Quilter Bass Block

[bebass]

Sure, I can blow the speaker out easily, but it doesn't matter what wattage head I'm using - that cab is for church youth-group sing-along, acoustic duos, and home practice. I'll drive everyone out of the room LONG before the cab blows up.

I keep the wattage below 140 and the gain below 12:00. If it blows up, I've been making bad life choices.

Cool. The beauty of having a scaled output on any amp - can be used with just about any cab.
Although I have used amps mostly rated for far more power than the thermal rated cabs and never have had a problem with a 2 to 1 ratio if I just listen for distress, I like the idea of amps having the scaled/proportionate rating clearly marked. As amps get more and more powerful as a standard, this is a great idea and I would hope to see more manufacturers doing so.

 

[John D Harris]

The Quilter does have a scaled output power that can be dialed in for most any cab. But yeah, when jacking that Dial all the way there is some serious power going to the speakers and we also need to remember that speaker thermal ratings are not a 1 to 1 ratio with amp power ratings, and that speakers heat up during the gig.

A limiter has been mentioned as being part of the preamp circuitry, I'd think that for the power levels on the master volume control to work as indicated there would also have to be some type of limiter on the power section.
Most power amps will hit or achieve their max power if you hit the input with a big enough signal regardless of the attenuator position on the power amp (unless it's all the way down). I could be wrong on this, but that is my understanding.
I know the BB's preamp will limit, but don't see how that correlates to the power output level & then there's the issue of bypassing the preamp stage & using a different preamp.

 

[bebass]

A limiter has been mentioned as being part of the preamp circuitry, I'd think that for the power levels on the master volume control to work as indicated there would also have to be some type of limiter on the power section.
Most power amps will hit or achieve their max power if you hit the input with a big enough signal regardless of the attenuator position on the power amp (unless it's all the way down). I could be wrong on this, but that is my understanding.
I know the BB's preamp will limit, but don't see how that correlates to the power output level & then there's the issue of bypassing the preamp stage & using a different preamp.

My understanding is that there is an integration of pre/power limiter and that the output levels are indeed correlative. The limiter is bypassed if using as a separate amp.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Limiting? Doesn't the scaled output control make just exercising simple common sense easy enough for anyone of average intelligence?

EDIT. I spoke much too quickly not really understanding the dynamic limiting on the BB800 is not the typical irritatingly unsubtle limiting I automatically associate with consumer bass amps. I don't have a great deal of time in with this amp but the dynamic limiting seems very subtle and I haven't heard anything close to it squashing the sound.

Thermal limiting on the power section is just a good idea the same way a rev limiter is on a sports car.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Last weekend at Wolf Trap. No PA support.

 

[Brad Johnson]

My understanding is that there is an integration of pre/power limiter and that the output levels are indeed correlative. The limiter is bypassed if using as a separate amp.

I thought that I read that there was limiting that is additional to the preamp limiting. Bypass the preamp and you still have that protection at work.

 

[CharlieC]

I thought that I read that there was limiting that is additional to the preamp limiting. Bypass the preamp and you still have that protection at work.

@bebass is correct here in that the limiter is bypassed if using the BB800 as a power amp (via rear XLR Line In.)

I am convinced through personal experience that the magic of the BB800 is in the limiting circuitry and through its front inputs I shall solely go!

 

[CharlieC]

I thought that I read that there was limiting that is additional to the preamp limiting. Bypass the preamp and you still have that protection at work.

Thermal limiting and short circuit protection are still effective when the rear XLR Line In is used.

That perhaps is what you remembered reading, but those protections are not the dual-stage secret-sauce limiting circuitry of the BB800.

Cheers!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Thermal limiting and short circuit protection are still effective when the rear XLR Line In is used.

That perhaps is what you remembered reading, but those protections are not the dual-stage secret-sauce limiting circuitry of the BB800.

Cheers!

That's the protection I'm talking about.

 

[CharlieC]

For fun, using an appropriate adapter, I connected an iPod to my BB800's front panel with the amp connected to my Barefaced BB2.

This combination out-performed popular powered monitor speakers by a mile! (e.g. QSC K12, EV ZLX-15P, etc.)

When pushed, the BB800's limiter gave classic analog recordings the punch of modern "Loudness War" tracks and tube-like warmth when backed-off and colored with the BB800's EQ.

Try it with your favorite FRFR bass cabinet!

 

[Agosix]

Being not to knowledgeable on limiting, how does it work on the BB 800?

 

[CharlieC]

Being not to knowledgeable on limiting, how does it work on the BB 800?

A limiter is a means to tame an audio signal that hits a pre-defined threshhold level via attenuation (i.e. lowering of level.)

With the BB800, this same trick is somehow accomplished in two-stages and the musicality this affords (along with a revolutionary 2-knob EQ) is what sets it apart from all other amps.

Cheers!

 

[Agosix]

A limiter is a means to tame an audio signal that hits a pre-defined threshhold level via attenuation (i.e. lowering of level.)

With the BB800, this same trick is somehow accomplished in two-stages and the musicality this affords (along with a revolutionary 2-knob EQ) is what sets it apart from all other amps.

Cheers!

Thanks for the explanation. My next question is does happen between the preamp and amp stages in the BB800?

 

[CharlieC]

Thanks for the explanation. My next question is does happen between the preamp and amp stages in the BB800?

I would say it happens in the BB800's preamp stage as it has been confirmed that bypassing the preamp via the XLR Line In bypasses the limiting circuitry (not to be confused with thermal limiting.)

 

[Agosix]

I would say it happens in the BB800's preamp stage as it has been confirmed that bypassing the preamp via the XLR Line In bypasses the limiting circuitry (not to be confused with thermal limiting.)

Seems right because I hooked up a Demeter 400 as the preamp and the gain and tone knobs had no effect on the BB800. The volume knob was functional. So my guess would be that the limiter works between the gain and master whereas perhaps more gain = more limiting?

 

[CharlieC]

Seems right because I hooked up a Demeter 400 as the preamp and the gain and tone knobs had no effect on the BB800. The volume knob was functional. So my guess would be that the limiter works between the gain and master whereas perhaps more gain = more limiting?

Before actually auditioning the BB800, I suspected that I would ultimately bypass its preamp (using the XLR Line In) and simply use the Quilter for its power amp section. Boy, was I wrong! I cannot get past the sweet dynamics of the limiter circuitry and the benefits having "finishing-touch" EQ at my disposal. What a great and different amp!

 

[Agosix]

Before actually auditioning the BB800, I suspected that I would ultimately bypass its preamp (using the XLR Line In) and simply use the Quilter for its power amp section. Boy, was I wrong! I cannot get past the sweet dynamics of the limiter circuitry and the benefits having "finishing-touch" EQ at my disposal. What a great and different amp!

That eq is more powerful than it looks.

 

[CharlieC]

^^^

With Depth and Contour knobs at Noon, the BB800 is really flat, and with Gain, one can simply work the Limiter circuitry before entry to the power amp section.

I'd connect that Demeter 400 preamp section to the front panel of the BB800 for sure and get the best of both worlds!

 

[Agosix]

^^^

With Depth and Contour knobs at Noon, the BB800 is really flat, and with Gain, one can simply work the Limiter circuitry before entry to the power amp section.

I'd connect that Demeter 400 preamp section to the front panel of the BB800 for sure and get the best of both worlds!

Ahh!

 

[Agosix]

Ahh!

Just tried it it's killer diller! Thanks for that tip...it's lethal