Recommend a high power amp

bluejay · 24th December 2008, 11:56 PM

I need an amp for subwoofer use. I would like something like a commercial PA amp with high power capability. I would like to find a sweet spot that includes low price, easy parts or module availability, half decently rugged. I have experience building electronics.

Optionally, it would be nice to have some safety features that you sometimes get in a Crown or QSC amp. Overload protection, clipping protection, stuff like that. I won't be abusing it, just nice to have if it is part of the overall package.

Post what you so I can research it through. Thanks

dangus · 25th December 2008, 04:19 AM

It's very hard to beat the watts/dollar of a used "pro" (or hifi) power amp. I've seen a Behringer EP2500 (about 600w/4ohms/channel) and a Peavey PV8.5C (about 425w/4ohms/channel) at a local second hand/pawn outlet for not much over $200. Unless you have access to some motherlode of surplus and salvaged goodies, $200 will just about get you a case and transformer and maybe heatsinks. Even paying a "fair" price of nearer $400 for a used amp ain't that bad a deal. A used amp will also have resale value, unlike most DIY amps.

Now, if you can pick up a broken pro amp very cheap, that will save a lot of parts chasing and cost. One possible amp to build is the venerable ETI 466.

But, those LM3886 chip amps are cheap and rugged... a paralled bridged arrangement can turn out some respectable power without needing high supply rail voltages. You could build in some flexibility by including jumpers to convert it to two or 4 channels if that's more useful in the future.

maxwedge · 25th December 2008, 06:34 PM

I've been using a QSC RMX2400 for sub use and like it a lot but some say 'you get what you pay for' referring to the RMX line. PLX is said to sound much better but you're going to sped a lot more.

I won my RMX2400 on ebay for about $300 and run it bridged into 8 ohms for about 1500 watts with two JBL sub1500s.

The fan in it was a bit loud so I swapped it out with something quieter!

bluejay · 28th December 2008, 04:00 PM

One possible amp to build is the venerable ETI 466.[QUOTE]

I looked in to this for a while. It looks good. It will not likely save me any money though. It is probably a higher quality item than I want to pay for at this time.

I will continue looking in to home built, but will likely buy a manufactured product for $300 - $400. Thanks

nigelwright7557 · 29th December 2008, 02:09 PM

Ebay is a cheap source of amplifiers.

But beware some of the stuff I bought was nowhere near the rated RMS they quoted.

24th December 2008, 11:56 PM	#1
bluejay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008	Recommend a high power amp I need an amp for subwoofer use. I would like something like a commercial PA amp with high power capability. I would like to find a sweet spot that includes low price, easy parts or module availability, half decently rugged. I have experience building electronics. Optionally, it would be nice to have some safety features that you sometimes get in a Crown or QSC amp. Overload protection, clipping protection, stuff like that. I won't be abusing it, just nice to have if it is part of the overall package. Post what you so I can research it through. Thanks

29th December 2008, 02:09 PM	#5
nigelwright7557 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Carlisle, England	Ebay is a cheap source of amplifiers. But beware some of the stuff I bought was nowhere near the rated RMS they quoted. __________________ http://www.murtonpikesystems.co.uk PCBCAD40 pcb design software.

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25th December 2008, 04:19 AM	#2
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	It's very hard to beat the watts/dollar of a used "pro" (or hifi) power amp. I've seen a Behringer EP2500 (about 600w/4ohms/channel) and a Peavey PV8.5C (about 425w/4ohms/channel) at a local second hand/pawn outlet for not much over $200. Unless you have access to some motherlode of surplus and salvaged goodies, $200 will just about get you a case and transformer and maybe heatsinks. Even paying a "fair" price of nearer $400 for a used amp ain't that bad a deal. A used amp will also have resale value, unlike most DIY amps. Now, if you can pick up a broken pro amp very cheap, that will save a lot of parts chasing and cost. One possible amp to build is the venerable ETI 466. But, those LM3886 chip amps are cheap and rugged... a paralled bridged arrangement can turn out some respectable power without needing high supply rail voltages. You could build in some flexibility by including jumpers to convert it to two or 4 channels if that's more useful in the future.

25th December 2008, 06:34 PM	#3
maxwedge diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CA	I've been using a QSC RMX2400 for sub use and like it a lot but some say 'you get what you pay for' referring to the RMX line. PLX is said to sound much better but you're going to sped a lot more. I won my RMX2400 on ebay for about $300 and run it bridged into 8 ohms for about 1500 watts with two JBL sub1500s. The fan in it was a bit loud so I swapped it out with something quieter!

28th December 2008, 04:00 PM	#4
bluejay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008	One possible amp to build is the venerable ETI 466.[QUOTE] I looked in to this for a while. It looks good. It will not likely save me any money though. It is probably a higher quality item than I want to pay for at this time. I will continue looking in to home built, but will likely buy a manufactured product for $300 - $400. Thanks

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