Rig Dilemma - HELP!

I'm trying to figure out why your rack weighs so much... the RPM-1 should weigh about 13-14lbs, the xls402 weighs about 27lbs, and the korg and furman can't weigh more than 15lbs together... Add a rack that weighs at least 10lbs, and you hit that 65lb+ mark. Maybe you could get a lighter power amp. Something from stewart audio or the QSC PLX2 line could save you 20lbs. You could ditch the rack tuner in favor of a small hand held one, and get a smaller rack. Also, that ashdown pre is heavier than most.

 

I think your best bet then would be to go with a head. I think pre/power setups are nice, but are over rated here on tb. I recently made this same decision, and cut down my quest II and crown xls602 pre/power setup to a UL502. I think it was a great choice!

BTW, I meant to vote for option 1, but for some reason chose option 2, so disregard.

 

i think it would be best to get rid of the Preamp and Poweramp and get the Aguilar AG500 or Iamp. the pre and power combined weigh combined 38.6 lbs. the Aggie weighs 15 lbs. this would shave off 23 pounds and cut your rack down to 42 lbs.

 

I have not tried the aguilar500 or the iamp 500.. I have used a crown amps , still own one and there is nothing that beats that as far as sound.. IMO... I am going through the same delema for my smaller gigs... I have the Aguilar GS112 cabs too.. 1 to 4 cabs depending on gig... and all my heads are heavy the SVT2, the Carvin b1500 or rack with Crown or Carvin with alembic pre.. wich weighs about 55 to 60 pounds...

I am seriously considering the Iamp800 or the Thunderfunk as my head of choice since they are both light enough..
TO me they both have their strengths.. The TF has the sound i am going for but CAN NOT do 2 ohms... but only the Iamp can do 2 ohms to run all four cabs if i want.
If i only were running 2 GS112 cabs like you i would just get the Thunderfunk and call it day... I think it is only 15 pounds in 2 spaces...
for me i guess it is the Mid Life Crisis of bass rigs

 

iAmp800 all the way. it delivers at all levels (loud or soft) and it can go down to 2Ω.

 

I think the main reason is that they are so expensive....

 

That'd be my first choice, but I know I can't afford one!

 

I voted "Figure it out yourself" because I'm not quite sure what sound you're looking for and such. I'd say try out both options and decide what you like better. Or keep your current head, but still get a new head. And then when you get some more money, get the pre and power amp. Then you've got a bunch of options

 

if you look on the TB classifieds ive seen a couple of Aggie Ag500's up for sale. Check eBay too.

 

I voted get a head. I like the iAmp 800. I also like the ThunderFunk head. Only weighs 15 lbs and it is plenty powerful, seemingly more than the specs indicate. The GK 1001RB-II is hard to beat also. 18 lbs, 700 watts, and can be bought new for $600. Also, if you like your preamp that much look at a lighter power amp. The Stewart 1.2 on weighs about 11 lbs and the Acoustic Image Focus SA puts out 800 watts and weighs 3.5 lbs!!

 

How much are the Ashdown heads in your neck of the woods?

An ABM900 does 2x575W and while it isnt light, its a lot lighter than your rack. Just an idea.

 

I have a killer little setup that's about 40 lbs that is truly amazing.

SKB rack = 11 ish lbs
Furman = 6 lbs
Korg DTR-1000 tuner = 3 lbs
Yamaha BBT500H = 11 lbs
Stewart World poweramp = 11 lbs
Total = 42 lbs

As most of you know, the Yamaha is a truly an amazing amp that can mimic almost any rig (SVT, Bassman, GK, Trace , etc). It also has the very best compressor I've ever used that came built into a head.

The Stewart pumps out 1200 watts bridged into 4 ohms which is plenty for most situations. Heck, the Yamaha built in amp can get me through 75% of my gigs, but the Stewart is always there if I need it and also serves as a great backup to our PA amps if one of them goes. The other cool part is that you could use the Stewart to power the main cabs behind you and use the Yamaha to power a bass monitor in front of you and each would have their own volume controls. It really is by far the most versatile rig I've owned to date and it's realativily light and easy to transport too.

 

Go with a head. Ashdown ABM500 or Ashdown MK500 (since you already like the Ashdown preamp sound) or Aguilar AG500 or Eden WT-550..... All of them should work just fine with the Aggies. I my self got the Aggies and a MK500. (And yeah i had a heavy rack too)