Which power amp configuration would you run?

[jwasbury]

Hello TBers. 1st post here. I recently picked up a Bergantino ae210 used off craigslist. I used the single 210 at a gig and liked it enough to pick up a second ae210 cabinet. I plan to use the two of them (most likely stacked vertically) and retire my venerable Hartke 410xl (which I bought new way back in '88 or '89).

I have an old SWR Grand Prix for my preamp and I've got a couple of power amps in the arsenal to choose from which leads me finally to the question...which configuration to run.

A) SWR Stereo 800 amp, run each cab off a single channel - does 220W per side into 8ohms, total 440W

I've run just a single cab off the Stereo 800 for a long while now and I have no complaints. Just wondering if more power will really change the tone in any discernable way.

B) SWR Stereo 800 amp, bridged into the two cabinets wired parallel (4 ohm load) - total 800W

I've never bridged this amp before and I want to try this as I've read here that bridging this amp can get deliver better sound, but admit that I'm afraid of pushing the gear too hard and having a failure. In 20 years+ of playing I've never killed an amp or a cabinet (knocks wood).

C) Dust off the Crown K2 (currently doing home theater duty) and run each cab off a single channel - does 500w per side into 8 ohms - total 1000W

The K2 weighs about 15lbs more than the Stereo 800, and it requires a full depth rack. This is a step in the wrong direction as part of the reason I went to the 2x210 is to have a more modular, easier to carry, easier to play "gear tetris" in the vehicle rig. OTOH, the K2 running dual channel into 8 ohm cabs should be easy on the equipment methinks.

I guess I will need to try each and decide for myself what is the best, but would love to hear thoughts...

[4Mal]

I'm not high on bridging old amps... that said, I would dump the SWR and snag something new and light. IPR 1600 at $300 and 7 lbs is pretty danged attractive ...

[rpsands]

Neither cab can take more than 220w so more is of questionable utility. I might bridge'em for headroom and keep modest on the volume though.

[Alex1984]

I'd prefer the K2.

[Jim Carr]

K2 sounds intriguing. Would give you plenty of head room for those cabs, and the Grand Prix is a fine Pre. What would it cost to try it...OK, yeah, if you like it, there is the home application plus a rack bag, but heck, you wanted a new power amp for the HT anyway, right?

[bassguppy]

if you dig the SWR Grand Prix I would either use the Crown K2 (a very nice amp) or I would sell the SWR 800 & get a lightweight power amp (Crown XLS1500, XLS2000, Crown XTi2000, QSC PLX2 Series amps, etc...).

OR....since you like the modularity of 2-210 cabs I would get one of the multitude of higher power micro-heads now available from Genz Benz, TC, Ampeg, MarkBass, etc...

You could also sell the SWR 800 & pick up a micro-head for 1 or 2 cab duty & use the higher power/pre rig for bigger shows.

Oh decisions....

[walterw]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

The K2 weighs about 15lbs more than the Stereo 800, and it requires a full depth rack. This is a step in the wrong direction as part of the reason I went to the 2x210 is to have a more modular, easier to carry, easier to play "gear tetris" in the vehicle rig.

Originally Posted by 4Mal

I'm not high on bridging old amps...

me neither (especially "off-brand" power amps into 4Ω loads, i'll bridge old crown micro-techs all day long).

that narrows down the available choices to the SWR in non-bridge mode.