Live Power Amplifiers

There are plenty of ingredients that go into a world-class pro audio system. You're building a whole chain of components between the music and the audience, and every one of them is important - especially the live power amplifiers. After all, these are the units that give those big, beefy PA speakers the raw power they need to do their job. And while your power amps may not be the most intricate or delicate electronics in the chain, they've got a big load on their shoulders handling the high power throughput needed for the best and loudest results. What it all boils down to is that live power amplifiers are vital links in your system's chain, so it's worth investing in the best models for your needs.

One question that you may be asking - and it's a valid one - is why use live power amplifiers at all, in lieu of powered loudspeakers? The simple answer is versatility. They'll beef up even the weakest audio signals, so no matter what source your sound is coming from, they can get it to output level. They also leave you free to choose your speakers independent of the amp, so you can create your own ideal combo instead of being stuck with a power amp included on a speaker manufacturer's whim. Plus, if you have trouble with your speaker cabinets, you can swap them out while holding onto the same amp - so it's easy to maintain your sound system and keep it consistent.

If you're not certain where to start with this broad lineup of live power amplifiers, try checking out the top sellers first. The most popular models run the gamut of sizes and power levels from the modest Behringer iNUKE NU1000 to the beefy dual-slot Cerwin-Vega CV-5000 High Performance Professional Power Amplifier. Some of the other nameplates you'll see here include all-stars like Crown, QSC, Peavey and Gemini, so if there's a particular brand that's earned your loyalty, you can stick by it with your choice of power amp.

When all is said and done, nobody knows your sound system's power and connectivity needs as well as you do, so it's up to you to find the perfect power amps to suit. The good news is you don't have to do it alone - you've got all kinds of top-rated and best-selling units to choose from here, and the opinions and buy-in of other audio professionals says a lot about a given model's performance. There are hundreds of live power amplifiers waiting here to be discovered; isn't it time to take a look?