Best power amp (for bass) ??

[jjmf]

agreed!! & good advice

I'm a big fan of speaker & clean power balance
4ohm 800 w berg 410 x 2 = 1600w @ 2 ohms... via a power amp
plus
8 ohm 400 w berg 210 x 2 = 800w @ 4 ohms via a head (used for preamp source too) seems a good pairing

So a crest pro lite 3, or pro 200 7200 or ca 9 seem a great pairing coupled with various heads in the 500-1000 watt range

 

[Dave Hill]

How do you propose doing this into 2 ohms without destroying the amp? (Not going to work)

I wouldn't. I didn't see anywhere in the OP that 2 ohms was a requirement. Further, I don't think 2-ohm loads are that common in the bass world.

 

[FunkHead]

I'm also considering getting a power amp to supplement my amp (which will vary from MB Sa450, LH1000, and others in future) while some D class are now going to 2 ohms - what I would prefer is a clean clear, articulate punchy sound that allows powering Berg AE 210's and 410's - so I want 800 watts a 4ohms and 1600w at 2ohm loads regardless of what I use for preamping - for example if I run my SA450 at 4 ohms to power 1 cab, regardless, I want to power 2 more @ 4ohms & 800w each

Id like to keep it light - and cost efficient and find my local options to be Behringer (cheap with lots of watts) Crown, QSC and Cerwin vega - Like what I hear about Crest - but hard to find locally

My preference is to get the best sounding amp - but would like to keep it light weight - and its hard to test out many etc -
so any input about punchy clear sound by brand and by amp type (ie D class vs Heavier alternatives) is appreciated

I often thought for the low cost - a behringer I nuke seems to be a lot of power per $ spent...
thoughts?

With your LH1000, You can go down to 2 Ohms per side. You can then use your favorite Pre-Amp directly into your Effects return. At the very least it's a great way to get the feel for how a power amp should sound.
I run My Lehle Basswitch Sonic Spark into my Effects return and couldn't be happier...Especially with my Passive Jazz bass.

 

[jjmf]

With your LH1000, You can go down to 2 Ohms per side. You can then use your favorite Pre-Amp directly into your Effects return. At the very least it's a great way to get the feel for how a power amp should sound.
I run My Lehle Basswitch Sonic Spark into my Effects return and couldn't be happier...Especially with my Passive Jazz bass.

True & ive experimented with it but the Hartke load per side at 2 or 4 ohms is not high enough watts drive the 4 ohm cabs @800w or 2 so them at @ 2 ohm/1600 w

Best use with Hartke is bridged 4 ohm @1000w to drive 1 4 ohm berg...or 1 4 ohm berg per side but power is only 320w/side ...or 2 " 8 " 0hm hydrives I find sounds great...

But my quest is to power 2-3 different 4 ohm berg cabs

Thanks !

 

[jjmf]

I wouldn't. I didn't see anywhere in the OP that 2 ohms was a requirement. Further, I don't think 2-ohm loads are that common in the bass world.

I do prefer 4 ohms@800-1000 w to run each cab, but want to have 1 amp to do so. The prolite 2 is under powered to get to 4 0hms & 800 w per side - but the prolite 3 would do it ! But does it punch with weighty articulate notes like the ca9? Or 7200?

 

[agedhorse]

I wouldn't. I didn't see anywhere in the OP that 2 ohms was a requirement. Further, I don't think 2-ohm loads are that common in the bass world.

See post 14, OP specifically clarified 4 and 2 ohm loads.

2 ohm loads are quite common in the bass world, common enough that the cost/effort is expended to include this feature on many (higher powered) heads... either 1 x 2 ohm or 2 x 4 ohm capable power amp channels.

 

[Dave Hill]

2 ohm loads are quite common in the bass world

Disagree. Vast majority of bassist playing out this weekend will be running 4 or 8 ohm loads.

 

[agedhorse]

Disagree. Vast majority of bassist playing out this weekend will be running 4 or 8 ohm loads.

Except for all those players playing 2 x 4 ohm cabinets. You said 2 ohm loads are uncommon, yet they are plenty common and we have seen MANY examples (with pictures) posted on TB.

Dude, what's the basis for your arguing with me? Just because you misread the original question?

 

[Dave Hill]

Go back and read the OP.
Then get off your high (aged) horse.
Dude.

Just noticed the OP was 2 years old. But, that's the one I was responding too.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Further, I don't think 2-ohm loads are that common in the bass world.

I use my amps at 2Ω all the time. To me running 2Ω loads is very common.

 

[Dave Hill]

Cool. I'm sure some folks run 2 ohms. But, I still think the vast majority are running 4 or 8. Wasn't trying to start an arugument over it. Good grief.

 

[agedhorse]

Go back and read the OP.
Then get off your high (aged) horse.
Dude.

Just noticed the OP was 2 years old. But, that's the one I was responding too.

I'm also considering getting a power amp to supplement my amp (which will vary from MB Sa450, LH1000, and others in future) while some D class are now going to 2 ohms - what I would prefer is a clean clear, articulate punchy sound that allows powering Berg AE 210's and 410's - so I want 800 watts a 4ohms and 1600w at 2ohm loads regardless of what I use for preamping - for example if I run my SA450 at 4 ohms to power 1 cab, regardless, I want to power 2 more @ 4ohms & 800w each

Id like to keep it light - and cost efficient and find my local options to be Behringer (cheap with lots of watts) Crown, QSC and Cerwin vega - Like what I hear about Crest - but hard to find locally

My preference is to get the best sounding amp - but would like to keep it light weight - and its hard to test out many etc -
so any input about punchy clear sound by brand and by amp type (ie D class vs Heavier alternatives) is appreciated

I often thought for the low cost - a behringer I nuke seems to be a lot of power per $ spent...
thoughts?

Dave, read the post above (from yesterday) which is what everybody has been discussing, and what I was helping with.

I think you owe me an apology for your disrespectful comments Dave. You are out of line here.

 

[jjmf]

On the subject...Any feedback on crest ca 9/lead sleds vs new light weight/d class as far as sonic comparisons?

 

[Dave Hill]

Again, I was responding to the OP which I've stated more than once. My bad for not noticing it was 2 years old.
Done.

 

[Ric Vice]

While there are several 2 ohm capable bass amplifiers on the market (both Acoustic Image and Euphonic Audio come to mind) there are still lots of 4 ohm capable amplifiers. So it just depends on what your needs are. Since 4 ohm cabinets have become more or less the standard, it's likely we'll eventually see most amps headed there. I own a Monique M700 which
runs at 4 ohms. It sounds wonderful, and is very powerful.

Ric

 

[agedhorse]

Again, I was responding to the OP which I've stated more than once. My bad for not noticing it was 2 years old.
Done.

But Dave, you insulted me after I even gave you the specific post number we were discussing. That's why I find your comments particularly offensive.

 

[Johnny Vance]

Never go wrong with Crown or QSC. If I had some capital, I would build small clean power for bass players. All the preamp pedals that are out there is crazy. Most buy one and then put on top of the preamp already on their amp. Makes no sense to me. If there were a small amp able to fit on a board. 300 watts 8ohms 600 4ohms. One could switch preamps on or off and have multiple rigs. They would sell the crap out of them.

Hey all,

I have contemplated the Crown series power amps (namely XLS 1500 ) and the QSC line (GX5). Both seem reasonably priced and produce a great deal of power based on the specs.

Any suggestions? Thanks TB family!

~Thumpa

 

[Downunderwonder]

Never go wrong with Crown or QSC. If I had some capital, I would build small clean power for bass players. All the preamp pedals that are out there is crazy. Most buy one and then put on top of the preamp already on their amp. Makes no sense to me. If there were a small amp able to fit on a board. 300 watts 8ohms 600 4ohms. One could switch preamps on or off and have multiple rigs. They would sell the crap out of them.

The idea keeps on coming up but nobody steps up.

Keep an eye on (Peavey) Trace Elliot. @Fred from Peavey tells us there is new stuff in the works and a ''Gnome'' powerplant for the Transit pre was on the wishlist when he was asking what we wanted. It probably won't be quite pedal board size though.

 

[Johnny Vance]

As long as it's a small footprint with clean power. Good cab, power, and a board with as many preamps as ones heart desires. Speaking of preamps.Orange needs to bring out a Orange Crush bass pedal. Clean and dirty channels. That would rock.

 

[Jim Carr]

On the subject...Any feedback on crest ca 9/lead sleds vs new light weight/d class as far as sonic comparisons?

I have two identical rigs in different parts of the world. They both use ProLITE 3.0 non-DSP amps, as well as Mesa d800 and GK MB800 heads at times.

Generally, my cabinets are fEARful 15/6/1.

I was a CA 6 user. With the road case and 2 racked preamps, it was a 72 lb package.

The ProLITE 3.0 non-DSP has the power and slam of a CA 6 or more. Be careful with either one bridged.

The ProLITE 3.0 in a gator 3-space rack bag with a 1 RU Art channel strip pre, is about 22 lbs, depending on what's in the rack bag pocket.