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Tiny self contained power amp options.
- Thread starter IvanMike
- Start date
Not optimal is an understatement. Instrument cables should never be used to connect an amp to speakers.
Just created this pedal board. Sonic Research Turbo Tuner --> Noble tube preamp/DI --> Jay Gantz Straight Ahead amp w/300 watts @ 8ohms and 500 watts @ 4ohms.
I agree..I had an issue with a my mark bass head and was forced to use a powered speaker with a preamp (and other pedals) and used the CP 12..and sounded great..some bandmembers said they liked much better that the Mark Bass into Thiunderchild 115. You need a bit of pa support with the CP12..as it is not "as" powerful on loud gigs but it does the job really well and tone wise, killer.
For DIY types, the ICEpower modules and wiring harness, designer's manual, can be found at PartsExpress Home
And here are some cases:
ICEpower ASP & A series
And here are some cases:
ICEpower ASP & A series
Great..but where can you buy or what are the options for commercially available small power amps that can put 500W at 4ohm? other than the Demeter Minnie 800D?
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,847
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
The market is (way) too small (at this time) for reputable manufacturers that follow the safety and EMC regulatory laws to market such a product.
For an example of one that did exist (now discontinued) and that was safety/emc compliant, look at the SWR Amplite that was released by Fender:
Thanks, I used to have a SM400 back in the day..when I started. This looks good but I would not buy something like this even in good condition, if they stop building it 10 or so years ago.The market is (way) too small (at this time) for reputable manufacturers that follow the safety and EMC regulatory laws to market such a product.
For an example of one that did exist (now discontinued) and that was safety/emc compliant, look at the SWR Amplite that was released by Fender:
Bbbbbbut there's no market for this product. Interestingly enough the search for a contract manufacturer to build one for me to bring to market is how I discovered TB.
BUT I still DO think that at the end of the day, the real voice of experience and familiarity with the niche we live in must be right. Would you pay a nearly identical price for a mini power amp that you do for an integrated head with a power amp input (aka fx return)?
Sure it COULD be a LITTLE bit cheaper minus a preamp and some eq; but the big part of the price you pay for a head is as @agedhorse stated... recovering certification and R&D cost.
Just find a good condition used or good quality new head with an fx loop, and there's your mono power amp. For example, I run my Shadow Rockabilly pre-amp for my DB right into the fx return on a GB Shuttle 6.0. If that head is too big, you're (imo) kinda bonkers
Well… The market does exist. It’s just too small and too niche. As it stands, I use a mesa D800 in just that away and not only can I use whatever preamp I want to, but I also have a very nice preamp I can use in that unit.
That said, while I am sympathetic and understanding of the obstacles that manufacturers face, as a consumer, it’s… Not my problem. Either you can make it for me, or you can’t.
that sounds overly harsh and I don’t mean it to but it’s just plain old economics. Just like on the other hand it’s plain old economics that I probably can’t get one because it’s cost prohibitive from a manufacturing standpoint.
That said, while I am sympathetic and understanding of the obstacles that manufacturers face, as a consumer, it’s… Not my problem. Either you can make it for me, or you can’t.
that sounds overly harsh and I don’t mean it to but it’s just plain old economics. Just like on the other hand it’s plain old economics that I probably can’t get one because it’s cost prohibitive from a manufacturing standpoint.
And yet the topic comes up on TB, what, once a week?
IMO the marketing department at Mesa needs to go full Apple on this one - have a vision, execute it, and then inform the market it's what they want with such confidence that they agree with you.
The market probably is niche. Drivers:
- Players who prefer a particular outboard preamp
- Players who do not want an onboard preamp
- Players who want extreme portability (i.e., fits on a pedal board)
- Players who are good with 500 watts @ 4ohm or maybe 300 watts @ 8ohm
- Players who prefer to have all modeling and power gear on a pedalboard (vs. an integrated preamp/amplifier, even if used solely via the effects loop)
Hahah... Full Apple...Apple would never touch something like this. This would be like going back to shoulder-bag cellphones where the radio portion had to be slung over your back, or JVC portable video cameras with an out-board, shoulder-luggable, tape machine.
Talkbass is supposedly filled with people who should know, yet we see often that people here talk about running their amps flat - they just refuse to turn dials - even if their amp has a simple control set because it seems violate world order to dial in EQ.
Mesa actually did kind-of "Apple" on a few of their amps. See that USB port on the back of most of the current models? That solved a problem for a lot of people - especially those of us who use iDevices as part of our production... ;-)
Instead of USB they should’ve used a proprietary connection type and sold the cables/adaptors for $25
I would argue that 2 ohm drive capability isn't really necessary in most applications. My thought is a 2 ohm load is only 2 ohms away from a dead short. Sort of like balancing on the head of a pin, and trying hard not to fall off...
I get what you’re saying, but these days more than ever lightweight and modular are a thing. Are use all single driver eight on campus and for some gigs I would like to bring for. At the very least three for some of the big ones.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Form factor. I'd love a power amp that's 8" to 10" wide to use with a separate, equally diminutive preamp. My days of using rack-width components are over.
If I weren't so darned happy with my Crazy8 and Crazy88, I'd probably invest in powered cabs that can be pole-mounted at ear level.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,847
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Fender no longer supports it so it's a certainly a gamble. I was really illustrating an example of a small power amp that was safety and emc certified and the sales were so low that it wasn't even close to worth it in the end.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,066
- 45,999
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Another example of a fully legit one was the Acoustic Image Focus SA, which IIRC Rick Jones at AI said sold all of around 50 units total over the few years it was in production. Ouch!
