Lightweight amps >750 watts at 8 ohms

[SactoBass]

I did a TB search and couldn't find what I was looking for.

My question is, what bass amp heads are available that are:

• lightweight (under 10 pounds)
• portable (smaller than rackmount)
• self contained (has pre and power amp built in)
• puts out 750 to 900 watts RMS into an 8 ohm load

The GB Shuttle 9, for example, meets 3 of the 4 requirements. But it only puts out 500 watts into an 8 ohm load. I am looking for something similar that puts out 750 to 900 watts RMS into an 8 ohm load. And yes, I already know that there isn't much change in volume going from 500 watts to 750 watts. Volume is not what I am focusing on here.

Bridgeable amps are fine as long as they meet all of the above criteria.

Well TB'ers, what amps are out there that meet the four criteria I listed above?

[KJung]

- Markbass SD1200 (750)... a bit smaller than full size 2 space unit... about 7 pounds, good value

- Walter Woods Ultra (800).... small, about 8 pounds, ugly expensive.

- TecAmp Puma 1000 (current model bridges to 1000 watts into 8ohms, updated model to be introduced at NAMM I believe will be a monoblock and will put out about 600 into 8ohms).... small, really lightweight.. ugly expensive

- Tecamp Bonafide (full stereo operation, dual mono operation, and bridgeable... I think about 700 watts into 8ohms).... small, really lightweight, ugly expensive.

[SactoBass]

Thanks Ken!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Thanks Ken!

EA iAmp Pro... forgot that one.

I would think for the 15/6 you are getting (didn't see that was you prior to posting!), the iAmp Pro would sound great, and also the SD1200.

I would also think the Shuttle 9 would put out enough power to drive a 15/6 nicely.

[B String]

Acoustic Image makes micro amps that have a ton of power. Very well made and some of the best customer service around.
Great products.

[SactoBass]

Ken, you read my mind (re: the 15/6 fEarful type cabs). I already have an excellent pre and power amp rig for driving both 15/6 cabs (for outdoor venues with no PA support for the bass, and for demolishing buildings upon demand). My power amp will give each 8-ohm cab 750 watts RMS.

But for scenarios where I only need one 15/6 cab, it would be handy to have a scaled down and lighter amp rig that works great with a single 15/6 cab. You are correct in that 500 watts would be "sufficient" to drive the 15/6 cab, but I seek a bit more headroom just to play it safe, plus I have read in other threads that the fEarful 15/6 cabs actually like a bit more power than 500 watts......more like 750 to 900 watts. Hence my inquiry.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by B String

Acoustic Image makes micro amps that have a ton of power. Very well made and some of the best customer service around.
Great products.

+1 Also, even though the wattage spec is not that high, both RPSANDS and Tom Bowlus dig the GK MB500 and MBFusion with their 15/6 cabs.... that is a pretty loud little beast given its publishes wattage.

To the OP, one of the downsides to both the TecAmp stuff and the EA iAmpPro is that the voicing is very, very deep (hi pass set low or whatever). So, much of that additional wattage is getting eaten up by reproducing those sub 40hz frequencies. That's not really a good thing when you are cranking live..

If someone put a gun to my head and said 'buy a head for the 15/6 in the next 5 minutes, I guess I'd go with the Markbass SD1200... good DI, plenty of EQ power, lightweight, and relatively small (i.e., you can bag it). The SD800 would probably be more than enough, and save you a few hundred.

[SactoBass]

Hmmm....yeah. That MB SD1200 looks pretty good. I just checked out the specs on the MB website. 750 watts into 8-ohms, weighs 7.5 pounds. Portable (bag-able). Nice!

Ken: I have read your other threads about the Tecamp's and EA's lower setting of the high pass filter. I wonder if the MB SD1200 has a built in high pass, and what freq it is set at?

My larger amp rig (the QSC PLX3602) has a selectable on/off 33hz high pass filter (that I always leave on).

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Hmmm....yeah. That MB SD1200 looks pretty good. I just checked out the specs on the MB website. 750 watts into 8-ohms, weighs 7.5 pounds. Portable (bag-able). Nice!

Ken: I have read your other threads about the Tecamp's lower setting of the high pass filter. I wonder if the MB SD1200 has a built in high pass, and what freq it is set at?

My larger amp rig (the QSC PLX3602) has a selectable on/off 33hz high pass filter (that I always leave on).

I'm not really even sure 'hi pass' is the right term, but yes, all the Markbass heads are reasonably 'reduced' down low, so that big driver isn't hopping around so much. Zero issue, and the bass control (shelving-like at 40hz) is nice to reduce deep bass without sucking upper bass and low mids.

I have not heard the SD1200. I had an SD800 for a while and didn't really dig it (a bit too bright up top, and not quite as punchy as the other MB heads), but I was using a VERY different cab than you will be using.

The SD1200 is getting some reviews that indicate it is more like a 'really bit F550', versus a slightly more powerful SD800 (i.e., a bit tighter and warmer). If that is the case, that is killer.

The good news is, these are sold on the Musician's Friend site. So, I would wait until you have your 15/6, and then possibly order one on the 30 day no questions askes 'try and return' (and maybe an GK MB500... based on RPSANDS and BOWLUS'S reviews). Kind of risk free.. you would only be out a small shipping charge.

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by KJung

The good news is, these are sold on the Musician's Friend site. So, I would wait until you have your 15/6, and then possibly order one on the 30 day no questions askes 'try and return' (and maybe an GK MB500... based on RPSANDS and BOWLUS'S reviews). Kind of risk free.. you would only be out a small shipping charge.

Good point!! Thanks again Ken!

[tombowlus]

It looks like Ken has this one covered.

But, just in case someone were to have a rig picked out that seemed perfect, but was lacking in the high-pass filtering department, remember that you could always add something like this to your signal chain:

HPF-Pre

or

Micro Thumpinator

[Chef]

Carvin B2000 and BX1500

[KJung]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

It looks like Ken has this one covered.

But, just in case someone were to have a rig picked out that seemed perfect, but was lacking in the high-pass filtering department, remember that you could always add something like this to your signal chain:

HPF-Pre

or

Micro Thumpinator

I'm going to buy one of those micro thumpinators, just so I can say 'yeah, I have a micro thumpinator'

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by KJung

I'm going to buy one of those micro thumpinators, just so I can say 'yeah, I have a micro thumpinator'

Just don't add "in my pants" to that one!

Actually, that is a killer little unit that works quite well.

[Chef]

in your pants...

[lomo]

FWIW that 15/6 will get ungodly loud, even with "only" 300-500 watts. You might want to try that 1st. Even with 175 from my Walkabout or GB 3.0 it's surpisingly potent. Also keep in mind that the physics brigade will tell you that other factors being equal, you won't hear much difference in volume unless you double the power, so the diff in perceived volume between 450 (Shuttle 9, LM 800) and 750 will likely not be much.

[SactoBass]

Thanks everyone for all of your input.

[jnewmark]

If you want to go the pre/power route, the Crown XLS Drivecore 1000 will give you around 750 into 8 ohms and weighs 8 lbs.