Best Power Amp for Bass Rack Set Up

[4Mal]

Why a rack system ? Is your SVT not loud enough ? Looking for other tone choices ? Too heavy to be bothered carrying it? All valid IMO...

If I were going back to a rack rig - which i am not, I would probably snag a QSC PLX or PLX II as I've had good luck with them over the years. That there is any real audible differnence among the high end in power amps is questionable. I tend to believe that there is not if the amp is doing its job correctly. Folks fall on either side but if there i nyndifferene, it is subtle at most..

I have come to realize that at least for me, there is a wide range of acceptability on stage and that my vocal monitor is where I'll focus my obbsession over stage sound... YMMV and all that

 

[Aenimusbass]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful input! I am reading through all the responses and I know it will definitely help a lot. I was kind of getting worried that maybe the idea of running a power amp and pre amp wasn't a known or good idea. Thanks again for all the help I really really appreciate it!

 

[cableguy]

I have always had good luck with Carvin power amps. I've used the RBI as well and liked it. I currently run a VT Deluxe into a Carvin DCM 600. I have Carvin HD1500 on the way. (9lbs-1500W) I have run a Carver PM1.5 in the past. I like going pre-power amp because I can change the pre at any times. Now I like keeping my pre on my pedal board because sometimes I go direct to FOH and run ampless.

 

[porteous]

You should look into Invalid Link Removed power amps. Very clean, powerful and light. The smaller units have no cooling fan, so no ambient noise when using it in a studio. On the downside, I can't tell you where to buy one. I bought my World 1.2 through bestbassgear.com, but I see they don't list them anymore.

 

[TomB]

You should look into Invalid Link Removed power amps. Very clean, powerful and light. The smaller units have no cooling fan, so no ambient noise when using it in a studio. On the downside, I can't tell you where to buy one. I bought my World 1.2 through bestbassgear.com, but I see they don't list them anymore.

They may be hard to find but are worth finding. I've used a Stewart World 1.6 with a variety of preamps for the last 10 years... great tone, total reliabilty, light weight, high power (1600 watts bridged into 4 ohms) high quality... Here's to 10 more years... I don't see why not.

 

[Oobly]

I have a Crown XLS 1500 which really needs a hot signal from the preamp. It's a great amp, but won't have good enough headroom with any of the Sansamp products, you'll need to add a preamp. The QSC PLX, Peavey IPR, Crest CA, Carvin HD, etc. will likey be okay with a Sansamp. Lots of options, really. It's nice to have the flexibility of changing the preamp, also.

If you really like the Ampeg sound and don't NEED to go separates, then an SVT7Pro is a good choice. The Carvin BX1500 is also a good all-in-one.