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Is there a market for small class D power amps?

#41
I looked into this last year and found a few, many of which have been mentioned in this thread.

It may not be a big thing, but it's a thing.

Frankly, the cost/benefit wasn't there for me. If I want to run a separate preamp pedal, I can just plug it into the effects return jack on my Aggie TH-500 and go direct into its ICEPower power amp. Plus, the Aggie works as a DI without having to plug in a speaker, so it kind of covers all the basis at 4.5 lbs.
 
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#43
GR Bass makes the PureAmp 350 (3.8lb) and PureAmp 800 (4.9 lb)
IMG_0537.png
 
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#47
I have been penciling up a pedal board that is the power supply and the power amp, just for bass for some couple of years now...

9v/12v/18v power taps.
400-700 watts of power amp.
All built into the sheet metal enclosure that forms the pedal board itself, upon which, you attach your own pedals and pre-amp, or modeler or whatever floats your boat.

XLR out to the house sound and a speakon for the stage cabinet. Use of power amp optional, if you don't want a live stage, just house sound and monitor.

One IEC, universal voltage input.

Ultimate fly-rig.
 
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#48
N. Kentucky Bass said:
I'm using one called the Straight Ahead power amp. It's 300 watts at 8ohms and 500 watts at 4ohms. No certifications that I can see. But I like it. The builder, Jay, is a great guy.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jay-ganz-straight-ahead-power-amp.1278608/

View attachment 5310599
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Does you Jay Ganz make a bit of noise (like the fan bushing or bearing stuck ) but clears up in about 30 seconds. I noticed it more when I take it from the cold storage. And that's where I store it. The fan is not quiet for room practice that is why I only use it for gigs. Is it really 500 watts at 4 ohms? I thought it was only 400.

Thanks
 
#50
monsterthompson said:
The closest thing to this type of product from a notable name brand. It has no preamp gain control but the EQ and other features make it look almost like an "amp" and not just a power section.
Duncan Power Stage 700w - $699 - Rack size & EQ with stereo operations.
Duncan Power Stage 200w - $499 - Pedal size & EQ/Sim features.
Duncan Power Stage 170w - $399 - Pedal size & EQ
PowerStage Pedal Amps - Guitar Pickups, Bass Pickups, Pedals
Click to expand...

The Reidmar 750 has the option to bypass the EQ, essentially just making it an ICEpower 700ASC module.

20240104_160748.jpg
 
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#51
Size is determined by the human/system interface. We have hands and fingers, to introduce a product that is too small to operate without bent paperclips is probably not a selling point. There are software workarounds but that adds an addtional cost to the user. Out-of- the-box and hands-on-products seems to be a successful selling point.
 
#52
logdrum said:
Does you Jay Ganz make a bit of noise (like the fan bushing or bearing stuck ) but clears up in about 30 seconds. I noticed it more when I take it from the cold storage. And that's where I store it. The fan is not quiet for room practice that is why I only use it for gigs. Is it really 500 watts at 4 ohms? I thought it was only 400.

Thanks
Click to expand...

It did. He replaced it with a newer model. Maybe storing it in a warmer room will help? Watts are 300/8 and 500/4ohm.
 
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#53
dbsfgyd1 said:
Good post. I'm not so sure that the preamp stage isn't more expensive than the output stage making an integrated head a preamp with a power amp thrown in on the deal….
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No, but making a just power stage and putting it into production is not not much cheaper.
Mr. Agedhorse has said this many times.
Even in this thread.
agedhorse said:
Generally not without test data or an engineering review by the test lab. There is also interface circuitry that is still required, it's not just a module in a box.

There's also the cost of managing the different sheet metal, PCBs, tooling, documentation, inventory, distribution, etc.
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If you read some of the post in this thread, (two on this third page) others have said they looked into buying this type of item but the cost saving was not there. As have I.
$600-$800 for just a power amp is also a full featured head price point.
Depending on make and model, of course.
 
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#56
Personally, I do have a tiny bit of gas for one of these.
I absolutely love the sound of my Demeter into my Berg CN212.
I have never needed its full volume but I still fantasize about adding a second identical CN212 (ya, know just because ) but my amp is only good down to 4ohm. So a second cab and a tiny amp would be the solution…. A solution to a problem I don't really have. Lol ;)
 
#57
Not to derail the topic, but I'm kinda floored that such a thing exists for guitar (EHX 5mm, 22 Caliber, and 44 Magnum pedals) already, given how partial most guitarists are to tube amps. It does say on their site "Despite being described as a 'guitar head' the 44 has the character and control to work with any electric instrument".

We typically need more than 44w on tap, but IMHO if you're carrying a bass cab already, a SFF head hardly seems like much additional trouble. If the cost was competitive though (saving a couple hundred $'s), I could see opting for the power amp option instead.
 
#59
I went through all the stages of grief with this idea a while back. I've got some great preamps and love the idea of just bringing a preamp, simple amplifier, and a cab that meets my specific needs to a gig.

Here are the things I learned on my journey (just my personal feelings):
1. The more I played with non-commercial power amps (boutique/whatever you want to call them), the more I appreciate all the hoops and certifications mainstream manufacturers go through for the sake of consistency. I have one left that I keep as backup now, but I don't gig it as a main power amp anymore.

2. Good quality combos are actually more useful to me than I used to give them credit (I'm looking at you Acoustic Image TEN2). Mainly for the times I don't want to carry a bunch of stuff to a gig due to space, distance, whatever... I can plug my preamp into it, tweak the levels a little, and be good to go without lots of extra equipment. But I still don't care for lower quality combos because they sound terrible and I low-key hate them.

3. For my use case, I would rather have a nice powered cabs that meet my needs as a bass player for medium sized gigs, anything larger is going FOH anyway. I love my powered MAS 16 cab for wallpaper gigs (see previous comment concerning boutique amps), but if Mesa or Bergantino released a powered cab that met the needs of moderately loud gigs, that I could just plug my preamps into and go... I would absolutely be selling off some of my gear to get one. I know JBL, QSC, EV, whatever have that market sort of locked up, but I'd rather put my money towards the Mesa or Bergantino product.

TLDR- In case anyone is asking, tell @agedhorse or Jim Bergantino I'm a size 112 or 210 powered cab. KTHXBYE
 
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#60
wolffire99 said:
With the proliferation of high quality preamp pedals and small class D amps I'm really surprised there's not an option for smaller class D power amps for bass without the need for a built in preamp and thus even smaller and hopefully cheaper.

Something just like the Seymour Duncan power stage 700 but without even the eq or baked in guitar amp sim would be the closest example.
Click to expand...

I'd be happy if there were more small class D amps with effects loops as that allows you to to what you suggest. There are some small power amps out there, IIRC, not specifically targeted at bass, you might be able to use. People have added effects loops to the Vox MV50 range but I'm not sure of you are talking small physically or low power.
 

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