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Power Amp Advice

dukeisdog

dukeisdog

Aug 2, 2005
2,740
156
33
Victoria, British Columbia
#1
Hey guys, I'm currently playing through a Mesa Powerhouse 4X12 and a Mesa M-Pulse 360. I'm loving my tone through this setup but am almost running into volume issues. I'm usually cranking my stack with the main volume up to about 12:00, I really don't want to push it anymore because I don't think the amp will like that.

When I have one of my Sansamp RBI's going along with the M-Pulse I get a bit of a volume boost, but not enough.

I've been looking into some nice two channel power amps that would be a good match (volume wise) for my PH412. I plan on running a Sansamp RBI all the time as my preamp, I have another one for my other bass.

Id like to down size weight wise, though the weight of my current rack isn't too much (60 lbs or so), shaving off 20lbs from my amp wouldn't be too bad.

I know I can search, and I've done some research on this topic, Im just wondering what nice higher powered lighter weight power amps you guys are liking right now.

Thanks
 
#6
CL400Peavey said:
Depending on your gain staging and EQ your amp may have a LOT left to give.
Click to expand...

I understand that, but considering I play at a pretty high level for home practice, I find that my volume is pretty high during a band jam. We don't really play at ridiculous levels, I just feel like the amp is almost at its limits. With the settings I've been using, it's cutting it, but just barely.

I know about different gain stages, I just feel that the 360 watts from my amp at 4 ohms isn't enough power as I just came from a Peavey Tour 700 (700 watts at 4 ohms) and was never worried about power.

With all that being said, let's just say I just picked up an RBI and I'm looking for a nice lightweight poweramp that's going to give me a nice crisp tone and not break my bank or back.

The guy that sold me the RBI was using his with a Crown CA9, and while I'm sure it sounded massive and loud, it's just too heavy for me. If I'm not going to keep the Mesa, I'll be buying something lighter, no questions asked. He didn't seem to be a big fan of the Peavey IPR series, but they seem to get lots of love

I've also looked into some of the carvin poweramps, but haven't found any locally to try. Maybe I'll have to make a blind purchase and hope I like what I get.
 
#8
dukeisdog said:
The guy that sold me the RBI was using his with a Crown CA9, and while I'm sure it sounded massive and loud, it's just too heavy for me. If I'm not going to keep the Mesa, I'll be buying something lighter, no questions asked. He didn't seem to be a big fan of the Peavey IPR series, but they seem to get lots of love
Click to expand...

I run an IPR 1600. 500 watts mono each side, or 1600 bridged, both at 4 Ohms. IMHO it is one of the best options out there when comparing volume/weight/price. Its a no frills power amp, but it gets the job done.
 
#9
My favorite power amps in order:

Crest CA series
Crown Mactrotech
Old School Peavey DJ power amps (don't know the series).

These are all lead sleds but not much heavier than your Mesa.

I truly believe in the science of lightweight amps and I think the Peavey or Carvins SMPS Class D amps are a super deal for loud and light but in my brief experimentation with different powers amps, the class D always left me cold. I would have zero issue using them but knowing that the old school ones are around and usually pretty cheap I’ll be looking there first when I start my next pre/power amp rig.

Plus if you’re already moving around your 4x12 you’re obviously no slouch.
 
#10
father of fires said:
My favorite power amps in order:

Crest CA series
Crown Mactrotech
Old School Peavey DJ power amps (don't know the series).

These are all lead sleds but not much heavier than your Mesa.

I truly believe in the science of lightweight amps and I think the Peavey or Carvins SMPS Class D amps are a super deal for loud and light but in my brief experimentation with different powers amps, the class D always left me cold. I would have zero issue using them but knowing that the old school ones are around and usually pretty cheap I'll be looking there first when I start my next pre/power amp rig.

Plus if you're already moving around your 4x12 you're obviously no slouch.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Do you mind me asking what the class D Amps weren't giving you? And the 4X12 isn't too bad with the wheels and the placement of the handles, it's carrying my 60lbs 6U rack case around that's starting to get to me.

I leave the cab at the jamspace and move my rack around 2-3 times a week. I could continue to manage the weight of the Mesa but I really would prefer to go no heavier. A back injury at work is actually what's making me want to go lighter, I never had a problem with heavier gear until I started having issues with my back.
 
#11
dukeisdog said:
Good to know. Do you mind me asking what the class D Amps weren't giving you? And the 4X12 isn't too bad with the wheels and the placement of the handles, it's carrying my 60lbs 6U rack case around that's starting to get to me.

I leave the cab at the jamspace and move my rack around 2-3 times a week. I could continue to manage the weight of the Mesa but I really would prefer to go no heavier. A back injury at work is actually what's making me want to go lighter, I never had a problem with heavier gear until I started having issues with my back.
Click to expand...

If I was moving the rack that much I'd go with Class D too. But keep in mind that 6 space racks are heavy regardless.

I don't know what it was about the amps. Anything I type could be used against me in the court of TB but, I do think the immediacy of the notes and the precise representation of your pre's tone is unsettling to a guy who likes a lazy and colored amp. I think its all in the power supply. They are different enough technologies that I feel confident in saying there are tonal differences.
 
#12
I was using a Yamaha P3500S for years until it went out on me. Put a QSC in...(older model, don't remember the number. Will check this weekend) and it sounds twice as good. Both feel the same weight, which is not too bad (my rack itself is most of the weight). Running an Avatar B410 and a homemade 2X15 wiht Eminence speakers. The QSC has a warmer, but still pretty direct sound.
 
#13
xUptheIronsx said:
I was using a Yamaha P3500S for years until it went out on me. Put a QSC in...(older model, don't remember the number. Will check this weekend) and it sounds twice as good. Both feel the same weight, which is not too bad (my rack itself is most of the weight). Running an Avatar B410 and a homemade 2X15 wiht Eminence speakers. The QSC has a warmer, but still pretty direct sound.
Click to expand...

This is another thing I might be a little worried about. My Mesa has two preamp tubes, which when directly compared to a SS amp with no preamp tubes it sounds warmer or more full to my ears. Is this something I'm guaranteed to lose when I sell the Mesa and switch to a power/pre rig? Should I be looking at something specific that might sound a little bit more tubey?
 

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