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Ampeg PF-50T (or PF-20T) as preamp?

tedsalt

tedsalt

Supporting Member
Aug 5, 2010
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Kansas City
#1
Anyone use a PF-20T or PF-50T as a preamp into another amp? I've got a Hartke LH1000 that I like to run bridged for 1100 watts into a couple Bassman Neo 410 cabs, but I'd like to be able to use a gain knob (which the Hartke does not have) to get some light overdrive. I know, I could get an overdrive pedal such as the Vintage Deluxe, but I'm wondering about using a PF-20T or PF-50T as a preamp for tubey overdrive into my LH1000, either into the normal input or into the effects in.

Anyone have any experiences doing this into Hartke or other amps?

never mind, I think I found my answer here ... HOT AMPEG NEWS! PF20T, PF50T, PF112HLF
 
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#2
It's a tube amp. You would need a load. In other words you would need a speaker connected to the amp or a load box of some kind. Something that could handle a 100 watt amp even though this is only 50 watts. I tried one in a store today but the speaker cab they had was really dark. If all your looking for is drive maybe try Ampeg's new pedal.
 
#5
Nice! I had no idea. I couldn't spend $900 to use it as a preamp though. It seemed really very loud for a 50 watt amp. With those neo speakers you may not need the 1000 watt amp though I don't know how loud you need to get. I just picked up a used Schroeder cab and I found that my 200 watt GK400rb III is plenty loud. Maybe you could take your cabs into your local store if they have one. Either way I imagine you will be happy with either the 20T or 50T. The 50T I tried was stellar. Got me thinking about what I could sell.
 
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#6
The Broughton is only a (really good) preamp. The PF-20T/50T have a transformer balanced line out that takes the direct out after the transformer, giving you more of the sound of the amp, not just the preamp. Check the sound clips here. About 5/8 or 3/4 through each one of these is the transformer out part of each. You can get the 20T for 6 bills, but you could play the 50T in small clubs ...

I'd use it in front of my Hartke LH1000 (1100 watts bridged) or another power amp for outdoor shows.

Sound Clips - Ampeg Portaflex PF-20T and PF-50T - YouTube
from
HOT AMPEG NEWS! PF20T, PF50T, PF112HLF
 
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#7
tedsalt said:
actually not in this case. as long as you have the switch on the back set to 8 ohm, you do not need to connect a speaker (load). that's why I'm interested in this one.

Ampeg: Portaflex Series - PF-20T
Ampeg: Portaflex Series - PF-50T

"no speaker load is required for silent recording or even use as a dedicated tube DI"

very flexible, sweet item!
Click to expand...
Actually, that was a misprint in the original manual, and you don't need to have it set to 8 ohms to use it without a cab. It'll work without a cab regardless of impedance setting.
 
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#9
JimmyM said:
Actually, that was a misprint in the original manual, and you don't need to have it set to 8 ohms to use it without a cab. It'll work without a cab regardless of impedance setting.
Click to expand...
I'm looking for a good silent recording setup and was wondering if anyone had experience with using the PF-50t in that context.
I'm using an amp head along a load box/cab sim and I was also wondering if the PF could replace both.
Thanks
 
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#10
tedsalt said:
The Broughton is only a (really good) preamp. The PF-20T/50T have a transformer balanced line out that takes the direct out after the transformer, giving you more of the sound of the amp, not just the preamp. Check the sound clips here. About 5/8 or 3/4 through each one of these is the transformer out part of each. You can get the 20T for 6 bills, but you could play the 50T in small clubs ...

I'd use it in front of my Hartke LH1000 (1100 watts bridged) or another power amp for outdoor shows.

Sound Clips - Ampeg Portaflex PF-20T and PF-50T - YouTube
from
HOT AMPEG NEWS! PF20T, PF50T, PF112HLF
Click to expand...

That seems like a great idea! Have you tried anything like this @JimmyM? I'm also wondering if it's quiet enough to use for recording as an alternative to something like the REDDI.
 
#11
Doner Designs said:
That seems like a great idea! Have you tried anything like this @JimmyM? I'm also wondering if it's quiet enough to use for recording as an alternative to something like the REDDI.
Click to expand...
Using it into another amp? Only briefly. It works but I don't like anything standing in the way of me and my tubes. Using it to record I would definitely put at the level of the REDDI. I've compared the two and they're not far off.
 
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#12
JimmyM said:
Using it into another amp? Only briefly. It works but I don't like anything standing in the way of me and my tubes. Using it to record I would definitely put at the level of the REDDI. I've compared the two and they're not far off.
Click to expand...

Thanks! For guys who don't have your 300lb SVT rig it seems like it could be a good way to get a lot of tube vibe going into another power amp out of the transformer balanced out - still going through pre and power tubes but then SS before the speakers.

I started playing in middle age and grew up on Markbass gear. I was stunned when I looked at what an SVT and 8x10 cab can weigh. I don't know if I could even lift just the 85lb head by itself, but if I were 25 and had the cash (those two usually don't go together :-)) I would have a lead sled like yours. As with cars and motorcycles, there's no replacement for displacement.
 
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#13
Doner Designs said:
Thanks! For guys who don't have your 300lb SVT rig it seems like it could be a good way to get a lot of tube vibe going into another power amp out of the transformer balanced out - still going through pre and power tubes but then SS before the speakers.

I started playing in middle age and grew up on Markbass gear. I was stunned when I looked at what an SVT and 8x10 cab can weigh. I don't know if I could even lift just the 85lb head by itself, but if I were 25 and had the cash (those two usually don't go together :)) I would have a lead sled like yours. As with cars and motorcycles, there's no replacement for displacement.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you can definitely get some nice sounds going into a more powerful amp, but when you're used to hearing the real thing, you get a little spoiled from it, I'll admit it.
 
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#14
JimmyM said:
Yeah, you can definitely get some nice sounds going into a more powerful amp, but when you're used to hearing the real thing, you get a little spoiled from it, I'll admit it.
Click to expand...

But have you really tried your PF-50T in a show, going into the input(s) of a good power amp, and not just your PF-800 effects return during a home experiment?

I'm loving the tone of my PF-20T ...
 
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#16
hey guys i had a chance to try a PF20t at a friends house and i like it a lot and I'm thinking about buying one but i wonder if going with the PF50t would be a better buy... I can see that the PF50 has more functions for shaping sounds... i do more home recording than anything else. I was about to buy a Darkglass Vintage deluxe but at $300 i would rather go with the ampeg.. I have a cab already ... thanks for any input
 
#17
Carrollina said:
hey guys i had a chance to try a PF20t at a friends house and i like it a lot and I'm thinking about buying one but i wonder if going with the PF50t would be a better buy... I can see that the PF50 has more functions for shaping sounds... i do more home recording than anything else. I was about to buy a Darkglass Vintage deluxe but at $300 i would rather go with the ampeg.. I have a cab already ... thanks for any input
Click to expand...
If you think you can really use the extra EQ for tone shaping, or maybe if you think you could use the 50T for playing outside of the studio, it would be the way to go, but I know plenty of folks who are quite happy with the 20T's EQ. That one's a tossup, quite honestly.
 
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#18
Just got my Ampeg Pf50t and experimenting with it and my lil practice amp. I also used it running into the receive jack of my Hartke HD75 fx loop. This is a cool amp head for recording
IMG_3538.JPG
 
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#19
So, I have a PF20T, which I love for home recording and rehearsing. Tomorrow I have a gig where there will just be some generic DI between me and FOH. I always like a little grit in my sound, and I was considering bringing the PF20T to the gig.

Question: could I take the transformer balanced out from my PF20T, plug this into the provided DI (XLR to jack cable, probably?), and then that goes to the FOH and the provided amp? Any issues with such a setup?
 
#20
eyvindwa said:
So, I have a PF20T, which I love for home recording and rehearsing. Tomorrow I have a gig where there will just be some generic DI between me and FOH. I always like a little grit in my sound, and I was considering bringing the PF20T to the gig.

Question: could I take the transformer balanced out from my PF20T, plug this into the provided DI (XLR to jack cable, probably?), and then that goes to the FOH and the provided amp? Any issues with such a setup?
Click to expand...
You could probably do it provided the supplied DI has XLR ins and outs (not very common), but I'd be a little bit concerned that the DI between it and the supplied amp would dull the effect of it. Having said that, I've never tried it.
 

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