/ Register

Pre/Power amps

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by crazybassist601, Nov 18, 2005.

  1. Nov 18, 2005 #1
    crazybassist601

    crazybassist601

    Dec 24, 2004
    St. Clair Shores MI
    I did a search and didnt find much info on it. What are the advantages? Disadvanages?
    What are some good pre and power amps for a rock musician looking for a punchy/powerful tone.
    I was looking into all tube, and also considering a Schroeder 410 to run it out of.
    EDIT-I was thinking of a an SVT CL tube preamp, running it to a sansamp rbi for a little grit and such, then I was looking for an tube poweramp.
    Anyone know of any tube poweramps? I saw some Mono block that was WAYYYYY out of my pricerange. It was 2600. Something a lot less than that and preferably 300 watt.
     
  2. Nov 19, 2005 #2
    crazybassist601

    crazybassist601

    Dec 24, 2004
    St. Clair Shores MI
    bump
     
  3. Nov 19, 2005 #3
    lo-freq

    lo-freq aka UFO

    Jan 19, 2003
    SW, OK
    The Demeter VTBP-201S is a very punchy preamp (I suggest retubing, tho).
    [The RBI is fairly punchy as well as BBE BMax & BMax-T.]

    Recommended power amps (IMO):
    Lab.Gruppen fP series,
    EV P-3000,
    Crown MA-2402 or 1200,
    Stewart World 2.1 or 1.6,
    or
    QSC RMX4050HD or RMX1850HD.
     
  4. Nov 19, 2005 #4
    MJ5150

    MJ5150 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 12, 2001
    Olympia, WA
    Not me. You have several choices of all tube bass amps, but nothing along the lines of a plain old power amp that is all tube. It is possible that one does exist, and I am sure someone else will chime in with some information on it.

    With a tube preamp, and a SansAmp already, trying to find something with more tubes may be a waste of money.

    Check out the QSC and Crown power amps. They are both excellent quality power amps. Crest is also nice, and Peavey makes a couple power amps that do a good job.

    Start your pre-amp search with an Eden Navigator, the Demeter lo-freq suggested, one of the BBE's, and an Aguilar DB659.

    Warning....none of this stuff is "cheap", in price or quality.

    -Mike
     
  5. Nov 19, 2005 #5
    crazybassist601

    crazybassist601

    Dec 24, 2004
    St. Clair Shores MI
    so you guys thinkt he tube overdrive effect wont be woth a tube power amp? would it still sound nice and warm if i had a SS power section?
     
  6. Nov 19, 2005 #6
    anyonefortennis

    anyonefortennis Supporting Member

    Jun 28, 2005
    Lincoln, NE
    There's a few all tube power amps but they ain't cheap and very few still in production.

    Aguilar 728 is out of production.
    Demeter VTHF-300 is the only one I know of still in production.

    There's a few more but can't think of them right now.
     
  7. Nov 19, 2005 #7
    Turock

    Turock

    Apr 30, 2000
    Melnibone
    There are some all tube power amps (Demeter makes a couple), but they are expensive.
     
  8. Nov 19, 2005 #8
    Fretless5verfan

    Fretless5verfan

    Jan 17, 2002
    NorCal
    IME the overdrive from an all tube set-up is really special. You can't quite get it with just a tube pre and SS power IMHO.

    IMO for what you're saying you'd probably be better off getting an all tube head and sealed cab high quality cab. Have you tried any 400+s or VBA 400s?
     
  9. Nov 19, 2005 #9
    steveksux

    steveksux

    Mar 23, 2005
    Detroit area, Troy, MI
    I think having a tube preamp gives you a nice tube sound, and the SS power amp just reproduces it faithfully at a higher power.

    Guitars rely more on output tubes distorting to get their sound, I think for bass a tube pre gives you all the "tube" flavor you need. Just make sure you get enough power so the SS power amp doesn't clip, cause that sounds like ass.

    Randy
     
  10. Nov 19, 2005 #10
    haujobb

    haujobb

    Dec 16, 2004
    If you are stuck on a tube power amp, you could always buy one meant for guitar, and I may be mistaken but didn't Aguilar used to make one.

    A peavey 100/100 might work, although I agree on just getting a tube pre and a good SS power amp.
     
  11. Nov 19, 2005 #11
    lo-freq

    lo-freq aka UFO

    Jan 19, 2003
    SW, OK
    If you like tubey, warm, and punchy with OD maybe an Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp.

    For tube power overdrive, you're probaby better off with an all tube head: Ampeg, Mesa, or whatever.
     
  12. Nov 19, 2005 #12
    crazybassist601

    crazybassist601

    Dec 24, 2004
    St. Clair Shores MI
    I think I might just be better off (and my wallet might be too) If I just shoveled out for an all tube head such as the 400+ or the SVT II Pro. I dont want the classic because its not rack mountable so it pisses me off. I want to get a good rack going. And by the way I am getting a Schroeder 410 sometime this winter. I will also be running a Sansamp RBI in the mix too (should be comming anytime). I just hate that the cheapest you can get a new tuber is 1700 for a 300 watt and the ones I want (looking mesa or ampeg, as their tone is to die for).
     
  13. Nov 20, 2005 #13
    smo

    smo

    Nov 3, 2005
    A Sandgropers' City, Australia
    +1, but tube amps do need regular maintenance - depends if you've got the pocket for it.
    The SS poweramp won't ever need regular maintenance - so it depends what you're really after down the road.

    I did the test between the SVP-Pro and the SVP-CL pre's just recently, and I ended up buying the SVP-CL. :D
    It has a better clean sound IMHO, with a fair bit less noise - but the SVP-PRO is a little more versatile.

    I got the PEAK AUDIO (insert cheaply made chinese power amp) USA1600 (1600w)for $600 AUD. With a 3 year extendable warranty.
    Very loud - very happy.