Suggestions on seperate amps and where to find. (1 Viewer)

[KenA]

Thanks, Andrew. Since, I'm building a sonotube, I'd prefer a rack-mount amp, so the Jr doesn't fit the bill. I'd also like a little more power than 100w. Preferably in the 200w range. I'm been looking at some of the other suggestions in this thread, but I was hoping to hover around $1/watt.
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[Andrew Pratt]

check out your local pawn shops or dealers that take in trades. I managed to find my hafler sitting there collecting dust so got it for a decent deal (in the $1/1 watt area) There's a couple on mono blocks in the For Sale area that look like they'd be perfect for a sub if you can swing that much.
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[Vince Maskeeper]

Sorry guys, this thread dropped off my radar for a few days, so I didn't notice the addition questions...

Now the brand I don't hear much is Carvin. I really want to hear more about the DCM-2000. I know they are a direct mail order company, but based on their amp design it looks very good and well constructed. So what is your take on this amp and company?

Chris- I get asked about this stuff all the time actually. Carvin (not to be confused with Carver) is a mail order only company out of California that makes budget products, specifically targeted at "Working Musicians", similar to the approach of companies like Peavey or Mackie.
I have had very very little hands on experience with Carvin amplifiers. However, I once worked a summer at a campground that had a Carvin mixing board, and it was one of the biggest pieces of dog poopie I have ever used. Unreliable, noisy, all sorts of strange anomolies- it was less than a year old but 3 channels (of 24) didn't work! I dislike Mackie products, but in this case I would have given anything if I could have replaced the Carvin with a Mackie...
Although Carvin amps may be decent, I have trouble trusting a company that doesn't allow their gear to be carried in a store when I can see it/touch it/play with it. What are they hiding? In addition, the Carvin products I have seen (mixer mentioned above, as well as their speaker boxes) have not at all impressed me. I also wonder about repair issues: I think Carvin can only be repaired by Carvin, so that is another pain in the behind!
Finally, you have companies like Mackie and Peavey who have essentially the same products as Carvin, designed with the same mindset (budget products that work) at essentially the same price point, so why bother messing with carvin? With Mackie/Peavey you can buy locally, demo before you buy, repair locally, and there are tons of Mackie/Peavey owners out there who's opinion you can solicit. These other products are also much more widely available on the used market, if you want to go that route. It just has always seemed to me that dealing with Carvin was a waste of time.
Again, they might make good amps, but all the crap surrounding them makes them not that appealing!
Oh, hey Jim, If you end up with your 2 JBL 18's driven by a Macrotech 3600/K2 (or similar)- You have to invite me over! I'm dying to see this running in someone's livingroom
Anyone else with amp questions: feel free to post here (I'm getting a lot of emails about amps and would rather discuss it here for the benefit of everyone rather than via private email!!)
-Vince
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[Seungsoo Hwang]

Ok a lot of suggestions have been made on WHAT to get, but the second part of the question is not being answered by many people, if anyone. WHERE to buy one of these suggested amps? There are the obvious like Ebay, and it is easy to find realiable places to buy them new. But where can one go to realiably buy used amps? I am either looking for a used Mackie m1400 or a Ashly FTX2001. I would like to get one of these for $450 or under shipped? Any suggestions? The only place I know is ugbm.com but they dont have these often and they are not that cheap for a Used gear dealer.
thanks

 

[Greg Monfort]

WHERE to buy one of these suggested amps? There are the obvious like Ebay, and it is easy to find realiable places to buy them new. But where can one go to realiably buy used amps?
Any suggestions? The only place I know is ugbm.com.....

Pro:
http://www.jamminjersey.com/, damping factor isn't a 'factor' with SS amps. The resistance of the VC, especially after it warms up, nullifies it.
If very low distortion is desired, then calculate the peak SPL (factoring in any EQ) requirements based on 1/4 - 1/3 the driver's rated power, to keep VC heating to a minimum, and use as many drivers as necessary. Allow ~ +2dB headroom to stay off the limiter (if any). Select wire size for a 1/2V max drop. Unless you use expensive drivers, this is often less costly and better sounding than driving one or two drivers to their limits with high power.
Normally in cinemas, subs set on the stage floor, arrayed around the center channel, and up against the baffles (or set in their own baffles) for max boundary gain.
GM

 

[brentl]

Hey Vince ...anything good to say about the PV500 from Peavey? I saw it yesterday and and was wondering
Brent L
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[brentl]

Nevermind Vince...I was just on the Peavey site and noticed that it puts out 130 watts a 8ohms. The same as my THX Kenwood.
If I am going to move up it will be at least 250watts at 8ohms
BrentL
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