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Best Power Amp for Bass Rack Set Up

A

Aenimusbass

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Nov 28, 2011
5
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Santa Rosa California
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Endorsing Artist: EMG Pickups, SIT Strings, InTune Guitar Picks
#1
Hey everyone, I'm looking to switch over to a complete rack set up but I can't decide what power amp would be best for bass. If possible I would love a tube power amp but from what I can find online there isn't many options. Anyways if you have experience using a power amp in a BASS rack set up I would love some suggestions and imput. Right now I'm using an Ampeg SVT Classic and I was thinking of selling it and just using a Tech 21 Sansamp RBI for the pre amp w/ an unknown power amp. Would really appreciate any help with this decision! Thanks!
Seth
Ænimus
Ænimus | Facebook to hear my music.
 
#2
I don't know about all tube power amps, I think Demeter makes one. I'm sure there are a few others, but I don't have any experience with them.

I use a Crest CA9 solid state power amp in my rack. My only complaint is it's weight; 47 lbs, but I'm completely satisfied with it's performance.

For me, if cost was no issue, I would've bought a Crown Macro Tech 2402. -Another heavy beast, but bullet proof.

There are folks here using QSC, Crown, Crest, Peavey, etc. etc. lightweight solid state power power amps in rack mount setups. I hope they also chime in to give you more info.
 
#4
Since you are using an SVT currently and if you want to keep an approximation of that sound, I'd recommend my current rig: a Sansamp VT Deluxe run through a solid-state QSC PLX3002. Its about as close to a grindy SVT tone as you are going to get in a solid-state, relatively lightweight package.

I have the VT Deluxe mounted on a slide-out rack tray. Grindy goodness and it won't break your back.
 
#5
My rig actually makes use of a pa power amp rather than a bass specific one. I run an Aguilar Agro pre-amp and SWR MM Pre-Amp into a Tapco Juice 2500. Tapco is basically the budget Mackie brand and are great value for money. I went with this because having auditioned a load of power amps I just found this to be a colourless power amp with bags of power and for not a lot of cash! It is solid state though if you are set on a tube amp
 
#7
+1 on the PLX qsc power amps. Been using them for many years. They have the 30 or 50 hz low pass filters which can be set per channel. My fave is the PLX 1202, which, coincidentally, I have on sale right now in the classifieds ;). There also many lightweight versions out now, especially the Crown Drivecore series. I tied the 1000, but wound up selling it. I would go for a higher power rating if you go that route. Lotta options these days. :bassist:
 
#8
"There also many lightweight versions out now, especially the Crown Drivecore series. I tied the 1000, but wound up selling it. I would go for a higher power rating if you go that route. Lotta options these days."

I am currently running the Crown Drivecore XLS2000. I play with two 300 watt guitarist who love their distortion. I have no problem cutting through. But I also tried the XLS1000 first and it did seem a little low. I believe Crown's input sensitivity is more in line with PA for Live Sound as opposed to instrument amplification. But I also use a Presonus Eureka, so I can adjust output signal strength.
Good luck and remember, trying stuff out is the fun part. :)
 
#9
I've used that preamp with the DB728 and it is a great rig. Sliderbass has a (my former) DB728 for sale.

If you want SS, the CA9 is tough to beat; I've been running mine bridged into the NV's, and the power is addictive.
 
#12
The Crest CA series poweramps are about as good as anything out there from a sonic perspective and can be picked up used for a song as the old school "lead sled" poweramps seem to be out of vogue with the micro revolution in full swing. The problem with the Crest CA series poweramps is that besides being heavy, they are very deep from front to back which forces you to put them in a big, awkward to carry rack. They also don't have speakon jacks which I personally prefer. Another thing I don't like about them (and all stereo poweramps for that matter) is the stereo/mono hookup options which are somewhat constraining if you want to get full power out them ... two 4 ohm cabs stereo or one 8 ohm cab mono. I don't really want to carry around two cabs and you have to get a monster single cab to handle the 800 - 1600 watts that the CA4/6/9 poweramps put out. I've switched to using the "poweramp in" jack on an Ampeg B2-RE as my power section and it works beautifully. 450 watts into 4 ohms or 250 watts into 8 ohms and it yields a great tone with all of my tube preamps ... Alembic F-1X, Trace Elliot V-Type, Aguilar DB659, Ampeg SVP CL and Ampeg SVP Pro (and simply kills with my Tech 21 VT Bass Pedal). My main cabinet is a 4 ohm Schroeder 1515L which is uber efficient so it puts out more SPL than I can use. In addition, they can be had relatively cheap ... I often see them for less than $300. I have two of them and got one for $250 and the other for $150 w/SKB rack. Be sure to get a USA made one as the Ampeg Pacific rim offerings often have reliability issues.
 
#14
pbassnut said:
Another thing I don't like about them (and all stereo poweramps for that matter) is the stereo/mono hookup options which are somewhat constraining if you want to get full power out them ... two 4 ohm cabs stereo or one 8 ohm cab mono. I don't really want to carry around two cabs and you have to get a monster single cab to handle the 800 - 1600 watts that the CA4/6/9 poweramps put out.
Click to expand...

A lot of them are capable of 2 ohm stereo or dual mono , and 4 ohm bridged mono.
 
#16
Eric Moesle said:
Since you are using an SVT currently and if you want to keep an approximation of that sound, I'd recommend my current rig: a Sansamp VT Deluxe run through a solid-state QSC PLX3002. Its about as close to a grindy SVT tone as you are going to get in a solid-state, relatively lightweight package.

I have the VT Deluxe mounted on a slide-out rack tray. Grindy goodness and it won't break your back.
Click to expand...

Eric,
Do you have any pictures or the rack rig?
Thanks,
Wes
 
#17
If you are happy with your current tone and the SVT classic don't get rid of it!

Or, at least, if you are going to try something new I'm all for it, but don't use your SVT CL to finance it.

Sounds like you're happy with tubes, so stick with them. Yes, the offerings for new are very limited. But for used gear, there are plenty of options. For example, I just bought a few Peavey Classic 120 Mono Tube power amps for a song.

Don't feel like you need *NEW* gear. Old gear is made better than new gear and if you take care of it could be serviceable for the next 50 years.

I have a SansAmp Bass Driver that I used to test out one of the Peavey's (pending arrival of SVT II preamp) and I feel like it's an approximation of SVT tone but it's no SVT. Others may disagree, or perhaps your ears can't tell the difference.

I would only challenge you to listen critically. And again, if you need to sell your CL to finance this experiment then just put it off for now until you can afford it.

Ponying up for an SVT is very committing - you've already done it so there's no need to do it again.

I wish I hadn't sold my SVT II several years ago - I've wanted to relive that decision again and again over the years.

CM
 

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