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New amp search - Am I asking for too much?

jharms80439

jharms80439

Supporting Member
Nov 23, 2004
905
705
Castle Rock, CO
#1
I'm on a search for a new bass head and hope that the TB community can help.

Requirements:
  • Tube front end
  • 800 watts into 8 ohms
  • Less than 10 pounds
  • Sounds great - punchy, clean and can be overdriven into tube warmth
  • High input impedance (>1 MOhm)
  • High, Mid and Low tone controls (or more, but not less)
  • Not wider than 14" (not seeking to go with separate components...)
Most of what I've looked at seems not to have the power or be solid state...

What do you guys think - am I asking too much?

John
 
#2
If you don't require 800W @ 8ohms exactly there are probably a dozen (or more) options.

Why 800W?

I did a quick search. You might be asking for too much.

There are tons of PA (slave) power amps that will do 800W at 8ohms.

There are several bass amps that will do it (most are around 1200W @ 4ohms and that's what will be the "advertised" rating..... because it's more and bigger and higher and more powerful...er). But none I found were nearly that light.


So...... yeah you might be asking for too much.... in one box.

But I'm sure someone will swing by with an answer.

I bet if you do find one it won't be cheap.

It's the old triangle theory.

Light. Loud. Cheap. You can have any two but not all three.


Never mind. I kept looking.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It's exactly ten pounds. But if you can't live with that you are hunting for a unicorn.
 
#3
jharms80439 said:
What do you guys think - am I asking too much?
Click to expand...

One problem is that many of the usual suspect current Class D modules don't typically use power supplies as needed for the tube bits. Also, a lot of of the high powered Class D modules are already bridged, so combining a pair to get your 800@8 ohms is not happening. There are some exceptions though, like the Carvin and the Hypex modules IIRC. A 4 ohm cab would really simplify things. Tell us about your cab -- if it has multiple drivers maybe it could be split and that might make things much simpler.
 
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#5
tbirdsp said:
Yeah - if you simply make it 800 watts into 4 ohms there are many choices. I'm using a GK MB500 Fusion (three 12AX7 tube pre, 500 watts into 4 ohms, 4 lbs) into a 4-ohm Avatar B212 Neo and I can't imagine ever needing more power. The MB 800 Fusion is similar with 800 watts/4 ohms.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the MB 800 Fusion hits the spot with all the requirements.
 
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#7
jharms80439 said:
Regretfully, that is the problem - my unwillingness to change cabs. I already own an 8 Ohm Barefaced Big Baby II and its a keeper.
Click to expand...

BTDT with DIY fEARful-ish rigs. 500-600 watts gets it done fine for me though (I just use a second cab past that point), and since I only use rack rigs -- tons 'o choices. Link Removed
 
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#9
(Also) I moved away from a rack a few years ago. Furman power conditioner, Alembic F-1X, Rane DC-24, Korg tuner and a Carvin FET-1000. Great rig, but weighed a ton.

I've been on a quest to downsize and have gone through PJB flightcases and suitcases, to 2 Aguilar GS-112s and now to a Barefaced cab with a Puma 900. Each step gets smaller and more portable.

Because I play both EBG and URB, I need equipment for both, hence the clean request. For power, I need to cover a really wide range of venues. However, for ultra-small events, I do have a PJB Bass Cub that works great. Large venues can run from small club or church, to outdoor events - and all are without PA support.

John
 
#10
jharms80439 said:
(Also) I moved away from a rack a few years ago. Furman power conditioner, Alembic F-1X, Rane DC-24, Korg tuner and a Carvin FET-1000. Great rig, but weighed a ton.

I've been on a quest to downsize and have gone through PJB flightcases and suitcases, to 2 Aguilar GS-112s and now to a Barefaced cab with a Puma 900. Each step gets smaller and more portable.

Because I play both EBG and URB, I need equipment for both, hence the clean request. For power, I need to cover a really wide range of venues. However, for ultra-small events, I do have a PJB Bass Cub that works great. Large venues can run from small club or church, to outdoor events - and all are without PA support.
Click to expand...

JGR and I were discussing the big daddy Hypex modules recently, maybe he'll tackle something using those once his 1200 watter hits production spec. That one pretty much ticks your boxes if 5-600 watts at 8 can work for you. That power module driven by my DIY tube preamp drives my 15/6/1 as hard as I ever really want to, FWIW.
 
#12
jharms80439 said:
I'm on a search for a new bass head and hope that the TB community can help.

Requirements:
  • Tube front end
  • 800 watts into 8 ohms
  • Less than 10 pounds
  • Sounds great - punchy, clean and can be overdriven into tube warmth
  • High input impedance (>1 MOhm)
  • High, Mid and Low tone controls (or more, but not less)
  • Not wider than 14" (not seeking to go with separate components...)
Most of what I've looked at seems not to have the power or be solid state...

What do you guys think - am I asking too much?

John
Click to expand...

Orange Terror bass 1000

Tube front end, 1000 watts @ 8 Ohms.
 
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#18
jharms80439 said:
I'm on a search for a new bass head and hope that the TB community can help.


What do you guys think - am I asking too much?

John
Click to expand...

Some of the most powerful hybrid bass amps I have ever played through are the Aguilar DB750 and Mesa Titan. Neither will put out anywhere near 800 watts into 8 ohms and both would function well as boat anchors (heavy). The only (limited mass production?) bass amp I know of that is/was rated at 800 watts into 8 ohms is the SVT Pro 8. Out of production and hard to find but 800 watts, tube front end, 23 pounds, 19 inch rackable.

Sorry I think you are out of luck unless you get someone to make you a custom amp. If 800 watts into 8 ohms is an absolute must, I suggest tracking down the SVT 8 Pro. If form factor is your primary, GK 800MB Fusion or Genz Benz Streamliner 900 are both very powerful and meet all of your requirements except power output.

I have never played through a Barefaced Big Baby II, but I would be extremely surprised if its single 12 could take the full power of any of the amps I have mentioned without exceeding its excursion limits.
 
#19
Wasnex said:
Some of the most powerful hybrid bass amps I have ever played through are the Aguilar DB750 and Mesa Titan. Neither will put out anywhere near 800 watts into 8 ohms and both would function well as boat anchors (heavy). The only (limited mass production?) bass amp I know of that is/was rated at 800 watts into 8 ohms is the SVT Pro 8. Out of production and hard to find but 800 watts, tube front end, 23 pounds, 19 inch rackable.

Sorry I think you are out of luck unless you get someone to make you a custom amp. If 800 watts into 8 ohms is an absolute must, I suggest tracking down the SVT 8 Pro. If form factor is your primary, GK 800MB Fusion or Genz Benz Streamliner 900 are both very powerful and meet all of your requirements except power output.

I have never played through a Barefaced Big Baby II, but I would be extremely surprised if its single 12 could take the full power of any of the amps I have mentioned without exceeding its excursion limits.
Click to expand...

Wasnex,

Well... Long story sort, my purpose for 800 watts into 8 Ohm was to maximize versatility with the Barefaced cab, especially if I add another cabinet (meaning that I'll be running at 4 Ohms with two cabs). Having the power on tap doesn't necessarily mean I'll use it all on smaller gigs, but does mean I'll have headroom to spare. Frankly, a single Barefaced BB2 sounds great at low volume and sounds incredible when it gets really loud with 600 watts.

Once upon a time I had a SVT IV (?) and while it sounded great, was a boat anchor. With two replacement hips and both shoulders reworked, I'm not into heavy anymore...

John
 
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