What's a good power amp?

[edwin]

I have a QSC CX1202v that I got on Craigslist for $175. It's the install version of the Powerlight 2.0 and 700 real watts per channel at 8 ohms (i.e., at full bandwidth and low distortion. Many of the figures quoted above come from specs that are at 1% THD at 4 ohms, if you look at the published material). Bridged it does 2200 watts into 8 ohms, full bandwidth. It's a beast. I did have to rewire the inputs and outputs from barrier strips to 1/4 (along with the XLRs) and Speakons, but I was able to do that with factory replacement parts for the Powerlight.  
 
But, it's also 25lbs, so it is the backup to my Peavey IPR 3000. I totally don't trust the published specs, so I have no idea what the actual power rating is, but it's pretty decent and weighs only 7 lbs. I got it used for $275 shipped. When it arrived, it felt like an empty box. Crest (which is owned by Peavey), makes a version that's a bit heavier duty and bridges with the push of a button. I never thought I'd say it, but I do recommend the Peavey. It seems to have better bottom and a clearer, punchier tone than I got from my old QSC PLX2402. Somehow that amp never really delivered the goods on the very low end.
 
YMMV, etc.

[moonliner]

Edwin, I'm curious about the Crest you mentioned was heavier duty and bridges via push button. The low end description caught my ear. Would that be the CA6 or CA9 Sonicus was recommending?
 
(Message edited by Moonliner on September 22, 2014)

[jazzyvee]

Edwin, I never had any problems with the bottom end on the QSC and most of my gigs are reggae. I rarely use my sf-2 but when I add that the QSC still  deals well with it. if anything it  is usually the cabs  that can't deal with the signal.

[edwin]

Yeah, maybe it was something else, but when I swapped out the power amp to something else, the bottom kicked in like I expected it. Maybe my amp wasn't working right?
 
Here's the Crest line. I'd choose at least the 3.0
 
http://www.peaveycommercialaudio.com/products.cfm/Power-Amplifiers/Pro-LITE-Series.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Yamaha.  I wouldn't spend my money on any other power amp - or yours, either, unless you insisted.
 
Come to think of it, I actually made the jump from lurker to member about 8 years ago just because I couldn't let another power amp thread go by in silence, and what I said then (and more than once since, IIRC) holds true now:
As a former full-time soundman, I used Crown, Crest, QSC, BGW, Peavy, Traynor, and probably a few that have slipped my mind. Every amp I used by every one of the above brands quit mid-gig more than once.  
There is also one brand that has always taken what I put in and given it back to me loud - no color, no distortion; that happens to also be the one brand that has never broken down on me - or anyone I know - and that is Yamaha.  
Best sound* + best reliablity = no brainer.
 
*I will stipulate that my thoughts on the matter are formed from a SR point of view, and that some may prefer the color that one or another of the lesser amps adds to the sound for instrument rig use.  But they'll still let you down.
IME, reliability goes:
1. Yamaha
(big gap)
2. BGW
(little gap)
3. QSC
4. Crest
5. Crown
6. Any I may have forgotten
(bigger gap)
7. Traynor
8. Peavy
 
Sound goes about the same.
 
Peter

[sonicus]

Hi Peter ,
I still have a few of these Yamaha P2200 amps ! Built to last ___!  
& Convection Cooling !___ Sometimes known as a poor mans Bryston___ in studio circles.  
 

[edwin]

The Yamahas are great amps, no doubt. I've been casually looking for one for my home studio. Despite their robustness, I don't know that I want to lug one around.
 
There are also a couple of monster Sansuis that are intriguing, but rare and expensive. They used to be called the poor man's McIntosh but their prices are competitive with MC2300s.
 
I have to say that no one is more surprised than me that I'd recommend Peavey. I see it's at the bottom of your list, but I think the world of power amps has changed a lot in the last few years. If I were still touring most of the year, I might consider investing in a different amp, but given that I only do 3-10 gigs a month, I'm happy with a 7 lb amp that can fill a substantial space (I played an outdoor gig in front of a couple hundred people and the Peavey with a fEARful 15/6/1 easily covered the gig).  
 
I think what this thread shows is that there are lots of viable options. We really do have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to gear options compared to when I came up. It all comes down to what your needs are. Do you need reliability for 200 shows a year on the road (in the past 30 years, I can only think of 1 amplifier failure I've had and it was a used Crest 5001. It's pretty much the same failure rate I've had for my F2B. Just once in decades. To be fair, the PLX 2402 I sold did eventually fail spectacularly, but it was no longer under my care.)? Do you need to cover the whole room or will a PA do the heavy lifting? Do you haul your own gear or do you have a crew? Are you on a budget or can you afford something really nice just because? Do you gig or mostly play at home?

[moonliner]

I borrowed a friends PLX 2402 to test out my recently acquired F2B, and wow?. what incredible tone! My drummer friend was raving that even the high notes have low end.  
The only thing I found lacking was the tone when I hit my distortion pedal. It was way to clean sounding. My Ashdown had this great, dark, crunchy furriness to it that I can't seem to get with the pre/power setup. Maybe it will just take some more tweaking and gigging with it.  
Thanks again for all the advice on power amps. I've still yet to decide on one? unless my friend will sell me the 2402 for a decent price. :-)