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Power amp recommendations please

Discussion in 'Amps, Mics & Pickups [DB]' started by McThud, Aug 6, 2021.

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  1. Aug 6, 2021 #1
    McThud

    McThud Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    Arlington, VA
    Hello all. Longtime player. Looking to redesign my rig. I own and love several bass preamp pedals, and decided that using those partnered with a high powered, clean, quiet power amp would be the best bet for my rig.

    I've seen some pedal-sized amplifiers out there, but since I carry a small rack anyway for my current amp head and to send power to my pedal board, a small rack mounted suggestion would be great too.

    Any suggestions for lightweight, powerful, clean (uncolored) sounding power amplifiers that could serve this purpose, I'd love to know. Not sure exactly how powerful an amp I'd need, but let's say between 500 - 1000 Watts to limit choices. Thank you all in advance for any suggestions you might offer!
     
  2. Aug 6, 2021 #2
    rwkeating

    rwkeating

    Oct 1, 2014
    Chicago
    none
    Power amps are usually flat. It's the preamp that adds the color. You could go with any name brand power amp (Crown, QSC ...) Just make sure that your preamp can meet the input needs of the power amp. There may be some good info. here: matching preamp/power amp input levels
     
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  3. Aug 6, 2021 #3
    G Aichele

    G Aichele

    Feb 18, 2015
    southeast Michigan
    Sumo (1000 w.) or baby Sumo (600 w.).
    Boutique
    Single channel, very clean. I've used a baby Sumo with an Eden WTDI preamp and Barefaced Super Compact speakers for several years now. There's a thread here devoted to them.
     
  4. Aug 7, 2021 #4
    Co.

    Co.

    Sep 10, 2006
    Germany
    The Sumo Amps are great for their price, but there might be better choices for you.
    They are small, lightweight, fanless and have enough power for my needs. That's why I use them.
    The built quality is ok, but they don't feel like they are going to last forever. The power connector is wiggling and the input jack came lose one time and fell inside the amp. No big deal, if it happens at home, awful on a gig though.
    Also, there is a slight hum from the unit itself, depending on where the volume knob is.
    And in my opinion, 600w of digital power feel more like 200-300w of conventional power or max. 150w of tube power. You might want to get the 1000w Sumo.
    All that being said, I would buy the Sumo again immediately. Surprisingly there are not too many fanless light weight power amps out there. If there are, feel free to correct me.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2021
    G Aichele likes this.
  5. Aug 7, 2021 #5
    G Aichele

    G Aichele

    Feb 18, 2015
    southeast Michigan
    Amen. Plus, since it's single channel, the Sumo is smaller and lighter than all the PA power amps that I know of.
     
  6. Aug 7, 2021 #6
    Ben Rolston

    Ben Rolston

    Aug 30, 2006
    Brooklyn, NY
    Some other options I've looked at:

    Jule Simone 500
    Bassics A900
    Demeter Minnie 800D
    Ashdown ANT
    Jay Ganz Straight Ahead
     
  7. Aug 7, 2021 #7
    JeffKissell

    JeffKissell Supporting Member

    Nov 21, 2004
    Soquel, CA
    For a similar price you could also get an Acoustic Image Clarus SL and just use the effects return for 600 watts into 4ohms. Bonus, you have a built in preamp if you want it.
     
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  8. Aug 7, 2021 #8
    G Aichele

    G Aichele

    Feb 18, 2015
    southeast Michigan
    Harley Benton (Thomann) also has power amps in several different wattages. I have no experience with them.
     
  9. Aug 7, 2021 #9
    Francois Blais

    Francois Blais

    Dec 11, 1999
    Québec, Canada
    I think this has been posted on the wrong side of Talkbass.
     
  10. Aug 8, 2021 #10
    DoubleMIDI

    DoubleMIDI

    Feb 28, 2010
    Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
    As far as I know Co. is mainly a DB player, so it might be in the right place or at least interesting for both sides.
     
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  11. Aug 9, 2021 #11
    Zbysek

    Zbysek

    Mar 23, 2017
    Czech Republic
    I had been using SWR Amplite for some time. I was satisfied...but it doesn't meet your power criteria (only 400w).

    recently, I have been feeding my preamp into MB LM III (either instrument input or FX return)...
     
  12. Aug 9, 2021 #12
    McThud

    McThud Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2013
    Arlington, VA
    Thank you all for your immense input. Second, I realize I posted this in the DC section. I apologize, and will repost accordingly. However, you've all given me a huge amount of research to do, regardless of my instrument for this.
     
  13. Aug 9, 2021 #13
    G Aichele

    G Aichele

    Feb 18, 2015
    southeast Michigan
    As someone already said, the question applies as well to DB as to BG. The split is irrelevant here.
     
    Ric Vice likes this.