 Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102 |
Hey guys,
Long time no Talk! I have been crazy busy over the last year. I moved to LA the better part of a year ago, and have been getting involved with parts of music I never thought I would be. I am producing alot more, writing songs with a group that I work with, and trying to pitch these songs for TV and Film! The same guys are in a band with me, sort of a pop/rock band. Hopefully you guys will get to hear our music sooner than later!
Anyways, the real reason I am posting.
I have been using M22s for my mixing duties, bought a part of used ones with Axiom stands included for only $380. Up until now I have drilled a hole in my wall to the living room and have been using two channels from my LPA-1 to drive the M22s in my studio room. We are moving and I need to invest in an amp.
Do you guys have any suggestions? I asked the gearslutz forum and they gave me some names like ART, Alesis and Samson, Soundtech, stewart, crown, hafler and adcom. I don't really know any of those guys and I trust your guys experience more. Sometimes I feel the Home Theatre nuts know alot more about the technical side of power and specs than the studio guys.
My requirements is that it fit a standard rack space and have balanced inputs. I am going to go used on this one, I want to keep it under $300.
Thanks!
-Hutz
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Pro amps are going to offer the best bang for the buck. I have heard Alesis, Crown and Adcom mentioned before. The Behringer A500 is the best bang for the buck out there, but I read a thread on avsforum two days ago where people were having issues with defective units (static introduced in higher frequency stuff). Anyways, the real reason I am posting. And we thought it was because you missed us... 
Last edited by fredk; 08/03/09 03:24 PM.
Fred
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Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
I like this one a ton. QSC GX Series Buy new for around $500 and get a 6 year warranty. I got mine for $350 on a massive sale, but easy to get around $450 everyday [in US, anyway].
RCA inputs, rackmount, and the following specs with no problems in my 4 ohm HT, but fan noise must be addressed:
GX Series
SPECIFICATIONS GX3 GX5
8 ohms / 1 kHz (both channels driven) 300 W 500 W
8 ohms / 1 kHz (single channels driven) 350 W 600 W
4 ohms / 1 kHz (both channels driven) 425 W 700 W
4 ohms / 1 kHz (single channels driven) 500 W 850 W
Distortion (typical)
20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 dB below rated power
8 ohms: less than 0.05%
4 ohms: less than 0.1%
Signal to Noise (20 Hz - 20 kHz) 100 dB
Input Sensitivity 1.2 Vrms
Voltage Gain (8 ohms) 32.2 dB 34.4 dB
Output Circuitry Class B 2-tier Class H
Power Requirements (1/8 power, pink noise at 4 ohms, 120V) 6.3A 6A
Frequency Response 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0, -1 dB
Dynamic Headroom (4 ohms) 2 dB
Input Impedance (ohms) Greater than 20k (balanced)
Maximum Input Level
+24 dB (16 Vrms)
Input Connectors (each channel) 3-pin XLR and 1/4" TRS, balanced, parallel
Phono, unbalanced
Output Connectors (each channel) Speakon®, 1/4", Binding Posts
Amplifier and Load Protection Short circuit, open circuit, thermal, RF protection
Load protected against DC faults
Front Panel Controls and Indicators Gain controls, 21 detents
Red Clip LEDs, proportional, 0.1% THD threshold
Green Signal LEDs, threshold -35 dB
Blue Power LED, AC on
Rear Panel Controls Full Range / Crossover switch
100 Hz, 3rd order LP (sub), 2nd order HP (top)
Dimensions Height: 3.5" (89 mm) 2RU
Width: 19" (483 mm)
Depth: 10.1" (257 mm)
Weight Net: 27 lbs (12.1 kg)
Shipping: 31 lbs (14.1 kg) Net: 28 lbs (12.6 kg)
Shipping: 32 lbs (14.6 kg)
Agency Approvals UL, CE, RoHS/WEEE Compliant
AC Power Consumption
AC Current and Heating, 120 VAC
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Hey Hutz,
No amp advice. Just wanted to say welcome back and thanks for all the drum advice last year. I'm having a blast.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102 |
Hey Murph, I am glad you're having a good time with the drums!! I am involved with writing some Pop/Rock tunes with a band I am in. I am the designated engineer, producer, drummer, and mixer for all of our stuff. Its alot of work, but I am determined to work hard to become a success. I have finished mixing 3 of our songs which I played drums for. And we have an EP coming out soon (which I am also mixing). All these mixes were done on M22 speakers, so I can't wait for the axiomites to hear how they sound on THEIR speakers Just to let you all know, I found a killer deal on a Hafler P3000 today, delivers 200 wpc into 4 ohms, and 150 wpc into 8 ohms, also can be bridged to provide 400 wpc. Anyways, found a guy that is desperate to unload his gear in Hollywood, $200 is the final price I negotiated!!! Thats a great price for a convection cooled rackmount amp with some great reviews online. Hafler seems to have a loyal following. I'll have to take some pics of my setup for you guys sometime. I miss posting on these boards, I have just been to busy with school, this band thing, the EP, blah blah blah. Once we are rich and famous I'll have more time (I think). -Hutz
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102 |
Zimm,
I can't have any fan noise as I will be tracking in the same room as the amp most times. Sounds like a good deal tho!
-Hutz
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Nice find on the amp. You're finally living on the 'good deal' side of the border.
Fred
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Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Nice Find!
And Hey, does your band have a MySpace page or something that you will be linking us to where we can demo your songs when they are ready?
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102 |
We are kinda doing things backwards than most bands. We have been writing for 6 months, have recorded 8 songs on the drums, and are getting our 6 song EP ready to go.
Once we have the EP done, we'll be launching the page with some songs on it (and pics), and doing an EP release party in Santa Monica. After that, we'll establish a fan base and already have a great myspace page up and running before our first gig so that people have a blog to subscribe to. I think its actually the smartest way about doing it. Have all the material ready before establishing a fan base.
To do it this way is a bit crazy, it's assuming alot of factors, the biggest one being that people will actually like our stuff after our first live show.
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Re: Cheap(er) two channel amp? (Rack Mount)
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
Zimm,
I can't have any fan noise as I will be tracking in the same room as the amp most times. Sounds like a good deal tho!
-Hutz Yep, it is a problem. I fixed by pulling out the internal fan and using a quiet external fan. Now all is well - cool, quiet, and loud.
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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