Most transparent amp heads

[Johnboch]

What is the best head to pair with acme cabs? I play jazz, instrumental funk, and fusion, and I'm looking for something powerful and transparent. I'm playing through an acme 2x10, and I need more power. Keep in mind, I'll probably buy another 2x10 or even a 4x10 in the next 6 months or so.

[craig.p]

You mean you want a true hi-fi sound with little or no compression or tone shaping? Reason I ask is, if you answer yes, then how 'bout a simple no-frills transistor preamp right into one side of a transistor stereo power amp? Plus you'll have a second channel good to go for later.

[shadow_FIX]

I'll chime in for Markbass Little Mark!

[vinxbass]

Describe transparent too me. I don't understand that term in regards to the sound of an amp.

[Queg]

How about a Bryston, Crown or QSC? Go direct from your instrument.. so the only eq/coloration is what you already have on-board.

[Johnboch]

By transparent, I mean the amp adds as little of its own tonal qualites to my sound as possible. I want a clean sound that's identical to my bass's natural tone, like playing through a studio monitor. Has anyone played euphonic audio (ea) heads?

[Mo'Phat]

Avalon U5 through a power amp?

[bass dan]

try the iamp 800. 1000 watts at 2ohms. if you get 2 4ohm acmes that should be about perfect. I say this because i have had conversations with andy from acme and that is what he recommended to me when i had a iamp 800. about 250 watts per woofer.

The iamp 800 is a pretty transparent head. It does have some presets that you can choose to use or not and you can also bypass the powerful eq section if you choose. I loved mine but found the markbass lmII to be way louder thru the same speakers at 550 watts. Markbass would also be a good suggestion. I still cant beleive how loud that amp will get compared to others in the same wattage range.

I am currently using the markbass.

[Johnny Crab]

I'd say your choice of preamp + a QSC 2402 + (maybe) a very clean comp limiter for speaker protection only(a dbx 166xL does that here).
The QSC works well with 4-ohm ACME B2's. It doesn't care if I have 1 B2 or 4 B2's connected to it.

[johnk_10]

i get a pretty transparent sound from these pre & power amp setups

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Ampeg SVT?

Adam (MCA) from the Beasites has a pretty transparent one.

[MNAirHead]

wonder how many folks got that

[soulplane83]

Glockenklang, if you can find one. The Soul II is hands down the most transparent amp I've ever played. Phil Jones Bass is also pretty transparent.

[Zooberwerx]

If you're playing Acmes, you're obviously a debonair, sophisticated, and handsome individual. That being said...

Go with a decent power amp (I've used QSC RMX 1450 / 2450's, PLX 3102, and a Crest CA-6) and then roll some different preamps thru your rack. I finally settled on a SansAmp RPM for rack #1 and Demeter HBP 1 for rack #2. Two different animals but they have something in common....each has a para EQ which will be your most powerful voicing tool IMO. I'm sure my concept of transparency differs from that of my TB brethren.

Riis

[muddycreek]

I'll second/third/fourth/whatever the pre/power amp combo.

Lots of good preamps out there. The big question when you start talking about true(ish) transparency; how much do you want to spend? Secondarily, how much weight can you deal with carrying?

[rodl2005]

I'm pretty sure the Mark Bass LMII is pretty transparent. Seems so to me & my limited experience with a vast array of amps...

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by craig.p

You mean you want a true hi-fi sound with little or no compression or tone shaping? Reason I ask is, if you answer yes, then how 'bout a simple no-frills transistor preamp right into one side of a transistor stereo power amp? Plus you'll have a second channel good to go for later.

+1
A little mixer and a good power amp - as clean as it gets.

[Gearhead43]

The iAMP stuff is very very transparent - to the point of having no tone of it's own whatsoever - which is why I don't like the stuff. It sounds like what you are looking for, however.

[Munjibunga]

Glockenklang Heart-Rock.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Johnboch

What is the best head to pair with acme cabs? I play jazz, instrumental funk, and fusion, and I'm looking for something powerful and transparent. I'm playing through an acme 2x10, and I need more power. Keep in mind, I'll probably buy another 2x10 or even a 4x10 in the next 6 months or so.

Most players describe just about any amp they like as 'transparent'. The concept of a 'transparent amp' is not really that helpful... every piece of gear (at least amps designed to amplify bass guitar) have an inherent tone.

Interesting about the Glock comments. The HeartRock and SoulII have a very unique and strong voice.... an unusual combination of a tubey, large, warm low end, and a very hi fi top end, and smooth polite mids... a true 'Glock tone'. Transparent... not so much.

The key to the Acme's (as a former user) is to have good control over the deep low end (many use hi pass filters to control that big low end, which can be problematic in some mixes). If you are playing very loudly, a power amp with switchable hi pass filtering and a preamp of your choice is probably the way to go.

Also, the top end of the Acme's, while balanced on the scope, can really get eaten up in a mix (i.e., since most venues absorb more upper mid and treble than deep low end, the Acme's can get a bit 'dull and boomy' in some rooms and contexts, expecially as you push the volume, which tends to overwhelm that little mid driver and tiny tweeter in those cabs... IMO and IME). A head with good upper mid presence and top end, like the Carvin B1500/B2000 or Markbass SD800/SD1200 can be helpful in these situations.

Another head to consider is the Genz Benz Shuttle 9. Not transparent in any way, but 'tight and bright' with pretty good power.