Help me choose a new power amp

[bassgod0dmw]

I'm building my first pre/power combo and I have no idea what to get for a power amp that is going to give me what I want. The pre I'm using the the Ampeg SVP-Pro. I would have went with an SVT-II Pro, but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for in a price I wanted to pay. This rig will be replacing my GK 2001 RB until I an get it fixed (who knows when that'll be).

With that said, I'd love to get an Ampeg SVT-300 power amp, but I doubt I'd be able to find one. It's going to be used in a hard rock/metal setting. Right now It'll be plugged in to (2) Aguilar GS112's, but I plan on picking up a Berg NV610 one of these days.

Weight isn't so much an issue, but it's certainly not a bad thing to be light. I just want to make sure that is delivers the punch & power I'm used to and need. Digital switching amps make me nervous in that respect. I just don't want to get the next flavor of the month and be disappointed with it. Obviously, I'd really like a tube amp...

So far I've heard great things about the Crest CA-9, but I haven't had any luck locating one for a good price. I've been looking at the Crest XLS2000 which has a good price and it's light...but they are relatively new so all the reviews seem to be leaning towards the honeymoon period.

So what are my options here? Reliable, powerful, deep bass, yatta yatta yatta...

Thanks!

[rpsands]

Drivecore 1500 - with a bridging speakon cable (Do not forget this, it is a different cable!). It's what I use, and it's awesome. Shallow, super light, easy to use.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by rpsands

Drivecore 1500 - with a bridging speakon cable (Do not forget this, it is a different cable!). It's what I use, and it's awesome. Shallow, super light, easy to use.

I've got a few lying around somewhere.

Since I was looking at the DriveCore 2000, other than wattage I'd assume it's pretty similar in function and tone to the 1500? I know it's completely subjective, but how does it sound?

[funkinbottom]

Carvin Power amps rock. I love mine

Carvin.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio: Professional Power Amps

[Bob Lo]

I've used a DriveCore 1500 with an A.R.T. Pro channel driving 2 2x10's.It's nice to have 2 channels out,sometimes I use a 4x10& a 2x10 so I can adjust the volume accordingly

[pedulla1]

Shameless plug alert LOL. I have a Mackie 1400i for sale that I used with an SVP-Pro. Never had to push the amp past 1/3! I guarantee that combination to deliver plenty of punch and warmth! I am in NYC.

[CpTCrunch]

Originally Posted by funkinbottom

Carvin Power amps rock. I love mine
Carvin.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio: Professional Power Amps

+1 to Carvin
I had a hd1500 carvin but ended up selling it. Needed cash, it rocked though and I would buy one again.

Qsc amps are fantastic as well. I still use a qsc rmx1450 and a rmx1850 almost daily. Got them both used on ebay for next to nothing.
Their NOT light and the fans are a bit loud but they've both been running bridged since the day I got emm and never failed or went into protect mode.

I had a crown xls1000 for about a week. I had issues with it when using a DI straight into it - which I need to be able to do.
Though I doubt standard preamp would have the same issue.

[rpsands]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I've got a few lying around somewhere.

Since I was looking at the DriveCore 2000, other than wattage I'd assume it's pretty similar in function and tone to the 1500? I know it's completely subjective, but how does it sound?

The drivecore 2000 is something like 2" deeper. Laaaaame price to pay for wattage you will never need.

[Jim Carr]

To get a CA-9 on a budget, buy a CA-6 used. I did it. Paid about $520 in 2008, IIRC. It has oceans of clean power. 47lbs. When in a four-space rack with a couple of pre-amps and a few cables, the whole package is pushing 70lbs. I have and can haul it, but prefer my M9 carbine for sound, weight, and smaller package.

Never-the-less, a good used CA-6 is a great choice.

[seamonkey]

The best deal in DSP amps is the Peavey IPR DSP
This puppy includes plugins used in major recording studios.
Don't let the light weight fool you. Like the crowns they will blow the old heavy amps out to sea. And with the right pre-amp all the tone will be there.

[UncleFluffy]

+ another 1 on Carvin. I'm using one of these. Gets the job done.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

The best deal in DSP amps is the Peavey IPR DSP
This puppy includes plugins used in major recording studios.
Don't let the light weight fool you. Like the crowns they will blow the old heavy amps out to sea. And with the right pre-amp all the tone will be there.

I'm impressed by what I've read about these so far. Lightweight, powerful, affordable, 2-Ohm capable, and the plug-ins are the icing on the cake; I'm looking forward to hearing the MaxxBass plug-in as much as I'm looking forward to decreasing the weight of my PA amp rack.

Can't wait to hear the MaxxBass through a 3012LF or 3015LF bass cab like Greenboy's fEarful or Duke's Thunderchild!

[rpsands]

The peaveys don't fit in a shallow rack. Biggest complaint I have about them. Second only to the lack of standard outputs on channel 1 (1+/1-/2+/2-) and then the lack of an input Y

[Plstrns]

Originally Posted by rpsands

The peaveys don't fit in a shallow rack. Biggest complaint I have about them. Second only to the lack of standard outputs on channel 1 (1+/1-/2+/2-) and then the lack of an input Y

How shallow of a rack? They fit the gator shallow cases. I agree about the input y, but my biggest issue is the LEDs.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by rpsands

The drivecore 2000 is something like 2" deeper. Laaaaame price to pay for wattage you will never need.

I don't really care how deep the amp is. 2" certainly isn't going to kill me. I lugged around an Aggie DB359 for a good while. That thing was super deep. As for wattage, the extra 550w sounds nice. I'm not sure I need it though...

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

To get a CA-9 on a budget, buy a CA-6 used. I did it. Paid about $520 in 2008, IIRC. It has oceans of clean power. 47lbs. When in a four-space rack with a couple of pre-amps and a few cables, the whole package is pushing 70lbs. I have and can haul it, but prefer my M9 carbine for sound, weight, and smaller package.

Never-the-less, a good used CA-6 is a great choice.

I'll see if I can find one of those too...

Originally Posted by seamonkey

The best deal in DSP amps is the Peavey IPR DSP
This puppy includes plugins used in major recording studios.
Don't let the light weight fool you. Like the crowns they will blow the old heavy amps out to sea. And with the right pre-amp all the tone will be there.

What's a DSP amp?

[Plstrns]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I don't really care how deep the amp is. 2" certainly isn't going to kill me. I lugged around an Aggie DB359 for a good while. That thing was super deep. As for wattage, the extra 550w sounds nice. I'm not sure I need it though...

I'll see if I can find one of those too...

What's a DSP amp?

Digital Speaker Processor. Built in crossovers, eq's, lpf's etc...

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by Plstrns

Digital Speaker Processor. Built in crossovers, eq's, lpf's etc...

Really? I thought DSP was Digital Signal Processing, but I could be wrong.

[CpTCrunch]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I don't really care how deep the amp is. 2" certainly isn't going to kill me. I lugged around an Aggie DB359 for a good while. That thing was super deep. As for wattage, the extra 550w sounds nice. I'm not sure I need it though...

What's a DSP amp?

DSP = Digital Signal Processing
Edit: Jim Carr had it correct

Personally I would stay away from amps that have dsp's. Imho less is more with amps.

Something else to consider is bi-amping. ->Run a crossover and 2 smaller amps. That way you can fine tune what freq range each cab is getting.
This is also helpful in case something happens to one of the amps or cabs.

[Plstrns]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Really? I thought DSP was Digital Signal Processing, but I could be wrong.

Digital signal processor is usually an effects device, not a management tool.

The DSP used before the power amp is a Digi Speaker Processor. BBE has it screened on the faceplate. Peavey and Dbx call them digital loudspeaker processor, but use the DSP acronym. I don't know if anyone calls them something different?

[rpsands]

It's a dsp that uses dsp. Woot.