• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Rack? or Head?

A

Ayliffe

May 8, 2007
741
3
Ontario, Canada
#1
Im stuck, I, as alot of you probably know, have been looking to upgrade my rig. Recently I've been thinking about putting together a rack, consisting of a Sansamp RBI and a undecided poweramp, with either an eden 212 or a mesa 212. But today, i was at the Long & Mcquade near my town, and i was playing threw an Ampeg SVT 3PRO, and im really torn between the svt, or the sansamp rack.

So, ITT please add incite to either product, and please give me some ideas for the poweramp for the rack if i do decided to go that way.

Thanks Guys.

:bassist:
 
#2
I'd go with the pre-power rig every time. More power for the money. As far as power amps go. It all depends on size and weight and how important that is to you. If weight isn't that big of a deal, look at QSC RMX in the power you need. The smallest one (830) is 830 watts into 4 ohms. I use a QSC PLX 1202. More head room than I need and not too heavy. Also look at Crown, Crest, Stewart, Peavey, along with QSC. the Pre-amp will color your sound much more than the differences between power amps. From my experience heavier power amps with traditional power supplies cost less and sound just as good if not better than lighter ones with more exotic designs. jmho
 
#5
I concur with GreyBeard. He helped me with the exact same dillema and I wound up with a Sansamp Para and a QSC850. It sounds pretty darn good!

I figured it like this: If I wanted to sell the power amp and get more power, then any musician... not just bass players would be interested. Ya' know, for PA's and the like. That means easier resale and more piece of mind. BTW, when I got it QSC had a special where you got a 6 year warranty. That also set my mind at ease.

I am happy and don't think that I will be selling anything any time soon. Sounds like you got the pre problem licked with the RBI, so for just $319 more you got 800+ watts... no brainer to me.

Ox.

EDIT: Just saw your last post. I use SKB and it seems VERY solid. Got a 6U on a deal at GC for liek $110 new. Look at Craigslist too, they are on there all the time.
 
#7
just waiting on the canadian prices at my local store via email, hopefully it all works out to less then 2 grand, with the mesa 212. by god that will be an awesome rig.

ill keep everyone posted.

heres what im thinking now.

Gator 4 space rack (its the only company my dealer carries)
QSC RMX850 Power Amp
Tech 21 Sansamp RBI Pre-amp
Fuhrman M8 Power Conditioner
Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 2x12 cabinet, 4 ohms.

nice?

i think so.
 
#8
2 questions you need to ask yourself.

How flexible of a setup do you need?

How much power do you need?


1st question is going more towards the load on your amp(ohms) and the 2nd one for headroom. Do you really NEED more than a certain amount of wattage or are you lusting for more than necessary... Both setups have their advantages but know where your priorities lie and weigh it all in the balance.

My opinion would be... If you have the room, transportation and lifting power to haul around a rack... go for it. Get yourself a CA9 while you are at it :) I say this as I go to a more convenient and easily transportable setup for myself... heads. It is all situational and depends on many factors.
 
#9
seaKamp said:
2 questions you need to ask yourself.

How flexible of a setup do you need?

How much power do you need?


1st question is going more towards the load on your amp(ohms) and the 2nd one for headroom. Do you really NEED more than a certain amount of wattage or are you lusting for more than necessary... Both setups have their advantages but know where your priorities lie and weigh it all in the balance.

My opinion would be... If you have the room, transportation and lifting power to haul around a rack... go for it. Get yourself a CA9 while you are at it :) I say this as I go to a more convenient and easily transportable setup for myself... heads. It is all situational and depends on many factors.
Click to expand...

im on a quest to find the right tone for myself.. which is the geddy lee sound, with more growl.

now i use a warwick thumb, so the growl is not a problem, but the geddy lee part is, hence the RBI. Plus i hear that preamp is also very versatile.
 
#12
I think the preamp/poweramp setup is more versatile as you can change one or the other in the future and don't have to sell your whole amp. It all depends on your tastes. I think the RBI or a BMAX along with a nice QSC, Carvin or Crown (the lower powered versions) poweramp would be a great rig and would cost you less than $700.

Those cabs seem like great choices so choose the one you like the most.
 
#17
Ayliffe said:
what about this power amp??
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crown-Xs500-Power-Amp?sku=481583
Click to expand...

Pretty good deal, but it looks like it won't do a 4 ohm bridged load. I use an 810E so it wouldn't work for me. I have a Crown XTI amp and it has a ton of flexibility, is very light weight and the price is still very reasonable for that amount of power. Also, one of the reviews states that it's about 20" deep which means a huge rack (more weight, more cost). The XTI barely fits into an "effects" rack, but it works. I have to run my cable from pre to power and power to speaker when I set up which is a little less convenient but the tradeoff is OK with me.

And if you haven't figured it out, I'd vote rack system! I had an Eden Navigator and old QSC amp years ago but sold it when I didn't need that big of a rig. When I did need a big amp again I bought an SVT4, but recently sold it and went to an Ashdown pre with the XTI. Very happy with that setup!
 
#18
okay Thanks.

I sure am looking forward to this setup, hopefully it gives me the tone i'm looking for and have been for so long.

EDIT:

high mileage said:
Pretty good deal, but it looks like it won't do a 4 ohm bridged load. I use an 810E so it wouldn't work for me. I have a Crown XTI amp and it has a ton of flexibility, is very light weight and the price is still very reasonable for that amount of power. Also, one of the reviews states that it's about 20" deep which means a huge rack (more weight, more cost). The XTI barely fits into an "effects" rack, but it works. I have to run my cable from pre to power and power to speaker when I set up which is a little less convenient but the tradeoff is OK with me.

And if you haven't figured it out, I'd vote rack system! I had an Eden Navigator and old QSC amp years ago but sold it when I didn't need that big of a rig. When I did need a big amp again I bought an SVT4, but recently sold it and went to an Ashdown pre with the XTI. Very happy with that setup!
Click to expand...

yeah i emailed my local shop about the price for that product (i live in canada) and its waaay to high for me, so i'm going to go with the QSC RMX850. thanks though.
 
#19
So i played on the SVT 3PRO again today, and i gotta say im really diggin that thing. I haven't gotten a chance to play the racks setup ive been describing, but from what ive heard you guys say, its apparantly a better idea then the head.

talk me out of the SVT.. PLEASE.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back