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Reasonably priced power amp for SVP Pro and Barefaced Two10s?

_CM_

_CM_

Jun 9, 2018
16
6
#1
I have a Barefaced Two10s cab on order and I have an Ampeg SVP Pro preamp which is waiting for fresh tubes. The only bass power amp I have is the power amp section of an old Trace Elliot Series 6 (GP7). Well I do have an old Marshall 9000 series (9005) 2x50w valve power amp in the wardrobe, but I am not sure it will be that good for this job.

It seems like most people go for Class D amps these day, but I don't know what's good. So any ideas on a suitable power amp to consider?

BTW I mainly play rock/hard rock on a 2002 EBMM StingRay and I don't need lots of volume just a good tone for recordings, rehearsals and small venue gigs with PA. Weight is not important, however the budget is not unlimited.

Edit: Perhaps I should add is what I am looking for is some sort of a baby version of a "SVT with 8x10 rig", but with a "modern" twist (and at a lower cost). Hence then choice of the preamp and speaker.
 
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#6
Thanks for all the suggestions. Peavey and Crest power amps are hard to find over here in Europe. I found a dealer who was stocking them, but for that kind of money I can get a used SVT head or a nice EBS head, which place them out of my current budget.

Crown and QSC are widely available here and are selling at very reasonable and similar prices. Are they equally good in terms of sound quality and build quality?

Crown has built in bridge switching. Is QSC GX3 easy to bridge although it doesn't have built in bridge switching?

Crown has several models between €250 and €315. Xli 800, XLS 1002, XLi1500 and there is XLS 1502 at €369. Are there equal in sound quality, or any of them preferred? I don't a massive amount of power, my priority is sound quality and then reliability. It will be used with my Barefaced Two 10s, which is a compact 2x10. The main use will be recording, rehearsal and smaller gigs.
 
#7
Mingo Sanders said:
What's "reasonably" priced to you? If you're willing to consider used gear, there are plenty of Crown and QSC amps available in a 2-space package that would serve you well.
Click to expand...

There is no fixed budget. I am not interested in in budget stuff like Behringer och Phonic. But something decent which will sound good with the rest of my gear. I rather dump my SVP Pro and go for a really good, used head than spending to much on a power amp for my Ampeg SVP Pro.

So basically I am trying to find a sensible balance between tone and cost. Something which sounds better than the power amp of my old Trace Elliot head, otherwise it's just a waste of money.

Size and weight isn't important for me.
 
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#8
Nephilymbass said:
I use a crown xls1500. Super affordable, 1550w @4 ohms bridged. Weighs like 8 lbs. been using it for about 4 years with no issues.
Click to expand...

Thanks, sounds interesting. Do you know if there is any difference in sound between then XLi and then XLS series? The XLS seems to have DSP and a display which I don't need. They are very similar in price, so it's not about the money.

Then XLi series seems to be much heavier than ther XLS series. Could it be that XLS has switch mode power suplies and Xli has traditional linear (transformer based) power supplies. Again, I don't mind the extra weight if it sounds better.
 
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#10
_CM_ said:
Thanks, sounds interesting. Do you know if there is any difference in sound between then XLi and then XLS series? The XLS seems to have DSP and a display which I don't need. They are very similar in price, so it's not about the money.
Click to expand...
I haven’t had an XLi but I checked out the crown website and with a weight of 28lbs it’s 3 times heavier than the xls which are under 10lbs
 
#15
_CM_ said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. Peavey and Crest power amps are hard to find over here in Europe. I found a dealer who was stocking them, but for that kind of money I can get a used SVT head or a nice EBS head, which place them out of my current budget.

Crown and QSC are widely available here and are selling at very reasonable and similar prices. Are they equally good in terms of sound quality and build quality?

Crown has built in bridge switching. Is QSC GX3 easy to bridge although it doesn't have built in bridge switching?

Crown has several models between €250 and €315. Xli 800, XLS 1002, XLi1500 and there is XLS 1502 at €369. Are there equal in sound quality, or any of them preferred? I don't a massive amount of power, my priority is sound quality and then reliability. It will be used with my Barefaced Two 10s, which is a compact 2x10. The main use will be recording, rehearsal and smaller gigs.
Click to expand...
My personal opinion is that Crown and QSC are very similar in terms of sound quality and build quality. I believe that the GX3 is not designed for bridging. The XLS amps have been around forever. If you search, you will find countless opinions. Many bass players use them. Many bass players do not like them. You'll just have to try them with your own ears. If you like the sound of your preamp, both Crown and QSC amps should not change that sound. I think you should find one to audition and let us know what you think. Good luck!
 
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#16
S7300469.JPG
My vote would be the Crown XLS amps just because I've used them and had had nothing but good sound and reliability with them . QSC amps are very well respected too but I've never had one .
 
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#19
Mingo Sanders said:
My personal opinion is that Crown and QSC are very similar in terms of sound quality and build quality. I believe that the GX3 is not designed for bridging. The XLS amps have been around forever. If you search, you will find countless opinions. Many bass players use them. Many bass players do not like them. You'll just have to try them with your own ears. If you like the sound of your preamp, both Crown and QSC amps should not change that sound. I think you should find one to audition and let us know what you think. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I fully agree. The problem is that I can't try anything local. Being middle age means that everyone I know play either the same gear as in then 80's or can afford serious high end gear costing more than I am prepared to pay at present.

My only alternative is really to gamble a bit and buy something which seems to be promising. If I go for a Crown I can always sell it with a reasonable loss. It's probably the same with the Baby Sumo.

Perhaps I need to buy a serious Ampeg or EBS head, but I think that I will try this route first. If I like it, great. If I don't, I won't lose much.

At then moment it looks like a Crown or the Baby Sumo. The Baby Sumo would easily fit in the 2U rack case I have my Ampeg SVP Pro in. Hmm...
 
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#20
One advantage to a Crown is the ability for either .775V or 1.something volt input sensitivity.
Not sure anbout SVP Pro's but the early SVP-CL's only have enough output to drive a .775V amp to full power.
Don't ask me how I know...
 
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