Class D poweramps

lowendblues · #1 11-05-2010, 03:52 AM

I love the size and portability of my GK MB500, but I prefer to run my VT pedal into the effects return defeating the preamp section of the amp.

Is anyone making a gig bag sized class D poweramp the same size as the micro bass heads like the MB500?

KJung · #2 11-05-2010, 03:54 AM

JimmyM · #3 11-05-2010, 04:00 AM

swr is about it. why not just use the gk? you already have it, it puts out the same wattage thereabouts, and it fits in a gig bag.

honestjohnny · #4 11-05-2010, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

swr is about it. why not just use the gk? you already have it, it puts out the same wattage thereabouts, and it fits in a gig bag.

And if something happens to your VT, you have a backup.

KJung · #5 11-05-2010, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

swr is about it. why not just use the gk? you already have it, it puts out the same wattage thereabouts, and it fits in a gig bag.

+1 Don't really see an advantage to this.

There is a company (forgot the name) that will build a VT pedal into a one space rack unit with a class D power amp, but even that makes little sense to me, since now you are lugging a rack around instead of a nice little box and pedal.

lowendblues · #6 11-05-2010, 04:38 AM

Yeah, I do use the GK. I just havent seen any Micro power amps yet. Seems like everyone still uses the standard sized rack format with the new class D stuff.

Just wondering when we'll see "micro sized" racks.?

KJung · #7 11-05-2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendblues

Yeah, I do use the GK. I just havent seen any Micro power amps yet. Seems like everyone still uses the standard sized rack format with the new class D stuff.

Just wondering when we'll see "micro sized" racks.?

Pretty easy to spec out a mini rack from one of the many 'Anvil' type custom case/rack companies if that's what you are looking for. Since these heads work so well in small, lightweight padded bags, IMO, there will probably be very small demand for production models, and hence probably not models from SKB, etc.

For years, I used a padded Mooradian bag for my Walter Woods for the vast majority of my gigs (where I carried my own gear in a car), and had a small, custom Anvil type case made for the Walter (with a small side compartment for cables) when I had to travel with backline in a truck or van. Worked great!

jnewmark · #8 11-05-2010, 05:47 AM

There may not be that many power amps that size, but there are some that are very lightweight. My Crown XLS 1000 comes in at about 7.5 lbs, 1100 watts into 4 ohms.

genstormbringer · #9 11-05-2010, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

There may not be that many power amps that size, but there are some that are very lightweight. My Crown XLS 1000 comes in at about 7.5 lbs, 1100 watts into 4 ohms.

The entire XLS Drivecore series are under 10lbs I believe. From what I have heard gr8 amp to boot.

craig.p · #10 11-05-2010, 06:04 AM

Another option would be to build a small box with a carry handle to contain a full-range plate amplifier. But it may be another year or so before those amps start showing up as switchers and in the power class you're looking for. (Or maybe they already are but I just don't know about them yet.) Dayton makes one that claims to be in the 150-200W range but I think it's AB, not D. Can't argue with the form factor, though...

KJung · #11 11-05-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genstormbringer

The entire XLS Drivecore series are under 10lbs I believe. From what I have heard gr8 amp to boot.

Lot's of great, lightweight full size power amps, but that still puts you in a three or four space full rack format (depending on the preamp). Cool if that's what you are looking for. For many, size is as key as weight (flying, lots of one nighters, carrying head to and from rehearsals, etc., etc.).

Kind of a different market for 'full size but light' versus micro IMO.

Scatterblak · #12 11-05-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genstormbringer

The entire XLS Drivecore series are under 10lbs I believe. From what I have heard gr8 amp to boot.

+1 -- I'm pushing a DNA DNS-410 (1,400RMS, 2,800 Peak) with an XLS-1500 bridged - 1,550 watts, and it's less than 10 lbs. Sounds fantastic and shakes the cones out of the guitar players marshal rig. If you're already carrying a rack, add 9 lbs and you're done.

Son of Bovril · #13 11-05-2010, 07:09 AM

My XLS 1500 just came in, can't wait to try it, most likely with a U5 and compressor for big gigs with the spector NSCR5 but will try out the Navigator and TBP-1 with it for good measure

seamonkey · #14 11-05-2010, 04:00 PM

For non-rackmount, regular markets,
Vestax, and Bose make small amps.

trjazzluva05 · #15 11-05-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendblues

I love the size and portability of my GK MB500, but I prefer to run my VT pedal into the effects return defeating the preamp section of the amp.

Is anyone making a gig bag sized class D poweramp the same size as the micro bass heads like the MB500?

I use my MB2-500 the same way, only with an Aguilar Tone Hammer. The GK's preamp is cool, but the TH preamp gives me a tighter low end the the GK's amp does.

Brad Johnson · #16 11-06-2010, 10:35 AM

Now you can do a 3 space rack that's very powerful, extremely flexible, not heavy and very affordable. In my case the bag I carried my LMII and spares in wasn't much lighter than my rackbag and in return I more than doubled my power, upgraded my front end (improvement is sound) and can drive anything I could possibly want on a gig. Without all of this I wouldn't have even considered going with a preamp/power amp setup again.

The Crown is the best layed out one that I've seen so far, from the plain English ultra simple front panel configurability, built in crossover, 2 ohm stereo, 4 ohms bridged, connectibility, ridiculous weight and sub $300 price. Winner IMO.

Not gig bag sized... definitely something to think about though.

Passinwind · #17 11-06-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

Another option would be to build a small box with a carry handle to contain a full-range plate amplifier. But it may be another year or so before those amps start showing up as switchers and in the power class you're looking for. (Or maybe they already are but I just don't know about them yet.)

They exist, but at a pretty high price penalty IME. The nicer ones I know of need nearly a full rack width anyway...

edwinhurwitz · #18 11-06-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

They exist, but at a pretty high price penalty IME. The nicer ones I know of need nearly a full rack width anyway...

What is that?

And I · #19 11-06-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

swr is about it. why not just use the gk? you already have it, it puts out the same wattage thereabouts, and it fits in a gig bag.

in my experience, the MB 500 will just barely not fit in my gig bag...

John Bigboote · #20 11-06-2010, 07:45 PM

Add me to the list of those who can't see the sense of the SWR Amplite. At $550, you're in LMIII or Shuttle 6.0 territory, and about $150 shy of a Shuttle 9.0 on sale. I'd rather have a micro power amp that happens to have a fully functional preamp in case I need or want it, any day.

-jb