TE RA500SX power amp - Cabs choice and set up help!!!

[lerroy]

Hi guys,

just bought this poweramp + TE GP12smx.

I am new to this kind of setup (always used combo) and I would need help on chosing Cabs and on setting the system up.

This power amp gives 250 W per channel @ 4 OHM.

Now my doubts are:

better to use a stereo or mono setup, this cab has a crossover so if used in stereo the sounds possibilities are great.

mono would be easier for me in this moment as would be less expensive to buy 1 cab and in the future is always possible to expand the system.

if I choose mono, on which channel and how to connect my cab, I have a mono button on the amp.

If I choose stereo how to set it up considering the built in crossover?

Which cab you would choose, how many WATTS and OHM?

I am sorry for the dumb questions but I'm a noobie with all this even if I love it, I am trying to learn and have the best setup possible without spending a lot of money.

Any help is really appreciated.

Lerroy

 

[Downunderwonder]

Is this the full stereo preamp with multiple back panel options for DI and effect loop? I've got the simple version in my amp head 250W. It is plently loud with the single channel.

I've lost my manual with all the instructions but from memory the white switches are fairly self explaining. Mono is fine and one channel of the power amp is all you need.

I did some google searching, not a lot of info available on your amp but I can see why you are confused. The power amp is kind of a bass specific power amp without a bass preamp. It duplicates a lot of what the smx preamp does as far as the crossover biamp capabilities.

Don't worry. You hook up the pre to the amp with everything on mono and it will make big bass. Use the "full range line output" of the preamp going to line in on the amp

I take it you have no cabs at present? I believe Peavey are well distributed in Europe, best value used cabs worldwide. You could build a good cab if you are handy

You don't need to worry about cab ohms too much as your amp is two channel and 4 ohms on both. Max one 4 ohm cab or two 8 ohm cabs on each channel. Wear earplugs. Keep in mind you might change amps later so sticking to 8 ohm cabs is probably a good idea.

Cabs are frequently rated double what they can actually handle. Contrast this with Trace Elliot amp specs which are conservative, you could run into trouble using 200W rated cabs more with this amp than others.

The capabiliity of the pre and power amp to drive a huge biamp stack is truly mindblowing, but you don't need it.

I would be looking for a matched pair of 15s or 2x10s, 2x12s if you need to be heard in a rock band with big stack guitar amps and loud drummer. If you don't need to be so loud one 2x10 and a good 15 using biamp is very nice.

If you're playing jazz in cafes you could throw a 10" in a sealed box and be golden. It's horses for courses but the amp will do it all.