Using Eden WT550 as a preamp?

lburton2 · #1 08-01-2011, 11:18 AM

I've done searches on here as well as google and kind find much info.. If this has already been covered (which is likely) please redirect.

I'm running a WT550 head into a 210XST Neo (500w RMS 4ohm) and a 410XLT (700w RMS 4ohm).
The WT550 runs at 8ohm/4ohm/2ohm at 300/500/750 respectively.

I'd like to have a lot more headroom.. Using both cabs makes the head work quite hard.. and at descent volumes, even while not peaking and compression off, i'm getting a very unclean tone.

My question: Is it possible to run the WT550 as a preamp only.. either through the headphone out or the DI out on the amp... And if so, what would be the ideal power amp to run.. Thanks in advance guys.

Vinny D · #2 08-01-2011, 12:37 PM

You can run it either way (DI or Headphone), both work well.
The headphone out is a very hot signal so just keep that in mind.

I used to run my WT550 from time to time with a QSC PLX1602 powering a D212xlt & D410xlt (both 4-ohm cabs)

RickenBoogie · #3 08-01-2011, 01:24 PM

Swapping the 210 for another 410 would be an easier way to increase volume. As to running the pre on your Eden into a poweramp, there should be a preamp OUT or effects RETURN that are meant for that job. Don't use the headphone out.

BassmanPaul · #4 08-01-2011, 01:32 PM

+1

Further to Rick's post, you are feeding the 2x10 with the same power as the 4x10. That means it is working twice as hard as the more able 4x10. That's why you are distorting. A second identical 4x10 is the way to go.

bunkaroo · #5 08-01-2011, 01:45 PM

I'm running my WT550 with a 8 ohm D210XLT and a 4 ohm D410XLT and get a great sound with lots of volume. My research showed this setup was ideal as all six drivers are identical and are getting powered equally.

lburton2 · #6 08-01-2011, 03:51 PM

I'd like to stick to a 210 and 410 so I can split off into just using a 210 or 410 when the "gig" is small enough. If what you're saying is true bunkaroo.. I'm gonna have to trade in my 210 for an 8 ohm.

RickenBoogie · #7 08-01-2011, 03:54 PM

It is true, and would be a better all-around set up.

BassmanPaul · #8 08-01-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

I'm running my WT550 with a 8 ohm D210XLT and a 4 ohm D410XLT and get a great sound with lots of volume. My research showed this setup was ideal as all six drivers are identical and are getting powered equally.

Precisely!

lburton2 · #9 08-01-2011, 04:20 PM

great!.. Now.. who wants to buy a 210XST Neo at 4 ohms? lol

lburton2 · #10 08-01-2011, 11:03 PM

So.. Both cabs are getting 350watts from my head currently.. Which means that when I crank the volume, the 210 is running harder than my 410.. But.. Neither of them are getting close to their RMS.. So I guess I don't understand how the cab would be at fault for the "farting out"..

Son of Bovril · #11 08-02-2011, 01:49 AM

well, the 210 cab is getting half the power and the 410 is getting the other half, so basically, when your 210 is clipping, the 410 is only coasting at half...

RMS specs are not always reliable, best is to listen for when the speakers start to give and back off a little. It could also be an issue with the eden preamp, My nav used to distort like that at low output and it turned out to be a fried opamp in the pre somewhere

Vinny D · #12 08-02-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

. Don't use the headphone out.

The headphone out on a Eden head is designed to be used to drive a slave amp.

lburton2 · #13 08-02-2011, 11:35 AM

yeah - i had read through the manual recently looking for the slave capability and it says to use the headphone out.. In regards to the cabs.. I'm not clipping on the head at all.. And when I look at the speakers they aren't flexing that hard either.. yet im getting some *pffft* - So i figured although i'm not pushing the head to clipping.. it's pushing hard enough to be unclean.

Vinny D · #14 08-02-2011, 11:37 AM

What are your EQ settings on the head?
Are you using the enhance dial at all?

4Mal · #15 08-02-2011, 11:38 AM

Or... Dump the 550 and snag a WT800...

lburton2 · #16 08-02-2011, 11:47 AM

My EQ is flat at 12 and enhance is almost ALWAYS off..

Vinny D · #17 08-02-2011, 11:51 AM

Are you sure it's the speakers farting out or.....is it air blowing out of the 1/4" speaker jacks on the connection plate?

If you are using Speakon connectors make sure you plug the unused 1/4" speaker connections (either with ear plugs or when Eden remembered they packed plugs in the shipping box for the cabinet).
If those are not plugged then you will get a rather annoying sound out of those holes when you start driving the cabinet hard.

lburton2 · #18 08-02-2011, 12:00 PM

the 410 has the plugs but the 210 doesn't (lost them). I highly doubt it's the 1/4 jacks.. but i'll block them and see what happens. i am doubtful that's the culprit though

RickenBoogie · #19 08-02-2011, 12:08 PM

Didn't know Eden's use of the headphone jack, my bad. As to the annoying noise, it is possible the 210 is straining. The RMS rating is only re: voice coil melting. Typically, most cabs max out at around half their RMS rating.

12bass · #20 08-02-2011, 03:34 PM

It's worth pointing out that the OP's 2x10" is an XST cabinet, while the 4x10" is an XLT cabinet. The XSTs can handle considerably more power than that XLTs, and as such I wouldn't be so quick to suggest that the 2x10" is the weak link here. From my own experience, the D210XST handles way more power than a D210XLT before breaking up, especially with a 5-string where the low notes are below the XLT's port tuning. It would be a good idea to check those 1/4" jacks and make sure the cabinets are sealing correctly. I also have to wonder what sort of volumes we are talking about here, where 750W into two cabinets is not sufficient. Has the WT550 been checked by a technician?