Stereo power amp/pre-amp advice sought

[bass7858]

Good evening gentemen,
I used to haul around a tbraxx (peavey) preamp and and cs1200 to play bass thru. Yes, lots of horse power. Only prob was....the damned thing was flat out HEAVY!!!! this was maybe 12-15 yrs ago. still got the tbraxx. Power amp is gone. (Thank God!!!!!!)
Here is my line of thought and thus the advice i seek. I like being able to get the most from my speakers and gear. My speakers are a 2x12 4 ohm cab capable of with standing 700 rms, and a 4x10 4 ohm with about the same wattage rating. I also know i dont need super huge wattage to get loud enuff. Both cabs are fairly effecient.
i am a fan of the round, clear tubey sound.
I'd like to hear you guys opinions on what are the best pre-amp/power amp combinations out there. The best vs best bang for the buck etc. i have looked at buying the carvin b2000 cause its a get'er done all one in one package with good weight. Plenty of horses @8, 4 and 2 ohms.
Carrying a stereo power amp capable of 2 ohms also has some good advantages. Can either run each side as 2 loads or run one side @ 2 ohms and have a spare amp for say an extra monitor mix.
thanks for any thought or opinions!

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Eden WT550B; 750w at 2 ohms in 20 pounds. Many other heads will perform as well too, depending on the tone you like. If you can't get enough volume, consider more efficient cabinets---especially if yours are ten years old or more.

Do you really need the extra options of a stereo power amp, or is it just "nice to have?" You might be paying for things you'll simply never use. Using a standard head eliminates the rack, the preamp, etc. It also avoids endless waffling in the future: "Should I change this component?"

 

[David1234]

I like my QSC PLX2 1804.

It's really light.

It won't do 2 ohms and won't bridge. There's a model which does but it weighs more.

I'd suggest you try one with the Tbraxx.

(If you want to save a few bucks, the QSC PLX2 1104 is the same nice weight)

 

[Rick Auricchio]

With two cabs (especially different types), running stereo is the best way anyway. Bridging doesn't allow you to balance the cabs.

Split the signal to both channels and adjust them to balance the cabs.

 

[bass7858]

Good point on waffling Rick!! cabs are new. I do remember it was handy on more than one occassion when i was able to power extra cabs on the unused side of the 1200.
I'm not much into waffling things. Hopefully this will be the last "head" i ever buy. As long as i can get a good round tube sound at what ever volume i need i'll be happy. and u can get a whole lot of horse power over @ carvin that weights about 14-15 lbs. so i should still be in the 20 lb bracket.

 

[wave rider]

Peavey IPR1600 maybe? Eight pounds, your preamp may be heavier...
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Several threads on it already.

=wr=

 

[johnk_10]

i'd recommend the Alembic F1-X preamp with a Crown Drivecore XLS1500 or XLS2000. the Crown is light, fairly shallow, operates down to 2 ohms, as well as bridged, has eq xo's and limiters-very versatile.

the two of them would fill a 3U rack and weigh less than 23lbs all up.