Hello, I've been looking at options for a power amp for my Ampeg SVP preamp. I have heard some guitar players rave about the matrix amps with processors like Axe FX or POD HD, but I haven't seen much about it's use with bass and using a more traditional preamp for the front end. I also have a few Tech 21 units (RPM and RBI) laying around. These might also make a good front end. I would certainly not mind carrying it around in a 2 space rack. Here is a link to the amp. http://usa.matrixamplification.com/rack-amplifers/gt-1000-fx-1u.html For cabinets I'm using 2 Eden 4x10XLTs. Any thoughts or experience would be helpful.
Matrix makes over priced stuff for gui****s. Get yourself a Crest, QSC, or Crown of appropriate specs for a lot less money.
Why would a guitarist need that much wattage? How frikkin' loud does one need to be? But yeah, way better options for way less money. I like the 1U footprint though.
Well, I don't recall all the details of my research, but the idea with solid state power is you need more to equal similar spl with tube power, around 4:1 I think. Especially when dealing with digital systems that have parameters for adjusting bias, sag, and other tube like emulations that eat up the headroom. The story goes that Matrix - being sound reinforcement amp company stumbled on an amp design for higher frequencies that actually respond very well for getting full guitar tones. I haven't heard much about it for bass except for 1 review that raves about it. Yes, the footprint and weight are my primary objectives outside of sound. The other option I was looking into was the Crown XLS 1502. But I'm a little sketchy about the idea of such a low priced amp. I is anyone using one of these in a loud, live situation? Are there any other 1U rack amps that put out big power? I am retiring my Eden WT-800. It's a series A and ever since it started having overheating problems, it's been unreliable. Spent big money on it several times having a lot of the components replaced trying to find the problem. I could have bought a nice power amp for the money I have already spent in repairs. Just need good, reliable power that can handle outside florida gigs. Season is here now and I have corporate and wedding event's every weekend from now to June. These are high dollar gigs and I can't be having technical issues....
I own that power amplifier, paired with my DB680. It sounds great and has tons of headroom. I haven't played with it for longer than a couple of hours but never with any overheating issue. Only feature I dislike is that, when playing in my own at bedroom volume I can hear the fan noise. For the rest it's just a fine power amp, and one of the only 1U ones with such power. And not manufacturered cheaply in Asia (made in the UK) that's probably why they are a bit more expensive.
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