbunt on June 19, 2014, 11:21:43 PM
I've been having great success with the Ashley KLR series on my 650's. Very efficient
Title: Re: Best "Bang for the Buck" Touring Grade 'No DSP' Amp--QSC PowerLight 3?
Post by: Steve Payne on June 20, 2014, 10:04:24 AM

Lab Gruppen fP series?




Evan

I've owned a lot of fp's.  In fact, I have owned a lot of a lot of different types of amps over the years.  In my experience, rated soley on reliability, QSC PLs are the undisputed champions.