Karaoke Forums

Hi Gang,

Just checking to see if anyone has checked out this mixer/amp yet. I thought I had made my mind up to go with a seperate amp and mixer, but then I started seeing name brands like Martin Roland and Audio 2000 making these kind of combo units.

What do ya'll think of these mixer/amps? pros and cons over seperate components??? As usual, really appreciate ya'lls input.

thanx
Tank

Well if I HAD to get a "karaoke" mixer/amp, the Martin Roland MA-3000K LOOKS better than most - it is a division of Hisonic though. It's also about the same price as the Audio 2000 AKJ 7050 & has many more features to it. Almost twice the power (600 watts) over the AKJ7050 (360 watts). 3 band eq (high/mid/low) per mic channel & music channel over the AKJ 2 band (high/low) per channel. The delay (echo only) channel also has separate 3 band eq. - the AKJ does not Built in cooling fan on both. It's expandable if you needed to hook it up to more amps (it would then act as a mixer pre-amp (which the AKJ is capable of as well).

Drawbacks are they don't accept balanced XLR inputs. No "real" effects like reverb, chorus, true delay, etc, just the cheesy built in echo. The AKJ does have an effects loop so you can add an outboard unit. Component systems generally sound cleaner, if something goes out, you can usually get something to replace quick or wire so you can limp by (unless the amps or speakers blow) - with all in ones, if something goes out, you are done until repaired or replaced. With components, you can configure your system in more ways to fit your needs.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Hey Lonman,

thanx for the input, bud. As usual, great stuff and gives me alot to think about.

anybody else???

thanx
Tank

I agree with Lonman that the Martin Roland unit looks better on paper, but has anyone who is using the unit, ever reported on its sound and performance? I own and still use the AKJ7050 which has the cooling fan, and it works like a charm, sounds great, and is very user friendly. I do not know how accurate the power output claims of Martin Roland are. As said before, you can buy a high end A/V receiver which is rated at 100 watts/channel and it actually will deliver the stated wattage. You could also buy a cheap receiver claiming to have the same or more watts/channel and it will distort at lower levels and not get anywhere near the stated wattage. Watts/channel really do not mean much unless you know how they arrived at the rating.

For my next system, I am going with Mackie powered speakers and a Mackie mixer. So, in essence, if I had to do all over again, I would go with a seperate mixer. But, I still recommend the AKJ7050.
Cheers

steve

thanx for the replies, folks.

Yeah, l had thought I was gonna go with seperate components, but now I'm kinda rethinking. Heard alot of good things about the AKJ 7050...if it can push enough sound to do small to medium size clubs, and an occasional outdoor event, I think I may prefer it over seperates (Comments??). Like the idea of a lightweight unit, less cables to fool with, simplicity of use, etc. Will have an ocassional partner around, who is even less technically minded than I am

I don't intend of doing alot of gigs (at least not anytime ime in the near future--just occasional things). I would also like to be able to handle the rig myself, which is why I'm considering lightweight speakers, too (JBL Eon 1500s, unpowered)...and even want to be able to tote it in my car, a 2002 Camry.

You guys have been great! Keep the comments coming.....looking forward to contributing one day when I get set up!

cu
Tank

I've been using the AKJ for about four years(Mostly private partys) , and a couple of weddings. When I configured my small rack I was worried about reliablity since it was a pretty new product and after burning up two Voco pro amp/mixers.
So I bought an extra AKJ ....
(It's never been used to replace a problem ) , because there has been no problem with the AKJ, Last month I (MOSTLY) dj'd a wedding in a medium sized hall. after the party members had consumed mass quantities of alcahol they kept wanting the music louder and louder.
I pumped that amp to just below clipping for the last two hours of the show .
I kept getting raves about the volume AND clarity of the music.That amp just flat out Kicks A#@ in my opinion. Good luck.
P.S. I'm also using Audio 2000 Speakers.

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Gotta' Sing , Gotta' Sing !!!

I've owned an AKJ for almost five years... nary a problem. The only thing I ran into was a heating problem. A $10 Rat Shack fan solved that. For the differences in price between the akj7000 and the akj7050, I like my 7000! !

When I bought my second system, I didn't hesitate... and got ANOTHER 7000 unit!

In fact, when I added my mackie DFX12 mixer... it went very smoothly... until the Mackie lost it's left channel for some unknown reason. Now I'm back using a four channel mixer with the AKJ, combining a couple players on one. I've used it for both karaoke and DJ and never had a complaint yet.

Hey Knight,

thanx for the ref, bud. I've been noticing you talking good about the 7000 for some time. HOw did you set up a new cooling fan with the unit?? in the rack? or the unit itself?? U got a picture.....would love to see it.

ALso, after reading several threads, now I'm really into the being careful abouit weight considerations. What kind of rack do you carry your stuff in, and what do you like/dislike aboutt it. I'm thinking that I want something I could tote around in my car, in lieu of a trailer or van type vehicle....yet still pack enough punch for a small to medium size menu.

You guys have been great! thanx for all the help!

cu
Tank

www.knightshow.com/docs/system_back.jpg I have the fans installed and spliced into a simple electircal recepticle, plugged into a powerstrip. The same strip everything else in the case is plugged into.

I use an SKB-10 (or 12 space... it's OLD... I can't remember where my ex-partner got it from!)... if you do a search on yahoo, you'll see several places to get them from. It IS a heavy biotch, I'll grant you... If I had to do it all over again, I'd use TWO 6 or 8-space and stack them!!

Feel free to contact me at my email addy... I'll be more than happy to help ya out!

If you see the other stuff in the DOCS folder, you'll see several pictures of the actual setup from a front view.

hey Knight,

Sent u an emial thru this forum a few days ago....didya get it? I can resend it personally....pls post your email address here.

thax,
Tank

my email addy is on the link on the bottom of my post...

i did NOT get an email from ya! Sorry! I had forgot to forward my mail after I was gone on vacation... I'm threading thru 4,000 emails! !

(edit) Okay, got to it... my email filter had put it in a "spam" filter... I've since reduced that filter so it's not so sensitive! Email on it's way!)

Matt