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Power Amp with a Sans Amp RBI?

Fletz

Fletz

Jan 16, 2009
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New Jersey
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Hartke artist
#1
Hi - I was wondering if I could get more bang for said buck by getting a decent power amp and running it with a Sans Amp RBI? All my pre-amp settings would come from there and then I could put the power amp through my Hartke HyDrives. What's the general consensus? And, what's a decent one to buy in the $400 range?
 
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#2
Sure, I did this some years back. How about a Crown XLS 1002, retails for $299, 9 lbs., 1100 watts bridged mono at 4 ohms.

(My QSC below was quite a bit heavier! Like bebass says below, this rig simply crushed and shrugged off anything the guitards tried to throw at me.)

100_1860-a.jpg
 
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#4
Fletz said:
Hi - I was wondering if I could get more bang for said buck by getting a decent power amp and running it with a Sans Amp RBI? All my pre-amp settings would come from there and then I could put the power amp through my Hartke HyDrives. What's the general consensus? And, what's a decent one to buy in the $400 range?
Click to expand...

My big rig consists of a QSC RPM 850 bridged mono and SansAmp RBI.. Many guitarists are fearful when I am running it :bassist:
Also, dont rule out used gear. Great deals if you know what your looking for and prices.
 
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#9
Fletz said:
Hi - I was wondering if I could get more bang for said buck by getting a decent power amp and running it with a Sans Amp RBI? All my pre-amp settings would come from there and then I could put the power amp through my Hartke HyDrives. What's the general consensus? And, what's a decent one to buy in the $400 range?
Click to expand...
I ran this type rig for several years, RBI with a QSC PLX1804 and a 12' cab and a 15" cab. Those dummy guitar players with their double Marshall stacks didn't stand a chance. And to your other question, yes if you have two cabs. I eventually was running two different pres, the RBI and a Presonus channel strip, one through one channel and the other through the 2nd channel. Now I use the easy all in one lightweight bass amp, but a player can sure dial up some thunder with what you describe.
 
#11
Fletz said:
I was wondering if I could get more bang for said buck by getting a decent power amp and running it with a Sans Amp RBI?
Click to expand...
I don't know about bang-for-the buck (because I never compared), but I was happy for many many years with my RBI/power amp setup (until I switched to my Eden pre/power amp rig). I think you could be quite happy. Don't know about sub $400 because I've only used QSC amps. Maybe a used one of those?
 
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#12
I did the preamp/power amp thing for several years. It really comes down to finding the pre-amp that you like. There use to be a ton of rack mount pre-amps available but now days they are few and far between. If you like the RBI you could match it up with a Crown XLS or Crest or even a Behringer and get a lot of clean power. But, by the time you add in a rack power strip and rack case and cables, I doubt you will be saving much money.
 
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#13
Not to hijack this thread, but I was tinkering with a similar idea with a few changes. I was thinking of using my SansAmp VT bass pedal as a preamp feeding a powered speaker, like a PA speaker but one that was more sympathetic to constant bass frequencies and would sound decent.

Anyone know of a good powered speaker that could fill this role for under $350?
 
#14
Drifter_Bass said:
Not to hijack this thread, but I was tinkering with a similar idea with a few changes. I was thinking of using my SansAmp VT bass pedal as a preamp feeding a powered speaker, like a PA speaker but one that was more sympathetic to constant bass frequencies and would sound decent.

Anyone know of a good powered speaker that could fill this role for under $350?
Click to expand...
There are a lot of good powered speakers that will work but, I think you'll have to go more than $350. The QSC K12.2 comes to mind but it is $800.00
 
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#15
While I've never owned a rig like that myself, have played through many, and been always happy. I'd consider something similar if I needed something that powerful, and if I had the ca$h and $pace.
 
#16
QSC2402. Dip switch settings later models don't have, pushes any cab or cabs. Rack here has a dbx 166XL for speaker protection(per Andy at ACME's advice b/c the amp can launch these speakers if one is not careful).
I liked the 2402 so much I bought another just to use with any preamp & my practice rig(or the new Geddy SansAmp!).

OutdoorRigFXd.jpg
 
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#17
Fletz said:
Hi - I was wondering if I could get more bang for said buck by getting a decent power amp and running it with a Sans Amp RBI? All my pre-amp settings would come from there and then I could put the power amp through my Hartke HyDrives. What's the general consensus? And, what's a decent one to buy in the $400 range?
Click to expand...
It's absolutely more bang for your buck.

Ran the sans amp RBI with my crown xls 1500 for a while with various ampeg cabs. 810e, 410he x2, 410he + 15. Works great. And the power amp is within your price range.
IMG_2191.JPG

I did recently swap the RBI out for the Avalon u5. But I'm getting all my dirt from Darkglass pedals now and specifically wanted an Avalon for my clean tone after using one in the studio. Nice thing about this type of setup is if you want to change your sound you don't have to spend a grand or more on a new bass head, you can just swap out the pre amps.
IMG_3301.JPG
 
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#19
I was using an SWR ST-800 (2 x 400W/ch @ 4 ohms, 800W/bridged @ 4ohms) with my RBI.

I still have the RBI and the SWR. The SWR still works, the RBI, not so much...

Unfortunately, the RBI's internal ribbon connectors went for a crap. They were replaced once, worked for a few more months, then the "sansamp" side of the pre died completely (At least I now have a nice 1RU chassis/power supply for a project!)...

ST-800s go for about $150- 200 on the used market now.
 
#20
Ampslut said:
There are a lot of good powered speakers that will work but, I think you'll have to go more than $350. The QSC K12.2 comes to mind but it is $800.00
Click to expand...

Such was my concern. I can get my hands on a used JBL PRX 612m so I will see if that sounds OK, but I have 0 expectations of greatness. QSC K12.2 is a good suggestion, though - might have to keep my eyes open for a used one in the future.
 

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