Does the power amp matter ?

[crispygoat]

Hello,

This might be a stupid question but I thought I would still ask.

I am currently using a Line 6 PreAmp with a head and a cab. Since I am using the PreAmp, the controls and EQ on my head are disabled. I am now looking to upgrade my rig and was wondering if which power amp makes a different sound. I assume yes, but I'm not sure so I thought asking.

Thank You,

 

[Mcrelly]

I believe on most "heads" if you are inputing a signal through the "effects return" or "power amp in" you are BYPASSING the eq section of the head. however if you are plugging your preamp into the instrument input on the front (where your guitar would normally be plugged in) then you would NOT be bypassing the eq and could risk hurting the input gain stage of the head if the preamp volume is too high on your line 6.

there are many different power amp designs and may differ slightly in sound from amp to amp, but the biggest 'voicing' or 'signature sound' usually comes from the preamp section of "heads".

does that answer your question?

 

[Transverz]

A decent SS poweramp with enough volume for what you want it to do, in short, should give you an amplified / louder version of your preamp's sound. Most poweramps will fall into this category unless you pick up a particularly crappy poweramp that can't put out the goods. So to answer your question, in general, most poweramps will not affect or make a difference to your sound. At least, it shouldn't.

 

[meev992]

For the most part, the poweramp is supposed to be very transparent....because you just want Juice.

if you wanna split hairs, there's probably tiny, tiny nuances, but those, you can forget about.

 

[bongomania]

You'll want to read a bunch of threads we've had on this subject, as the debate rages pretty fiercely. Use "QSC" and "CA9" as search terms, as those seem to be the benchmark terms people argue over most.

With a few exceptions, here's the deal: The "science is best" crowd say there is no difference that a change of gain settings can't fix. The "my gut feelings are best" crowd say that there are clear differences when you crank the amps in real-world high-volume live gigs.

 

[A9X]

With a few exceptions, here's the deal: The "science is best" crowd say there is no difference that a change of gain settings can't fix. The "my gut feelings are best" crowd say that there are clear differences when you crank the amps in real-world high-volume live gigs.

Excellent synopsis. And the first is correct of course.

 

[simple11]

Interesting; take the origional svt with 6146 power tubes verses the 70's bluelines with 6550's - not exactly the same amp but close. Well the 6550's were certainly preferred by some famous guitar players, but I prefer the clean power of the origional.

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

With a few exceptions, here's the deal: The "science is best" crowd say there is no difference that a change of gain settings can't fix. The "my gut feelings are best" crowd say that there are clear differences when you crank the amps in real-world high-volume live gigs.

That's a VERY biased statement and is predjucial against those who don't like switching amps. I guess you've made YOUR feelings known, but the most vocal element of the "science is best" crowd is very often quite lean on any actual science and far more dependent on herd/mob mentality. Wouldn't want those pesky scientific facts to get in the way of a sale...

Interesting; take the origional svt with 6146 power tubes verses the 70's bluelines with 6550's - not exactly the same amp but close. Well the 6550's were certainly preferred by some famous guitar players, but I prefer the clean power of the origional.

Then you've obviously never heard a 6146 SVT compared to a 6550 equipped SVT. The 6550 is nearly identical to the 6146 except for different pinout and a higher screen rating, which lets the 6550 produce more clean power than the 6146. IOW, a 6146 SVT has LESS power, clean or dirty, than a 6550 equipped SVT.

 

[simple11]

Then you've obviously never heard a 6146 SVT compared to a 6550 equipped SVT. The 6550 is nearly identical to the 6146 except for different pinout and a higher screen rating, which lets the 6550 produce more clean power than the 6146. IOW, a 6146 SVT has LESS power, clean or dirty, than a 6550 equipped SVT.
__________________
Psycho >^}




Not only have I not "obviously heard a 6146 svt", I currently have one for sale:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
My opinion is not based on tecknological hearsay, but listening.

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Not only have I not "obviously heard a 6146 svt", I currently have one for sale:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
My opinion is not based on tecknological hearsay, but listening.

I hope you listen better than you read. Note:

Then you've obviously never heard a 6146 SVT compared to a 6550 equipped SVT.

I'm well aware you have one for sale, and would also remind you that advertising that fact is prohibited in this forum.

 

[simple11]

Are you seriously suggesting that I have never heard a 70's svt?

 

[Chris Breese]

I'm well aware you have one for sale, and would also remind you that advertising that fact is prohibited in this forum.

Ooops!

 

[yamaha]

There is a rather big difference in power amp brands and models. Not as much as heads, or as much as preamps, but it is certainly there. They (power amps) all do the same job, but so do preamps and heads.

Next time you go to a music store, try a few out if you can. When you go to clubs and there's a band, talk to the bassist. Also read from this site, and the net in general. There is a lot of info out there. Not all good info IMHO, but good guidelines. Then come back TB and ask help to evaluate your findings. There are some serious experts on this site.

 

[simple11]

1) I am not advertising in this section - I am responding to the allegation that I've not heard one.
2) I am not even advertising it on this site.
3) I am a supporting member and may mention things I have for sale in threads when relevent to the conversation.

Moderators; Please correct me if I am mistaken.

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Are you seriously suggesting that I have never heard a 70's svt?

No. I said you've never heard a side-by-side comparision of the two. The 6146 puts out LESS power in an SVT than the 6550 does, period. There are some sonic differences due to the 6146 SVT being less powered, such as a more pronounced upper midrange, but a 6550 equipped SVT will be louder, period. To suggest otherwise shows an ignorance of that fact.

Based on what few posts you've made here, you didn't even know that much about your SVT until you joined here. The comment about 6550's versus 6146's only furthers that. Ownership of an amp does NOT make you an expert on it. I have FIVE SVT's, three of which I rebuilt. I know what I'm talking about.

 

[mkrtu9]

everyones ears are different. Check them out for yourself and then you know you got what you want and not what someone else says is better or worse.

 

[bassbrock]

With regards to your original question, no there is no difference in sound or tone in the varying brands of available power amps out there. Specifically if you are comparing solid state power amps of all the same power rating.

Your bass and your preamp provide the tone coloration, the power amp simply makes it louder.

Tube power amps are a whole other ball of wax. They are all different in the way they sound, especially when driven.

After that your tone is then further colored and altered by your speakers and cabinet design.

 

[simple11]

I have owned this one since 77 and owned a few of the bluelines as well. Didn't learn about it here. I never suggested it was louder - never found it lacking in that department. I am not much less commited to my opinion than you to yours. I do find it a very different sounding amp and cleaner to my ear. I thought that this thread was about just such differences - probably ought to have just mentioned that there still people lugging around big tube amps - why bother.
past my bedtime

 

[bongomania]

That's a VERY biased statement and is predjucial against those who don't like switching amps. I guess you've made YOUR feelings known, but the most vocal element of the "science is best" crowd is very often quite lean on any actual science and far more dependent on herd/mob mentality. Wouldn't want those pesky scientific facts to get in the way of a sale...

PBG, I normally agree with you, but I gotta say this sounds like the crack talking. First, I said there were exceptions, and maybe all-tube SVT power stages are one of those exceptions, I don't know. Second, I have participated in a lot of the "lead sled vs. switching" threads, and if you read my posts you'd note that nearly everything I say is an attempt to learn more, or to clarify points that another poster may not have understood; but I have never taken sides except when somebody is clearly avoiding science and relying only on their gut feelings. Third, your reference to the mob/herd of switching amp drones being lean on actual science is pretty much meritless AFAIK- in all of the threads I've read, people present scientific claims or personal opinions, but rarely mix them up. The only person I've seen make unsubstantiated scientific claims in favor of switching amps is Bob Lee, and well, he is a company man. And like it or not, the majority of the "lead sled" camp IME relies almost exclusively on their subjective opinions, without bothering with any scientific method.

At any rate, my synopsis was intended more for a humorous introduction to the debate than an attempt to say who is right. Hell, I've never even used a switching amp.

 

[seamonkey]

Hello,

This might be a stupid question but I thought I would still ask.

I am currently using a Line 6 PreAmp with a head and a cab. Since I am using the PreAmp, the controls and EQ on my head are disabled. I am now looking to upgrade my rig and was wondering if which power amp makes a different sound. I assume yes, but I'm not sure so I thought asking.

Thank You,

In my opinions - The power amp doesn't really matter. As long as you get one with enough power for what you need. And if you trust the manufacturer and their specs.

I think of Power amps for amplification and not coloration. Think of FOH - I wouldn't want soundpeople showing up with highly colored amps to put my sound out to the audience.

Some amps, like the Crown Xti include a little DSP that allows anyone to EQ, add sub-harmonics, etc. but these are really like just another form of a preamp.