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Author Topic: QSC amps - DCA or ISA series? Andy Frodsham Expert Film Handler Posts: 238 From: Stoke on Trent, Staffs, UK Registered: Nov 2006 posted 05-19-2011 03:31 AM                     About to replace two of our single channel amps which have recently died. Our technicians have suggested QSC ISA series two channel units. Everyone here seems to be using the DCA series. As a smallish art house type theatre, we are presently film based (and will continue, proudly, to be so until prints are no longer available). Along with SR we also use Dolby Digital and DTS sound sources. We run the odd DVD and Blu Ray sourced film! Which range should we go for?  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-19-2011 05:18 AM                     The DCA series is smaller, lighter, cleaner sounding and generally, an all around better amp. They are also made in USA, the ISAs are not. -Steve  |  IP: Logged Andy Frodsham Expert Film Handler Posts: 238 From: Stoke on Trent, Staffs, UK Registered: Nov 2006 posted 05-19-2011 07:34 AM                     Thanks Steve. The DCA series seemes the way to go, then! Regards.  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 05-19-2011 10:47 PM                        The DCA is what QSC people have usually pushed for us theater folk.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-19-2011 11:05 PM                     Just got three of the DCAs. They kick ass! I've got them in biamp mode pushing 1500w into the L/C/R channels at 4Ω. They run for an entire movie (2+ hrs.) without breaking a sweat. Put your hand on the back of the case and it's barely above room temperature. Put your hand in front of the air outlet and it still blows cool air. They sound good, run great and they're not bad looking in the rack, either. Well worth the money.  |  IP: Logged Jake Spell Master Film Handler Posts: 294 From: Johns Island SC Registered: May 2009 posted 05-20-2011 10:23 PM                     We have 14 DCA amps and the 3422's can get warm after some heavy bass but never hot and the back to front airflow is awesome. No rack fans required! Plus they are small and sounds awesome!!  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-21-2011 10:08 AM                     If you use FILTERED fans to pressurize your rack, they will also stay CLEAN (as well as the insides of the rack) as well. -Steve  |  IP: Logged Ken Lackner Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1907 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 05-22-2011 09:29 AM                     Steve, how would you seal the rack? Wouldn't the vent panels and vents on the sides allow dirt in?  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-22-2011 10:30 AM                     Pressurizing the interior space of the rack will tend to blow particles of dust OUT of the rack. Thus, some small spaces for air to escape in limited quantities might even be considered beneficial.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-22-2011 11:22 AM                     Randy is correct...you are not sealing the rack, you are pressurizing the rack. Mid-Atlantic does make a vent blocker kit for their racks (cheap...as they are just magnets cut to size). they are also just for the bottom vents...thus air is forced up and out. Trust me, it works VERY well. -Steve  |  IP: Logged

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