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Who's making lightweight half rack power amps?
- Thread starter Brad Johnson
- Start date
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,086
- 46,059
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,086
- 46,059
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
The Harley Benton one using the ICE power 700AS1 power module looks like a pretty good bet, assuming it's properly certified in the US, which I have not confirmed : [This invalid link has been removed]
But personally, I'd probably go with something with a good warranty and a well established US service network.
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I'd buy the Block 800B, but I hear a lot of reports about it being noisy. It's pretty much perfect to me otherwise
Kurztest: Harley Benton Block 800b
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,086
- 46,059
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I have no experience with them, but the power modules themselves are certainly far from noisy. Unless Thomann reimburses for warranty service in the US it would be a non starter for me anyway, same as lack of legit US certification would potentially be with anyone's product.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,077
- 5
- 221,172
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Correct, the A-800 can't drive a 2 ohm load no matter what and is limited to 400 watts into a single (or two) 4 ohm loads. The only way to get 800 watts is into a single 8 ohm load which is extremely limiting.
Well….
There actually are solutions for this niche product, IF you have a generous budget.
James Demeter does make his Minnie 800D in a 1U rack mount format. Here is a TB listing, which I believe sold in under two hours.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/demeter-minnie-800d-power-amp-rack-mount-version.1626994/
Of course, those are scarce as hen's teeth on the used market; and very pricey compared to more standard 2U options. For example, my QSC GX7 was about half the Minnie price and 4 times the power. So, I just drag that around in it's own 2U shallow rack, when I "need" that kind of power.
This is a legit gear "need" for a very small market of bass players. We still have a bunch of excellent 1U preamps in use; and putting a good preamp with a power amp in a 2U rack case makes a whole bunch of sense. To bass players.
Or, more properly, SOME bass players. Because we can now put essentially the same power in much smaller footprints.
I do happen to be a Demeter fanboi; though I also have some concerns with where his operations are headed as he thinks about retirement. Anyhow, in the "other solutions" box, I had one of the Minnie 800D power modules installed INSIDE one of my VTBP-201 1 1/2 space units; and that self standing amp now resides in a relatively compact 2U Gator shallow rack. No need for the separate power. Also, the Bass 400D can act as a preamplifier, and sits nicely atop a self standing Minnie 800D on ca. <1/2 the footprint.
There are increasingly too many other options; so, the demand for the 1U power rack unit, though legit, is small and shrinking. GL.
There actually are solutions for this niche product, IF you have a generous budget.
James Demeter does make his Minnie 800D in a 1U rack mount format. Here is a TB listing, which I believe sold in under two hours.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/demeter-minnie-800d-power-amp-rack-mount-version.1626994/
Of course, those are scarce as hen's teeth on the used market; and very pricey compared to more standard 2U options. For example, my QSC GX7 was about half the Minnie price and 4 times the power. So, I just drag that around in it's own 2U shallow rack, when I "need" that kind of power.
This is a legit gear "need" for a very small market of bass players. We still have a bunch of excellent 1U preamps in use; and putting a good preamp with a power amp in a 2U rack case makes a whole bunch of sense. To bass players.
Or, more properly, SOME bass players. Because we can now put essentially the same power in much smaller footprints.
I do happen to be a Demeter fanboi; though I also have some concerns with where his operations are headed as he thinks about retirement. Anyhow, in the "other solutions" box, I had one of the Minnie 800D power modules installed INSIDE one of my VTBP-201 1 1/2 space units; and that self standing amp now resides in a relatively compact 2U Gator shallow rack. No need for the separate power. Also, the Bass 400D can act as a preamplifier, and sits nicely atop a self standing Minnie 800D on ca. <1/2 the footprint.
There are increasingly too many other options; so, the demand for the 1U power rack unit, though legit, is small and shrinking. GL.
Thank you.
Honestly, I'm looking for something the size of an Trace Elliott ELF that can amplify a preamp, so ideally even smaller than 1U
Audio-wise, I come from the headphone hi-fi world where there is an abundance of well-designed hi-fi products so I'm curious why there aren't more power amps available. Supposedly there are regulatory costs to comply with the FCC here in the US, but even then…
Gotcha. As others have posted, most of the 800W Class D amps, such as the Mesa D-800 or Quilter 800 will do it. Or, you can spend a bit more on a self standing Minnie 800D. Or, you can go smaller with something like a Mesa D-350. Lots of choices.
D800 has no functional pre-amp bypass, right? Eyed a $500 one on the classifieds
My mistake. I forgot that both of the smaller Mesa units lack the FX loops. So, the Quilter and Dem Minnie are probably the smallest footprint options.
Upon further sleuthing, I just found out that the aux input of the d800 is basically an effects return, at least. D800+ has an effects loop. Missed the d800 sale
That input jack is a stereo 1/4". So, at the very least, you would need a mono / stereo adapter; I believe. @agedhorse can inform you better than I.
I do own the D-350, but don't use it as just a power section. It's a fantastic little amp.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,077
- 5
- 221,172
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Because the demand is simply not there, not for the cost of an emc and safety certified product. A headphone amp is quite different, in case you hadn't noticed.
The aux input used with a 1/4" TS cable will perform the same as the effects return, simply leave the input gain turned down on the amp and you are good to go.
I did a quick search and I don't think anything from Jule was mentioned yet: Jule Amps
I personally haven't used any of their/his products, but I've heard/read/seen nothing but rave reviews. In your case @vokain you might want to take a look at Simone specifically. Sized as a large pedal, but it's a high-quality (tube?) power amp. Good luck!
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There are a lot of pedal power amps for guitarists, but most are <= 200 watts. Seymour Duncan offers some, but there is a gap between the small pedals and a 2x700 watts/4 ohm stereo power amp for 800,-.
But the idea to put a class-d power amp into a pedal is quite cool.
Powerstage™ 200 | Seymour Duncan
The 6 Best Power Amp Pedals In 2023 | A Buyer's Guide | Delicious Audio
190 watts/4 ohm for 80,-.
Maybe this becomes my next busking amp
But the idea to put a class-d power amp into a pedal is quite cool.
Powerstage™ 200 | Seymour Duncan
The 6 Best Power Amp Pedals In 2023 | A Buyer's Guide | Delicious Audio
190 watts/4 ohm for 80,-.
Maybe this becomes my next busking amp
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