Super lightweight power amp that has girth & punch & heft &...

Jim C · #1 03-06-2011, 01:41 PM

Not trying to restart the lead sled vs. lightweight argument but am fascinated that new amps like the Streamliner are reported to have the low end punch of a traditional class A/B amp with output transformer.

I figure if GB can accomplish this, then so can the rack mount power amp manufacturers (of which I am not well informed on).
Looking for recomendations for a lightweight 19" rack mount amp that can put out 1 kW at 4 ohms and sound like my current lead sled. Must also be reliable. TIA

jb63 · #2 03-06-2011, 02:12 PM

This should fit the bill:

http://www.markbass.it/product_detail.php?id=196

edwinhurwitz · #3 03-06-2011, 02:19 PM

I'm liking my Crown XTi 4000 pretty well. I don't know if it's light enough for you, but it really does the job. My Crest CA9 is now up for sale, which I thought I'd never do!

wcriley · #4 03-06-2011, 03:40 PM

Peavey IPR1600.
Bridged = 1600 watts @ 4 ohms.
Weight = 7 lbs.
Price = $299

cableguy · #5 03-06-2011, 03:48 PM

Carvin also has a few power amps around the 9-10lb marl that are 1500W bridged@4ohm. The are 2 rack space so not as small or light as the Markbass.

Jim C · #6 03-06-2011, 05:25 PM

Arrrgh; one more caveat; my SVP-CL pre is an earlier unit that has .75V output
Have always like Crown amps but their input sensitivity is 1.4V which means I'd never get the full output; the Carvin is 1.0, and the Peavy is .75

I could use a compressor (or other gear) to raise the preamp output voltage but was looking for less gear/weight; any other suggestions for quality audio, light weight, and .75V sensitivity?

edwinhurwitz · #7 03-06-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

Arrrgh; one more caveat; my SVP-CL pre is an earlier unit that has .75V output
Have always like Crown amps but their input sensitivity is 1.4V which means I'd never get the full output; the Carvin is 1.0, and the Peavy is .75

I could use a compressor (or other gear) to raise the preamp output voltage but was looking for less gear/weight; any other suggestions for quality audio, light weight, and .75V sensitivity?

I think the current Crowns (at least the XTi series) has adjustable input sensitivity. There are a ton of options with the DSP.

u84six · #8 08-19-2011, 08:57 AM

Wow submitting to the wrong thread. Sorry!

u84six · #9 08-19-2011, 08:57 AM

u84six · #10 08-19-2011, 09:11 AM

u84six · #11 08-19-2011, 09:18 AM

edwinhurwitz · #12 08-19-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u84six

So far the Carvin is the only one that fits the bill. But I'm a little worried about the 4 ohm bridge wattage. It's 3800W!!

Is that going to destroy 2 fEARFul cabs??

I doubt it. Carvin has a history of overstating their power capabilities. They might say 3800W at 4ohms, but that's probably at 1Khz with .1% distortion for .0001 seconds before it blows up. Besides, too much power is never a bad thing used responsibly. Too little power can more easily blow up speakers as the user tries to get lots of volume but only succeeds in sending destructive square waves to the drivers. If you keep the levels to where you don't hear any badness, you are probably fine.

BassmanPaul · #13 08-19-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

am fascinated that new amps like the Streamliner are reported to have the low end punch of a traditional class A/B amp with output transformer.

I assume you mean power transformer Jim.

Last nights gig I used my new Carvin DCM1000L for the first time. It was superb. One 4Ω Acme B2 per channel in a vertical stack. the amp was a breeze to hoist on top. Sound wise it easily matched the Mackie FR1400 it replaced. As hot at the end of the night as when I switched it on: stone cold!!! It's a keeper!

Tunaman · #14 08-19-2011, 09:48 AM

Anybody on the Peavey IPR 3000 or the Behringer iNuke 3000... 8 lbs, 3000w peak

edwinhurwitz · #15 08-19-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I assume you mean power transformer Jim.

Last nights gig I used my new Carvin DCM1000L for the first time. It was superb. One 4Ω Acme B2 per channel in a vertical stack. the amp was a breeze to hoist on top. Sound wise it easily matched the Mackie FR1400 it replaced. As hot at the end of the night as when I switched it on: stone cold!!! It's a keeper!

I bet it sounds a lot better than the Mackie. I played through a FR1400 for a while and it never quite did it for me. My guitar player uses a DCM1000 for his rig (with a Sarno SMS Classic Tube Preamp) and it sounds great, really good clarity and dynamics. Plenty of punch, like a huge Fender Twin in combination with that preamp.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #16 08-19-2011, 10:12 AM

People seeking girth, punch, etc., in a power amp are usually looking for high gain, not a particular amp type.

rpsands · #17 08-19-2011, 10:56 AM

The Peavey IPR's .775vrms input sensitivity is what you want.

KJung · #18 08-19-2011, 11:02 AM

You might want to get an Ampeg 7Pro and be done with it. Similar pre, and wumpin' power. If you get one of those 15% off sales at Musician's Friend, it won't be much more than a mid level power amp, and you've saved a few pounds and a full rack space.

Just an idea!

BBEgo · #19 08-19-2011, 11:09 AM

The Carvin DCM3800L is a fantastic amp. I use one in my bass rig. Blow the dust out and clean the contacts on the ribbon cable (or hard solder the ribbon connection and be done with it for life) every couple years, and it should be as reliable as anybody's. Hell of a lot of power in a lightweight box.

rpsands · #20 08-19-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

You might want to get an Ampeg 7Pro and be done with it. Similar pre, and wumpin' power. If you get one of those 15% off sales at Musician's Friend, it won't be much more than a mid level power amp, and you've saved a few pounds and a full rack space.

Just an idea!

Dude,

1) Coupons work on power amps

2) SVT-7 pro with a coupon is still more than twice the price of an IPR1600 (which bridged will have way, way more juice than an SVT-7 even)