Poweramp Recomendations

[tombowlus]

In my own personal experiments, using my hands, my basses, my preamps, my cabs, and ultimately my ears, my findings were that the Stewart World 2.1 was the best sounding "lightweight" amp that I have tried, but the Crest CA 9 sounds even better (tighter, more full low end, more high end information as well). Of course, the CA9 weighs over 50 lbs, though!

 

[CrackBass]

would you have come across a ce2000 in your journey to try (and own) everything bass related on the planet. i am still curious how it stacks up. i am just wondering how much of a difference it will make to my rig.

 

[ster]

I agree with 'woof. Overnight sensation. God, what players, all around! Great handle 'woof! A blast from the past just seeing it!

I gotta great big pointy fang, I call it my zomby toof, my left leg's bigger than the other one is, just like a reg'lar Zomby hoof.
If I come to your dormatory, don't try to remain aloof....

 

[Mudbass]

how much does a ca-9 weigh?

It's a beast alright, 52lbs. I found that it's wiser to rack it seperately. If you rack it with all of your other goodies you've got a package approaching or exceeding SVT weight. I often just leave the Ca9 on the floor standing on edge behind my bass cabs, out of the way and out of sight.

 

[metron]

In my own personal experiments, using my hands, my basses, my preamps, my cabs, and ultimately my ears, my findings were that the Stewart World 2.1 was the best sounding "lightweight" amp that I have tried, but the Crest CA 9 sounds even better (tighter, more full low end, more high end information as well). Of course, the CA9 weighs over 50 lbs, though!

Bah to 50 lb power amps! Seriously if I were going to carry around that much weight it would without a doubt be an old tube amp.

Im another very happy QSC PLX user.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I kinda needed the same info as you, and got some good help so far. I just need something that'll push around 900w/side @ 4 ohms, for when I add my Schroeder 1212 to my 1210.

I looked at the CA9, and wow- at 51lbs or so, that's more than my cabinet! Kinda interesting, I guess, but people say it's the shiz-nite!

I'd like to get a Stewart, but I find it crazy they don't even have Speakon outs! I've just always heard/been told on this forum and others it's almost a requirement to have those on a high-power-transfer rig, so that just kinda makes me go . I might be going back to the PLX line, as if I get either of the preamps I want, the difference in stage tone and live situations between two quality power amps isn't going to be that noticeable, as I'll just be running straight/DI'd in.

Stewart users: does just using 1/4" connections make all that much difference to y'all? Say, if you get a really low-gauge wire? I know they're well-priced and lightweight, just having Speakons is kind of a stigma for me...

 

[Dave Siff]

Stewart users: does just using 1/4" connections make all that much difference to y'all? Say, if you get a really low-gauge wire? I know they're well-priced and lightweight, just having Speakons is kind of a stigma for me...

I'm using the banana plugs out on my Stewart, for bridged mono operation. I've got a Speakon at the other end, going into the cabinet. Both very confidence-inspiring connections.

 

[Brian Barrett]

rockstarbassist

Check out the Crest LT1000, 1500, 2000. It has both speakon and post and I think is a pleasure to hear, not digital sounding like others and weighs 30Lbs.

 

[tombowlus]

I'm using the banana plugs out on my Stewart, for bridged mono operation. I've got a Speakon at the other end, going into the cabinet. Both very confidence-inspiring connections.

Ditto. Banana connections are also appropriate for high-power, high-current, connections. Easier to bridge, too.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Awesome.

I may just have to take a further look at those then!

What does the 2.1 do @ 4 ohms stereo? (Or I guess I could just go look it up) and the pricing on them?

 

[tombowlus]

Awesome.

I may just have to take a further look at those then!

What does the 2.1 do @ 4 ohms stereo? (Or I guess I could just go look it up) and the pricing on them?

650 watts x2 @ 4 ohm, or 2,100 watts bridged @ 4 ohm.

 

[rockstarbassist]

650 watts x2 @ 4 ohm, or 2,100 watts bridged @ 4 ohm.

Approx. used pricing?
Or at least a good deal on one.

 

[tombowlus]

Approx. used pricing?
Or at least a good deal on one.

You should be able to find one under $600, used.

 

[Dave Siff]

Approx. used pricing?
Or at least a good deal on one.

If you want a new one, contact Jack Read. He's a Stewart dealer, a pleasure to do business with and the price is right.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I'm thinking of just getting a 1.2 and bridging it, as I only have one 1210 right now, and will only need it for a while to come, especially since we're expanding our PA.

Would those 1200W bridged into my Schroeder 1210 be safe? And for extended periods of gigging time?

 

[Dave Siff]

I'm thinking of just getting a 1.2 and bridging it, as I only have one 1210 right now, and will only need it for a while to come, especially since we're expanding our PA.

Would those 1200W bridged into my Schroeder 1210 be safe? And for extended periods of gigging time?

You should be fine with 1,200 watts into a cabinet rated for 850, unless you're pushing full volume all the time. I'm bridging 1,600 watts into a cabinet rated for 1,000 and I only have to turn my preamp up to about 3 1/2 to get crushing volume. Headroom = good!

 

[WCunha]

If you're considering he 1.2 how about the Peavey DPC1400X. Bridged it puts out 1400W @ 4 ohms. I have one and I love it. Very tight and focused low end response.

 

[rockstarbassist]

You should be fine with 1,200 watts into a cabinet rated for 850, unless you're pushing full volume all the time. I'm bridging 1,600 watts into a cabinet rated for 1,000 and I only have to turn my preamp up to about 3 1/2 to get crushing volume. Headroom = good!

Good deal! I used to have a PLX1602 that I bridged into a 900-watt Mesa 6x10 and got pretty good results.

What about is your volume setting on your amp as opposed to your pre? You said your pre is around 3 1/2 (so I'm guessing about 9:30?), but where is your power amp with that setting? Just didn't know if at the time I was running the amp too low and the pre too high, etc.. Something I might just need to know!!


.................................................

Also, I've heard good things about those Peavey power amps. What about does it weigh and what's the cost on one of those, Cunha? Is it a single, 1.5 or 2 space amp??

 

[popinfresh]

Hmm, i'm thinking that once I get my Bass 400+, i might look at getting a poweramp/pre (Or a sansamp DI box) for band practices.. Not to hijack, but what would be a light, small and fairly cheap power amp for practices/backup amp? I'm talking fairly loud pratices in small rooms using a 200 or 400 watt 15" speaker playing against two guitars, drums and vocals.

 

[DaveDeVille]

I'm using the banana plugs out on my Stewart, for bridged mono operation. I've got a Speakon at the other end, going into the cabinet. Both very confidence-inspiring connections.

bananas on my Stewart 2.1

first amp i've ever used these on , but they do seem very tight
with no problems so far ...