Non-Class D Amps Under 25 Pounds

[Doug Parent]

Carvin B1500. Power sled.

 

[middy]

Thanks, Middy. Did not realize the LH500 was "only" 23 pounds. Have played one multiple times through Hydrive 410 cab that was supplied backline and remember liking it a lot.

I think the LH500 is brilliant. Basically an Alembic f1x with a limiter instead of a crossover, and with a built in 500 watt ss amp. All for $350....

 

[Latitude94941]

Carvin B1500. Power sled.

Doug, Carvin lists that at 35 pounds.

 

[Latitude94941]

I think the LH500 is brilliant. Basically an Alembic f1x with a limiter instead of a crossover, and with a built in 500 watt ss amp. All for $350....

Middy, what makes you say that the pre is like an fx1?

 

[middy]

They are both basically clones of the Fender Showman preamp.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I dont think the Gk 1001 and 700 are as light as this thread is claiming

 

[Latitude94941]

I dont think the Gk 1001 and 700 are as light as this thread is claiming

The 700rb-ii is listed as 19.5, the 1001 as 22:

Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II 480+50-Watt Compact Bass Head | Sweetwater.com

 

[DwaynieAD]

The 700rb-ii is listed as 19.5, the 1001 as 22:

Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II 480+50-Watt Compact Bass Head | Sweetwater.com

Oh I know what they're "listed" as, but I own them both...

 

[bikeplate]

Prodigy is 28lbs

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I've got one the nobody has mentioned. The Glockenklang Soul II head. It's 24 lbs. and 440 wats at 4 Ohms. It is a stellar sounding amp used by many pros and a number of Luthiers I'm told. I used mine to death for 12 years on I estimate near 4000 gigs cause I was working about 8 days a week in those days. Doing doubles and triples on the weekends. It has A very sweet sound and is extreamly clean and neutral without sounding sterile. It really brings out the sound of your bass without coloration. I still love it but my back doesn't so much anymore but I haven't had the heart to part ways with it. Every time I think about it I reconsider even though it hasn't been out of the house in a couple of years.

 

[matante]

Older ones were, newer ones are Class D.

Do you have a source for this? He's talking about the Little Mark specifically, not the other markbass amps.

 

[JimmyM]

SVT 3 Pro is just barely over at 450w and 26 lbs.

 

[MarkA]

Older ones were, newer ones are Class D.

That's interesting, Charlie. I wrote in the other thread about how I (and another bass player) were disappointed when a backlined Mesa was replaced by a LittleMark (a recent one). I thought the LittleMark was Class AB, so figured the issue was the SMPS. Now I know better.

Do you have a source for this? He's talking about the Little Mark specifically, not the other markbass amps.

If the newer Little Marks are indeed class D rather than A/B like the older ones, I wonder if I'd hear the difference. I somewhat snootily think I would, but it would be interesting to put that to the test. I have an older LM II, in combo form. It cuts in and out now - I suspect that it needs a pricey new board. That aside, I felt that head was more organic sounding the F1/F500 and other little switching amps that came out around the same time.

 

[Passinwind]

Do you have a source for this? He's talking about the Little Mark specifically, not the other markbass amps.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[monsterthompson]

Warwick WA300 is a Class A at 22 lbs.

I know QSC does some Class H power sections but I'm not sure anyone is using them in bass heads.

 

[matante]

Invalid Link Removed

As recently as a couple of months ago (actually less) they still had the LM III listed with an analog power amp on their website. They also didn't inform the public about the switch to Indonesia until how many months later?

 

[Passinwind]

As recently as a couple of months ago (actually less) they still had the LM III listed with an analog power amp on their website. They also didn't inform the public about the switch to Indonesia until how many months later?

I'll pass on the broader marketing implications ( Link Removed ), but Class D is mostly analog and I would prefer that they left it described like that, personally. I'm a techie, not so much a potential customer though.

 

[B-string]

SMPS have transformer BTW. Since the frequency is much higher than a "conventional" or line frequency power supply they do not need to be huge to supply the power levels.

 

[walterw]

I know QSC does some Class H power sections but I'm not sure anyone is using them in bass heads.

beat me to it, my QSC PLX3002 is 900w/4Ω per side class H and 21lbs. (sansamp BDDI into this=crushing "bass amp")

there's a lot out there besides "A/B" and "D", and neither one of these output schemes even addresses what the power supply is doing.

 

[cazclocker]

I'm finding this thread interesting. One question though, what's smps?