can i add an additional power amp to my head?

[Bennetsgreen]

just wondering if its possible to add another poweramp to a (lets just say) 500 watt markbass head to make it louder than 500 watts? let me know fellas!

Cheers, Ben

[Foz]

yes

[Bass_Pounder]

Only if you use a line level "line out" to drive the power amp.

Then, you have 2 choices:

Run your normal rig, AND additional cabs connected to the power amp

OR

Buy a larger power amp (for example - 1,000 watts), and use the power amp alone to power your cabs.

[Bennetsgreen]

thanks mate that was quick, just wondering what power amp i should use? are there any nice valve sounding ones?

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Bennetsgreen

thanks mate that was quick, just wondering what pre amp i should use? are there any nice valve sounding ones?

In the situation I presented above, you would be using the Markbass as the preamp.

If you are also looking for a preamp to drive a power amp, then you do not need the markbass at all.


ETA - I see you edited your post to read "power Amp"

Most power amps are transparent and do not color the tone from the preamp.

Just about any known brand is a good choice (ie: QSC, Crown, Carvin, Peavey, etc.)

[Bennetsgreen]

sorry had to edit that..i ment power amp not preamp

[Rick Auricchio]

You would do better to add another speaker cabinet. That will immediately gain 3dB without needing more power.

Doubling power will only get you 3dB anyway.

[Bennetsgreen]

i am wanting to use a single 8x10, wouldnt another cab f$%k up the head?

[anderbass]

Some 810 cabs have special input jacks that allow you to choose between connecting each half of the cab to 2 different power amps, or the whole cab to just 1 amp like normal.

[Rick Auricchio]

Originally Posted by Bennetsgreen

i am wanting to use a single 8x10, wouldnt another cab f$%k up the head?

If you only want one cabinet, then adding more power might not get you more loudness. At some point, every cab hits "power compression," a point where more power simply heats the speakers. Then they fail.

Borrow a head with more power and run a test with your 810. If you don't get much more loudness, then you've got your answer: you'll know whether power will make a difference or not.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

If you only want one cabinet, then adding more power might not get you more loudness. At some point, every cab hits "power compression," a point where more power simply heats the speakers. Then they fail.

Borrow a head with more power and run a test with your 810. If you don't get much more loudness, then you've got your answer: you'll know whether power will make a difference or not.

+1

Even if your 8X10 is rated at say 1,000 watts - that is only a thermal rating of the voice coils, not your mechanical limits of the speakers.

Depending on your EQ'ing habits, your 500 watt head could very well be pushing the cab to it's limits already where any additional power will just be heat and compression.

The only true way to get louder is to push more air - which means more speakers.

[Dambrother71]

As thinking about adding a power amp to my set up. I have an ampeg svt3 pro. Would I add the power amp and then just use the ampeg for the preamp? Are there any other alternatives that are not impractical?