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Need help picking class D amp.

squeally dan

squeally dan

Mar 30, 2008
572
668
#1
Play in busy wedding band and also getting some other gigs. Been using a TC BG250 for the last couple of years. It has done well and was only strained on bigger outdoor gigs.

Looking for class D for more power. Thinking I need at least 500 watts to 800. Thinking I will want to find a lighter 2x10 and/or 4x10. However, I don’t have a big budget and am looking for a reliable amp head under $500. Need suggestions.

I’ve seen some used Markbass heads around $500. Also see some Hartke amps that look affordable. I’ve used Hartke in the past and liked the tone and reliability. Any thoughts on the LX8500 or TX600 or others? Thanks.
 
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#3
The Markbass Big Bang is LOUD and can be had in your price range. Modern sounding head, Class D, solid state, very clean-sounding, some useful tone sculpting. The bassist in my daughter's wedding band had one, outdoor/open pavillion. Sounded great, but I don't know if he was going through FOH and I can't remember what cab he had. I had one but sold it because it was too clean/sterile. I'm all in on Mesa now, I just love the tones from those heads. But that may be out of your price range, even used. If you can stretch your budget a bit, and especially if you can try one before pulling the trigger, you might find the tone is worth the stretch.
 
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#7
squeally dan said:
Looking into these and a used one is in my price range. With an efficient cab, would it be a good step up from my current rig?
Click to expand...

I can't comment on your current rig but my PF500 into a GK115 (for smaller rooms) and an added Peavey 210 (for the bigger rooms) provides plenty of volume, particularly since, with larger gigs, I send a signal from the DI out to the board. The tone is definitely Ampeg-ish. If you are looking for the super bright highs, this amp may not be your cup of tea.
 
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#11
Snert said:
Harley Benton 800B. Uses an ICEPower module in it.
Pay more than this costs and you're paying for a badge.
Click to expand...
I agree that this is true with regards to the power amp, but it assumes every ICEPower class D head uses the same preamp.
There are lots of reasons you may choose a more expensive alternative than merely its badge.
 
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#17
InkCow said:
I agree that this is true with regards to the power amp, but it assumes every ICEPower class D head uses the same preamp.
There are lots of reasons you may choose a more expensive alternative than merely its badge.
Click to expand...

Indeed.

That, and ICEPower makes over a dozen different power modules.

Saying “it uses an ICEPower module” tells us nothing about the amp’s performance at all: it just tells us what company made the power module.
 
#18
For under $500, a used GK MB500 will do it for you.
You might also be able to find a used MB800, which hits harder, pound for pound, then any other amp I've experienced.

One caveat - the GK amps are bright and crisp sounding, and judging by the fact you've been using the TC BG250 you might prefer a more traditional tone.

Have you looked into TC's higher-powered heads, like the RH450 or RH750?
 
#20
squeally dan said:
Play in busy wedding band and also getting some other gigs. Been using a TC BG250 for the last couple of years. It has done well and was only strained on bigger outdoor gigs.

Looking for class D for more power. Thinking I need at least 500 watts to 800. Thinking I will want to find a lighter 2x10 and/or 4x10. However, I don’t have a big budget and am looking for a reliable amp head under $500. Need suggestions.

I’ve seen some used Markbass heads around $500. Also see some Hartke amps that look affordable. I’ve used Hartke in the past and liked the tone and reliability. Any thoughts on the LX8500 or TX600 or others? Thanks.
Click to expand...
My only experience with Hartke was several years ago when my crew got to open for another band and their bass guy let me use his big rig; HA-5500(?) pushing both a 4x10 and 1x15 cab. Very healthy!! I haven't tried any of their class D gear, but I've always rather appreciated the brand.

One option that could work for you is the GK MB 500. These heads have earned a reputation for punching well above their weight. I picked up one of these a couple years ago thinking that it would be my handy portable backup for my hefty Traynor DB-800 - more of an old-school lead sled. Once I tried it at a show, I quickly realized that this little GK head could outperform my Traynor in terms of its clarity and raw volume. Although it's rated at 500 watts, it gives me enormous sound.

I play through a pair of 2x10 cabs that I like to set up in a vertical stack. This setup has been terrific for me gigging for over two years with my rock/dance band without PA support. We've done at least a couple of outdoor shows and I've had no issues there either.

I can also say that a few years ago before I found this head, I upgraded my mediocre pair of 2x10 cabs to decent ones and that really brought my sound to a whole new level. I used to think that step #1 toward improving my amp layout would be going for higher power, but even using the preamp/power amp rack setup that I had maybe 10-12 years ago didn't make as much of a difference for me as switching into more premium cabs.
 
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