For you SWR Gurus out there.

[bellis1]

I've had SWR after SWR after SWR, and I love everything about them. However, I'm looking to get more power out of my SWR 750x. I'm running it through a SWR Megoliath. I have found the PERFECT tone from my SWR 750x. I wouldn't change it for the world, however, I need more power when playing the live shows we play.

I tried setting the exact same tone on a few SWR's, and it didn't sound nearly the same. Are there any amps out there that are pretty much built the same, therefore - that sound the same? But are just louder? I'm looking at some SM 900's or Mo Basses. Any reviews on any of these? I heard that Mo Bass's don't have a fan. :/

And by the way, please don't tell me "you don't need all that power, bla bla bla"

thanks guys.

[T. Alan Smith]

If the tone from your 750X is perfect, then what's the extra power for?
Do you mean you want more volume? If so, why not add a 2nd Megoliath and run that with SWR's Power 750?

[bellis1]

Yeah, sorry. I meant add more volume, and I'm sure theres an easier (and cheaper) way to get more volume than adding an entire new rig. I'm just looking for a more powerful head, but i'm scared that I wouldn't be able to get the right tone out of any of them.

[winston]

I believe the Bass 750 was the last preamp design Steve Rabe did before leaving SWR. It's definitely different than the SM series preamps. If you love the tone how about adding a separate power amp?

There have been a number of threads recently about how the SWR preamps don't have subsonic limiters so a lot of power is wasted on reproducing super lows that you can't hear.

I've been to a number of shows where the player was using a SWR head and Goliath 4x10 and the speakers were jumping like crazy due to the subsonic freqs. You might want to introduce a highpass filter into your signal chain somewhere to cut the low lows, which will leave more power for higher frequencies.

[bassguppy]

I'd give the high-pass filter a try since it's cost effective, not sure if you play 4 or 5 string but cut everything below either 30 or 40 HZ.

2nd option is a separate power amp using the 750X as your pre. Lots of great power amps at a decent price point. Hopefully it won't alter your tone but it is "slightly" possible.

[T. Alan Smith]

Another option would be an SWR preamp such as the Marcus Miller pre with a light/powerful poweramp to replace your 750x.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

Another option would be an SWR preamp such as the Marcus Miller pre with a light/powerful poweramp to replace your 750x.

That would be my call. The 750x sounds very good, but IMO and IME is quite under-performing given its size, weight, and spec'd power. Not any louder IME than the 500 watt micro's out there now.

[bellis1]

I'm looking into SWR Power amps, and it says that the SWR Power 750 would work best for my SWR 750x. However, isn't that the exact same amount of wattage? And for all of you saying something about the high pass filter, would that cut my lows? Because I prefer my lows to be dominant, and also for my highs to have a low sound, almost producing as a reggae sound.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by bellis1

I'm looking into SWR Power amps, and it says that the SWR Power 750 would work best for my SWR 750x. However, isn't that the exact same amount of wattage? And for all of you saying something about the high pass filter, would that cut my lows? Because I prefer my lows to be dominant, and also for my highs to have a low sound, almost producing as a reggae sound.

The 750 does not have the problem of the super deep extended low end like the old SM400, so that hi pass would not help you out.

And yes, that SWR power amp is big, expensive, heavy, and is (I believe) the same relatively lame power amp that is in the 750x.

Your solution might be to try one of the new Carvin B2000's. Fat, you can grind it a bit (lots of EQ control), not that expensive, and lightweight and only 2 rack spaces. They have a 10 day no questions asked return policy. Might be worth a try. I won't say that it will sound exactly like the 750x, but it will wump it, and the powerful EQ can get you dubby in a big way (from my experience with the B1500, which the B2000 replaced).

Just an idea!

[bellis1]

And I might try out the Marcus Miller pre. However, a reason I like my SWR 750x so much is because 1. has a great tone, 2. its simple. As I posted originally, I was looking to upgrade my head but everything louder than 750 watts in the SWR line has all these knobs and switches on them, that I probably wouldn't use. Same with the Marcus Miller Pre. Its a bit complicated. Of course, I'm sure I could dial up something good, but it would take me a while. I might also look into just using my 750x as a pre amp and getting a power amp. Does SWR make any other power amps besides the Power 750? Or do you guys reccomend a certain poweramp?

One more thing, say I got a 1000 watt or so poweramp, and used my 750x as a pre amp. Would the 750x be capable of producing the full 1000 watts? Never messed around much with power amps.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by bellis1

....., however, I need more power when playing the live shows we play.

SWR amps typically put out too much ultra low-end....this eats headroom and causes the amp to run out of steam too quickly. As a long time SWR user, I suggest:

Pull out the Bass knob ('Pull Turbo') and reduce setting to about 11 O'clock.
Set Midrange frequency to somewhere near 300Hz, and boost it slightly.
Turn off 'Sub Wave.'
Set 'Aural Enhancer' to 12 O'clock.
Rock out.

[sawzalot]

If you use the preamp out control, I think you should still be able to use the 750x's power section to drive whatever cabs you want while an external power amp drives a different set of cabs.

Tom

[newbold]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

If the tone from your 750X is perfect, then what's the extra power for?
Do you mean you want more volume? If so, why not add a 2nd Megoliath and run that with SWR's Power 750?

If you need more volume with the same tone you need more cabs.

Pushing more power through the same number of speakers will turn your rig into a different monster altogether.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by newbold

If you need more volume with the same tone you need more cabs.

Pushing more power through the same number of speakers will turn your rig into a different monster altogether.

IMO, not in this case. He is using an 810!!!! And, from experience, that 750 watts into 4ohms that the SWR claims from the 750x is pure fantasy.

[T. Alan Smith]

Plus- isn't the Megoliath 4 ohms? I'm not sure the 750x will run safely at 2 ohms.

[T. Alan Smith]

will that Carvin run safely at 2 ohms? If so, try that with a pair of Megoliaths and you'd be set.

[bassguppy]

Originally Posted by bellis1

And I might try out the Marcus Miller pre. However, a reason I like my SWR 750x so much is because 1. has a great tone, 2. its simple. As I posted originally, I was looking to upgrade my head but everything louder than 750 watts in the SWR line has all these knobs and switches on them, that I probably wouldn't use. Same with the Marcus Miller Pre. Its a bit complicated. Of course, I'm sure I could dial up something good, but it would take me a while. I might also look into just using my 750x as a pre amp and getting a power amp. Does SWR make any other power amps besides the Power 750? Or do you guys reccomend a certain poweramp?

One more thing, say I got a 1000 watt or so poweramp, and used my 750x as a pre amp. Would the 750x be capable of producing the full 1000 watts? Never messed around much with power amps.

As a very happy owner SWR M2 Preamp I can highly recommend it IF you are into the tone. The tube preamp adds a little subtle warmth and is not "wooly" at all. The onboard compressor is very nice and minimally colored IMO. VERY flexible EQ.

Playing live I don't use all the other features on the pre, just the compressor. As a straight preamp it's great (but expensive). Rarely seen them used on Ebay but I would guess one could be picked up for around $500-$600.

I use mine with a Crown Xti1000 bridged thru and Epifani UL series 410. It cranks if I need it to.

The 750X should be able to push whatever power amp. If you go with a separate power amp look into (IMO) the Crown Xti1000 or Xti2000, Maybe a QSC PLX series amp or if money is tight I have used the QSC RMX 1450 and 1850HD before and they are fine amps (but heavier). People love the Crest CA6 and CA9, I would buy used as they are pricey new and they are rather weighty. I have no "real world" opinion but Crown just released a lightweight XLS series (XLS1500, XLS2000, etc.) amp that is around 11lbs and at a good price.

[bellis1]

I looked into the crown xls 602, which is 1200 watts (all I would need) and it looks good, BUT they are 300 bucks new. Maybe its a miracle, but you usually don't find equipment that is worth a flip and as cheap as $300. The same with all the crown equipment. Pretty much everything I've found is under 600 bucks. Is there a reason for it being so cheap?

And sorry to dismiss any ideas, but there is no way in hell I am buying another 8x10 cabinet. One is hard enough to maintain.

[JTUK]

Just to add..that the SM400 was pretty unique in the bleed of power to the super lows and a mistake SWR realised and rectified with the SM900.
It wasn't so much a bad sounding mistake just that the lows were unusable and unnecessary.

It is very unlikely they repeated the mistake with later amps, IMV.

[T. Alan Smith]

One final thought-
How do you EQ your head/bass
?