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Lightest Poweramp?

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::::BASSIST::::

Progress Not Perfection.
Sep 2, 2004
12,524
291
Vancouver, BC Canada
#1
What's the lightest "heavy" (ie not digital) poweramp out there?

I have a Focus SA and its great (cant rack mount it though), but I just want to see what's available for traditional poweramps that are less than 20LBS.

1000w preferable

I know of the stewart world 1.2 which is 11LBS, but the overheating/shutdown issue of this amp (seems to be common) makes me want to avoid it.

Others?
 
#6
VEGANBASS said:
I know of the stewart world 1.2 which is 11LBS, but the overheating/shutdown issue of this amp (seems to be common) makes me want to avoid it.
Click to expand...

It uses a switch-mode power supply too. I take it that's what you want to avoid? Or do you dislike Class D amps for whatever reason?

Given your apparent wants and needs, why not just buy a 2 space bass head in whatever flavor you dig and call it good? That avoids the weight of a second case (preamp /power amp setup), any extra cabling, etc., no?

As always, I'm subscribed too.;)
 
#7
Passinwind said:
It uses a switch-mode power supply too. I take it that's what you want to avoid? Or do you dislike Class D amps for whatever reason?

Given your apparent wants and needs, why not just buy a 2 space bass head in whatever flavor you dig and call it good? That avoids the weight of a second case (preamp /power amp setup), any extra cabling, etc., no?

As always, I'm subscribed too.;)
Click to expand...

Charlie -- just curious -- what were the test results from Eric's CA9? Did you come to any conclusions about weight vs. performance?

BTW, I'm very happy with the @ 8lb. (Class D?) amp which is built into my IP310. 1000w @ 4 Ohms. Moving an 86lb. cabinet around isn't that easy, tho.
 
#8
BartmanPDX said:
Charlie -- just curious -- what were the test results from Eric's CA9? Did you come to any conclusions about weight vs. performance?
Click to expand...

Ruh-roh! Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to say it sooner or later: "Everything Bob Lee said was confirmed fully, in my book."

Sigh...let the games begin!:rolleyes:

Torin: would you prefer that I start a separate thread on this?

BTW, I'm very happy with the @ 8lb. (Class D?) amp which is built into my IP310. 1000w @ 4 Ohms.

Class D, switching power supply, sounds fabulous IMNSHO. I use one and looked into marketing those as a standalone, as you know. Jim B or someone else'll have to do it, I guess.
 
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#10
Passinwind said:
Ruh-roh! Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to say it sooner or later: "Everything Bob Lee said was confirmed fully, in my book."

Sigh...let the games begin!:rolleyes:

Torin: would you prefer that I start a separate thread on this?

BTW, I'm very happy with the @ 8lb. (Class D?) amp which is built into my IP310. 1000w @ 4 Ohms.

Class D, switching power supply, sounds fabulous IMNSHO. I use one and looked into marketing those as a standalone, as you know. Jim B or someone else'll have to do it, I guess.
Click to expand...
Something like this? I just bought one of these second hand, not had a chance to try it out yet though.
pic for size comparison:
powerampsideview.jpg
 
#11
<quote>Torin: would you prefer that I start a separate thread on this?</quote>

Nah, dont bother.

Stewart 2.1 is 17LBS.... thats pretty good.

I am about to receive an ampeg svt IIP preamp 1u rackmount. Its going to be awkward mounting it with my Focus SA.. though I'm going to try!

Just curious to see what other options are available to me.

And yeah a lightweight Focus/markbass type poweramp thats rackmountable is a great idea.
 
#13
velvetkevorkian said:
Something like this? I just bought one of these second hand, not had a chance to try it out yet though.
Click to expand...

Please keep us posted, that seems like a pretty cool unit and the average Joe can actually buy one. Here's mine, which is unfortunately not so easy to come by. 18 pounds including the rack, cabling, and DIY preamp:

Link Removed

Vegan, if the stereo (or dual mono)-only form factor works for you, the 13 pound QSC PLX1804 bears a serious look. It'll fit in the shallow SKB racks just fine.
 
#14
13 pound QSC PLX1804... that could be the one!

Aram I'll post pics, but I'm fairly sure it aint going to be pretty! I have some hard plastic (sort of like peg board but plastic) that I will use with zip ties etc. Then I will put it in a rok bag (made to fit a typical head). This is all in my head right now. Not sure if it will be workable... I think so. But like I said not pretty.
 
#15
VEGANBASS said:
13 pound QSC PLX1804... that could be the one!
Click to expand...

T, be sure to really look at the specs. It's optimized for 4 ohms a side, won't go to 2. But the upside is that two 4 ohm cabs (one per channel) get all the power out of the amp, and also that the 8 ohm rating is pretty darn high as well.

While I'm digging my own grave, I might as well mention that I bench tested a CA9 and my 1804 the same day I did the ABX testing. At 40 Hz, 80Hz, and 1Khz, @ 4 ohms, the measured power outputs at clipping were virtually identical. There are many other factors at work (sensitivity for starters), and any second now the angry mob is bound to arrive, but...
 
#16
VEGANBASS said:
13 pound QSC PLX1804... that could be the one!

Aram I'll post pics, but I'm fairly sure it aint going to be pretty! I have some hard plastic (sort of like peg board but plastic) that I will use with zip ties etc. Then I will put it in a rok bag (made to fit a typical head). This is all in my head right now. Not sure if it will be workable... I think so. But like I said not pretty.
Click to expand...

Oh, I see...well either way it'd be interesting to see.

The only alternative might be to try to find a 2-space rack bag (for your preamp), that happens to have a big top-pocket for the SA...I haven't come across anything like that yet, but I can picture it in my head ;)
 
#18
Or I could get a 3 or 4 space rack and use mounting brackets and some ingenuity to pop in the Focus.

T, be sure to really look at the specs. It's optimized for 4 ohms a side, won't go to 2. But the upside is that two 4 ohm cabs (one per channel) get all the power out of the amp, and also that the 8 ohm rating is pretty darn high as well.
Click to expand...

I'd be using this with my soon to arrive 4 ohm UL310 cab so running two ohms wouldnt be an issue (anymore).

What does the Qsc Plx1804 do bridged at 4 ohms?
 
#19
Passinwind said:
Ruh-roh! Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to say it sooner or later: "Everything Bob Lee said was confirmed fully, in my book."

Sigh...let the games begin!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yup. It's not like there aren't a lot of high-demand subwoofer and PA systems being driven by Class D or Class H amplifiers, systems spec'd by people who have experienced ears and know their stuff.
 

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