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High Efficency, High Powered Heads?

rythmicillusion

rythmicillusion

Feb 2, 2007
433
6
Boston MA
#1
I am saving my coins for a new rig. Especially interested in an NV610 or other 610 for the cabinet.

I am lost, however, when it comes to narrowing down my choices for a head. All I know is that I'd like something that can comfortably drive a 610 for metal, rock and pop. Something that gets that power very efficiently is a huge plus, as is reliability. Cost isn't the biggest factor, but looking to stay around 1G (or less if possible). Can't be lugging around an anvil, but something on the heavy side is okay. Size, features and tone shaping are secondary for the time being.

Anybody out there have any suggestions?
 
#5
greenboy said:
High efficiency implies Class D/SMPS or at least amps that convert energy from receptacle to speaker output at a high percentage. That's definitely not the case with Class AB.
Click to expand...

+1
Class-d/SMPS with power factor correction (PFC) will be quite a bit louder before popping the outlet circuit breaker than class-ab.

Invalid Link Removed
The yellow zone is for general music, a bass amp might be over to the right more.

And they're lighter. And shown to be reliable.
 
#7
Why do you care how much AC power is necessary to get what you want at the speakers?

If you're saying "efficiency" when you mean "light weight," then say what you want.

I could care less about efficiency, since my amps never blow a circuit breaker. If I should ever get to high enough power to worry about this, the venue would probably have better power than the average club.

So if you want "most watts/least weight," then ask that question. The answer will be very different from the electronic theory answers posted.
 
#10
Rick Auricchio said:
Why do you care how much AC power is necessary to get what you want at the speakers?

If you're saying "efficiency" when you mean "light weight," then say what you want.

I could care less about efficiency, since my amps never blow a circuit breaker. If I should ever get to high enough power to worry about this, the venue would probably have better power than the average club.

So if you want "most watts/least weight," then ask that question. The answer will be very different from the electronic theory answers posted.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean to be misleading in the title, but within the context of my post and judging from all the other responses, people seemed to get my drift.
 
#14
Rick Auricchio said:
So are you looking for light weight? Or to save on the club's electricity bill?
Click to expand...

You seem kinda stuck on that note. I merely responded to "high efficiency" as an indicator in power amp circles of an amp that is remarkably efficient in converting input to output, and light weight typically comes along with that.

Though the benefit of also not having a big draw on whatever AC service is available can also be attractive ; } - not to shave someone's bill but to produce output watts.
 
#18
Rick Auricchio said:
So are you looking for light weight? Or to save on the club's electricity bill?
Click to expand...

Maybe I should restate what I'm looking for more articulately, from greatest to least in priority:

1) Output: A head powerful enough to drive a 610 or 810 setup with some headroom to spare, used in the context of a hard rock/metal group.
2) Reliability: Built to withstand rigors of transport and accidents (falls, changes in temp, hours of use without rest)
3) Electrically Efficient: Lessen my carbon footprint for a number of reasons. More energy converted into solid sounding bass rather than wasted heat and fuel, essentially.
4) Cost: Don't want to spend $4000 on this amp, but I haven't limited myself to a shoestring budget either. If I can do it for under $1000, I'll be very happy.
5) Weight: Can't be hauling around an iron briefcase at this point, but on the flip side it doesn't need to be a featherweight.
6) Features: I need Basic EQ, and maybe a built in DI, tuner output and mute switch would be nice, but otherwise I don't need anything fancy or "loaded"
7) Origin: If I can buy this amp from a company that treats everyone in their "food chain" decently, and has responsible practices when it comes to manufacturing, that's a plus in my book.

So far, the Carvin B1500 is a top candidate(I've done many a gig with a B800 and thought it was acceptable). I am not so sure about the Mesa stuff after some bad experiences. SVT might be up my alley, but also might be a bit on the expensive side. Same issue with the MarkBass stuff.

Thanks so far for the input/suggestions!
 
#19
rythmicillusion said:
Maybe I should restate what I'm looking for more articulately, from greatest to least in priority:

1) Output: A head powerful enough to drive a 610 or 810 setup with some headroom to spare, used in the context of a hard rock/metal group.
2) Reliability: Built to withstand rigors of transport and accidents (falls, changes in temp, hours of use without rest)
3) Electrically Efficient: Lessen my carbon footprint for a number of reasons. More energy converted into solid sounding bass rather than wasted heat and fuel, essentially.
4) Cost: Don't want to spend $4000 on this amp, but I haven't limited myself to a shoestring budget either. If I can do it for under $1000, I'll be very happy.
5) Weight: Can't be hauling around an iron briefcase at this point, but on the flip side it doesn't need to be a featherweight.
6) Features: I need Basic EQ, and maybe a built in DI, tuner output and mute switch would be nice, but otherwise I don't need anything fancy or "loaded"
7) Origin: If I can buy this amp from a company that treats everyone in their "food chain" decently, and has responsible practices when it comes to manufacturing, that's a plus in my book.

So far, the Carvin B1500 is a top candidate(I've done many a gig with a B800 and thought it was acceptable). I am not so sure about the Mesa stuff after some bad experiences. SVT might be up my alley, but also might be a bit on the expensive side. Same issue with the MarkBass stuff.

Thanks so far for the input/suggestions!
Click to expand...

You mind elaborating on your bad experiences with Mesa? , because you would be one of the few
 
#20
seamonkey said:
Invalid Link Removed
The yellow zone is for general music, a bass amp might be over to the right more.
Click to expand...

Only more over to the right if you use lots of compression or overdrive, otherwise more likely to be towards the left. Class G or H are quite a bit more efficient than Class AB, particularly with high crest factor signals like clean bass guitar. But Class D is a league ahead!

However, I suspect the energy cost in terms of transporting a large heavy rig between gigs is more significant than the energy it consumes from the mains during gigs.

Alex
 

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