Author Topic: Anyone Ever Try a QSC PLX Power Amp? (PLX1804 etc...) (Read 171 times)

bumhucker · « **on:** August 06, 2006, 04:11:31 PM »

I found these recently. I am looking to get an FX-1 and maybe an SF-2 in the future and go the rack route. I like lightweight stuff for many reasons. I am just curious if anyone here has tried one before I lay out the $$$
Here's a link: http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/plx/plx.htm

ajdover · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2006, 04:20:22 PM »

I haven't tried a PLX, but I just bought a used QSC MX 1500 for my rig. I use an F1-X and an SF-2, and it works fine. It's got about 500 watts a side at 4 ohms, so it works well with my Ampeg cabinets. Very quiet too. Only downside is it weighs a ton, but no worse than the SVT IV Pro it replaced. I understand the PLX series is much lighter, so I think you're on the right track if QSC is what you're looking for.

Alan

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2006, 04:26:44 PM »

I own both QSC PLX3002 and PLX2402. I use them for my bass rig and PA. Never had any problems and at 21 lbs easy on the back. I believe they have been replaced by the PLX2 line. If I go with PLX2 I would stick with the PLXnn02 models since they have better specs.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2006, 05:23:00 PM »

Quite a few members here use PLXs. Pretty much every one of them like 'em a lot. PLXs have been discussed here several times before; you might want to run a search and read some of the previous threads.

bumhucker · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2006, 06:14:43 PM »

thanks everyone!!

jacko · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2006, 04:20:51 AM »

i own a PLX2402 as does MPISANEK. It really is a superb piec eof equipment with the capability to reach a staggering 2400 watts!! I'm running mine at 700w per channel into 4x10 and 2x12 cabinets with an eden navigator preamp and i'm more than happy with my rig. MPISANEK fronts his rig with an F1-X and that too is fantastic.

graeme

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2006, 08:43:31 AM »

There's a very technical QSC guy (Bob Lee) who is a regular at the TalkBass website. He has said that, with the PLX2 line, the 02s are made heavier to handle the current for 2 ohm loads. They also bridge and have a 30 Hz protection filter. Other than that, the 04s are made to the same specs.

bumhucker · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2006, 08:55:35 AM »

ahh--thanks--that's good to know--i was on the fence but now i think the 1804 is the way to go. i've never needed 2 ohm capability and there is an 8lb difference....

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2006, 10:05:16 AM »

I would take advantage of asking Bob Lee for his opinion relative to your application before I laid down the cash. For me, I would probably put the power in its own 2-space rack and the difference between 13 and 21 pounds wouldn't be a big deal. If I were trying to build a single 4-6 space rack with everything in it, then those eight pounds could matter a lot.

worldfamousandy · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2006, 02:28:14 AM »

I have an MX 1500 in my rack, along with an F-1X. It sounds great, but is very heavy. I ran it for years in stereo, pushing different loads on each channel (my nerd opened that amp up one time, and was impressed that it was basically two separate amps in one box). I have never had trouble with it.

Because of the weight, however, I am also looking into a PLX. The 1804 is looking good to me...

Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com

palembic · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2006, 04:41:38 AM »

I'm playing the QSC 3102 now. F1-X bi-amped. I just had one gig and 2 rehearsals. Sound great.The lighter weight did it for me after my two year fight with a DynacordL-1000 of 20K's.
I'll try to give more details and pictures of th resurrection of Tweak Peaks soon ...I hope ...I'm rather busy with my new job.

Paul TBO

crgaston · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2006, 06:17:08 PM »

I have a PLX2402, and have been quite pleased with it so far. I would do a comparison test between the 02's and the 04's before you buy, as the damping factor is significantly higher on the 02's. Some people like it higher, and some like it lower. If a lower damping ratio works for you, then that is fantastic, but if it doesn't, then 8 pounds is a very small price to pay for better tone.

Charles

bsee · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2006, 06:45:52 PM »

According to Bob Lee, damping factor worries are BS. His point is that the math involved in calculating damping factor makes tiny differences seem much larger than they are. Damping factor is purely a measurement of the output impedance of the amp. Speaker cables and any crossover wiring in the cabinet are also part of computing the overall damping factor of the system. If you stick to short cables of very thick guages, the world remains a happy place.

I read something from a JBL engineer that suggested a system's damping factor only matters if it falls below 20. Bob Lee's number was a more conservative 50. Either way, the difference between 200 and 500 should be trivial with good cables.

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2006, 07:04:22 PM »

Here is a previous thread on the subject of damping factor.

crgaston · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2006, 07:47:13 PM »

Thanks, Bob & Dave,
I've heard that, too. Mabe it's my own personal psycho-acoustics, or maybe it's just coincidence that the (solid state) amps I've tried and liked tended to have a higher damping factor. I prefer the sound, generally, of 8 ohm cabinets over 4 ohm cabinets, too. But then again, my personal database is relatively small, and there may be something else going on.