The Professional (Pro) Amplifier Owner's Thread

[AcuDefTechGuy]

OK, you guys convinced me to not even get the Behringer amp.

I think they look pretty good aesthetically for Pro Amps and the price is attractive, but the reliability is a huge issue.

So I have cancelled my order on Amazon.

However, we can still talk about Pro amps.

So looks like the 3 brands of Pro amps to trust are QSC, Crown, and Yamaha.

Pretty much stay away from Behringer, Pyle, and all the other amps.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd think Lab Gruppen and PowerSoft and SpeakerPower amps would all be considered reliable as well. Maybe not as affordable...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'd think Lab Gruppen and PowerSoft and SpeakerPower amps would all be considered reliable as well. Maybe not as affordable...

Yeah, if they're not as affordable, then I would rather just get something like the Monolith 200x5 XLR amp for $1299.

I think I like the Crown XLS 1002 Class-D amps the best. They need to replace that weird trigger with the standard 12V trigger. Let's hope that will happen with the future XLS 1003 amps.

 

[Verdinut]

OK, you guys convinced me to not even get the Behringer amp.

I think they look pretty good aesthetically for Pro Amps and the price is attractive, but the reliability is a huge issue.

So I have cancelled my order on Amazon.

However, we can still talk about Pro amps.

So looks like the 3 brands of Pro amps to trust are QSC, Crown, and Yamaha.

Pretty much stay away from Behringer, Pyle, and all the other amps.

If you wish to try a QSC DCA 1222 at a good price, There's one availabe with about 2 hours left in the listing. It looks in very good shape:
That amp new retails at over $900.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/QSC-DCA-1222-DIGITAL-CINEMA-POWER-AMPLIFIER/123188786674?hash=item1cae9fb5f2:g:1igAAOSwQz1bIW1G

 

[lovinthehd]

The Cons seem to be
1) Behringer is probably not as reliable as QSC, Crown, Yamaha?
2) I can't find any specs (SNR, FR, THD, XTalk).

Some specs here https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1193077/Behringer-Km1700.html?page=16#manual

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah, if they're not as affordable, then I would rather just get something like the Monolith 200x5 XLR amp for $1299.

I think I like the Crown XLS 1002 Class-D amps the best. They need to replace that weird trigger with the standard 12V trigger. Let's hope that will happen with the future XLS 1003 amps.

Depends on your power needs. If using for subs then the Monolith is not very useful.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Some specs here https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1193077/Behringer-Km1700.html?page=16#manual

Specs aren't bad. I don't like amp fuses, though. The Crown and ATI amps don't have fuses.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Depends on your power needs. If using for subs then the Monolith is not very useful.

Those gain/volume knobs on the pro amps definitely make it easier for subs and speakers.

Right now I'm using my ATI AT3005 amp to power the 5 SX-1010 subs. I have to use the Denon's Trim levels to control the sub levels. Not a problem for me, but knobs would make it a little easier for everything - easier for subs and for all speakers when needing to adjust levels.

 

[slipperybidness]

Personally, I wouldn't touch any Behringer product. I had a bad experience with a DEQ2496. Very poor customer service.
I had brought it to an authorized repair shop which did not fix it. I spent time with several emails with the group that handles customer service. It took over 3 months to receive a new replacement. I sold the replacement afterwards to a professional studio owner.

Well, then there are several times that they have completely cloned their competition, well documented behavior.

Their Monitors do tend to come fairly highly praised, especially for the price.

 

[slipperybidness]

There is an old AVS thread where someone would measure actual wattage output of amps. They were pretty much for subs, but the results were interesting. Behringer was one brand that almost always performed UNDER their rated output. Keep in mind this was years ago so that could have changed.

I personally don't buy their products just because of how many failures I dealt with working at Guitar Center. That didn't happen with Crown or QSC. Having said that, these amps were used for mobile concerts so they got used the way a pro amp gets used. In a home setting I'd think you'd see a much lower failure rate. My main concern would be what the amp really puts out vs what it's rated for.

Do the Behringer amps have any type of speaker protection?

It would be a shame to lose expensive speakers due to a cheap amp failure.

 

[panteragstk]

Do the Behringer amps have any type of speaker protection?

It would be a shame to lose expensive speakers due to a cheap amp failure.

The mention a limiter, but that's about it for this amp. I think the DSP models have more than that.

 

[slipperybidness]

The mention a limiter, but that's about it for this amp. I think the DSP models have more than that.

Limiter won't help if an output device fails.

Any well designed modern amp should have speaker protection built in. It's not worth risking expensive speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to risk my speakers either with these Behringer or cheaper amps.

 

[panteragstk]

Limiter won't help if an output device fails.

Any well designed modern amp should have speaker protection built in. It's not worth risking expensive speakers.

Very much in the "you get what you pay for" camp.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

I have this one and I love it. The only thing that bugs me (which I mentioned before in another thread) is a slight hiss when you rest your ear against the speaker. But who does that? When listening to music it is not an issue even with choir music. Believe me, I can live with it.

 

[Bucknekked]

I think everything deserves an owner's thread, including pro amps.

A few weeks ago I tried out the Crown XLS 1002 Amp. It was pretty good. But I returned it to Amazon and wanted to continue trying other Pro amps.

So I just ordered the Behringer KM750 200x2 (8 ohms), 400x2 (4-ohm) Pro Amp from Amazon.

This is a photoshop picture of a set of 5 amps stacked to show what it could look like.

you should do a photohop of what a rack of the Crowns look like and a rack of QSCs. That might be nice. I think this was a good thread to read. Someday, for somethng, I'm going to want to install power and separates. Someday.

 

[M Code]

The DCA line costs over 5 times the price of some of the Crown XLS amps. They are made in the USA.
I have been using DCA 1222s for one year now. I wouldn't use anything else. They are as acoustically transparent as any amplifier on the market.

Some QSC amplifiers are outsourced through China such as the CMX series....

Just my $0.02...

 

[Verdinut]

Some QSC amplifiers are outsourced through China such as the CMX series....

Just my $0.02...

The RMX Series as well. PENG likes his RMX850a. I almost bought some but decided to go for the DCA 1222 instead. Main reason was the depth of the RMX at over 16 inches which would have protruded from my equipment console. The 850a otherwise has excellent specs and operates in Class AB with a conventional power supply. A very rugged amp indeed.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I can tell ya that fan comes on and is noticable.

On the RAMSA? I've never heard it, even standing directly in front of it.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

However, we can still talk about Pro amps.

So looks like the 3 brands of Pro amps to trust are QSC, Crown, and Yamaha..

Don’t forget Crest.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt