Funny, I've been looking in the other direction, a 100w tube power amp for my preamp pedal. I'm less concerned about weight obviously.
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Is there a market for small class D power amps?
- Thread starter wolffire99
- Start date
Uh, I don't think so! 16 lbs and Dimensions: 14 x 2.75 x 9 in. -- that would be like the Big Hulk riding a tiny unicycle! Doesn't fit on a pedal board, and @ $1,200, WAY too expensive!
I there's an "FX return" on the amp, you can plug you external preamp directly to it, it bypasses the preamp.
Sounds like a DIY would be cool to do
I'm considering that very idea!
I started a thread like this when I was looking for an amp last year. This was my rationale for buying the Mesa D350. It's small, loud, and if I didn't like the preamp, I could always run something into the aux input. Turns out I like the preamp.
This makes sense as well as the fact that it's, not home made without certification, and it won't burn your house down...
but not on all amps, right?
my markbass the EQ is still active when i use a preamp into the effects return.
I didn't know Markbass does that, I believe the standard behaviour is that the FX loop is between the preamp and the power amp.
Correct, the location of the effects loop is not standardized. For example, the effects loop in Trace Elliot and Ashdown tube amps is right after the first tube stage. Before gain, tone network, and master.
All of the MarkBass block diagrams I have found show the loop before the tone network. Here is an example.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
For my needs, a better question is: Which currently available, lightweight, bass heads can push a 2 Ohm load, produce at least 400 Watts into an 8 Ohm load, and are equipped with a variable high-pass filter.
If I can find one suitably sized for my needs at a "reasonable" price, I can add the pre-amp module(s) of choice, e.g., Genz Benz preamp, Re-Q, and 4OTF.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,086
- 5
- 221,205
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
MarkBass often does it differently, and also use a parallel loop which unless converted to serial is not going to work for this application.
However most manufacturers (in bass amps) are now configuring their effects loops as serial, and locating them between the preamp and power amp. It's the most useful configuration for the most users.
Fact is some people are capable of building amps at home and have done so for generations.
No need to throw all the apples in the same barrel, Fact is certified electrical gear out there has burned down a lot of houses.
I don't understand the anti DIY sentiments on TB.
Almost like there was manufacturers reps around here discouraging it or something.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,086
- 5
- 221,205
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Nobody is discouraging DIY, what they are commenting on is that lack of some of the most basic safety approaches in much of what we see. Things that are genuinely dangerous in real world circumstances.
I had a customer (an old friend of 30+ years) yesterday bring in an amp that he bought used, it was a decent looking "home brew" amp from a semi-local builder. It was giving him a nasty shock and there were two reasons. First, the protective ground bonding wire was attached with a sheet metal screw and no toothed washer on a painted chassis so it wasn't even making electrical contact, and the second issue was a B+ power supply bypass cap that was (very) incorrectly sized for high line conditions and was in the process of failing which introduced B+ to the chassis that the protective ground would have otherwise protected against (shorting the B+ supply, eliminating the hazard).
This was clearly dangerous and would have never passed any safety certification. In spite of never even doing a ground path resistance test on the amp, the builder insisted it was safe in spite of measuring over 300V on the chassis.
Your comment about manufacturers rep is out of place. This is purely a discussion about safety and compliance to international regulations. If you don't think safety is a good thing, that's your business but it won't change my view about how important safety is to our industry.
