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Double Bass Small power amp?

6

61pollmann

Apr 30, 2005
536
15
Wisconsin
#1
Does anyone have a suggestion for a high quality lightweight power amp? I don't need a preamp section because I'm going to use it with a Millennia TD-1. I know that Acoustic Image has a very small one, but I would like to be able to consider some alternatives, if possible. I really want to avoid lugging a rack-size amp around. I have a QSC 2402, but carrying the TD-1 along with it starts to add up in size and weight. I need to be able to drive one or two Bergantino 112's for DB gigs, or one 8 ohm Euphonic Audio VL-210 for EBG gigs.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

George
 
#2
There's the Focus SA. But interestingly, I asked Rick at AI if he would ever come out with a "Clarus SA." He told me that he would not be able to make such a thing sufficiently cheaper to justify it. For this reason, the best deals on compact power amps may presently be to buy a compact head and bypass its preamp.

In slightly different positions on the price / portablity scale are some compact conventional power amps such as ART SLA-1, and Samson Servo 120a, the latter of which has impressive audio specs and a compelling price.
 
#5
Probably not what you are looking for but there's one for sale *Cheap* on the Bass Guitar side and I think you should consider it.
14 Lbs
Stereo 700 w x2 @4ohms
Bridged 1400 w @ 4ohms
It's a good, reliable and pleasing sounding piece of gear. I use one for DB in extreme or outdoor situations and I couldn't be happier.
Despite having similar specs to my Walter Woods Ultra it is much Much, MUCH more powerful. It will drive two bergantino 12 cabs (I have one) beautifully. It does have a cooling fan though, so I don't recommend it for anything too intimate.
ONE yes ONE rack space. maybe not the size or shape you are thinking, but the weight (1 Lb per 100 watts) can't be beat.
Just put a piece of black electical tape over the part that says "peavey" ;)
 
#6
Why not forgo the Millenia and the amp separates and just use an AI Focus 2R III?

It's got plenty of clean power, the preamp and DI outs are fantastic, it mixes mics and pickups well, holds up great on the road and weighs nothing.

That's all I've been using for awhile now on both DB and EB gigs. I pick the appropriate bass and cabinet for the gig and use that amp for them all. I hardly ever need the EQ it sounds so good. Signal to the FOH sounds great and needs nothing at the board but a strong pad and a fader.

The Millenia is an excellent sounding piece of gear but not so far above the Focus Preamp enough to warrant dealing with all the extra junk you need to haul around with it for live gigs.

I went through a period of hauling lots of outside preamps and DIs and other junk to gigs but when I started using the AI amp I realized I could leave it all home and just use the Focus.

It's far from perfect, I bitched about it a bunch, but it's pretty darn good and I'm much happier about my overall schlep.
 
#8
61pollmann said:
Does anyone have a suggestion for a high quality lightweight power amp? I don't need a preamp section because I'm going to use it with a Millennia TD-1. I know that Acoustic Image has a very small one, but I would like to be able to consider some alternatives, if possible. I really want to avoid lugging a rack-size amp around. I have a QSC 2402, but carrying the TD-1 along with it starts to add up in size and weight. I need to be able to drive one or two Bergantino 112's for DB gigs, or one 8 ohm Euphonic Audio VL-210 for EBG gigs.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

George
Click to expand...
george,
iirc tb-member vunz uses some VERY small power amp. you can search his posts or send him a pm

edit: searched myself in his profile: Flying Mole power amp
 
#9
Thanks for the replies. The Stewart PA-100B is fantastic for its size, but in a bridged mono mode it wants to see 8 ohms. I use two Bergies often, and in parallel they are 4 ohms. I do own an Acoustic Image Focus II, but I find it to be way too dark sounding with my Full Circle. I would like to try an AI Focus SA to see if my problems are with the preamp or power amp sections. I'm hoping that the EQ section of the TD-1 will be more useful for me. I do a fair amount of studio sessions and need the TD-1 as a recording interface. I rely on my vintage ribbon mic for basic sound, but occasionally I need to blend in some pickup sound. I always record to two tracks. I probably will just use my QSC 2402 on live gigs for the time being.

Thanks again,

George
 
#12
Here's my set up:
RS II into D-Tar Solstice into Carvin DCM 100 power amp (700 watts bridged at 8 ohms, 1000 watts bridged at 4 ohms) into an EA CXL 112 cab. It works good for me. Considering I've been lugging SVT's heads and cabs all my life it's very light at 25 Lbs :) Seriously, it's obviously not as light as an EA or AI head but I gig with some rather loud guys and I wanted to have the head room. I have it now :)
 
#13
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/ClassD/ClassD.htm
Even into my single rubbish 8 ohm cab this still gets pretty loud.
Pic for reference...
minirig1.jpg
 
#19
Bassic83 said:
What's the output method? 1/4", banana clip/binding post, terminal block? Also, do you happen to know if they have a US model (120v)? What's it weigh? And what is that red thing next to it?
Click to expand...

It has a speaker cable wired right in- I bought it second hand, and the previous owner had attached an extension to this with a speakon jack- 5 minutes soldering to put a 1/4" jack on. I believe they do make a 120V version, and the spec sheet claims about 3kg/just under 6lbs. I don't have any scales to check that with unfortunately.

Its roughly 9" deep, 5.5" wide and 4" high.

There's no fan on it either so operation is totally silent, and the build quality seems excellent.

Last and possibly least, the red thing is indeed a Boss VF1 serving as a preamp. Works for me :)

Hope that helps.
 

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