June 2000 DJ Times Magazine
OK, here it is, DJ Times’ annual crash course on the modern day power
amplifier. So how does this entry work? I’m going to search my brain, my friends,
colleagues and
even talk to some DJs. Then I will get on the Internet and find out some serious facts
about the latest crop of amps. This article will not tell you exactly which
amp to buy – that’s up to you and your needs – but it will help educate you
to what’s out there. Before we get deep, let’s talk a few minutes.
From hero to goat. That’s the feeling you get when your amp goes down in the
middle of a raging gig. Of course, occasionally this happens, but why? There are many
reasons. The amp could go into thermal protection (overheat), over or under voltage (not
having enough or too much AC), or it could short circuit (i.e. running too many speakers
on one channel, which usually occurs when you are running below 2 ohms).
Or you could just be using a future boat anchor that has 25 years of dust, grime and soda
spills all over it. Whatever the case, the future is much brighter with an influx of
amps out there to choose from. So many new brands promise high output for lower price, but
beware. There are cheaper amps that are scaled down versions of the expensive babies. Why?
There are many shortcuts. The most common are those
amps that have full-time fans rather than variable-speed cooling systems with heat sinks.
Having a full-time fan cooling system means simply that your amp will work as
long as the fan works – so it had better be a damn good fan.
All the amps I will describe will be at 8 ohms per channel as a standard and I’m
only looking at units from companies that I’ve personally worked with. So what’s
out there?
Let’s have a look.
Woodinville, Wash.-based Mackie Designs introduced its FR Series
nearly three years ago as a low- to medium-priced amp with more features for the buck. The
M-800, M-1400 and M2600 weigh 28, 30 and 55 pounds, respectively, and they’re
are rated at 140, 280 and 500 watts at 8 ohms. They all come with a five-year warranty.
They feature XLR and TRS inputs with XLR signal pass-through and 5-way binding
posts and ¼-inch or Speakon outputs.
FR Series variable low-cut filters let you feed your system only the frequencies it can
handle. You can "dial in" any tuned frequency from 5Hz to 170Hz. All models
also include an infrasonic stabilizer circuit that cuts the really low frequencies that
cause visible woofer cone flutter. The amps feature built-in subwoofer crossovers.
The M•1400 and M•1400i feature 3rd order, 18dB/octave, electronic crossovers
with two selectable frequencies. The M•2600 features 4th order, 24dB/octave,
electronic
sub-woofer crossovers with three selectable frequencies. All have uniform time-delay,
low-pass filters. Just select the crossover frequency, connect the subwoofer output
to another amp – and drive that subwoofer all over the map. What does all this mean?
These amps are loaded with features and can save you some serious coin on certain
signal processors.
The Real Deal: I service a small club in San Francisco that is running the M-1400 for
full range and the M-2600 for the subs. Sound has been good and we have had relatively
few problems. The amps need proper air circulation since they have constant fans. Overall,
they work well.
OK, who in the room has never owned a Peavey amp? Ah, I see two 13-year olds in the
back not raising their hands. Anyone else? I thought so. Meridian, Miss.-based Peavey
Electronics is still among the leaders in amp sales in the world. Over 20 years
ago, Peavey introduced the CS-800 and it is still around.
Currently, Peavey has three product lines available – the PV Series, the standard
CS Series and their Concert Sound Series. Peavey’s features have expanded over the
years and they are one of the rock solid amp companies. The PV Series
includes the 260, 500, 1200 and 2000 units and they rate as follows –100, 130, 250
and 350 watts. The CS Series includes the 200X (85w), 500A (130w), 800X & A
(240w). Their Concert Sound includes the CS1000 (325w), 1800G
(350w) and the DPC 1400 (375w).
Another dimension is added to Peavey sound reinforcement technology with its release of
a two-rack-space power amp trio: the Global Power Series amplifiers. New design elements
include toroidal power transformers and die cast front-panel nameplates.
With wide range applications, the new GPS power amps are targeted to meet the full
spectrum of performance demands. They’re expected to ship in the first quarter of
2000.
The Real Deal: Like I said, everyone has probably owned a Peavey amp at one time in his
or her life. I was able to review the latest model of the CS-800 about a year
or so ago and found the upgrades and input/output module configurations very useful.
Costa Mesa, Cal.-based QSC Audio provides an array of amp options to
the DJ. From the USA Series, RMX Series the PLX Series and the Powerlight Series, QSC is
my manufacturer of choice. I have owned many USA series and used them
for several of my lower-end installs. Currently, we use the PLX 1602 and 3402. The USA
Series amplifiers deliver reliability and audio performance at an economical price.
The three models available include the USA 400 (125w at 8ohms) the ideal choice for studio
and control room use.
The fan-cooled USA 900 (270w at 8ohms) and 1310 (400w at 8ohms) are perfect for
high-power applications, such as live sound reinforcement and system installations. The
RMX Series is packed full of professional features that increase
performance and flexibility – independent defeatable clip limiters reduce distortion
without sacrificing peak performance. Selectable low-frequency filters boost system
response, protect speakers and ensure low-end tightness by more
precisely matching the amplifier’s range to the loudspeakers. Barrier strip, XLR and
¼-inch, balanced inputs plus Speakon and binding post outputs provide easy connections.
Low-noise variable speed fans with rear-to-front airflow keep amplifiers
and racks cool. These models include RMX 850 (200w at 8 ohms), RMX 1450 (280w at 8 ohms)
and the RMX 2450 (500w at 8 ohms).
The 21-pound PLX line delivers up to 3,400 watts in a two-rack-unit chassis that’s
only 13-inches deep. The line includes QSC’s exclusive PowerWave Technology for
chest-pounding bass and crystal-clear highs. It also features hum-free
noise floor and ultra-low distortion of .03-percent THD. To keep PLX running under the
most demanding conditions, they’ve even added their Advanced Thermal Management
System. The PLX line includes the PLX1202 (200w at 8 ohms), PLX1602
(300w at 8 ohms), PLX2402 (425w at 8 ohms), PLX 3002 (550w at 8 ohms) and the PLX3402
(700w at 8 ohms).
I also wanted to mention the PowerLight series, which includes a range of
advanced-technology professional audio amplifiers, designed for touring professionals.
PowerLights feature QSC’s exclusive PowerWave extraordinary audio performance,
reliability and reduced weight. Twelve models offer a range of power from 200 to 4,500
watts per channel.
The Real Deal: As I mentioned above, I use QSC PLX exclusively. I have installed USA,
PLX and Powerlight in different venues I have worked on. They definitely deliver and have
proved to me to be winners.
Los Angeles-based American DJ (i.e. American Audio) has reinvented
themselves with the introduction of some hot products. They have introduced the V series
of amplifiers
including the 1000, 2000, and 3000 models. The V1000 is rated at 130w at 8 Ohms, the V2000
rates at 280w per channel at 8ohms and the V3000 rates at 400w at 8 Ohms. The V3000 also
features balanced XLR & ¼-inch (6.3mm) input,
XLR balanced outputs (through), subcrossover switch with subwoofer frequency knobs.
The Real Deal: I have had the opportunity to take the V3000 on a gig and found my
experience exceptionally positive. The unit doesn’t pack the big output punch, but if
you
need an amp that meets its specs, this would be one to look into.
Paramus, N.J.-based Crest Audio has been effectively producing
amplifiers of every application, to huge touring series to the studio. Two series that I
would mention for the
DJ include the Vs Series and the CA Series. The Vs Series amplifiers are a more affordable
version of their V series and they are identical to V Series in performance and
electronic design. Vs Series models are simplified in construction and features to make
them the most cost-effective in the Crest Audio product line. All connectors and switches
are the same as the V Series. Attenuators are rear panel-mounted
for "set-and-forget" applications. Vs Series represents exceptional
value with outstanding performance. Their line includes Vs 450 (150w at 8 ohms), Vs 650
(200w at 8 ohms), Vs 900 (250w at 8 ohms), Vs 1100 (300w at 8 ohms) and the Vs 1500 (400w
at 8 ohms). All Vs series amps weigh between 41 and 49 pounds.
Advanced technology and extensive TourClass protection circuitry allow CA Series
amplifiers to operate with greater efficiency in difficult load and power conditions. The
IGM (Instantaneous Gain Modulation) circuit ensures trouble-free operation into loads as
low as 2 ohms. The CA’s utilize twin tunnel-cooled heatsinks and two variable speed
DC fans. This cooling topology maintains a lower overall operating temperature, resulting
in longer output transistor life, which will allow your CA amplifier to perform flawlessly
for years to come. Their models are the CA4 (250w at 8 ohms), CA6 (400w at 8 ohms) CA9
(600w at 8 ohms) and the CA-12 (700w at 8 ohms). Weight ranges from 46 to 72 pounds,
respectively.
The Real Deal: I service a club that drives four 18-inch subs off the CA-12 and also
incorporates the CA-6 and CA-4 in their system. The amps have performed relatively well. I
also have a DJ friend in Tucson who swears by the CA series.
Carteret, N.J.-based Gemini Sound Products has three lines of amps for
the DJ market – the P series, XG series and the XMP series. The P series includes the
P-600 (85w at 8 ohms) and the P-800 (125w at 8 ohms). Both amps are fan-cooled and weigh
about 20 pounds each. The XG Series includes the XG-2000 (160w at 8 ohms) and the XG-3000
(200w at 8 ohms) – both weigh in at just over 21 pounds.
The XMP is Gemini’s newest series and it includes the XMP 600 (200w at 8 ohms),
the XPM-900 (280w at 8 ohms) and the XMP-1200 (360w at 8 ohms). These amps weigh 26, 29
and 31 pounds, respectively. The XPM uses MOSFET technology for thunderous bass and crisp
sounding highs, has twin-cooling fans and is two rack spaces high.
The Real Deal: I have had these amps installed in a cruise ship that we service and
they sound and perform well.
Elkhart, Ind.-based Crown International is one of the world’s
most popular amp manufacturers. Many major tour rigs are powered by Crown. The popular
series for DJ’s include the CE, K and Macro Tech. The CE series includes the 1000 and
2000, with the 4000 coming soon (no specs available).
Rather than make a cheap amplifier and hang all sorts of semiprofessional features on
it, Crown focuses on providing powerful, reliable performance with many of the same
controls and features you’ve come to expect from Crown. You’ll find front panel
detented level controls, useful function indicators, proportional fan-assisted cooling,
short circuit protection and more. And, to make the amplifier more flexible to the way
that
you work, Crown provides a new SST (System Solution Topologies) module, which allows you
to customize the amplifier with true professional features such as fixed-point crossover
cards. The CE-1000 rates at 275w at 8 ohms (32 pounds) and the CE-2000 rates at 400 at 8
ohms (40 pounds).The K series is all about the K2 and K1. The series delivers more power
and more sound, while using less energy than any other amplifier available on the planet.
The new patent-pending Balanced Current Amplifier (BCAtm) circuitry provides massive
amounts of real-world power, while generating virtually no component-degrading heat. In
fact, the K Series is so thermally efficient, it generates just one-tenth the heat of
conventional amplifiers and, according to the company, is over three times more thermally
efficient than any other amp on the market today. In everyday terms, this means that at
full output, the K2 produces the heat of just two 100-watt bulbs! The K2 rates at 475w at
8 ohms and weighs 38 pounds. The K1 rates at 350w at 8 ohms.
Crown’s MacroTech series pf amplifiers deliver enormous amounts of power from a
low-profile design perfect for touring and fixed installations where space is limited. And
they include a combination of features and flexibility not available from any other
amplifier. Features include three separate power supplies, P.I.P. compatibility, XLR
connectors, precision detented level controls and much more. The MA-600 is 235w at 8 ohms
(39 pounds), MA-1200 is 320w at 8 ohms (44 pounds) and the MA-2400 is 520w at 8 ohms (51
pounds).
Also worth mentioning for the high-end DJ is the Macro-Tech 3600VZ, which packs 3,600
watts into a mere 3.5 inches of vertical rack space. The Macro-Tech 5000VZ jams an
incredible 5,000 watts into little more than five inches of vertical rack space. Quite
simply, that’s more watts per-cubic-inch than any other amplifier. The 3600VZ rates
at 1,165w at 8 ohms (56 pounds) and the 5000 rates at 1300w at 8 ohms (77 pounds).
The Real Deal: I can’t go anywhere without seeing Crown amps. In Mexico where I do
plenty of club installation work, the brand of choice is Crown and everything else is
considered inferior. I have worked with all their amps and feel they are great. The CE
series uses only Speakon outputs, but other than that they have all the features I need.
The "P" Series Power Amplifier from Buena Park, Cal.-based Yamaha
provides the user with excellent cost-per-watt value, building on that cost performance
with efficient power consumption. Utilizing Yamaha’s new EEEngine technology, this
amplifier delivers outstanding sound quality with remarkable efficiency. Models include
the P1600 (160w at 8 ohms), P3200 (340w at 8 ohms) and the P4500 (460w at 8 ohms).
Yamaha’s H-series amps are approximately twice as efficient as conventional types.
This means that for the same power output you only need half the power normally required
from the AC supply. The amps themselves run cooler for significantly improved reliability.
The H series includes H3000 (350w at 8 ohms), H5000 (550w at 8 ohms) and the H7000 (750w
at 8 ohms).
The Real Deal: It’s been a long time since I have used Yahama amps, but I have
always had a very positive experience with them.
If you’re in a money pinch, you might try the CR Series from Niagara Falls,
N.Y.-based Yorkville Sound. These value-priced amplifiers have been
specifically designed for the budget-conscious consumer, and will be a competitive
alternative for commercial and rental applications. The first offering, the CR5, features
180 watts per side at 8 ohms in a rugged three-rack space package. The quiet, passively
cooled unit delivers professional quality at a surprisingly affordable price.
The AP6040 and AP6020 are the most powerful amplifiers Yorkville has ever built. These
three-rack space powerhouses solve the problem of not having cost effective and
practically configured power for subwoofers. With serious power (AP6040 is 1,250w at 8
ohms, AP6020 is 800w at 2 ohms), the AP6040 and AP6020 put plenty of clean power just
where you need it. The incorporated "soft turn-on" eliminates nuisance
breaker-tripping on power-up, while internal protection protects against DC output,
thermal overload and inappropriate loads. The user defeatable limiter also prevents
audible clipping.
The Real Deal: I have installed many of Yorkville’s products in some of my jobs
and have found them to be reliable and priced very reasonably.
Other notables include: BGW (Performance Series), Carver
(PM, PT, CA, PX and PXm series), Carvin (DCM2000 model), Electro-Voice
(Precision Series), Gem Sound (PA Series), Numark
(SA Series), Pioneer (M-V2000 model), Pyle Pro (PT3200
model), Rolls (RA series) and Soundtech (PL and PS
series).
If you have any questions for Paul Binder, please write to
DJ Times, 25 Willowdale Ave., Port Washington, N.Y., 11050,
fax 516-944-8372 or e-mail - djtimes@testa.com
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