Which Power Amp

[PURPOLARIS]

I currently have an SVP Pro Pre Amp and an SVP 1500 Power Amp, however I find the Power Amp too big so I'm looking for a lightweight replacement.

Any ideas?

I've been looking at 1U and 2U Power Amps (the Ampeg is 3U) mainly looking at lightweight ones. Are they reliable, what makes should I look for and what makes should I avoid.

[dincz]

Probably the two main contenders would be Peavey IPR1600 and Crown XLS1000/1500. I asked for opinions in another thread a couple of days ago but got only one response. Not much interest here in pre/power rigs I guess.

[PURPOLARIS]

Thanks for your input, I'll do some online research.

[beely]

I've used an SVP Pro with a W-Audio Horizon 1100w and got very impressive results.
You can get different models, 5 I think, varying from 300w-1300w which vary in physical size as well, so you could get one of the smaller ones to match the size of your pre so they could fit in a small flight case.

[PURPOLARIS]

Thanks Beely, I was wondering about them as they seem quite reasonably priced.

[VTypeV4]

I would always look at crown amplifiers as I believe they make the finest power amplifiers money can buy. Not sure if they do a lightweight range but they're a great bit of kit.

[Mog]

Yep another +1 for Crown. Also as said above the Peavey stuff is fairly bombproof.

[PURPOLARIS]

I've put a bid in for a Crown XS700 which looks fairly decent.

[Mog]

Good choice. Plenty of options with power. From memory they go to something over 1900 watts in bridged mode

Edited July 13, 2012 by Mog

[PURPOLARIS]

Yes something like that, unfortunately not as light as I'd like but at 2U I'm saving 1U and it's a quality amp from what I can make out.

[dincz]

Looks like a good solution - and only 3Kg heavier than my current 300W power amp.

[Owen]

Last time I ran a pre/power rack I used a Peavey. It was superb, dirt cheap and light as a feather. That is the combination you are looking for

[bigjohn]

Yeah. Crown, Peavey, QSC are the big boys.

There are some other little gems about too like C-Audio and Chevin.

[PURPOLARIS]

What are the Yamaha ones like, they look like they're built for the road.

[Owen]

The P series Yamaha ones are built for Roadies!

[Thurbs]

Lots of Peavey IPR 1600 love here. Use mine for both PA and Bass duties depending on the gig.

[Dood]

My poweramp option is using a 1U head, such as the GK MB series. If you can pick one up secondhand, it'll be lightweight and you have the option of using the preamp section on it too, or just plugging straight in to the return in the effects loop, that will plug you straight in to the power amp section. When I'm not using my Kilo head (i.e. a small gig) I'll plug my Ampeg BSP preamp in to th return of my GK MB800. The Ampeg BSP is a very particular distortion preamp and I am yet to find any pedal that sounds as good! but that's a bit off topic! - The point is, it sounds great using the GK power amp and makes a tiny rig too!

[Sjonnie]

I use a QSC PLX1802 myself. Combined with a 1U pre amp and a 3U rack bag this is a very manageable solution. The amp sounds very good and I have plenty of power. I have this amp three years now, and I'm still very pleased with it.

[gafbass02]

I must admit. I've toyed with using my as a power amp to power the pa before by going into the power amp through the fx loop. So it's good to see I'm not the only one
Any reason I shouldn't?

[EKULP01]

Old topic but has anyone come across these 'Matrix Power Amps' made in the UK? they do a cool range of 1u power amps for guitar, not sure if they suitable for bass as well but I like the look of the GT1000FX 1u - [url="http://matrixguitaramplification.com/products/"]http://matrixguitara...n.com/products/[/url]

[GUI101]

+1 for the crown xls drivecore range,
Crest also do some 'lightweight' power amps that are worth a look.

[30507090]

How about the amplite? Crazy small 1/2 u width?

[30507090]

Powersoft also

[craigcapener]

[quote name='EKULP01' timestamp='1360420522' post='1970089']
Old topic but has anyone come across these 'Matrix Power Amps' made in the UK? they do a cool range of 1u power amps for guitar, not sure if they suitable for bass as well but I like the look of the GT1000FX 1u - [url="http://matrixguitaramplification.com/products/"]http://matrixguitara...n.com/products/[/url]
[/quote]

I had a look at these guys after seeing this and it looks like they have another power amp that seems to be suitable for bass. Its the 1600w 2u model..http://matrixguitaramplification.com/products/gt1600fx-2u-rackmount-amplifier/

A little pricey if you were looking for a cheap solution but its lightweight and look at all the shiny colours!

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='EKULP01' timestamp='1360420522' post='1970089']
Old topic but has anyone come across these 'Matrix Power Amps' made in the UK? they do a cool range of 1u power amps for guitar, not sure if they suitable for bass as well but I like the look of the GT1000FX 1u - [url="http://matrixguitaramplification.com/products/"]http://matrixguitara...n.com/products/[/url]
[/quote]

If it delivers 325W into 8 Ohms unbridged, it's not clear to me why it would deliver 1000W into 8 Ohms in bridged mode.

I'm also puzzled about the heading 'Made In Britain' but available with a Japanese manual ...

From what I can see, these amps are more likely to be suitable for guitarists than as part of a bass rig.