Best Clean Class D Power Amp - Running Pre-Amp Into Power Amp

[gtirard]

Frequently asked, no obvious solution, most of us use PA amps or full featured bass amps using the FX return to bypass the preamp.

Can your share info about the Baker power amp?

The few known power amps used for bass include GR Bass Pure Amp, and Guitar Sound System Sumo.

Also Jad Freer Coda:
Class G
700W @ 4 Ohm
350W @ 8 Ohm
950w @ 2 Ohm
3,5 Kg. – 7.7 lbs.

I've got Sisma, its hybrid amp sibbling, it sounds great.

 

[King V]

Also Jad Freer Coda:
Class G
700W @ 4 Ohm
350W @ 8 Ohm
950w @ 2 Ohm
3,5 Kg. – 7.7 lbs.

I've got Sisma, its hybrid amp sibbling, it sounds great.

View attachment 5378275

Came here to also mention the Jad Freer.

I was at a bit of a loss after I got my Jule Monique. I wanted a small class D amp to go with it. Was planning on a Minnie 800D, since I have the 800D in my HBP-1 and have been happy with it.

Unfortunately the Minnie 800D seems to be on perpetual backorder, and none are to be found anywhere. James Demeter seemed almost annoyed when I called in trying to buy one direct, and told me it would be "5 to 15 weeks." Okay, nevermind.

I ordered and recieved a Sumo from GSS and it's....well, it's okay. For the money, I feel it's a good value. It'll work fine as a backup once the Coda arrives. I was given a 5 week lead time when I ordered the Coda, but 2 weeks in I got an email that it was being shipped out, so we'll see soon.

I also tried tracking down a GR Pure Amp 800. Again, nobody has one and nobody could even give me an ETA on it. I emailed GR directly and was told the unit was on backorder with no ETA.

I short, just stand alone class D power amps seem to be low priority or on the verge of being scrapped by those that build them. The only reasonably accessible units are the Ganz Straight Ahead, GSS Sumo lineup, the Jad Freer, the Jule lineup, or if you're lucky the Demeter Minnie 800D.

 

[Bodeeni]

I use to do this back in the day and a power amp/preamp creates an big foot print for very little gain. I agree using a small class D bass head and try bypassing the pre section (or not) could be lighter smaller and a lot easier for the same result.
A few years ago at my pub gig, the PA amp went down. I used my little Shuttle 3.0 head (pre bypassed) for the PA and it sounded great and was louder.

 

[gtirard]

Came here to also mention the Jad Freer.

I was at a bit of a loss after I got my Jule Monique. I wanted a small class D amp to go with it. Was planning on a Minnie 800D, since I have the 800D in my HBP-1 and have been happy with it.

Unfortunately the Minnie 800D seems to be on perpetual backorder, and none are to be found anywhere. James Demeter seemed almost annoyed when I called in trying to buy one direct, and told me it would be "5 to 15 weeks." Okay, nevermind.

I ordered and recieved a Sumo from GSS and it's....well, it's okay. For the money, I feel it's a good value. It'll work fine as a backup once the Coda arrives. I was given a 5 week lead time when I ordered the Coda, but 2 weeks in I got an email that it was being shipped out, so we'll see soon.

I also tried tracking down a GR Pure Amp 800. Again, nobody has one and nobody could even give me an ETA on it. I emailed GR directly and was told the unit was on backorder with no ETA.

I short, just stand alone class D power amps seem to be low priority or on the verge of being scrapped by those that build them. The only reasonably accessible units are the Ganz Straight Ahead, GSS Sumo lineup, the Jad Freer, the Jule lineup, or if you're lucky the Demeter Minnie 800D.

Good summary of the situation, based on your real experience, I will read your feedback about JF Coda with interest, since I own and love JF Sisma.

It's ironic that many bassist are looking for power amp for their preamp or modeler and can't find one, because big brands don't make them, but Agedhorse already explained why it would'nt be profitable. It's a vicious circle.

Most bassist don't want to spend too much on a power amp because they think you just have to drop a Ice module in a box, which is false. They find alternatives like PA amps or use the FX return of a regular amp, so as long as the demand remains small, there won't be enough sales volume to make it affordable and profitable.

I'm sure you will love Coda, keep us posted. Its should fit perfectly under Monique.

 

[King V]

Good summary of the situation, based on your real experience, I will read your feedback about JF Coda with interest, since I own and love JF Sisma.

It's ironic that many bassist are looking for power amp for their preamp or modeler and can't find one, because big brands don't make them, but Agedhorse already explained why it would'nt be profitable. It's a vicious circle.

Most bassist don't want to spend too much on a power amp because they think you just have to drop a Ice module in a box, which is false. They find alternatives like PA amps or use the FX return of a regular amp, so as long as the demand remains small, there won't be enough sales volume to make it affordable and profitable.

I'm sure you will love Coda, keep us posted. Its should fit perfectly under Monique.

View attachment 5378348

Looking forward to the Coda arriving.

I have a Greenboy fearless F112 in route to me as well, with any luck they will arrive to me in the same day.

As far as my Monique goes...I love the look and feel of it, but wondering if I should have gone with the dove cage instead of the bamboo.

 

[gtirard]

Looking forward to the Coda arriving.

I have a Greenboy fearless F112 in route to me as well, with any luck they will arrive to me in the same day.

As far as my Monique goes...I love the look and feel of it, but wondering if I should have gone with the dove cage instead of the bamboo.View attachment 5378351

I love the bamboo version. Ask Jule who's making Monique's bamboo enclosure for him, and then ask him to make a bamboo enclosure for Coda I've seen bamboo enclosures for the Minnie 800D…

 

[gtirard]

Looking forward to the Coda arriving.

I have a Greenboy fearless F112 in route to me as well, with any luck they will arrive to me in the same day.

As far as my Monique goes...I love the look and feel of it, but wondering if I should have gone with the dove cage instead of the bamboo.View attachment 5378351

It should look more or less like this, I think it's ok :

 

[40Hz]

I've had very good luck with Crown amps over the years. Their XLS Drive Core series comes in a variety of wattages and has a DSP that provides some additional features such as a HPF. An XLS-2505 might be something for you to consider.

I mostly use an XLS-1002 these days since I no longer play big rooms. It's paired with an Alembic F-1X preamp most times and it works well for me.

 

[bassman10096]

Practicality rules for me. I've always stuck with stereo PA amps (Crown, QSC) because in case of PA amp problems, I can run my bass through one channel while freeing up the other channel for PA. Works best with a 2500 or 3500 amp.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

What is your current head?
Does it have an Effects Loop? If so, there you go.*

*Way more often than not.

 

[40Hz]

What is your current head?
Does it have an Effects Loop? If so, there you go.*

*Way more often than not.

That also work well. I used my SWR SM-400 as a power amp for many years with different preamps through the effects loop. It felt like I was getting a whole new amp for the price of a pedal.

 

[groooooove]

there's a reason a lot of folks just use a bass amp and bypass the preamp. if i was going to do so i'd probably get the hartke 800w head. it's light, cheap, reliable, and can be used on its own just fine should you need to.

 

[faulknersj]

Also Jad Freer Coda:
Class G
700W @ 4 Ohm
350W @ 8 Ohm
950w @ 2 Ohm
3,5 Kg. – 7.7 lbs.

I've got Sisma, its hybrid amp sibbling, it sounds great.

View attachment 5378275

I like this option…wish it had a bit more power but this is going on my list.

Thank you!

 

[faulknersj]

What is your current head?
Does it have an Effects Loop? If so, there you go.*

*Way more often than not.

This might be where I start…I'm sure one of my amps would work for this…

 

[groooooove]

there's a reason a lot of folks just use a bass amp and bypass the preamp. if i was going to do so i'd probably get the hartke 800w head. it's light, cheap, reliable, and can be used on its own just fine should you need to.

quoting my own post,

there's a peavey minimaga for $400 in the classifieds right now. a weird amp i guess (from a glance, at least) but it's 1000 watts, assuming you can bypass the preamp, that'd be a great choice as well..

 

[msb]

I've been using the effect return of my Forte with Monique.

 

[moon-bass]

Just a note on the SA - Straight Ahead - I can't modify the original post, but wanted to point out that the clipping wasn't anything unexpected when pushing an amp past it's limits - more of a statement about, again, pushing it well past it's limits. It's a great amp, and I would never dissuade anyone from checking it out!

 

[kojdogg]

Came here to also mention the Jad Freer.

I was at a bit of a loss after I got my Jule Monique. I wanted a small class D amp to go with it. Was planning on a Minnie 800D, since I have the 800D in my HBP-1 and have been happy with it.

Unfortunately the Minnie 800D seems to be on perpetual backorder, and none are to be found anywhere. James Demeter seemed almost annoyed when I called in trying to buy one direct, and told me it would be "5 to 15 weeks." Okay, nevermind.

I ordered and recieved a Sumo from GSS and it's....well, it's okay. For the money, I feel it's a good value. It'll work fine as a backup once the Coda arrives. I was given a 5 week lead time when I ordered the Coda, but 2 weeks in I got an email that it was being shipped out, so we'll see soon.

I also tried tracking down a GR Pure Amp 800. Again, nobody has one and nobody could even give me an ETA on it. I emailed GR directly and was told the unit was on backorder with no ETA.

I short, just stand alone class D power amps seem to be low priority or on the verge of being scrapped by those that build them. The only reasonably accessible units are the Ganz Straight Ahead, GSS Sumo lineup, the Jad Freer, the Jule lineup, or if you're lucky the Demeter Minnie 800D.

I am at a similar point here and was wondering if you had any feedback on how the Coda has worked out as a power amp for your Monique (although I have a Capo and Demeter pre I would like to try this with) that you wouldn't mind sharing? Thanks!

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I have used a Quilter BB800 as a lightweight power amp with my Alembic and Groove Tubes preamps and it's pretty awesome.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I am thinking about running a Pre-Amp (maybe a Noble Pre) into a clean class D Power Amp as my rig and am wondering if anyone had suggestions?

I would love something in the 1000 watt range that can do 8, 4, or 2 ohms.

My buddy is running his Noble Pre into a Baker Power amp for live performances and it sounds incredible…just wondering if there might be other options/recommendations out there.

Thank you!

This works well for me! Bass --> HPF --> Noble --> QSC PLX 3602 --> Barefaced Super Twin 212. The QSC does 1,250 watts per channel @ 4ohm, of which I only use one channel.