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Genz Benz Neo Pak 3.5

#163
Mine flashes--it is designed to do so long before the power amp actually goes into "clipping". I was told this by the Genz Benz guys, and I have also realized this from playing it. It will flash, but I have never once heard the amp start to break up, or clip. It seems to me like more of a precautionary light than anything.
 
#165
Please let me clear up some mis-conceptions and incorrect information about the clip light function (while remaining within the spirit of the CUP of course) of the power amp indicator.

The clip light flashes within 1dB of the actual clip point of the power amp BUT that doesn't mean that you will hear amplifier clipping... ESPECIALLY if the limiter is engaged. The limiter insures a smooth transition into power amp clipping and may be part of the sound desired, as it emulates a tube power amp stage overloading reasonably well (though not perfectly).

If you find yourself running the amp with the clip light on a lot, this is a good indication that you would probably be happier with a larger power amp, or more efficient speakers, and in this case perhaps a 4 ohm total load by adding more speakers would also improve things.

Increasing average speaker efficiency by 3dB is equivelant to doubling the amplifier power, so there is a lot to be gained by using a higher efficeincy speaker. Unfortunately, high efficiency tends to be a trade-off with larger cabinet size and higher cost.
 
#167
The light would flash around 9, but the amp's output continues above 10 though not undistorted. The distortion may be something you like however.

If it's on "all the time", like above 10-20% of the playing time, it's not great for the amplifier's power devices long term, but more importantly for others following this who may not have as much speaker capacity as Ian, the amp is delivering in excess of rated power and you could inadvertantly exceed your speaker's (thermal) power rating. This applies to amplifiers in general by the way.

My suggestion is to back off of the volume just a little bit and see how that sounds.
 
#168
Yet another option for those who love the sublime sound of the Neo-Pak but occasionally need more power- but don't want to drop $1200+ on the GBE 1200:

Buy an inexpensive power amp, run the 1/4" unbalanced out post-EQ into the power amp, and bridge it into your cabs.

I have a $420 Carvin DCM1500 that is absolutely monstrous-sounding if you preamp it with the Neo-Pak line out and bridge 1500 watts into a 4 ohm cab. Not polite, not anything but deafeningly loud and powerful!
 
#169
One question (Genz Benz engineers) please ?


The NeoPak has parametric mids, which is a great feature. Around the frequency knob, there are the two "extremes" written... But there are other marks all around the knob... What are the frequences there ? If I want to boost 400Hz, for example, I don't know where to set the knob...

Thanks for the forthcoming answer.
 
#170
Ian774 said:
One question (Genz Benz engineers) please ?


The NeoPak has parametric mids, which is a great feature. Around the frequency knob, there are the two "extremes" written... But there are other marks all around the knob... What are the frequences there ? If I want to boost 400Hz, for example, I don't know where to set the knob...

Thanks for the forthcoming answer.
Click to expand...

That's a good question, and the reason for only labeling the extremes is because things are already pretty compact (like on a mixing console) and would get difficult to read. Also, for an instrument amp, I can't tell you where it would sound good with your bass and your speaker cabinet (assuming it's not one of ours) and your personal taste. Try sweeping the mid freq with the mid level turned up to the 3:00 position so you can her what the eq filter accentuates, and what the various frequency areas correspond to. Then if you have in your mind something that is standing out that you don't like, you can indentify itthis way and once identified you can then turn the mid level down to reduce it's impact on the overall tone. Since it's a pretty active eq, remember that a little cut and boost will go a long way.
 
#171
Thanks for the answer !


Oh and BTW, today I did a few tests... I put the master volume lower than before (10 o'clock instead of 2 o'clock) and raised the preamp volume... The sound is still good, the CLIP/LIMIT still flashes (mainly on low notes) but not as often as before... I'm close to the perfect setting ! :)
 
#172
The clip-limit light looks at the output power, so if you turn the master down by (say) 6dB but turn the channel up by an equal amount, it shouldn't change the clip light as the output power would be the same.

Using the LF extend switch as well as a lot of LF eq boost takes a lot more power from any amp. Is this a possibly situation?
 
#174
Ian774 said:
I did NOT use the Low Boost neither the Low knobs ! All set flat. Even on my bass. 100% flat EQ.

Warwick Streamer LX 5 Custom (with active MEC jazz and active preamp) ---> Fulltone Bass Drive (with only Drive On) ---> Genz Benz Neo Pak (all flat).
Click to expand...

Then if you need more volume, the solution would be either a larger amp (more power at the 8 ohm speaker loading your speaker requires), a second 8 ohm cabinet which would reduce the total load impedance and increase the amount of power the amp delivers, or changingto a 4 ohm cabinet like the one you already have but 4 ohms. Otherwise, playing just a little bit quieter is a no-cost solution.
 
#175
1/ I won't get a new amp, I just bought the Neo Pak !

2/ I'll probably get a 2x10" from the same series of my 4x10", in order to get 4 ohms with two cabs... Or maybe a 4 ohm cab, don't know yet.

3/ Playing quieter ? I won't change my style of playing, it's part of my sound. Furthermore, I cannot even say that I attack hard. I don't pluck the strings that hard.


I believe that my Fulltone Bass Drive adds a lot of gain, but I won't give it up. That pedal adds a nice beefy sound to my bass.
 
#176
I have a question about a specific use of my neo-pak 3.5.

Great amp, completely worth every cent, I love it! What I want to do with it is run a direct line to a mixer and unplug the cab. My reason for wanting to do this is so that I can plug headphones into the mixer and listen by myself without inflicting my practicing on others.

I understand that this is safe to do with solid state amps, but not with tube amps. Since the 3.5 is a hybrid, I thought I better inquire further as to whether or not this is safe.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
 
#177
You are fine in doing this.....no worries. I use the tube channel of a GBE750 as a pre for recording and I don't have a speaker load on it.

I hope this helps.
Roger

birdxofxprey said:
I have a question about a specific use of my neo-pak 3.5.

Great amp, completely worth every cent, I love it! What I want to do with it is run a direct line to a mixer and unplug the cab. My reason for wanting to do this is so that I can plug headphones into the mixer and listen by myself without inflicting my practicing on others.

I understand that this is safe to do with solid state amps, but not with tube amps. Since the 3.5 is a hybrid, I thought I better inquire further as to whether or not this is safe.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
#180
birdxofxprey said:
I understand that this is safe to do with solid state amps, but not with tube amps. Since the 3.5 is a hybrid, I thought I better inquire further as to whether or not this is safe.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Your information applies to the power amp section. The NeoPak 3.5 uses a tube in the preamp, the power amp is solid state. Running unloaded is no problem.

The reason why a tube power amp should not be operated unloaded is because of ringing and back EMF spikes due to the inductive nature of the output transformer. This ringing can cause voltages greater than the designed breakdown voltages inside the transformer and break down the insulating system of the transformer. This can also carry back to the power tubes due to reflected signal being stepped up back through the transformer. This mechanism just doesn't exist with solid state amps.
 

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