crest amps ca vs cc

[manny]

what amp sounds better and why?

[der geile ami]

The ca series is their entry level amp. I have never directly compared ca amps, but I have never been thrilled with the result when I have had to use them. Crest make some good amps, but go higher up the chain than the ca. The old pro series was a beast.

[manny]

i have a ca9 its a great amp. the new pros i heard sound bad, and the cd are digital (no digital in my audio chain). the only one i haven't heard was the cc. qsc rmx is a entry level amp but, it put out more bass then any of their other amps.

[der geile ami]

Oh boy, not this again. lab gruppen, digam, camco, mc2, and qsc all make switch mode powersupply amps that beat the snot out of most traditional designs. I have used qsc mx, ex, rmx, pl2, and plx.

[grizz]

the is no digital amp. amps are still analog, no matter what power supply they have.

[manny]

if switch mode amps are so good how come audiophile companies dont use them. shorty and i just go finished talking about thr crest pro 7200. if he says its bad, its bad. and no one will argue that a plx put out more bass then a crest ca9. we own most amps we dont just play with them for a day. also my friend manages guitar center so i have free run of the amp rack.

[clubman5]

Actually, some High End companies are beginning to use switching PS! Halcro use switching PS, then there,s a new company called NuForce that has gotten a bit of good press over their supposedly good sounding, lightweight affordable audiophile switching PS amps.

Just like DSP is creeping into the high end of audio ( Tact, and Audyssey, and DEQX ), so is switching power supply technology.

Some sound better than others. However, audio is changing, and so are technologies, whether we like it or not.

[manny]

i have nothing against this technology. im just saying the amps i heard didn't deliver that full warm zanzibar bass. can anyone suggest a power switching amp that produces this bass.

[clubman5]

Well, no, I havent found any amps that to me, sound like the old skool amps back in the day.

But, I have heard some of the newer amps do a good sound, even though different from BGW or Crown in 1982.

But, even if you have all the stuff Zanz had in 1984, the music today sounds nothing like music did back then, and the equipment wont make todays music sound like 1984. Im not saying you wont get todays music to sound good through vintage stuff, just that even with all the right things, you will still hear todays sound come through your speakers.

[clubman5]

I bought the QSC PL6.0II to drive my new subs, I personally think the TOTL QSC amps sound good. But, its different from the older amps.

[Elliot Thompson]

Manny,

Buying an amplifier to replace an older lower wattage amplifier requires more
your ears, than people's opinion.

There are so many things to take into consideration (Program Material, Speaker Design, etc.) to just say amp x will work best for your needs.

You've already stated you like the characteristics of the Crest CA line. So, why not just buy their biggest model?

You've also stated you don't like the sound of lightweight amplifiers. Well, the harsh reality is all major touring amplifier companies are focusing on that.

I own the three big US brands (Crest, Crown, & QSC) and, all three offer their
own characteriscs on my speakers, using the given material, when driven close to their edge.

What I can detect, may not be easily heard from someone else, unless they are using the exact amplifier(s), the exact speakers, and the exact program
material.

This is why, the whole "Which Amp Sounds Better" always turn into an argument on 90% of all message boards. Each user is basing their opinions on other components used within the chain, to draw to their conclusion.

Those in the know, generally put questions like the above aside, and gather opinions based on reliability under the most adverse conditions. For all in all,
no one can tell what you are hearing unless their rig is identical to yours.

Best Regards,

[der geile ami]

we own most amps we dont just play with them for a day. also my friend manages guitar center so i have free run of the amp rack.

I dont own anything, but that is besides the point. It is actually rare that I have used any product just once or twice. And bringing up banjo depot does not reinforce your point much. You dont buy speakers, mixers, or isolaters from there , do you?

[clubman5]

Elliot has a point. Since Crest still makes the CA series, why not just go that route?

[manny]

yes i like the ca9 the reason i brought up the the other amps was to see what the other member heard about them. and it would be foolish of me no to use guitar center as a testing ground. its 1/8 of mile from my house, they let me take things and try them without purchasing them, and they stock many amps. how will we know whats good if we dont try it? in my area its hard to try crest amps. i've purchased amps i the past that i was unhappy with so i feel the best thing to do is to listen and pick the one you like.

[clubman5]

I agree, the only real way to know what something actually does, is to try, but, sometimes this is hard to be able to get to do.

Crest amps, the Pro series, and CA series, do have a full sound, compared to other types of amps available these days, BUT, I wouldnt say they sound like PSA-2,s or BGW-750,s, which is what they were using back then.

Since the CA9 and the Pro 7001 are about the same power, are you interested in purchasing a 7001? My amps are in great condition, still have the original packaging, etc.

[manny]

the only reason i picked the ca9 over the 7001 is because the 7001 needs a 21 amp circuit and my house only has a 15 amp curcuit.

[clubman5]

That is true.

[jmark]

the only reason i picked the ca9 over the 7001 is because the 7001 needs a 21 amp circuit and my house only has a 15 amp curcuit.


Something worth considering: if you have limited amounts of AC power to work with, an amplifier with a switching power supply may be the better-sounding choice (or at least provide more available power at the speaker terminals) because these are typically more efficient than amps with "traditional" power-supplies. All other things equal, greater efficiency equates to less current being required from the AC service.