View Full Version : amp for rcfs
DJ INDIE
08-08-2009, 06:32 PM
Evening all,
Im after an amp to power my RCF Event 3000. Im trying to avoid it being a 'what amp for £x' thread, and wondered if anyone had any ideas?
It must play at least 300w+ a side @8Ohm. so i get the maximum out of it. and im hoping to get a quality one to make the most of the speaker quality.
just having a quick scout around - my budget is £200 to £300
has anyone heard or experienced these?
http://www.whybuynew.co.uk/Mackie-M800-Amplifier-M-800-Amp.html
http://www.whybuynew.co.uk/Cerwin-Vega-CV1800-Power-Amplifier.html
http://www.whybuynew.co.uk/Peavey-PV1500-Power-Amplifier.html
or any other bargain ideas gratefully received,
thanks
DJ INDIE
09-08-2009, 12:04 AM
Having done an extensive search - the mackie is underpowered at 175w each channel.
plenty of people seem to recommend the Behringer EP2500
so its between that and the cerwin vega cv1800
ive heard neither, but may be making a trip out somewhere to hear them side by side..any info or preferences?
ppentertainments
09-08-2009, 12:28 AM
Have a look at the warrior da-1300.
http://www.djanddiscostuff.com/prodpage.asp?prodid=2149
Can't comment on the other amps but have used these for years and are great workhorses. I know quite a few reccomend them.
wensleydale
09-08-2009, 09:58 AM
crown xls 602- couple of people on here use the xls range and i can't fault them.
3 yr guarantee too which to me was important.
Sapphire Disco
09-08-2009, 10:19 AM
crown xls 602- couple of people on here use the xls range and i can't fault them.
3 yr guarantee too which to me was important.
Can't argue with that £338.98 at Thomann :)
http://www.thomann.de/gb/crown_xls_602_d.htm
I've owned and used both a crown XLS 602 and an EP 2500, IMO the EP2500 was the better amp by a country mile.
wensleydale
09-08-2009, 10:53 AM
I've owned and used both a crown XLS 602 and an EP 2500, IMO the EP2500 was the better amp by a country mile.
everyone is going to have "perceptions" of each make of gear- I wouldnt have any Behringer gear after an EQ let me down - at my wedding!
everyone is going to have "perceptions" of each make of gear- I wouldnt have any Behringer gear after an EQ let me down - at my wedding!
Makes me laugh really.
You had a problem with a piece of Behringer equipment which caused a problem so for that reason you don't use them no more. Fair enough.
On the other side, I know of people who Behringer equipment to control amps Void, FFA, Lab Gruppen etc, as well as using Behringer compressors for liva PA work. lol.
Each to there own about Cheaper brands. I like behringer and will use them. :)
As for the amp, the Behringer ep2500 and some of the Thomann amps are ok. Maybe even look at some second hand Matrix amps if you come across any on ebay. :)
DJMaxG
09-08-2009, 01:58 PM
The Numark Dimension 3 is a pretty decent one
W Audio are value for money, but I wouldn't buy another
Charlie Brown
09-08-2009, 02:02 PM
I have the Numark 3...great quality build amp, reliable etc...but not enough kick.
It has a panic attack to early...
DJWilson
09-08-2009, 02:03 PM
The T.Amp's from Thomann are very good, TA2400.
ppentertainments
09-08-2009, 02:34 PM
The Numark Dimension 3 is a pretty decent one
W Audio are value for money, but I wouldn't buy another
Did you have a bad experience with the warrior amps Max ??
Im after an amp to power my RCF Event 3000. Im trying to avoid it being a 'what amp for £x' thread, and wondered if anyone had any ideas?
It must play at least 300w+ a side @8Ohm. so i get the maximum out of it.
:confused:
The Event 3000 box is rated 300wrms @ 8r and won't sing sweetly if you underpower it. RCFs, particularly the older boxes, are power hungry.
At an entry level budget, you won't do much better than a Behringer EP4000, 550wrms/ch @ 8r for around the £250 mark retail inc vat. Perfect power match for your boxes, too.
The EP4000 is a recent addition to Behringer's catalogue, however if the EP2500's reputation is anything to go by, you won't go far wrong. I am going by what I've heard about the EP2500, not personally having working experience with Behringer level equipment. These amps are used extensively on the free party scene - so if they're good for playing dubstep and DnB, running bridged all night in cold, damp, muddy fields, hanging off a dodgy genset, they should survive the rigours of the mainstream mobile disco market!
DJ INDIE
09-08-2009, 07:23 PM
cheers all,
some good options to go at, ta
no one seems to have experience of the Cerwin Vega amps - so its now (for the time being! - buying on friday) between a crown amp and the EP series.
ta
DJMaxG
09-08-2009, 08:05 PM
between a crown amp and the EP series.
Crown XTI Series it is then :P
Crown XTI Series it is then :P
You sure about that???
Fore the OP needs, I would say the Crown XIT 2000 which is 475 watts rms at 8ohm but that amp is around £600 (from having a quick look online) new which is double the £300 the OP was looking at spending.
I would either go for this T.Amp TA2400 (http://www.thomann.de/gb/t-amp_ta2400.htm) or Behringer EP4000 (http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_ep4000_europower.htm)
I don't have any experience with these amps but after doing lots of reading on other forums, these amps come up trumps for the price for performance ratio.
DJ INDIE
09-08-2009, 08:48 PM
behringer EP4000 in the lead by a whisker - £270 price tag helping it too!
DJMaxG
09-08-2009, 08:59 PM
I'll be honest
The Reason why the XTI Range are good is because they're digital, meaning limitations and EQ can be set with the software provided.
a 1000w amp running 300w Speakers flat out would blow, but not with the digital amplifiers, you just simply set a limit point, and it'll act as a 300w amp.
It is probably cheaper in the long run than buying active cabinets, as you only have to buy (eg 2) amps, and can use them for everything, using the digital settings.
'The OP' didn't specify a price when I initially read the thread.
I Agree though, budget has to be a prime factor to consider.
I'll be honest
The Reason why the XTI Range are good is because they're digital, meaning limitations and EQ can be set with the software provided.
a 1000w amp running 300w Speakers flat out would blow, but not with the digital amplifiers, you just simply set a limit point, and it'll act as a 300w amp.
It is probably cheaper in the long run than buying active cabinets, as you only have to buy (eg 2) amps, and can use them for everything, using the digital settings.
'The OP' didn't specify a price when I initially read the thread.
I Agree though, budget has to be a prime factor to consider.
Where did you get that information then??? lol
Link maybe???
EDIT: Also the OP has not edited his post from what I can see so how can you say that "The OP' didn't specify a price..."?
DJ INDIE
09-08-2009, 09:12 PM
£270? It's £230. lol
doh! ha ha - £230 - even better! - winning by a few lengths now!
Charlie Brown
09-08-2009, 09:12 PM
Max why do you need an amp, out of pure interest? :)
Are you working to become a mobile DJ?
DJMaxG
09-08-2009, 09:16 PM
Where did you get that information then??? lol
Link maybe???
Hi Tom,
It is what digital amplifiers are all about, they have a USB Connection on allowing you to use PC Software to set levels and presets etc.
Tony will hopefully back me on that :)
Brian Redd, Mobile DJ from USA did a really in depth video on it, when he bought his.
If you search on Youtube for
Brian S Redd Crown XTI
you should find it
M ;)
Excalibur
09-08-2009, 09:23 PM
behringer EP4000 in the lead by a whisker - £270 price tag helping it too!
Consider also?
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR215785
Hi Tom,
It is what digital amplifiers are all about, they have a USB Connection on allowing you to use PC Software to set levels and presets etc.
Tony will hopefully back me on that :)
Brian Redd, Mobile DJ from USA did a really in depth video on it, when he bought his.
If you search on Youtube for
Brian S Redd Crown XTI
you should find it
M ;)
From what I can see, the XTI series has a built in DSP.
Big whoop.
I'm sure any pro would rather have things like this separate, just in case anything was to fail but I could be wrong.
Personally. I would rather buy an amp that just does power, a DSP to distribute the audio signals, an EQ to well.....EQ and the lest goes on.
Active speakers are different as the amp and processors are designed for that cab and speakers only.
Still, this too expensive for the OP so no need to talk about this no more. :)
ppentertainments
09-08-2009, 09:31 PM
I'll be honest
a 1000w amp running 300w Speakers flat out would blow, but not with the digital amplifiers, you just simply set a limit point, and it'll act as a 300w amp.
It is probably cheaper in the long run than buying active cabinets, as you only have to buy (eg 2) amps, and can use them for everything, using the digital settings.
'The OP' didn't specify a price when I initially read the thread.
I Agree though, budget has to be a prime factor to consider.
Why would running an amp flat out blow ?? I know there are a lot of opinions either way but 3 of my rigs runs the WA-1300 amps flat out and as long as the mixer does not redline there are no problems. I have ran these rigs like this for over a year now with all 3 out, on average, at least once a week.
I agree with what you say about active speakers. And to compliment your quote about cost, this was the only factor putting me off going active.
I will agree with the suggestions about higher power amps, and is a line I am following by slowly replacing my existing amplifiers.
Out of curiosity Max, I will ask again what problems you have encountered with warrior amps. Its just that as I say I use them a lot and recommend them highly. Yes there are similar priced amps with a higher output but I have found the warrior amps so reliable.
DJ INDIE
09-08-2009, 09:35 PM
Consider also?
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR215785
i tried the cabs through my mates w-audio DA800 (about 250-300w a side) and they sounded awesome at low volume - not had chance to whack it up to see how it is loud yet. but another option, thanks - i think thats now in second, coming up quickly on the rails..could be a photo finish..
Twinspin
09-08-2009, 09:36 PM
If you are running RCF event pro's i would have a look at the crown amps either that or QSC. A I'm a believer that if you put rubbish in...you get rubbish out.
You've got some nice top of the range speakers there, id get a top of the range amp to go with them if money will stretch.
Im not saying this to be an a** but i think it would be beneficial having a good amp if you have the budget for one.
DJMaxG
09-08-2009, 09:56 PM
Max why do you need an amp, out of pure interest? :)
Are you working to become a mobile DJ?
Yes I am - PM to follow
I have a pair of Skytec SL15s to power at the moment.
Out of curiosity Max, I will ask again what problems you have encountered with warrior amps. Its just that as I say I use them a lot and recommend them highly. Yes there are similar priced amps with a higher output but I have found the warrior amps so reliable.
no problems with the W Audio's, and I don't use the amp often, but they are kinda entry level and value for money. Sound Quality can differ from amp to amp, no thru connections on the DA 800.
The Digital ones (if you buy a high power one) can power all your speakers, so no need to have a seperate amplifier for each set you own.
Choosing between passive and active for me, would be like choosing Mars over Twix. I think I would use both, and see where it took me.
Max :)
DJ INDIE
09-08-2009, 10:14 PM
If you are running RCF event pro's i would have a look at the crown amps either that or QSC. A I'm a believer that if you put rubbish in...you get rubbish out.
You've got some nice top of the range speakers there, id get a top of the range amp to go with them if money will stretch.
Im not saying this to be an a** but i think it would be beneficial having a good amp if you have the budget for one.
i do agree with you - maybe next year a top amp will follow, at the moment i'm stuck in the £200-300 range, and i'm looking for the best I can to suit the RCFs until funds allow (and waiting for that lottery win :) )
DJ INDIE
15-08-2009, 12:25 PM
i went for the Behringer EP4000 in the end.
tried it at a gig last night as part of a tops and bins system, and i was very impressed. very sturdily built, plenty of power in it - with a good amount to spare.
for around £260 in the shops, its a very good bargain.
I keep intending to write reviews on my new gear - i'll get round to it one day...
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