Power Amp Hunt 2 x 600/800 W @ 4 Ohm

[Koobenot]

Hi, I'm looking for a live music playing/disco power amplifier with the following parameters:

• 2 x 600 (800) W / 4 Ohm
• 2 x 380 W / 8 Ohm
• 1 x 1200 W / 8 Ohm bridge
• Balanced XLR in / Speaker twist out (SPEAKON speaker)
• Ground lift
• Temperature switch-off
• DC protection
• Fan
• Format: 19", 2 U

The budget is 700-900 EU.

The candidates I have focused on are the following:

Dynacord SL 1200
Crown XLI-2500
QSC GX-5
Electro-Voice P1202
Electro-Voice CP-1800
Electro-Voice Q66-II
QSC ISA-450

What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance!

 

[restorer-john]

QSC are incredibly reliable, bulletproof and very well made.

 

[kipman725]

These are quite old models buying them new is bad value for money if you check second hand prices. Newer models will have increased power output for a given weight.

 

[JayGilb]

This site carries a lot of gear in both the USA and Europe: 10kused Gear

It's fun just to look at complete touring PA systems that cost more than my house.

 

[Trouble Maker]

Amirm has reviewed quite a few Crown amps, but only one lower powered (XLi-800) from the XLi range. It didn't preform very well.
The XLS series did better and I think a few here have bought them and been happy, and it has built in DSP.

Search results for query: crown

www.audiosciencereview.com

The XLS2502 seems to have nearly the power you are looking for.

Crown XLS2502 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS2502 DriveCore (switching) 2-channel amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The XLS 2502 cost US $645 including free shipping from Amazon. It has DSP functionality which I did not test. And is specified to drive 2 ohm load...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I'm unsure if the XLi250x would have more or less power, with the same nomenclature I would hope the power level specs are similar, but that's just a guess. Regardless difficult to compare without apples to apples actual (trusted 3rd party) measurements.

The XLS isn't much more than than XLi, and it's still within your budge (at least in USD).

 

[kipman725]

This site carries a lot of gear in both the USA and Europe: 10kused Gear

It's fun just to look at complete touring PA systems that cost more than my house.

Prices are kind of high! at the lower end you would be better served by Ebay or other private sellers.

 

[JayGilb]

Prices are kind of high! at the lower end you would be better served by Ebay or other private sellers.

I agree, but bargains can be found. The site caters to touring companies.
As a lover of vintage pro-audio gear, it can be a good resource for the occasional bargain.

 

[Koobenot]

These are quite old models buying them new is bad value for money if you check second hand prices. Newer models will have increased power output for a given weight.

Can you recommend something newer in the same price range? Thanks!

 

[kipman725]

XLS2502 seems decent very light has some DSP features that might be useful. I have a few of Gisens amplifiers and have been satisfied with them: https://www.gisenaudio.com/high-power-amplifier-class-d-full-range-amplifier-2100wx2-8ohm . The thomann t.amps range meet their power specs and have a 3 year warranty and low prices. QSC GXD range is the newer low end QSC range.

Mainly I was advising if you where interested in your original list of amps they are readily available 2nd hand so buying new seems relatively expensive.

 

[Scrappy]

QSC are incredibly reliable, bulletproof and very well made.

I got a call today from a guy asking my recommendation on an amp to drive a JBL double-18 a side for his bar rig. He was warned off new Samsung Crown amps, tho he can get a deeep discount on one. As per portable rig, I recommended QSC PLD. Guess they’re discontinued? Dunno I live in Lab.Gruppen world. And Lacoustic and DnB...