PA Power Amp vs Bass Guitar Power Amp

JimiLL · #1 01-01-2013, 06:31 PM

Looking to add a power amp soon, but im a little perplexed about these power amps by companies like SWR and Eden, also Ampeg.

They seem a little expensive on a dollars per watt basis (compared to pa amps), so I was wondering what about them made players go for it?

**CL400Peavey** · #2 01-01-2013, 06:54 PM

Well if its the all tube ampeg power amp, they may have been after the tube power section. Other than that there is no advantage to a "bass specific" power amp. I run a bridged peavey IPR with great success.

JGR · #3 01-01-2013, 07:15 PM

I had a pair of the SWR Power 750s - still have one. Very nice, well built, but they have gotten quite expensive for what they are. PA amps are definitely better bang for the buck. The SWR is a mono block, and has a true unbalanced input which is a nice feature - it is quieter than running unbalanced into my QSC, but other than that (and the cool chrome) they are just power amps.

Got2SadowskyNYC · #4 01-01-2013, 07:21 PM

I prefer PA power amps. I used Crown for years. My Bag End has the same amp that they put in their line arrays.

JimiLL · #5 01-01-2013, 08:00 PM

Im thinking a crest.... prob a CA 6 but I see some good deals on CA9's as well

dukeisdog · #6 01-01-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

Im thinking a crest.... prob a CA 6 but I see some good deals on CA9's as well

I run a prolite 2.0 and love this thing! Tons of power and super light weight.

Downunderwonder · #7 01-01-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

They seem a little expensive on a dollars per watt basis (compared to pa amps), so I was wondering what about them made players go for it?

Matching nameplates.

Bonus points for matching input sensitivity. Only because some bass preamps have pitiful output.

seamonkey · #8 01-01-2013, 11:25 PM

You will never see a sound companies using a bass manufacturer branded power amp for their FOH systems.

You will see plenty of bassist using non-bass branded power amps for their own rigs.

The New breed of DSP equiped power amps from crown, peavey (crest), QSC, behringer, and others are fantastic.

JimiLL · #9 01-02-2013, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

I run a prolite 2.0 and love this thing! Tons of power and super light weight.

Can you compare the sound to one of the CA series?

dukeisdog · #10 01-03-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

Can you compare the sound to one of the CA series?

I unfortunately can't, though I've had a few people ask me that.

A buddy of mine was selling his CA9 at the point but I was looking to lose some weight in my rack and those things are heavy. I've heard that the CA series amps are some of the best power amps out there, and this crest is my first try at a power/pre rig but I'm very happy so far.