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Title: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Adam Dumbacher on January 12, 2016, 12:02:11 PM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps? I'm looking at upgrading from Crown XTi and I'm curious to know if Crown iTechs, Powersoft K series, or something from Lab would be the way to go. I know it's not enough information to recommend a specific amp. I have checks specs and know which from each brand would be suitable
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Ivan Beaver on January 12, 2016, 01:06:41 PM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps? I'm looking at upgrading from Crown XTi and I'm curious to know if Crown iTechs, Powersoft K series, or something from Lab would be the way to go. I know it's not enough information to recommend a specific amp. I have checks specs and know which from each brand would be suitable
There are many things to consider when choosing a "brand"

Among them include things like power-features-serviceability-durability history and so forth.

There are a lot of good power amps out there these days.

Just be sure "why" you are choosing one over another and not just going with "popular opinion".
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Scott Carneval on January 12, 2016, 01:45:27 PM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps? I'm looking at upgrading from Crown XTi and I'm curious to know if Crown iTechs, Powersoft K series, or something from Lab would be the way to go. I know it's not enough information to recommend a specific amp. I have checks specs and know which from each brand would be suitable

Those are all very good amps. Unless you give specifics on your application, budget, power needs (wattage), power availability (AC current), weight requirements, DSP requirement, channel count, rack space available, etc. we can't really offer any useful suggestions.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Robert Piascik on January 12, 2016, 01:52:11 PM
I went from a boatload of Xti amps to Itechs and am very happy (but I don't have enough experience with others to offer comparison). I also have four Powersoft M50Q amps that are really impressive: 4ch, 1 RU, 1250w/ch@4ohms

My opinion is that Crown, Powersoft, QSC, Lab are all great -- depends on your application and what your own prejudices are given your own experiences.

Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Adam Dumbacher on January 12, 2016, 02:26:16 PM
I guess really what I was trying to get was what everyone else was using and why.  My rig is currently portable. It has 4 JBL SR4731X tops and 6 JBL SP128 subs.  I'm looking to biamp the tops.  The horns need 150 to 300 watts at 16 ohms.  Everything else will need at least 2000 watts at 4 ohms.  I'm trying to decide on feature sets, control, sound quality, noise floor, connection options, weight, and any other information that current users of these amps could mention and what they like and don't like about them.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Mike Kahrs on January 12, 2016, 03:03:48 PM
Keep your XTi, and buy some larger amps for subs and such.  XTi 6002 is a great value on a beefy amp with acceptable DSP, if you don't need digital input.  I use USB to Ethernet adapters to 200' Cat6 and monitor the amps at FOH via Crown's Band Manager.  Use a good USB wireless print server and tune your rig with a tablet PC.

Mike
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: William Schnake on January 12, 2016, 05:24:26 PM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps?
30 years ago we were a Crown amp shop and today we are still a Crown amp shop.  We have a few MA series and the rest are Itech and MacroTech I series.  We do still have two XTi amps for backup.

Bill
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Bob Leonard on January 12, 2016, 05:51:05 PM
QSC has been my brand of choice for all type amplifiers, intelligent or not for many, many years. Choose your amplifiers for the job to be done, not because someone else likes a particular brand
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Mac Kerr on January 12, 2016, 07:40:32 PM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps? I'm looking at upgrading from Crown XTi and I'm curious to know if Crown iTechs, Powersoft K series, or something from Lab would be the way to go. I know it's not enough information to recommend a specific amp. I have checks specs and know which from each brand would be suitable

Cyberlogic.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 12, 2016, 08:53:09 PM
Cyberlogic.

Haven't thought of them in years.  Did I take a nap and miss something again?
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Luke Geis on January 12, 2016, 08:54:39 PM
With the antiquity of your main speakers, the amp choice will be the least of your concern. The amps these days are all so good that the tiny differences between them are moot when you consider what they are powering. A speaker that is a turd pile will still be a turd pile even with the best amp in the world. The amp is one area that you can sort of skimp on to allow budget to purchase something that will have more of an outcome in the sound; the speakers.

You will never hear anyone ever blame the amp for a crappy sound. Perhaps for not having enough power, but that is a user error. I have used Powersoft amps ( not mine ) and while they were older models, they did perform well, but would also overheat with a little dust inhalation..... The power density was perhaps a little ahead of it's time? I can't say that they sounded any better than the QSC RMX2450 that was sitting right next to them.

I think more now it is a matter of what kind of client you are catering to? If you have high end clients that pay big money and want the best stuff, you get Lab Gruppen even if it's for silly background music fill. If your catering to the local bands and community festivals, you get QSC, Crown, Yamaha, Carvin, Peavey, Behringer, Crest and dare I say Pyle amps to get through and actually make a profit. With the exception of the Pyle option, you really can't go wrong with any of the mid tier amps that any of them offer. The Crown XTI series is probably the best value, but I still think the QSC PLX line is the better amp, it is also more expensive though and doesn't have DSP. I own the Crown XTI line for my monitor rig and subs.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 12, 2016, 09:19:50 PM
With the antiquity of your main speakers, the amp choice will be the least of your concern. The amps these days are all so good that the tiny differences between them are moot when you consider what they are powering. A speaker that is a turd pile will still be a turd pile even with the best amp in the world. The amp is one area that you can sort of skimp on to allow budget to purchase something that will have more of an outcome in the sound; the speakers.

You will never hear anyone ever blame the amp for a crappy sound. Perhaps for not having enough power, but that is a user error. I have used Powersoft amps ( not mine ) and while they were older models, they did perform well, but would also overheat with a little dust inhalation..... The power density was perhaps a little ahead of it's time? I can't say that they sounded any better than the QSC RMX2450 that was sitting right next to them.

I think more now it is a matter of what kind of client you are catering to? If you have high end clients that pay big money and want the best stuff, you get Lab Gruppen even if it's for silly background music fill. If your catering to the local bands and community festivals, you get QSC, Crown, Yamaha, Carvin, Peavey, Behringer, Crest and dare I say Pyle amps to get through and actually make a profit. With the exception of the Pyle option, you really can't go wrong with any of the mid tier amps that any of them offer. The Crown XTI series is probably the best value, but I still think the QSC PLX line is the better amp, it is also more expensive though and doesn't have DSP. I own the Crown XTI line for my monitor rig and subs.

Herein squatteth the Toad of Truth.  Not to get gear-snobby on your rig, Adam, it's just older and the speakers are the weakest link in your chain by contemporary standards.

I guess really what I was trying to get was what everyone else was using and why.  My rig is currently portable. It has 4 JBL SR4731X tops and 6 JBL SP128 subs.  I'm looking to biamp the tops.  The horns need 150 to 300 watts at 16 ohms.  Everything else will need at least 2000 watts at 4 ohms.  I'm trying to decide on feature sets, control, sound quality, noise floor, connection options, weight, and any other information that current users of these amps could mention and what they like and don't like about them.

I don't doubt that bi amping the 4731X will help and there's a good chance you can get tuning presets for XTi from JBL if you talk to the right folks there.

We've got about 30 pieces of Xti 4000 and XTi6002, combined.  We use them in our KF850 rigs as raw power, and use internal processing for bi-amped monitor rigs.  They've been versatile and the 002 series is a step up (yes, you can use them on subs).

From a business perspective putting new amps behind the 4731 to bi-amp them is kind of a lateral move that buys you a relatively small amount of time if you're in a competitive market.  In picking your new amps I think you should be looking ahead to your next speaker system - which may be powered speakers.

How do you use your rig, DJ?  Live bands?  Wedding receptions?
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Mac Kerr on January 13, 2016, 12:05:15 AM
Haven't thought of them in years.  Did I take a nap and miss something again?

No, I just couldn't resist.

Mac
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Tim Padrick on January 13, 2016, 04:00:42 AM
http://www.speakerpower.net/comparative-performance.html
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Jim McKeveny on January 13, 2016, 07:14:07 AM
Cyberlogic.

From life's "Seemed like a good idea a the time" file.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Adam Dumbacher on January 13, 2016, 12:52:40 PM
I know my boxes are not the latest and greatest but in my opinion, they sound a lot better than the VRX boxes used by the other companies in town.  Right now, I don't have a complete amp system so I was trying to decide what I wanted to get as I invest in more amps.  I have considered the boxes I will purchase in the future and have made that a part of the decision when I choose what amps to buy.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: William Schnake on January 13, 2016, 04:36:58 PM
Right now, I don't have a complete amp system so I was trying to decide what I wanted to get as I invest in more amps.  I have considered the boxes I will purchase in the future and have made that a part of the decision when I choose what amps to buy.
Adam, you are where we were with amp purchases two years ago.  We needed more for our KF850/SB1000 rig, but we wanted to be sure that whatever we bought would work for the new line-array system.  So I went through the process of making a clear decision on where we were going speaker wise and then backed into the amps.  That is how we decided on the MacroTech I series.  The way we are currently set-up, our racks will work for either of our main systems and all we have to do is change the processor patch.  We don't have to re-wire anything we just change the patch on the processor.

As I said earlier, we are a Crown shop and I love me some Crown amps.  And as other people have said they like amps other than Crown.  However, if you are think about not only how this purchase fits with your current system but also how it will be utilized down the road, you are definitely on the right track.  It is always better to purchase once not twice.

Good Luck with your decision.

Bill
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Doug Fowler on January 13, 2016, 05:28:21 PM
Cyberlogic.

Yikes.....

Power one up watch see flames fly out the front vent.

Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 13, 2016, 05:53:24 PM
I know my boxes are not the latest and greatest but in my opinion, they sound a lot better than the VRX boxes used by the other companies in town.  Right now, I don't have a complete amp system so I was trying to decide what I wanted to get as I invest in more amps.  I have considered the boxes I will purchase in the future and have made that a part of the decision when I choose what amps to buy.

I wasn't gear-snobbing you, Adam, I thought I pointed that out.  You're ready for an upgrade, but how much, how soon is determined by the competition and your clients sensitivity to "shiny! New!"

I don't doubt that your 4731s sound better than most VRX deployments and if your clients are happy enough with 4731 and the service you provide with them, the only reason to spend money on amplifiers is because you want to.  Hey, it's your rig and money; spend it however you think will best benefit your company.

Properly done your bi-amped tops will sound better and that improvement will help you hold onto the clients you have now but sooner or later someone with 2x your money and 0.5x your talent will come along and steal the clients that are attracted to Shiny!  New!! or to whom they will offer a discount as an attraction.  This is the wonderful moment in hindsight (always 20/20, you know) when you go "damn, I should have updated my rig 6 months ago!"  Been there, done that, Adam.  I'm not pointing fingers but pointing out how stuff seems to happen.

While your competitors are not making improvements is the time to make yours.  :)
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Mac Kerr on January 13, 2016, 06:59:58 PM
Yikes.....

Power one up watch see flames fly out the front vent.

Or just try to lift one.

Mac
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Craig Hauber on January 13, 2016, 10:40:46 PM
With the antiquity of your main speakers, <snip> A speaker that is a turd pile will still be a turd pile
Ouch tough room! 
I hate to see what you guys think of my ancient 4853's if a 4731 is a turd!

(and no, I don't use Cyberlogics, but there's a couple PSA-2's still being deployed)
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 14, 2016, 03:11:03 AM
Ouch tough room! 
I hate to see what you guys think of my ancient 4853's if a 4731 is a turd!

(and no, I don't use Cyberlogics, but there's a couple PSA-2's still being deployed)

I don't think either are turds, and I have fond memories (for the era) of the 4850 series.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Devin Sheets on January 14, 2016, 06:45:39 AM
This may be nonstandard, but I recommend the Nexo NX4X4.  Retails for about $10K and you get four channels of true 1900W into 8ohms, no cheating on the specs.  Designed in conjunction with Yamaha, and also with the impeccable service backing of Yamaha, even if one is not using the Nexo processing, this is truly a competitive option.  And if you like, they make a smaller version, four channels at half the power for half the price, the NX4X1. Check it out!
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 14, 2016, 08:00:57 AM
QSC has been my brand of choice for all type amplifiers
I am also a QSC user although my small system only uses two of them.

A friend who I sometimes work for has three amp racks full of QSC amps.  I know they're not the highest specification amps available but I have never had or known of any problems with my or his amplifiers.


Steve.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Jim McKeveny on January 14, 2016, 08:55:19 AM
I am also a QSC user although my small system only uses two of them.

 friend who I sometimes work for has three amp racks full of QSC amps.  I know they're not the highest specification amps available but I have never had or known of any problems with my or his amplifiers.


Steve.

Yamaha P2200. Ramsa WP9440.

Two years ago a friend gave me a @ 1977 QSC Model 1200 that works flawlessly.

Good Lord, I've also used Phase Linear and Biamp TC's that (surprise!) went tits-up at an early age.

Many service techs have made their livings repairing Crown, but that may be coincidence or end-user fault.

Currently (credit Foghorn Leghorn - "That's a joke, son.") , Labbie is my choice for overall value, but the irreversible trend is towards self-powered and packaged systems. A good and natural trend.

There may be a long tail, but the clock is ticking on amps as stand-alone items.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Brandon Wright on January 14, 2016, 09:53:08 AM
This may be nonstandard, but I recommend the Nexo NX4X4.  Retails for about $10K, .... this is truly a competitive option. Check it out!

If someone was going to spend 10K and isn't looking for a matched system, the Powersoft X8 is far and above the best value on the market. Just over $1000 per channel for real power, processing, flexibility, and control.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 14, 2016, 10:04:07 AM
Two years ago a friend gave me a @ 1977 QSC Model 1200 that works flawlessly.
I only have four power amplifiers, all were given to me by a friend.  A CS800, a CS1000 and two QSC RMX2450s.

I say given... I put up a TV aerial for him in exchange for the QSC amps.  I tried to offer him money but he wouldn't take it.  I know I got the better deal in that trade!
I think I moved a central heating radiator for the CS800.


Steve.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Scott Carneval on January 14, 2016, 10:11:51 AM

I think I moved a central heating radiator for the CS800.

Steve.

And they both probably weighed about the same!

Problem is, the CS800 doesn't put out any heat. No matter how hard I drove mine it was always cool to the touch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: David Scoville on January 15, 2016, 07:37:19 AM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps? I'm looking at upgrading from Crown XTi and I'm curious to know if Crown iTechs, Powersoft K series, or something from Lab would be the way to go. I know it's not enough information to recommend a specific amp. I have checks specs and know which from each brand would be suitable
   I still run mostly the same Crown macrotech amps I bought 18 years ago,
yeah they are super heavy and yeah they require "real" pro style distro (no extention cords or 15 amp changover plugs etc.) but they can run nearly any configuration possible. Old iron that is hard to kill, and if they all died tomorrow they surely have paid for themselves 30-40 times. So yeah I'm a fan.
    Of course just like all these pro guys will report one cannot begin to suggest what works best for your unknown systems requirements. Soon I imagine I'll be finally updating, when I do I will spec out the v rack systems along with powersoft and lab amps. Weight, size etc. are huge deals, but the known might of these old amps and 4719s will be hard to beat.
   One more thought, the money spent on new amps means ziltch soon if proper transport, cleaning and servicing protocols are not maintained. Real anti-shock racks! Big amps means big fans that not only flow cooling air thru but tend to vaccum up smoke, dust dirt and maybe a butterfly or hummingbird or two thru your racks, I have seen amps burst into flames from the garbage left to gather up inside.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Jim McKeveny on January 15, 2016, 08:25:44 AM
  Real anti-shock racks!

Unless we are talking about old McIntosh tube amps, foam-lined or spring-loaded "shock" racks are of questionable value.

Self-powered speakers with surface mount devices get loaded onto metal carts and semi-trucked everyday without incident.

Capital is better spent elsewhere.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on January 15, 2016, 09:08:30 AM
This may be nonstandard, but I recommend the Nexo NX4X4.  Retails for about $10K and you get four channels of true 1900W into 8ohms, no cheating on the specs.  Designed in conjunction with Yamaha, and also with the impeccable service backing of Yamaha, even if one is not using the Nexo processing, this is truly a competitive option.  And if you like, they make a smaller version, four channels at half the power for half the price, the NX4X1. Check it out!
The NX4X4 amp is a fine amp, but unless you're a Nexo shop, I don't know why you'd pick that.  It has no Ethernet control, and there are cheaper options that are just as good.  What you're paying for with the NX-series amps are the Nexo processing settings - worth absolutely zero without the Nexo boxes. 

BTW, if you're paying anywhere close to $10K, you're paying WAY too much.

I agree with others - the OP shouldn't sweat it too much; as no one has done an FIR tuning for boxes that old, almost any amp+DSP combination with the appropriate power capability is fine.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Mike Diack on January 15, 2016, 03:30:01 PM
........ but the irreversible trend is towards self-powered and packaged systems. A good and natural trend.

There may be a long tail, but the clock is ticking on amps as stand-alone items.
If this is the case then they are going to have to get a whole lot more reliable than they are at present.
Each week brings me a new pile of broken self powered speakers -  PRX, EON, K series etc etc.
All well and good in the warranty period while the manufacturers are dishing out boards or buckets
but what happens after that ???. These things all seem to suffer from the same
"Trying to get a quart out of a pint pot" syndrome.
M
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 15, 2016, 04:03:41 PM
These things all seem to suffer from the same "Trying to get a quart out of a pint pot" syndrome.


As do some other types of amplifier.

I have just repaired a couple of MarkBass mini combo amps which whilst being quite rugged in design, have (in my opinion) a serious design flaw and are crammed into a too small enclosure. 

Basically a rectified mains switch mode power supply with an analogue 500w amplifier.  All the semiconductors are specified well above what they need to be but there is no current limit on the power supply and no fuses on the power supply rails.  So when a pair of output transistors fail putting a short across the positive and negative, the power supply responds the only way it knows how by trying to supply as much current as it can... until the switching transistors and/or rectifier diodes upgrade themselves from semi to full conductors and eventually the mains fuse blows.

I suspect a lot of powered speaker amp modules suffer from the same problems.




Steve.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Marjan Milosevic on January 15, 2016, 05:56:25 PM
Not power amp related but...
We owned 24 of those jbl boxes many moons ago. Sold long time ago. i still think that they sounded way better then most of the modern stuff i see these days.
If the look and form (and weight) is something the OP can live with, those tops can be seriousley upgraded and beat most of todays stuff.
Take out the 2447 and sell them on ebay. They are keeping their value like nothing else because audiofools love them.
Put the BMS 4595 on them and biamp them using the factory crossover that can come with those.
You would not believe the sound your rig will be producing.

I might be way out of line here but that is what i think.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Luke Geis on January 16, 2016, 09:47:52 PM
I have used the boxes in question and I can't say I was ever happy with them. Made to sound good is one thing, but I would not say they sound better than anything made today. Your also talking about " upgrading " , which means spending even more money on something that people are not going to ask for by name. They are VERY HEAVY and lets face it, look pretty ugly. The grill and the carpet on even the best of examples today are not corporate or wedding friendly. A festival gig is well suited for them though.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Adam Dumbacher on January 16, 2016, 10:06:17 PM
I 100% appreciate everyone's comments on the speakers I own. Helps a lot.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: eytan gidron on January 19, 2016, 03:10:01 AM

If someone was going to spend 10K and isn't looking for a matched system, the Powersoft X8 is far and above the best value on the market. Just over $1000 per channel for real power, processing, flexibility, and control.

 And they have presets for many loudspeaker brands - EAW, Martin, JBL, Adamson, Nexo, L-Acoustics, Outline and many more ....
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Jim McKeveny on January 19, 2016, 07:17:52 AM
Each week brings me a new pile of broken self powered speakers -  PRX, EON, K series etc etc.

Not really the pro sound end of the market..
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: CurtisFlatt on January 19, 2016, 10:00:42 AM
Cyberlogic.

I am soooo not going to comment on that. When you have written protocols on the racks to avoid the flames...that should say enough.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Mac Kerr on January 19, 2016, 10:19:14 AM
I am soooo not going to comment on that. When you have written protocols on the racks to avoid the flames...that should say enough.

Those were the days Curtis. That and KF900s. Gary's legacy.

Mac
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on January 19, 2016, 10:31:58 AM
If this is the case then they are going to have to get a whole lot more reliable than they are at present.
Each week brings me a new pile of broken self powered speakers -  PRX, EON, K series etc etc.
All well and good in the warranty period while the manufacturers are dishing out boards or buckets
but what happens after that ???. These things all seem to suffer from the same
"Trying to get a quart out of a pint pot" syndrome.
M
Consumers haven't quite re-calibrated their price expectations for the fact that they are getting speaker and amp(s) for the single price of a powered speaker. Because of this higher price point for powered speakers than unpowered cabinets, especially at entry level, they have to be very sharp pencil (cheap) engineered.

I remain a strong advocate for powered speakers but cheap crap will always be cheap crap. Consumers don't appreciate reliability at point of sale. You can't even talk about failure rates before the sale without chasing away buyers. (Just like wedding vows don't discuss changing dirty diapers). 

JR
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: claude cascioli on February 03, 2016, 08:42:52 AM
What is everyone's preferred brand of power amps? I'm looking at upgrading from Crown XTi and I'm curious to know if Crown iTechs, Powersoft K series, or something from Lab would be the way to go. I know it's not enough information to recommend a specific amp. I have checks specs and know which from each brand would be suitable
i have found qscs to be the best. there very reliable and qsc has fantastic customer service, crown is not the company they used to be after there were taken over by Harmon their quality sucks and and in all honesty crown could give two shits about you after your amp is out of warranty.as far as lab gruppen
they now owned by berrenger nuff said
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Ray Aberle on February 03, 2016, 09:17:40 AM
Claude,

This isn't the first (nor second, or even third) time you've bashed Harman. And every time, it's always this same type of broad stroke claim.

May I respectfully ask what specific situation/problem/experience have you encountered with poor quality of product or poor support with Crown or any of the other Harman brands?

Thanks,

Ray
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: William Schnake on February 03, 2016, 09:30:05 AM
...crown is not the company they used to be after there were taken over by Harmon their quality sucks and and in all honesty crown could give two shits about you after your amp is out of warranty...
Claude, I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Crown.  I have had nothing but good experiences with Crown and their service.  We own XTi, Macro Tech, Macro Tech I Series and I-Techs, 32 in total.  If I have a question I simply call or email Crown's Support staff.  If I email, they always get back to me within a couple of hours and if I call I always get through to someone in a reasonable time. 

I did have one I-Tech fail after it was out of warrenty and I decided to drive it to the factory for one day service.  It was a Tuesday and I needed the amp for a show on Friday.  Crown was not able to find the problem and repair my amp, an I-Tech 8000.  They couldn't recreate the problem.  They sent me home with a loaner and said they would ship mine back to me in the next couple of days.  I got a call from Crown Service the next morning, Wednesday, saying they were overnighting me a factory refurbished I-Tech 8000 with a 3 year warranty.  They also paid the shipping back to them for the loaner I-Tech 8000.

As I said, this is just my experience, but we only use Crown amps.

Bill  ;)
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Joseph D. Macry on February 03, 2016, 10:51:49 AM
i have found qscs to be the best. there very reliable and qsc has fantastic customer service, crown is not the company they used to be after there were taken over by Harmon their quality sucks and and in all honesty crown could give two shits about you after your amp is out of warranty.as far as lab gruppen
they now owned by berrenger nuff said

As an installer, I have seen far more QSCs fail than Crowns.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: paul bell on February 03, 2016, 09:15:04 PM
As an installer in the very competitive NYC market, I find wide use for the Ashly KLR line of amplifiers. A very well designed and made import, I've only had one fail of the many I've sold and installed.

My rental stock has old school QSC Powerlight 9.0 & 3.8x to the new four channel QSC offering-which I find to be an awesome amplifier.

For big bass, SpeakerPower can't be beat.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: Bob Leonard on February 03, 2016, 09:27:37 PM
Claude, I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Crown.  I have had nothing but good experiences with Crown and their service.  We own XTi, Macro Tech, Macro Tech I Series and I-Techs, 32 in total.  If I have a question I simply call or email Crown's Support staff.  If I email, they always get back to me within a couple of hours and if I call I always get through to someone in a reasonable time. 

I did have one I-Tech fail after it was out of warrenty and I decided to drive it to the factory for one day service.  It was a Tuesday and I needed the amp for a show on Friday.  Crown was not able to find the problem and repair my amp, an I-Tech 8000.  They couldn't recreate the problem.  They sent me home with a loaner and said they would ship mine back to me in the next couple of days.  I got a call from Crown Service the next morning, Wednesday, saying they were overnighting me a factory refurbished I-Tech 8000 with a 3 year warranty.  They also paid the shipping back to them for the loaner I-Tech 8000.

As I said, this is just my experience, but we only use Crown amps.

Bill  ;)

I go along with this. Although all of my amps are QSC, Crown sat in my racks for many years. I don't remember the time when I've had a QSC or Crown amp fail, or if one did fail I don't remember ever having been given poor service by either company.

Lab is Behringer? Well maybe MG owns the brand but unlike other products now owned by Uli, the Koolaid hasn't seeped down that far just yet. Broad strokes make good jokes.
Title: Re: Preferred brand of power amp
Post by: eric lenasbunt on February 03, 2016, 10:57:43 PM

As an installer in the very competitive NYC market, I find wide use for the Ashly KLR line of amplifiers. A very well designed and made import, I've only had one fail of the many I've sold and installed.

My rental stock has old school QSC Powerlight 9.0 & 3.8x to the new four channel QSC offering-which I find to be an awesome amplifier.

For big bass, SpeakerPower can't be beat.

+1 on the KLR. We also install a lot of them with great success. We built a quad amp festival rack with them as well and they perform great and weigh little.

T-Pain's engineer did kill one driving lows, but...