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Why are Poweramps not the standard?

#61
newbies+semi newbies like me don't really understand what a power amp does, and where it goes in the chain and don't want to spend or have the extra $ for one....plus loading hassle... I carry a gigbag, small gear bag, amp and small cooler for refreshments to my buddy's studio plus snacks every 4th jam.....I don't want another thing to lug

to be honest I don't know what a power amp would do for me and my Terror Bass 500 through my 15" Eden at home or his 15" Yorkville cab.

I already spend too much time here looking at bass, cab, string forums....if I started researching power amps I'd lose my mind :D
 
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#62
When going from preamp pedal to regular bass head, what is the advantage of using fx return vs going into the preamp section and leaving the controls mostly flat? That way you get the option of some additional tone shaping (in some cases). For example, I use a VT Bass pedal or an Ampeg SCR DI sometimes. In both cases they have a mid control but my combo amp has two mid control bands vs both of those pedals only have a single mid control. I'm guessing that in most cases the preamp section introduces less noise than most pedals do.
 
#63
The only reason to use an effects return as a "power amp input" is to functionally bypass the heads preamp section. This way you don't double preamplify your signal if you dont want to. Say you have a super high end tube pre, and a mid level class D head. you may get better results bypassing the heads preamp section, which in this instance could be thought of a tonal bottleneck, if you will..
 
#68
Think, you could take the modular thing really far, like they do in the synth world and you could have your amp setup look like this:

Tom_Rowlands_system1.jpg


Or this:

ef85605f945d8b160a33fcc6be405a24.jpg
 
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#70
At least once a week you see people posting about will head X go with cab Y because they don't fully understand how impedance and such works. Power amps require you to not only understand that but also understand input impedances. Many amps have two channels, now there's bridging to worry about. Most people don't need the extra power that a strict power amp can get you, and the fact that everything is in one box makes it easier for the less tech savvy to understand. Add in the fact that cost is comparable between the two and the pre-made one comes with a warranty and you've got your answer.

Most people don't buy their car one part at a time and assemble it themselves. Can you make a mean machine by doing so? Yes. But, you could also blow up the motor or yourself if you don't know what you're doing.
 
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#75
+1 there. there is no substitute for well designed horsepower.

It makes a night and day difference, especially for certain kinds of players demands. It's also a self selecting need: If you are happy with your rig, keep it. If you wish it was more dynamic, and effortlessly present, get a "better" power section.
 
#76
monsterthompson said:
Why not go the way of the Barefaced FR800? 800w class D power amp built into the cab. Now all you need is a pre. Even less gear to pack. No questioning if your amp and speaker cab are compatible.
Click to expand...

My concern there would be the same as using a combo - what happens if the amp takes a dump on you? It's definitely more convenient, but at the cost of flexibility in the event of problems.
 
#77
BurningSkies said:
People love choices until there are more than a couple, then they don't like them. The Mo'Mark concept seemed great on paper, but people didn't really take to the 'build your own' approach. I prefer a power/pre setup, but I'm not most people and what I want out of an amp setup isn't most people. You should see faces fall when I share my amp as backline...I've gotten comments from touring pros about how they'd rather just see an 'amp head'...One guy took an Eden Nemesis combo over my setup because it was easy and familiar.
Click to expand...

So that's how you can be a nice guy and offer your equipment to other bands, but not have to deal with someone mishandling your gear. Nice!
 
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#79
Don't worry OP despite some of the responses I don't think you're asking a stupid question, I've wondered this myself. And if anyone wants to call me stupid then my black belt and I would like a word with them. I have used Sansamps for a while but I usually run them through the front of my Carvin BX500 because I want to add the tone shaping of the extensive EQ to the awesome sound of my Sansamp. It just gives more options in my opinion.
 
#80
viper4000 said:
So that's how you can be a nice guy and offer your equipment to other bands, but not have to deal with someone mishandling your gear. Nice!
Click to expand...

Also, I can lock out the DSP on my power amp...including HPF, limiter and levels. Double safety. I know my speakers can handle the power amp's output settings with my preamp's line out all the way open, so I've got a level of protection built into my setup for sharing.

I'm an internet blackbelt too...
 
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