Why are there no light weight power amps?

[SteveC]

Given the abundance of sub 5 pound heads, why doesn't anyone offer a 5 pound, single rack space power amp? I currently use a "micro" head and it's great and all, but I sometimes think about going preamp/power amp again. The thing that holds me back is the weight of power amps, and lack of a good single space option.

I know there are many good power amps that don't weigh that much - 20 pounds and under. - but I think "micro" heads have set a new standard for weight to power ratios. If little 5 pound heads can do almost 1,000 watts, why can't there be a single space power amp that could do the same?

How sweet to pair a nice preamp like Demeter, Alembic, what have you with a 5 pound power amp in a 2 space rack. The only way to do that now is get something like a Shuttle 9.0 and run a preamp through the effects loop, bypassing the Shuttle's preamp and using your own.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Given the abundance of sub 5 pound heads, why doesn't anyone offer a 5 pound, single rack space power amp?

Because power amps have two channels. They also have to face higher demands for PA use than backline amps, so they run a bit heavier. There are quite a few in the less than 15 pound range.

 

[BurningSkies]

Check out the Peavey IPR series, running seven pounds or less and two rack spaces. Also, believe it or not, there's a new series of Behringer lightweight one space power amps that are soon to come out.

My money is on the Peaveys.

 

[mulchor]

How 'bout SWR's Amplite that's meant to partner with the Headlite?

I don't know much about it, never used, this is not an endorsement. But it's what came to mind when I read the first post.

 

[Hollywars]

All of these sub 5 pound heads are single channel generally. I tried the NeoPak 3.5 with the volume ALL OF THE WAY UP with 2 bill fitzmaurice cabs, and it was tolerable without earplugs.

 

[pasta4lnch]

at $600 I couldn't expect to find a better power amp than my LMII - I pretty much use my SABDDI for tone shaping. though I occasionally use the LM's eq for room compensation so I guess it's better than a box w/ a volume knob . . .

though I am a little bit surprised that micro power amps are not more common . . .

 

[SteveC]

How 'bout SWR's Amplite that's meant to partner with the Headlite?

That's the only one I can find.

. . . though I am a little bit surprised that micro power amps are not more common . . .

Me, too. Bass players seem like a "target market for a single channel, 1,000 watt @ 4 ohm, 5 pound single rack space power amp.

 

[B-string]

I own two Peavey IPR1600s, 7lbs each and sound awesome.

 

[seamonkey]

They are coming.

Top end Amp module makers won't allow their modules to be bolted in a chassis to make a power amp. They want to give amplifier embedded designs like heads, and receivers to have a fighting chance.

You could build your own power amp for a higher cost than you'll be able to buy one.
Like from https://www.hypexshop.com/

But because of their distribution system you can expect to see these 1u amps everywhere eventually
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In the meantime, 2u Lightweight Peaveys are the deal of the century. Peavey has some good arguments for not going 1u - mainly you need the space for cooling anyhow, even though they are 90%+ efficient.

 

[tallboybass]

Hmmmm, the QSC PLX1804 weighs a whopping 2.2 lbs. more than the Behringer EPQ1000 and has 2 channels of 900 watt power.

 

[bobcruz]

I've never seen the attraction of the 1-space power amps that have been manufactured up until now because they're very, very deep from front to back. That's an awkward form factor to me. I'd rather have a taller, shallow 2-space power amp like the Peavey IPRs.

 

[bassguppy]

The new Crown XLS DriveCore amps are 8.5 lbs for 1550 watts at 4ohms. OR...10.75 lbs for 2400 watts at 4ohms. good price too.



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[bassmanrocke]

Anybody but me remember stewart amps?

 

[silky smoove]

Carvin DCM-L

 

[mongo2]

Anybody but me remember stewart amps?

I still have a 100W Stewart .5U amp around here somewhere.

 

[bassplayer7770]

The new Crown XLS DriveCore amps are 8.5 lbs for 1550 watts at 4ohms. OR...10.75 lbs for 2400 watts at 4ohms. good price too.



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I'm planning to get an XLS 1500 myself.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Bass players seem like a "target market for a single channel, 1,000 watt @ 4 ohm, 5 pound single rack space power amp.

Not this one! As my cabinets are all 4Ω, your 4Ω minimum amp has no interest whatsoever for me.

Carvin make a range of light weight power amps in their DCMxxxxL series. All 15Lb or less. Not having tried the light amps I cannot comment on how they sound.

I went with their BX1500 with twin 2Ω capable power amps weighing in at 15Lb. It sounds superb.

Paul

 

[SteveC]

Not this one! As my cabinets are all 4Ω, your 4Ω minimum amp has no interest whatsoever for me.

Carvin make a range of light weight power amps in their DCMxxxxL series. All 15Lb or less. Not having tried the light amps I cannot comment on how they sound.

I went with their BX1500 with twin 2Ω capable power amps weighing in at 15Lb. It sounds superb.

Paul

OK, 2 ohm.

 

[SteveC]

The new Crown XLS DriveCore amps are 8.5 lbs for 1550 watts at 4ohms. OR...10.75 lbs for 2400 watts at 4ohms. good price too.



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Great, but I want 1 rack space.

 

[knuckle_head]

Spendy suckers, but take a look at the Invalid Link Removed