Best amp for stage 2

[MEL868]

what's the best amp (light weight and $$) for new stage 2 (73 sw)? I've seen 2012 post re: Lucas nano - but now it's 2015, so need an update.

I plugged in my new Nord to old Roland KC150 and don't like it. looking for best value for crisper sound. currently play in a blues band.

[Mr_-G-]

Hi, welcome to the forum. There is no easy answer to your question, specially when you have 2 requirements
I would suggest to have look at the forum as there is A LOT of information on amplification that has already been posted and people might not be keen on answering the views again. A lot of people are using amped speakers (PA systems) for their setups.

[MEL868]

[Falcon2e]

Yes, I agree, powered speaker set up works for me. I've been using an EV ZLX 15P. Plenty of power and not too heavy (about 38 lbs). I'm running mono. It has two inputs so you can run two KBs (mono) if you don't need stereo for your live gigs. I like it because I don't need to use a mixer. I just tap into the balanced line out and send a feed to the FOH. No DI box needed. For my ears, I've cut back on the high Zs and boost the bottom a little. As already stated, there are a lot of posts on this subject. I don't work for EV.

[hijlko]

If you want to do your Stage (or any other professional keyboard) justice you need to invest in some good pair of speakers. Yes, pair of speakers. In my quest for a good pair of speakers I found out that organ and synth sounds are easy but that a piano sound put speakers really to the test. In general I noticed that coaxial setups are more pleasant to the ear than those with horns but I guess there are exceptions to this rule.

As you will find on this forum there are a lot of solutions, I ended up with a Line 6 L2T + L2M and if you have the chance you should really listen to them. I don't work for Line 6.

[danrv]

FBT has a new range out. These look interesting.
http://www.theaudioworksuk.com/index.ph ... eaker.html

I used to have the FBT Maxx 4 passive 12's. Really nice hifi like sound.
Previous FBT powered speakers I think only had one input but these, like the Yamaha DXR have stereo inputs and stereo link.
They seem quite tall though for a 10" at 610mm.

[anotherscott]

what's the best amp (light weight and $$) for new stage 2 (73 sw)?

EV ZXa1 is the best lightweight and well-priced amp I've seen.

[spradders]

I went for the yamaha dxr12, seemed the best option for the money and has a few channels. The QSC equivalent was possibly slightly warmer, but also more expensive. The Yamaha is WAY better than my Peavey kb100a keyboard combo amp.

[Six-string-man]

The Nord acoustic pianos are the hardest thing to get sounding right that I have come across for some reason. EP's and organ are no problem, but it's really difficult to get the ap's right.

I would avoid the Lucas nano if I were you, it's great for guitar, but keys, not so much. Also, I tried the EV ZLX 12, again, not good for acoustic piano, I thought it was muddy.

I was very impressed with the EV ELX, and the Line 6 L2T, as mentioned above. I eventually went with the DXR 10's, from Yamaha. Although the ELX and the L2T were better on ap's, the DXR10's were great for everything else, and acceptable for ap's, and I got a great deal on them that I just couldn't pass up.


SSM

[Johannes]

Hi,

Never tried the EV ZXA1 myself but looks indeed very interesting, and comes in at 8.6kg only! Will try it out soon, but miss only a third input which would make it perfect for my purpose.
Only one question more general, is there by now any decent PA that doubles as a decent keyboard Amp that has bluetooth included?? Could be really useful for some uses but seems to be only in more consumer oriented products which then are not perfect for amplifying a digital Grand Piano.

PS: The exact name of the EV is Electro-Voice ZXA1-90, right? (not sure what the 90 stands for...)