Yamaha Pro Amps Poll

[mike c]

ok, i need new amps as i'm retiring the Behringer A500's.

the Yamaha Pro Amps are priced over here as follows:
P5000S 1,063USD
P3500S 850USD
P2500S 553USD
all equally divided into 12 months installment with no interest

i'm thinking, if the mains are all I need to power, the P2500S should be more than sufficient, and i can buy two.

the P3500S is too close to the price of the P5000S to really be in the running ...

the P5000S is future proofed to run just about any speaker and any subwoofer.

 

[mike c]

for reference only:

the EP2500 falls right below the P5000S (or they could possibly be equal in power), but the yammy's just look so much better and WmAx says the fans never come on for home use.

bench tests by chasw98

 

[fmw]

I don't know what future proofing means in a power amplifier but the 2500 is more powerful than required for use in any home - assuming a home without an auditorium.

 

[mike c]

I don't know what future proofing means in a power amplifier but the 2500 is more powerful than required for use in any home - assuming a home without an auditorium.

future proof means i can have other uses for the amp aside from powering speakers ... i.e. sealed subwoofers playing up to the low teens

but then again, i already have two Behringer EP2500's to do that ... unless i add more subs

 

[Davemcc]

Seriously, if you're going to be driving the Monitors or Paradigms, any of these amps will be more than enough.

 

[James Mos]

I personally have a p3500s pro amp powering my Legacy Audio Focus 20/20's and it works great. I went with it due to the Legacy's impedance drops very low at points and the amp has worked great and stayed cool.

I have to say that the $850 seems very steep though. I think I got mine for just under $400 through fleabay new sealed in box.

Either way, it's a great amp.

 

[tcarcio]

I agree with James on the price. If you look around I think you know you can find them cheaper or something like them like Crown, Qsc or Crest. They all make great amps and like mentioned you could probably find a better deal on E-bay. I have bought all of my pro amps from power sellers on E-bay and have saved alot of money and had no problems with them.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Hey Mike,

Buy them all and then write a review so we know what to do when we're ready!

SF

 

[mike c]

Seriously, if you're going to be driving the Monitors or Paradigms, any of these amps will be more than enough.

i agree, but it's when i get some DIY subs in the future that the lower powered amps become a problem.

I personally have a p3500s pro amp powering my Legacy Audio Focus 20/20's and it works great. I went with it due to the Legacy's impedance drops very low at points and the amp has worked great and stayed cool.

I have to say that the $850 seems very steep though. I think I got mine for just under $400 through fleabay new sealed in box.

Either way, it's a great amp.

thanks for sharing your experience on the 3500s

I agree with James on the price. If you look around I think you know you can find them cheaper or something like them like Crown, Qsc or Crest. They all make great amps and like mentioned you could probably find a better deal on E-bay. I have bought all of my pro amps from power sellers on E-bay and have saved alot of money and had no problems with them.

unfortunately, i live in the Philippines, we have 220v here and i don't have access to ebay.

Hey Mike,

Buy them all and then write a review so we know what to do when we're ready!

SF

i would if i could ...

but the wife shot down the idea of one each of the P5000S and P2500S.
said max budget is 1100USD. let's see if my nagging powers work, though it may take awhile.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

i would if i could ...

but the wife shot down the idea of one each of the P5000S and P2500S.
said max budget is 1100USD. let's see if my nagging powers work, though it may take awhile.

Good luck!

 

[mtrycrafts]

i agree, but it's when i get some DIY subs in the future that the lower powered amps become a problem.
....

Why not cross that bridge when you get there
If you want an amp to power a sub into the teens at great enough intensity, better get a good sized amp if the driver can take it. I'd say over 500 watts and handle the drivers impedance down there.

 

[cbraver]

Crown XTi's have variable speed fans and DSP, they are also USB and use that HiQnet thing that you can read about here: http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com/

http://www.crownaudio.com/amp_htm/xti.htm <--amp link

B&H sells them from like 480 bucks up to under a grand. Pretty configurable and Crown makes a very respectable amp. I really love my XLS.

If you want something that looks really cool and has waaayyyy too much power, you could look at the Crown Macro-Tech I series or the Lab.Gruppen's. But, the Macro-Tech's go up to 8,000 watts and that gets to just be silly.

QSC really makes some nice stuff too.

I'm pretty sure the next amp I buy will be the Crown XTi. They are great amps, extremely configurable, aren't overpriced and could be used for just about everything.

 

[mike c]

Why not cross that bridge when you get there
If you want an amp to power a sub into the teens at great enough intensity, better get a good sized amp if the driver can take it. I'd say over 500 watts and handle the drivers impedance down there.

are you trying to tell me something?

 

[mike c]

Crown XTi's have variable speed fans and DSP, they are also USB and use that HiQnet thing that you can read about here: http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com/

http://www.crownaudio.com/amp_htm/xti.htm <--amp link

B&H sells them from like 480 bucks up to under a grand. Pretty configurable and Crown makes a very respectable amp. I really love my XLS.

If you want something that looks really cool and has waaayyyy too much power, you could look at the Crown Macro-Tech I series or the Lab.Gruppen's. But, the Macro-Tech's go up to 8,000 watts and that gets to just be silly.

QSC really makes some nice stuff too.

I'm pretty sure the next amp I buy will be the Crown XTi. They are great amps, extremely configurable, aren't overpriced and could be used for just about everything.

ok, i just called the local crown dealer

xti 2000 873USD
xti 4000 1157USD
macrotech 3600 3121USD

 

[cbraver]

Why are they more expensive there? Could you buy them in the US and then have them shipped or do they get you on the taxes?

The XTi is within your budget, so, that's an option. I think they are pretty sweet! The DSP and such might save you some money in the future as well.

 

[mike c]

Why are they more expensive there? Could you buy them in the US and then have them shipped or do they get you on the taxes?

The XTi is within your budget, so, that's an option. I think they are pretty sweet! The DSP and such might save you some money in the future as well.

even if i could, i hate 110v equipment - fried my fair share of tv's/equipment before

 

[cbraver]

even if i could, i hate 110v equipment - fried my fair share of tv's/equipment before

Ah, right. And those converters are kinda gangster. Plus buying it locally is a lot easier and probably worth the extra money.

Crown has an awesome tech and support staff by the way. Give them a call if you have any questions. They have general techs and specialists that get back to you fast if they aren't there. They are also known for repairing stuff post-warranty for free just to stand behind their product. I have some DJ friends that will sit and blather about how great Crown support is for hours. Gets old, so I'll stop now.

 

[mike c]

Ah, right. And those converters are kinda gangster. Plus buying it locally is a lot easier and probably worth the extra money.

Crown has an awesome tech and support staff by the way. Give them a call if you have any questions. They have general techs and specialists that get back to you fast if they aren't there. They are also known for repairing stuff post-warranty for free just to stand behind their product. I have some DJ friends that will sit and blather about how great Crown support is for hours. Gets old, so I'll stop now.

do you know if the Xti amps' fans turn on from the getgo or when it becomes hot? sent an email already

 

[mike c]

woops crown xti = fail for 20hz
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13869426&postcount=701

for full list
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10689199#post10689199

granted the Xti specs never claimed 20hz output ratings, but 1khz output in its spec sheet

 

[cbraver]

woops crown xti = fail for 20hz
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13869426&postcount=701

for full list
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10689199#post10689199

I would gather some questions and goals before calling them and see what their responses are. Let me know if I can help in any way, as I have moderate experience working with their products in prosound/nightlife application.