Better 2-channel amp than the Behringer A500 for the price?

[Crackerballer]

With the Emotiva UPA-2 gone (and it still was $100 more), is there a 2 channel amp that even comes close to the A500 as far as performance for the price? I just ordered a set of Polk Monitor 70s and I've read they can be thirsty. Couple that with my Onkyo receiver, which has been known to run warm and has minimal head space in my setup, and the A500 really looks attractive at $200.

I know this subject has been covered, but I couldn't find where it was covered recently, so I wanted to get a "state of the industry/market" update. Thanks.

 

[GranteedEV]

At $300 I'd be looking at a Crown XLS1000

Stereo, 8 ohms: 215W
Stereo, 4 ohms: 350W
Stereo, 2 ohms: 550W

It's more powerful than that Behringer, whic the Audio Critic measured at

Stereo, 8 ohms: 138W
Stereo, 4 ohms: 220W
Stereo, 2 ohms: ~255W

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

QSC GX3 demo for $250 shipped. 6 yr warranty. I think the fan has variable speed, so it is quieter.

QSC GX3 Stereo Power Amplifier: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

 

[Crackerballer]

At $300 I'd be looking at a Crown XLS1000 (160 WPC)

They are only $200 shipped, brand new. I could get the Emotiva UPA-2 for $100 more, but is it worth it?

So it looks like you have:

$200 Category:
Behringer A500

$250 Category:
QSC GX3

$300 Category:
Crown XLS1000
Emotiva UPA-2

Of the 4, is the UPA-2/Crown $100 better and the QSC $50 better than the A500?

 

[GranteedEV]

They are only $200 shipped, brand new. I could get the Emotiva UPA-2 for $100 more, but is it worth it?

The EMotiva doesn't look particularily more powerful than the Behringer.

Of the 4, is the UPA-2/Crown $100 better and the QSC $50 better than the A500?

The crown is most certainly worth it IMO.

The QSC probably is too, but it would depend on whether or not it has fan noise.

 

[Crackerballer]

The EMotiva doesn't look particularily more powerful than the Behringer.




The crown is most certainly worth it IMO.

The QSC probably is too, but it would depend on whether or not it has fan noise.

I don't care about fan noise. The time my TV is on, the audio is loud enough you won't hear any fan.

 

[lsiberian]

As long as you are prepared for it to break. I got half a working amp these days with the A500. Buying it would be foolish when 100 more could get you something much longer lasting.

 

[Crackerballer]

As long as you are prepared for it to break. I got half a working amp these days with the A500. Buying it would be foolish when 100 more could get you something much longer lasting.

You mean the common trend of a wire being left unplugged inside (left channel I believe)? I am thinking of getting the Emotiva tomorrow, but will research the Crown and QSC tonight.

 

[agarwalro]

Since you want low heat waste, think Class D, like this one.

Behringer iNuke 1000, with, " High-Density Class-D circuitry offers terrific reliability and audio performance, and also provides cool operation with "near-zero" thermal buildup" .

 

[Crackerballer]

Since you want low heat waste, think Class D, like this one.

Behringer iNuke 1000, with, " High-Density Class-D circuitry offers terrific reliability and audio performance, and also provides cool operation with "near-zero" thermal buildup" .

Oh thank you sir! Looks like that may fit the bill. I am considering spending a little more if necessary just to get a nice piece that I can keep for a long time.

In other news, I have read the Polk Monitor 70s have a TERRIBLE tweeter, so I may have to look into swapping it out. Might be a pain in the ***.

 

[ahblaza]

At $300 I'd be looking at a Crown XLS1000

Stereo, 8 ohms: 215W
Stereo, 4 ohms: 350W
Stereo, 2 ohms: 550W

It's more powerful than that Behringer, whic the Audio Critic measured at

Stereo, 8 ohms: 138W
Stereo, 4 ohms: 220W
Stereo, 2 ohms: ~255W

Grant I second that, 11 pound powerhouse and it can be had at guitarcenter.com for $249 shipped with code CYC150, zsounds will beat that price if you show them you get it at that price and you can pay in four easy installments @ zsounds. Great amp, bridged 218W into 8 Ohms.
Cheers Jeff

 

[agarwalro]

Oh thank you sir! Looks like that may fit the bill. I am considering spending a little more if necessary just to get a nice piece that I can keep for a long time.

You're welcome . If you can swing it, this version has built in EQ. Behringer iNuke 1000 DSP, with, " The DSP section offers delay, crossover (3 filter types, up to 48dB/octave), EQ (8 parametric, 2 dynamic), and dynamics processing. The security settings are lockable to prevent unwanted changes".

PC interface too...

 

[Crackerballer]

I actually looked at the iNuke because of how thermal efficient it is. I won't have a ton of headspace where I am placing the amp so that is another plus for the iNuke.

 

[Crackerballer]

I just ordered the Crown XLS1000 from Guitar Center. For the price (with coupon code) it was hard to beat. $266 shipped to my door, and has better specs than the A500 and iNuke. Also, reading many reviews on it, it apparently also runs very cool and is super light. Once I get the new Polk system setup and this wired with them, I will give a full report.

 

[lsiberian]

You mean the common trend of a wire being left unplugged inside (left channel I believe)? I am thinking of getting the Emotiva tomorrow, but will research the Crown and QSC tonight.

I wish that were the case. Both channels worked when I bought it. Now only one channel works. It does happen to be the right one. The Peavey IPR is also worth a look.

 

[lsiberian]

I just ordered the Crown XLS1000 from Guitar Center. For the price (with coupon code) it was hard to beat. $266 shipped to my door, and has better specs than the A500 and iNuke. Also, reading many reviews on it, it apparently also runs very cool and is super light. Once I get the new Polk system setup and this wired with them, I will give a full report.

That is a good amp that should last you for a while.

 

[agarwalro]

Congrats! Let us know how it sounds .

 

[Crackerballer]

Should I invest in some nicer cables to connect the preouts on the Onkyo to the Crown? This will be my first amp so I want to make sure I treat it right so it treats me right.

 

[agarwalro]

Nope. Simple RCA cable for line level and existing speaker wire will do just fine.

 

[GranteedEV]

Should I invest in some nicer cables to connect the preouts on the Onkyo to the Crown? This will be my first amp so I want to make sure I treat it right so it treats me right.

Invest in nicer speakers.

These cables:

For only $4.60 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 6ft Premier Series XLR Male to RCA Male 16AWG Cable (Gold Plated) | XLR Male to RCA Male

will be well and fine.