Bass head vs Preamp/power amp

[bgavin]

I prefer separates, but play whatever is on hand.

Separates allow interchangeable preamps and replacement power amps.
They also allow for active crossovers and biamping.
Separate amps can mix 'n match between PA and instrument use, and serve as spares.
The downside to Separates is larger / heavier / bulkier / expensive.

Same as audio, the service clearances in separates is more generous.
Think of the circuit density in "receiver" compared to "tuner".
I speculate cost-cutting methods are employed more in bass heads than in pro audio separates.
IMO pro quality power amps such as QSC et al, are designed to a higher level of quality and reliability than bass heads.
Some equipment is designed to be discarded rather than serviced.

We play a lot of intimate venues with tiny stages.
My 4RU rack is way overkill to produce 85db at the tables.
Our primary bass player uses a LM-III head.
It is tiny, works well, and fits into a small gig bag.
A reviewer noted the LM-III circuitry is quite dense, and service would be more difficult.

[HitByABlimp]

Originally Posted by bgavin

A reviewer noted the LM-III circuitry is quite dense, and service would be more difficult.

The LM-III is SMT for the most part, so it's a pain to service. However, before switching to separate pre- and power amp, I owned a LMII that I was quite happy with.

One advantage of using a separate pre and power is you can match the power section to whatever speaker configuration and impedance you're using, while maintaining the same front-end and most of the tone.

[jphovercraft]

Pre/power here w/a bass head as a backup.

[VanillaThundah]

I COULD do a pre/power rig, but I'm sort of doing that already. I have a Carvin BX500 that I bypass the pre on and use my VT bass deluxe as the preamp on. The upside to my rig, is that if something happens to my VT or a cable fails or what have you, I STILL have a fully functional bass head that I can use and don't have to worry about borrowing someone else's at a show.

All of that being said, if I'm going to use a big rig at a show...I could never use a pre/power rig since all-tubers don't usually come in that format

[eddododo]

Maybe this calls for a poll

[MCS4]

I've played both plenty but prefer a pre/power combo -- currently a Carvin DCM1500 power amp and BBE BMax pre. This is mainly for increased power/headroom and flexibility regarding cabs. With the DCM's two channels, I could easily run four separate cabs with adequate power -- useful for outdoor shows with minimal PA support. For regular shows the two independent power channels are useful because I can use the separate volumes to favor one cab over another (admittedly more useful back when I used to pair a 2x10 with one or two 15s.).