Power Amp Pre-Amp Combos?

[Fleegetastic]

Originally Posted by srxplayer

I use a BBE BMax-T / QSC GX5 combo. I can give a little insight into using this set up. Of course the interpretation of the tone out of this thing is my personal opinion/taste.

I use this same set up too into 2 1x15 cabs it freakin rocks. but sometimes I use a Zoom B2 as the preamp and I almost prefer it to the BBE B-max.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by dukeorock

I have no doubt, and again I say, it was my favorite sounding amp of the bunch. I was just gearing up for a tour and didn't have the time, so I ran back to GC and traded it on the QSC. The problem I had was while slapping upright, on certain parts of the neck, the amp would go into protect mode and shut down for a few seconds...a buddy came over with a different bass, different pre and different pickup and the same thing happened in the same place...I'm sure I could've figured out something, but I need to be sure before hitting the road

Hopefully, I'll figure it out and get another IPR 3000 because the sound was awesome...clear and open...very musical sounding, to my ears.

I would add more compression- the chance of the audience hearing the difference is nil and it will make your rig more reliable. It would also extend the life of your speakers.

[Arthur U. Poon]

Originally Posted by Chef

It surely can be done, and I did it for years.
I had everything from a Peavey Bassist 1000 (I think that's what it was called) to Aguilar DB680 (good grief that was nice!), various Alembics, and I think the last one I had was an Eden Navigator.
I used various Crown, Crest and QSC power amps.

It can work really well.

However, I have to ask "why do you want to do this?"
Especially since you don't have a preamp in mind, which, to me, is the lone reason to do this, more or less.
The ability to pair a specific preamp with ~2000 watts of power is really the only reason -I- would do this.

There are so many really good, very small "all in one" micro amplifiers out now, I just see no personal need to do this anymore.
YMMV, of course.

I've thought about buying a micro head to use with my 2 Aguilar GS-112 cabs for small to medium rooms. That makes a lot more sense to me than my Crest CA9/Demeter HBP-1 (Beast) rackmount setup.

I personally haven't found an all in one amplifier that can dethrone my Demeter HBP-1/Crest CA9 setup, -for my needs that is, with either my Bergantino HT210/HT115 cab setup or my 2 Mesa PH212's.

Although I have been very interested in trying a Mesa Titan V12 or an M9 Carbine through the Mesa cabs, or an Aguilar DB751 head through the Berg cabs.

(BTW finding what I was looking for from a speaker cabinet was far more challenging in my case! )

Other than the weight of lugging my rack,( made a bit easier with my handtruck/dolly) I'm very, very happy with the sound and reliability of my rack setup.

All this rambling aside, to the OP, I personally prefer the Demeter HBP-1 preamp for it's tight, clear, and quick response, -with a bit of warmth and the Read Purity Tube Preamp for it's pillowy, tubey warmth.

IMO there's a lot of very nice preamps available. You just have to do a bit of experimenting, and the Basstasters website is a great place to start.

All the best, -Derwin

[Arnie]

No one mentioned the Ashley pre-amps, especially the Sc-40's but it looks like Ashley discontinued ALL instrument preamps ??

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Arnie

No one mentioned the Ashley pre-amps, especially the Sc-40's but it looks like Ashley discontinued ALL instrument preamps ??

I think that was around 1995.

[Arnie]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

I think that was around 1995.

lol, I guess I have been out of the biz WAY too long! However, they are still available used every now and again.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Arnie

lol, I guess I have been out of the biz WAY too long! However, they are still available used every now and again.

Yep, I just sold my BP-41 a few months ago actually. They're great sounding preamps.

[synaesthesia]

Frankly, unless you are using a typical made for guitar amp power amp that has 10% THD you will find that the average PA poweramp will contribute very little perceivable colour to your chain.

Originally Posted by NOVAX

I'm rocking an ISP Bass Vector 15 (Bowlus approved) and I've cut out the power amp middle man. Now the colours and flavours of the basses and the preamps, compressors and equalizers come through with stunning clarity.
Demeter HBP-1
Groove Tubes studio bass pre
Ampeg SVT-IIP
Peavey Max
BBE Bmax
Joemeek SixQ
Universal Audio LA-610
Tech 21 Bass Driver
MXR M-80
DBX 160A
DBX 166XL
Boss, DOD, Ibanez stombox eq's and comps

[Franklin229]

I'll chime in for Alembic pre-amps. I have an early F2B and have used it for years-love it.

[gard0300]

Currently running a Crown XLS 1500 with a Yamaha PB-1. By far my favorite so far. I do run a Behringer V-Amp or my Zoom B3 thru the effects loop for the modeling sims options. Of course, the Yamaha outweighs the Crown. Haha.

[nanymoa]

Originally Posted by NOVAX

I'm rocking an ISP Bass Vector 15 (Bowlus approved) and I've cut out the power amp middle man. Now the colours and flavours of the basses and the preamps, compressors and equalizers come through with stunning clarity.
Demeter HBP-1
Groove Tubes studio bass pre
Ampeg SVT-IIP
Peavey Max
BBE Bmax
Joemeek SixQ
Universal Audio LA-610
Tech 21 Bass Driver
MXR M-80
DBX 160A
DBX 166XL
Boss, DOD, Ibanez stombox eq's and comps

What kind of results are you getting from the joemeek sixQ preamp on bass?

[dukeorock]

Recently used an Aggie Tone Hammer on a gig with my QSC GX7...that pre is pretty shocking and I got it for just over $200 The ART Pro Channel 2 is very surprising and VERY affordable as well

[mjac28]

That sounds like a great sounding setup.

[dukeorock]

Originally Posted by mjac28

That sounds like a great sounding setup.

You could certainly do worse

A couple friends had been telling me about the ART PC2 and if you like a very clean, hi-fi sound, that pre does it in spades...tons of options, great compressor and I got mine brand new on ebay for $229 shipped

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by dukeorock

Recently used an Aggie Tone Hammer on a gig with my QSC GX7...that pre is pretty shocking and I got it for just over $200 The ART Pro Channel 2 is very surprising and VERY affordable as well

+1
And i rwally dig the combo!