Mackie 1400i Power Amp?

Philly-No-Fi

My friend (JSK), while bathing in the glorious soundwaves emanating from his new RTi A3s, has opined that the following post well generate sniggering responses along the lines of "this dude is a ghetto ****". It's an honest question and a viable option IMHO.

Right now, I'm "no-fi" -- my stereo system consists of Staples computer speaker specials tethered to a Mac with iTunes. Polk's speakers look bad **** (especially the RTi A9 or series) and since they'll gulp 500 watts at 8 ohms, why not try to drive them with a beefy power amp and a good pre-amp?

The Mackie is 300 watts/channel @ 8 ohms and 500 watts/channel @ 4 ohms. No coloration. Easily runs 2 ohm loads for extended periods of time. Granted, it's not a sexy looking piece of hardware and most audiophiles would turn their noses up at it, but why is this such a bad idea? I already own the amp. It's got XLRs in. All I need is a good pre-amp and a good source and I should be ready to rock.

Opinions? Flames?

BIZILL

mackie = PA gear if i'm not mistaken. i'd opt to steer clear.

Philly-No-Fi

Yep, Mackie is PA gear, but how is a power amp designed for a PA system that fundamentally different than a pair of solid state monoblocks?

BIZILL wrote: »

mackie = PA gear if i'm not mistaken. i'd opt to steer clear.

jacob.simpson

Philly-No-Fi wrote: »

Yep, Mackie is PA gear, but how is a power amp designed for a PA system that fundamentally different than a pair of solid state monoblocks?

May be the THD which can ruin the speakers. other than this Great Audio Tech guys should be able to elaborate on this.

George Grand

Plenty of people use pro grade or series power amps in their home rigs with no ill effects. Plenty of Carver PM's out there getting used in the house.

You may want to opt for a slightly smoother sound somewhere down the road, but for now you can do it, that whole GF thing as you say.

dorokusai

I agree with GG...don't get wrapped around the axle about it. When you get more serious about it, if you even do, worry about it then.

heiney9

It's kind of like a TV dinner vs. a home made meal. It gets the job done.....one can be more satisfying than the other.

Pro gear isn't the most musical as a whole, but it plays tunes just like more refined gear. Get your feet wet and if you get serious there's always time to move up the ladder to something more refined and musical.

H9