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NAD: 27-pound (pseudo) SVT :)

mc900ftj

mc900ftj

Jan 21, 2014
1,453
2,282
#1
;) Got your attention...I just had to share:

I decided to try to put together a rig that I could actually manage to carry around without killing my back (it's nearly dead already) and give me a "real" tube Ampeg sound...

I purchased a *pristine* Ampeg SVP-Pro on eBay that was delivered this afternoon. It is in great shape -- very, VERY lightly used. I've had it on the bench for about three hours burning it in. Sounds fantastic (other than the graphic EQ kills the tone...but I expected that and don't intend to use it).

I'm pairing the SVP-Pro with a really lightweight Class-D amp (Crown XLS1500) which, bridged, should give about 1000 Watts to single cab (8ohm) or about 1500 Watts to two cabs (4ohm total). I'm waiting for a SpeakOn connector to make up the Mono-Bridge cable I need for this amp, so I have not tried it out yet.

We'll see...if it works out, my PF-800 will become my backup head and this will be my main rig.

SVP-Pro: 9lbs
XLS1500: 8lbs
Rack Case: 10lbs
---------------
Total: 27lbs

While it's no SVT, it sounds pretty close (to my ears) and it weighs about 75lbs less. Wish me luck! :)

Photos attached.
IMG_20150311_153312_zpsqiswtwvd.gif
5d2ef19e-8457-4ea0-b6d6-bf8a43d2bb46_zpslr1ulyly.gif
 
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#11
xroads said:
No. You just connect to output 1, with 1 speakon cable.
Not sure about the model I have, it looks the same as in the pics above.

Here is a description:
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

All what xroads said! EXCEPT...you need to use a speakon cable that is wired for bridging.

The case is a shallow 3RU gator. I mounted a 2-outlet surge suppressor in the rear.
 
#12
murphy said:
Jim C....lead sled because it sounds better?....................ducking
Click to expand...

Actually found a super deal on an Ampeg 1500 watt power amp and thought it would be cool to have a matched pair.
Jerold said that he was on the design team and they were pretty good.
I'm really not sure about lead sleds vs. lightweights.
A lot of guys here say they can hear the difference.
Some design engineers here say you can't.
In a way, it's like the tube debate; nobody wants an amp that sounds like transistors or IC's yet, many want a lightweight amp that sounds like tubes.

I have a buddy in Pro Sound who actually had a chance to try one of his systems at a venue both ways (no band just recorded music).
It was NOT scientific but he thought he could here a SLIGHT difference but only in an A/B comparison (they did gain match) and it was toward the heavy amps
He was quick to point out that no way he could tell without an A/B comparison.
This was with all pro gear.

IME, the big power lightweights sound great.
Even at lowish volume the MB800 sounded slightly better than the MB500.
I don't think I could hear the difference between modern amps slew rates or the minuscule difference in distortion numbers.
I do think that I would have a bit more lightweight power than I would need with a heavy weight; there is just more muscle and umphh with a bigger lightweight than a smaller sled.
Best part is it no longer costs or weighs that much more.

If you've got dough, go QSC.
On the cheap I like Crest.

BTW, I have AB'd my pre/power against my SVT-CL many times through different cabinets.
Aside from natural power tube compression (which I like), the high end of the tubes sounds sweeter to me and the midrange is different; not better or worse but different.
The SVT-CL will not get loud and clean with the same small cabinet that the pre/power rig slams with.
This includes a Berg HT322 as well as a standard 2x12, and to a lesser extent, a TL606.
Never tried this experiment with an 8x10 but would think either would be great.
 
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#13
For what it is worth, it is easier to locate a banana to speakon cable to allow for bridging with one of these power amps. I run an XLS 1000, you can see that the banana connector is actually plugged in OP's second image, mine was as well. All you have to do to remove them is get a small screw, tighten it into the plugs, then tug it out. The plug pops right out and you use them as any other banana plug. This is the cable I use Invalid Link Removed
 
#14
Ternski said:
For what it is worth, it is easier to locate a banana to speakon cable to allow for bridging with one of these power amps. I run an XLS 1000, you can see that the banana connector is actually plugged in OP's second image, mine was as well. All you have to do to remove them is get a small screw, tighten it into the plugs, then tug it out. The plug pops right out and you use them as any other banana plug. This is the cable I use Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

I easily made my own bridging Speakon. I prefer the Speakon because it locks.
 

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