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MGR/Geo ConnerTapco J-800 Stereo Power Amplifier
Published on 02/10/08 at 15:00Pro-studio musician with forty years experience, playing all styles on Major Label recordings and National-tours.
I bought this J-800 stereo power amplifier from Musician's Friend for $229.00, free shipping included.
This amplifier performs favorably with those in the higher priced categories, like Crown, Crest, Mackie, and the very venerable QSC amps. Differences are: slight reduction in signal-to-noise ratio, less cooling / more heating, and a trifling reduction in low frequencies (below 60 Hz)and extreme high frequencies (above 18kHz.) That makes it perfect for super-quality reproduction of vocals and digital modeling guitar pre-amps, without going overboard in specs or bucks.
Nothing…Read morePro-studio musician with forty years experience, playing all styles on Major Label recordings and National-tours.
I bought this J-800 stereo power amplifier from Musician's Friend for $229.00, free shipping included.
This amplifier performs favorably with those in the higher priced categories, like Crown, Crest, Mackie, and the very venerable QSC amps. Differences are: slight reduction in signal-to-noise ratio, less cooling / more heating, and a trifling reduction in low frequencies (below 60 Hz)and extreme high frequencies (above 18kHz.) That makes it perfect for super-quality reproduction of vocals and digital modeling guitar pre-amps, without going overboard in specs or bucks.
Nothing, except perhaps that it is made overseas and I prefer to buy American stuff. Mackie knows how to engineer and spec-out production though, so I do not foresee any problems. To hit this low price point, it HAS to be made abroad. If there are any problems with this type of gear, it usually is user error. I run two 8-ohm QSC speakers, so I expect this thing will last. For a 200 watt amplifier ( at 8-ohms stereo
it is a bit heavier than the high-priced amps. That isn't a big problem in a rolling rack though.
Built with fully-shielded steel case and rack ears. All knobs and potentiometers feel solid. Pro-Connections are secure, thoughtfully laid-out and clearly labeled.
Great big bang for the buck! If you power a small stereo portable PA, this is a fantastic bargain! If you are running a house PA for a rock band, this isn't enough juice, but for my small PA and Jazz guitar, it is overkill... far better than those cheap portable PAs and carrying a guitar amp too. I suppose Mackie engineered the amp to run at 4 or even 2 ohms, but I wouldn't try it. As it is, it sounds fine. Put it in a rack, run it right, give it air to cool, and I'll bet this thing will perform for many years. I bet $229 of my own on that wager!
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.comSee less00- MGR/Ron Badgerow - Full Armor Productions
Tapco J-800
Published on 08/25/04 at 15:00I recently purchased this new line of Tapco "Juice" amplifier from Full Compass Systems Ltd., Middleton, WI (800-356-5844). After talking to the sales rep, Ron Vogel, ext 1139, he explained that this new line of amplifiers made under the Tapco brand, was a Mackie product. I paid just under $300, including shipping.
Right out of the box, I new this would be a welcomed addition to my PA rig. I needed an amplifier that had all the inputs, like 1/4" and XLR, This amp has both. Secondly, I recently switched to the Speakon connectors, so most of my cables are Neutrik Speakon, not banana jacks, this amp not only has 2 for mains, but a third for mono bridge! Excellent! Now I planned on using this …Read moreI recently purchased this new line of Tapco "Juice" amplifier from Full Compass Systems Ltd., Middleton, WI (800-356-5844). After talking to the sales rep, Ron Vogel, ext 1139, he explained that this new line of amplifiers made under the Tapco brand, was a Mackie product. I paid just under $300, including shipping.
Right out of the box, I new this would be a welcomed addition to my PA rig. I needed an amplifier that had all the inputs, like 1/4" and XLR, This amp has both. Secondly, I recently switched to the Speakon connectors, so most of my cables are Neutrik Speakon, not banana jacks, this amp not only has 2 for mains, but a third for mono bridge! Excellent! Now I planned on using this amp to run my 2 Yorkville 401 Elite cabinets, 2-way 15", rated for 400 watts, 4ohms. This amplifier really delivered it's promised 800watts 4ohms bridged! The first assignment was a 2-day show, 50 bands, one of three stages. Ran super both days (wish I could say the same about the Crest LA901!) These bands were hard core metal screeming bands, harsh limits, not pop music. With the clip filter engaged, full punch and drive were never a problem! Great choice!
Runs a little hotter than the Yamaha, Crown, and QSC amps that I use, so at first I was worried about over-heating, but after the first 2-day show, no signs of excess heat! Poor venting.
Too heavy. Like all amplifiers, someone should make the engineers carry this around all day, then decide to manufacture it!
Wish that it also had binding posts/banana jacks.
Sad to say, only a one year warranty!
Super construction, and solid connectors.
Pretty basic layout, well balanced weight for the front rack mounting.
Super buy! It's better than Crown's XLS series, but not quite the features of QSC's RMX series.
Excellent choice for any setting, except areas that have poor venting, this will be an issue for heat.
I"m sure I'll see more of these in my PA gear, especially for the money!
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.comSee less00
