GUI101 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Hi All, With the imminent arrival of my new custom Dave Hall pre, I have narrowed my search for a power amp down to the xls1000 and GX5. This will be my first pre/power set up and I would appreciate it if any other BC'ers could lend their experiences (pros/cons) of these to help me decide. I will be using a BF Big Baby 2 cab, playing a passive wawrick corvette. I have to say that I am leaning more towards the GX5 as I think it would be more versatile in terms of future expanding of the rig and realise to achieve the same output power I would need to run the xls1000 in bridge mode. Many Thanks Gui Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 I have just purchased a s/h GX5. Have used it with DI out (no pre amp after DI so low output) and one of my passive basses into BF Dubster and Shermann equivalent of BF Big one / fearFul 15/6. sounded good to my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I've always liked qsc amps. A friend likes the GX 5 he uses for PA. I expect that your budget precludes the ones that will drive a 2 ohm load? That would enhance future expansion options re numbers of cabs you could drive. But I'd think it would be a monster rig before that was an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 What's wrong with running in bridge mode? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dincz Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1385338341' post='2287253'] What's wrong with running in bridge mode? [/quote] Exactly my question. Bridge mode gives you added flexibility in powering cabs, e.g. a single 8 ohm. The GX5 can't be bridged anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTypeV4 Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Sorry to go against the grain but I have long used Crown amplifiers with little drama.. Not that I have anything against QSC of course, just a preference based on my experience of Crowns.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Crown again, cheap and mega reliable in my experience Used mine behind all sorts of pre amps, can't knock it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUI101 Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1385338341' post='2287253'] What's wrong with running in bridge mode? [/quote] Absolutely nothing, just a mere observation. Running the xls bridged will allow for no lower than 1 4ohm load, but the QSC will do a 4ohm load per side as far as I understand with not much difference in terms of power output. Reliability is key for me really, as both will give the power I am after albeit in slightly different ways. Cheers Gui Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 [quote name='GUI101' timestamp='1385408209' post='2287956'] Reliability is key for me really, as both will give the power I am after albeit in slightly different ways. [/quote] Fair enough. I can't speak for the GX5 but I have run a rig with a Crown power amp and it was very reliable indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUI101 Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 Thanks for the input guys, Much appreciated Gui Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Don't know if you've ordered already I've used both Crown and QSC. Had the Crown XLS 602 (I think) and honestly not very impressed with the sound. All working fine and solid but was a little muddy and boomy in the lows, wasn't as focused and tight. I did an A/B with this one and an Ampeg SVP 1500 and the difference was very noticeable. The Ampeg (still solid state) was very tight and musical, with lovely lows. I am currently using a QSC CX702 and it sounds lovely, tight, clear, detailed... so that's +1 for QSC from me. Steff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I'm currently using a QSC PLX 2402 with orn or two mesa boogie cabs and love the clean sound and headroom. Only downside is it's a heavy brute to carry. Jazzyvee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 [quote name='GUI101' timestamp='1385408209' post='2287956'] Reliability is key for me really, as both will give the power I am after albeit in slightly different ways. [/quote] Both QSC and Crown have great reps for reliability to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterMute Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I have the XLS1500 into a Big Twin T, it very, very loud and very clean, suits the dynamic of the Big Twin very well, I see no reason the 1000 won't suit the Big Baby. I run in Bridged mode, 1500w into 4 ohms…. Yeah, baby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUI101 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Hi wintermute, Cheers for that, useful to know that the crown works well with the BF cabs. That must be a monster sound you have. Cheers Gui. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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