Sound advice needed - amp shopping list recommendations please?!

[HTG Events]

Hi Folks

Looking to replace/upgrade existing amps to power the following:-

2 x Mackie 300z - tend to use these for most 'smaller' rooms

2 x Class-D CD15 - sometimes use with the above
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bass-bins-15-inch-350rms-uk-designed-and-manufactured_W0QQitemZ120493037639QQcmdZViewItemQQ ptZUK_ConElec_SpeakersPASystems_RL?hash=item1c0df1 d847

2 x Class D CD215 - small wardrobes for use in bigger rooms
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Class-D-CD215-1000watt-rms-Speaker-System-PA-DJ-Disco_W0QQitemZ120498700506QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C onElec_SpeakersPASystems_RL?hash=item1c0e4840da

What I'm looking for is a set up where I can easily have:-
1) Mackies
2) Mackies & subs
3) Class D CD215s
4) all of the above

Budget - hmmm about £1000, preferably inc cases

All ideas (with links if possible) gratefully received


Cheers :)

[Excalibur]

Right, since the Mackies are close to the Class D's re power handling, any amp like
http://www.thomann.de/gb/tamp_ta1400_amplifier.htm
this will run Mackies, Mackies plus subs, 215's plus subs, or even 215's and Mackies in parallel. (Try the last one, you may like it ).
If you want to get the best out of the gear, and flexibility, get something like this
http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_cx3400_super_x_pro.htm
and a second or even third amp.
Let's have a list of amps then. I ought to make this a word document, cos it's the one most often needed.
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR196596
http://www.djpro.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=724
http://www.getinthemix.co.uk/Behringer-EP2500--EP-2500-Power-Amp.htm


Xovers built in to these, if I got the right links.
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR222624
http://www.getinthemix.co.uk/PV-3800-Peavey-PV3800-Power-Amplifier.htm



Bigger lads, if you wanted to dedicate one to subs.
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR222626
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR215785
http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR294557


Most of the above are classed as mid range/budget, but reliable enough. Higher cost ones, I'm not qualified to comment on.

[Danno13]

2 x Yamaha P7000s at £489 each from Digital Village ( http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/yamaha-p7000s-stereo-power-amplifier--20310 ) - 700w a side at 8ohm and only around 11kg each.
1 x 4U Rack case - around £70 from Swan.

1 amp will put 700w into each top when running just the c300z's, which is about right. With subs and tops, you can use just one amp to run both subs and tops, putting out 1100w a side. Or if you want to use all three pairs of speakers, use one for subs/tops and another to run the spare pair in another room, or halfway down the room for long venues or marquees.

Oh, and mine have done probably 40-50 gigs each now without missing a beat.

[Excalibur]

2 x Yamaha P7000s at £489 each from Digital Village - 700w a side at 8ohm and only around 11kg each.
1 x 4U Rack case - around £70 from Swan.

Job done.

Agreed. Excellent suggestion.
BTW, I got the wrong Peavey. Sorry. Should have been 2600
http://www.getinthemix.co.uk/Peavey-PV2600--PV-2600-Amp.htm

[HTG Events]

Thanks for the advice chaps - so far one Yamaha P7000s and a new 4u case on order :D

Peter - I'd looked a bit at the Behringer CX3400 before as it seemed a nice solution for multiple set-ups etc - would I be right in thinking that the XLRs from the mixer go into the unit and then XLRs out to amp/amps then out from amps to speakers? Does it take a lot of knob twiddling to get it right?

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the advice chaps - so far one Yamaha P7000s and a new 4u case on order :D
Excellent choice.



Peter - I'd looked a bit at the Behringer CX3400 before as it seemed a nice solution for multiple set-ups etc - would I be right in thinking that the XLRs from the mixer go into the unit
Oh yuss.



and then XLRs out to amp/amps
Two amps at least, yes. You can use that x-over as 3way stereo. I got a little ahead of myself, cos the 3400 is what I'm looking at for myself. This one's perfectly suitable, and a tad simpler
http://www.behringer.co.uk/EN/Products/CX2310.aspx



then out from amps to speakers?
Normal service at this point. Standard Speakon seaker cables.



Does it take a lot of knob twiddling to get it right?
No. And yes.
No, because once it's set up to your taste, it doesn't vary a lot.
Yes, because there's a lot of twiddling available, if you so wish.

However: Buy the second Yamaha amp, (or even one I suggested) and you can forget the crossover, cos there's a splendid one built into the Yamaha. Capable of loads of clever tricks, and very versatile. Don't ask me how it works, you've got two choices.
1) RTFM
2)Ask a certain Yamaha user on here. ;)

[NKR]

There is a Chevin A3000 on ebay for £475 at moment. Thats a nice unit.

Would do 500w at 8 Ohm should suit one set of cabs
Would do 900w at 4 Ohm should suit tops and subs
Runs down to 2 Ohm and 1600w per channel, so should cope with everything on it. I will stand corrected if I have done my load calcs wrong though.

[Excalibur]

There is a Chevin A3000 on ebay for £475 at moment. Thats a nice unit.

Would do 500w at 8 Ohm should suit one set of cabs
Would do 900w at 4 Ohm should suit tops and subs
Runs down to 2 Ohm and 1600w per channel, so should cope with everything on it. I will stand corrected if I have done my load calcs wrong though.

Well you sort of have. Probably. Technically. If you run the tops from the sub crossovers, they're still 8ohms. If you run the subs from the link on the tops yes you'd get 4ohms, but you'd be feeding the tops with fullrange. By the same token, 215's first, into subs, tops out of sub output will be 4ohms, and a fine way of running. Just Like Justin's rig will do.

[Excalibur]

Oh bother. I really should read what people write on here more closely sometimes. IMHO, the 7000 Yamaha is too big for those cabs. I'd have gone for the 5000. I know it's only a matter of opinion, but that's mine.

[Danno13]

It's better to have too much there than running a lesser amp within an inch of it's life to try and get the best out of your speakers. He just needs to be sensible with volume levels and they'll cope fine.

[Excalibur]

It's better to have too much there than running a lesser amp within an inch of it's life to try and get the best out of your speakers. He just needs to be sensible with volume levels and they'll cope fine.

Indeed it is, and I wouldn't disagree with that at all. My suggestion is one and a half times, which I'm comfortable with. Yours is double, which is an acceptable factor in many people's eyes. As you say, he'll just have to be a bit watchful with the levels. ;)

[HTG Events]

Well took delivery of the Yamaha amp and Swan case yesterday - slight problem - the handles are about an inch longer than any amp I've had before and stick out too far to shut the case!

[Danno13]

Swan's cases do have rather shallow lids, which is great for stuff like CD players, and for saving weight but no so good for amps with handles on the front!!

If you speak to Swan, I'm sure they could replace the lid with a slightly deeper version for not much extra :)

[rob1963]

If you speak to Swan, I'm sure they could replace the lid with a slightly deeper version for not much extra :)

A possible alternative might be to remove the handles from the amp.

[Corabar Steve]

Have you seen the amp in question Rob?

I have & it wouldn't really be viable

[rob1963]

Have you seen the amp in question Rob?


No. That's why I said it was a POSSIBLE alternative...as I know there are many amps where you CAN remove the handles if need be.



I have & it wouldn't really be viable

In that case, fair enough.

[Happy Jack]

Recently picked up some old Crown Amps. 6000w per channel @ 4R! Having trouble finding a case that fits them, though...

http://www.crownaudio.com/pdf/legacy/belchfire_datasheet.pdf

:(