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Author Topic: QSC 4 channel amps Francis Casey Film Handler Posts: 44 From: Saint John, NB, Canada Registered: Jun 2000 posted 06-24-2000 08:43 PM                     Hello Our theatre chain is in the process of constructing 2 new 5-plexes . For sound equipment in each cinema we are going to use the new Dolby CP650 processor a QSC DCM-1 crossover /monitor 2 QSC DCA1644 4ch amps and one QSC DCA 1824 4ch amp ; we are going to squeeze all this into a Strong Super Highlight II console . My question is ; does anybody have any experience or comments on the QSC components ? It will be my first time installing the DCM-1 and DCA seris amps . Are these components reliable ? Also does anybody any installation experience with the Dolby CP650 ? Any comments or suggestions would be helpfull . Thanks  |  IP: Logged Brian Potts Film Handler Posts: 59 From: Lexington, North Carolina, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 06-24-2000 09:08 PM                     In March 1996, we installed QSC USA 850 amps, along with a Smart SRS-5 processor, and DTS. I have found the QSC amplifiers to be very reliable. We just keep them clean and they haven't given us any problems. Hope that is at least a little helpful.  |  IP: Logged Russ Kress Expert Film Handler Posts: 202 From: Charleston, WV, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 06-25-2000 12:39 AM                        I have not used the Dolby CP-650, but if it's like other Dolby processors, you should be pleased. As far as QSC goes, I have had one failure (of an older series 1400) out of about a bazillion amplifiers that we use. I once witnessed a rack of them literally fall off of a truck at a rock show (not pretty) and they all fired right up. QSC also utilizes those cool "signal present" LEDs that make trouble shooting easier. It's okay to feel good. Your company is buying good stuff. Russ  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 06-25-2000 12:59 AM                     Sounds like a good equipment setup, but mounting them in the console is always a bad idea. There's too much heat. Consider a free standing sound rack.  |  IP: Logged John Wilson Film God Posts: 5438 From: Sydney, Australia. Registered: Dec 1999 posted 06-25-2000 05:18 AM                     Never had a problem with QSC amps. Good choice.  |  IP: Logged Greg Pauley Expert Film Handler Posts: 173 From: Huntington, WV, USA Registered: Jun 2000 posted 06-25-2000 08:07 AM                        I have been buying QSC amps for the last 10 years and will continue until one breaks! I will assume the CP650 is going to be similar to the CP500 which is one of the easiest processors to install. I agree with Brad, buy yourself a sound rack and isolate the sound from everything else.  |  IP: Logged John Eickhof Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 588 From: Wendell, ID USA Registered: Jan 2000 posted 06-25-2000 01:00 PM                        QSC is p[robably the most 'bullet-proof' amp out there! I've sold & installed many of them with very good and dependable results!! They back their products better than most! The DCA series is revolutionary in design and power efficiency! You will be pleased with them! (I still use 25 year old series one and two amps in several portable systems, they've been all over and have never given up yet!)  |  IP: Logged Francis Casey Film Handler Posts: 44 From: Saint John, NB, Canada Registered: Jun 2000 posted 06-25-2000 08:09 PM                     Thanks ALL for your input ; we have had about a dozzen 1400 seris in use at one of our locations for about 12 years now with no problems at all and they sound real good .We have been using Crown CE series on installs for the past couple of years now , and while they seem to work ok they seem to have a high failure rate . For every 10 or so we order i always order a spare ; we usually end up using it within the first month or even the first few minutes ! I'll be glad to get away from them for a while . While we would normally use a seperate sound rack ; for these 2 installs we are trying to keep the cost to a bare minimum .By putting everything in the console we can save considerably on installation and wiring costs . Thanks again Francis  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-25-2000 09:04 PM                        The problem with console installations, as I understand things, is that you're putting your sensitive sound equipment right next to your lamp rectifier/xenon ignitor. There must be some provision for isolating the sound equipment from the lamphouse, but I wonder how effective it would be; personally, I've mostly worked with standard pedestal/lamphouse/sound rack setups and never with an all-in-one console, so I don't really know how bad or good such a setup would be.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-25-2000 09:48 PM                     I have not had any problems installing high quality sound gear in a projection console. Especially with a Strong switcher you do not have the huge magnetic fields generated as you do with conventional transformer based boat anchor rectifiers. If you follow proper grounding schemes and do a neat wiring job then you will have results as good as you would in a seperate rack. One thing I don't like about the new QSC amps is the use of data type cables for audio signals. While it may speed up installation a bit the cables leave alot to be desired. I always almost use Mogami cable or at the minimum Belden 8451 for wiring all my racks and consoles. Far better results will be had this way. I don't feel that the quick wire and package method of the new QSC's is at all good although the amps are fine. Mark  |  IP: Logged Russ Kress Expert Film Handler Posts: 202 From: Charleston, WV, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 06-25-2000 10:56 PM                        Using consoles saves on installation costs? Hell, buy free standing racks and make the manager wire 'em up! (He's salary) Hey! It works for Greg! <grin> (Don't fire me!) Russ  |  IP: Logged Rory Burke Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Burbank, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2000 posted 06-26-2000 01:16 AM                     The QSC DCM and DCA series products I am sure you will find will more that adequately work for you. Those four channel amps are designed for bi and triamp systems but work quite well for normal applications and save space and money. The entire package will wire up in about twenty minutes. QSC made sure they made their new line of products labor viable. That DCM is capable of some amazinf features. I understand it goes head to head with THX's new crossover/monitor the 1138. Have seen the 1138 so I am not sure. You can also download the software off their website. Variable time alignment, bi amp, tri amp, studio capability with amazing EQ functions like customizable stackable parametric Eq fuctions name a few. Check out the web site for more info.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-30-2000 11:55 AM                     I vote for seperate racks I have seen rectifiers smoke and take out a very expensive CP200 with it ALso it allows for more upgradeable system design with freestanding racks I also dislike the cabling system on the DC amps and crossovers I use the USA or THe MX serries they are bullet proof  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 06-30-2000 08:27 PM                     Personally, I think console sound systems are just plain stupid. I have seen/heard none to change my beliefs in that. A floor or wall rack just is not that much money (for a good one). The flexability in wiring, upgrading and ease of service just can't be beat. And if you really know about grounding, a console just can't compare. Then again, I'm no fan of consoles period. Steve ------------------ "Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"  |  IP: Logged Rory Burke Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Burbank, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2000 posted 08-03-2000 02:58 PM                     I hear you can weld with the power of one of these QCS amps  |  IP: Logged

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