amp or Power Amp

[SquimbellyToes]

Hello Folks;

I'd like to get your input on the pros and cons of using a power amp vs. a bass amp.

My setup is:
MTD Fretless -> Stereo Effects / Laptop -> Konnekt 24D -> amplification.

Since I do all eq'ing/effecting pre-amplification I'm wondering if buying a bass amplifier is redundant. However, I'm sure there are details that I am unaware of concerning bass amplifiers that are important.

Might I get your advice?

Thank you very much.

 

[RickenBoogie]

One of those things you listed is a preamp? If not, you'd need one if you go with a poweramp, and wouldn't if you go with a bass head.

 

[TimmyP]

If what you have will drive a power amp, get a Crown K1 - the best sounding power amp section I've heard, and it will do 1500 bridged into 4 Ohms. (If you need more power, get a QSC PL236.) (eBay is your friend on both of these.)

 

[bongomania]

Right--check out the "preamps explained" link in my sig for a rundown on what you will need in order to drive a power amp. The computer may be fine, but you'll need to either find its output specs or take a voltage reading with a multimeter off the output.

 

[SquimbellyToes]

Wow - thank you all for your input!

After reviewing the document referred to by bongomania, I believe the Konnekt 24D will operate as a preamp.

If I may ask you folks to verify my this, I've included the input/output specs below. Do you see any issues I should keep in mind when purchasing a power amp?

Again, thank you very much.

Inst. Inputs Ch. 1,2
Connectors: Neutrik Combo (1/4” Phone Jack)
Sensitivity Range: -25 dBu <> +17 dBu
Total pre-amp gain: 42 dB
Impedance: 1 Mohm
THD+N, Min. Gain: < -100 dB (0.001%) @ 1 kHz, -1 dBFS
SNR, Min. Gain: >107 dB(A), >104 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Crosstalk: < -100 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Line Inputs Ch. 1,2,3,4 *4)
Connectors: 1/4” Phone Jack (balanced)
Impedance, Bal/Unbal: 20 kOhm/25 kOhm
Full Scale Input Level @ 0 dBFS: +13 dBu
THD+N: < -100 dB (0.001%) @ 1 kHz, -1 dBFS
SNR: >111 dB(A), >108 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Freq. Response: +0/-0.5 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Crosstalk: < -100 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Monitor/Line Outputs Ch. 1,2,3,4 *5)
Connectors: 1/4” Phone Jack. Ground sensing design.
Impedance: 100 Ohm
Level Range (Ch. 1,2): -40 dBu <> +12 dBu (analog gain scale)
Fixed Full Scale Range (Ch. 3,4): +12 dBu
THD+N: < -94 dB (0.002%) @ 1 kHz, -1 dBFS
SNR: >111 dB(A), >108 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Freq. Response: +0/-0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Crosstalk: < -100 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

 

[bongomania]

Looks good. +12 dBu is considerably higher than the +4 dBu standard that many power amps are designed for, so you'll probably need to use outputs 3 and 4 which have adjustable output levels, in order to avoid clipping (distorting) the power amp. Looks like the outputs are probably unbalanced, so be sure to buy a power amp which can accept unbalanced input (most can, but there are a few that can't).

 

[TimmyP]

Looks like the outputs are probably unbalanced, so be sure to buy a power amp which can accept unbalanced input (most can, but there are a few that can't).

Examples please (so I can check their manuals to see their explanation of this). I've yet to see a balanced input that could not be used unbalanced.

 

[SquimbellyToes]

Thank you very much bongomania - I appreciate your time and expertise.

 

[bongomania]

Examples please (so I can check their manuals to see their explanation of this). I've yet to see a balanced input that could not be used unbalanced.

I can't think of specific examples off the top of my head ATM, but I know that I have run across a few power amps that only had XLR inputs, and I have had only mixed success using unbalanced TS -> balanced XLR cables. Sometimes all it took to make them work was swapping around the + and - of the XLR, but sometimes even then I ran into phase issues or drops in signal level that required further shenanigans to get it all working.

I guess I should qualify the word "can't" to mean "may be a major PITA".